Miller ShopMaster 300 AC/DC

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Anyone use this machine? How does it perform? I found one for around $800. Any feedback would be great! Thank You!
Reply:same as a Lincoln toumbstone 250 amp AC  or  AC/DC .
Reply:No. This is a Multi-Function MIG, STICK and TIG machine.
Reply:Originally Posted by woodtick007No. This is a Multi-Function MIG, STICK and TIG machine.
Reply:It's cc/cv ac/dc power source. They're cool but it's only a good deal depending on what it comes with vs what you want to do with it. If you want all the functionality and it's $800 just for the power source, then you could probably do better.Syncrowave 300Maxtron 450, S-52E, 30A
Reply:I have this machine at work, if its just the power source, with no other attachments I think its a little high. I have a wire feeder on mine and a spool gun. Power source works great, spool gun works great, the wire feeder sucks. Hasnt worked right from new.....tried liners guns etc....just isnt smooth.......
Reply:If you're looking for the smallest/ most capable package then they're very cool. I guess my feeling is that at $800 for the power source you're going to have to hunt and hustle to tool up for all processes for under $2K.  And that's what I'm in to my Maxtron and a Sync 300. Superior in all functions.Syncrowave 300Maxtron 450, S-52E, 30A
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749That's quite reasonable for the power source. Actually, cheap. As you indicated tho, if you just wanna MIG weld, yeah there are better alternatives. Too one must bear in mind that being its a true all in one unit, performance will not be as good as that of a dedicated machine. It is a good price for it tho. If its nice anyways. If it has a feeder, that's gravy.I have sold them in the past for around $1500 just the machine, no feeder. They regularly sell in that range with a feeder or HF box. For that price, I was warranteeing it too tho.If its really clean, later model he could make money on it if he chose to sell it down the road. They're a lot like the Maxtron, a niche machine. The guys that want them for their full capabilities will pay good money for them. Miller was the only US manufacturer that ever made a true AC/DC CC/CV multi purpose shop machine. They were doing it with the Trailblazer engine drives long before the Shopmaster was around tho.It would be sweet to see an inverter combo with the Dynasty TIG capabilities & CV current on the DC side. Sure it could be done & done well, but at the same time it would eat into the market of the Dynasty & XMT lines.IMHO of course
Reply:If I remove the covers and look at the boards can/will they show a sign of failure?  Are they repairable buy a qualified electronics repairman?  Where would boards be purchased/swapped for working ones?
Reply:I have a very late model, it's a great machine. I only tried the AC part maybe once. But I stick and mig with it all the time. If it's clean, I don't think $800 is too much. Nice Dialarcs are going between $400-$700 or even $800, and they don't have CV. I never had any problems with mine."Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:I bought one as soon as they came out, around 25 yrs. ago. It has been perfect, no problems. I run an S52 feeder unit off it for mig and use a hi freg box for tig. It's much easier moving the feeder around instead of my MM250. I wouldn't sell mine for $800.
Reply:I have a Shopmaster too and have nothing but good things to say about it. i have the high frequency box for ac tig and a super s32p for a wirefeeder._______________________OF COURSE I DON'T LOOK BUSY... I DID IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME
Reply:if you can look at it before you buy, check the cap bank buss bars and the vents in the caps for any thing odd. the other place to look at is the mode switch blades. the cv contacts have a bad habit of burning and pitting from never being moved. The control pcb will unlikely show any damage until you can power up the welder. Most of the parts are still available.