Ranger 305 or Trailblazer 325

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I am active-duty Army and planning my exit strategy from the Army for when I retire.  I am currently attending a welding technology class that will take about two years and covers all aspects of welding and the Stick, TIG, and MIG processes followed by pipeline training.  When I retire in approximately 3 years I would like to start my own welding business doing repairs, construction, and making some custom truck boxes on the side.  My wife and I would like to buy the bulk of the equipment that I will need while I'm still getting a full paycheck from the Army.  I took some Farm and Ranch welding in High School but that was 20 years ago, so I'm basically a newbie.I'm currently looking at both the Ranger 305G and the Trailblazer 325.  The main advantage I can see to the diesel version is the longevity but at twice the price it's going to need to last twice as long to make it cost effective.  Is there another advantage that I'm not thinking of?Will these machines do what I'm talking about and give me something that I can use to build a business on the weekends while I'm still Active Duty?Is there another option I should be looking at for construction and light industrial multi-process machines? I know this is like asking Ford or Chevy, but Lincoln or Miller?Thanks.
Reply:its a ford or chevy debate between those two machines.  Both are exactly what you need based on what you describe.  The next piece of equipment I would look for is a "Suitcase" wirefeed machine that will go with your welder generator.  A "suitcase" wirefeed machine is an industrial strength wirefeed machine that does not have its own power supply.  It uses the welding output from your generator for power.  New they are 2000 dollars, but you can find good used ones for cheap(300-600).  Don't be afraid of used because they are bulletproof.  I would look for an lincoln ln-25 if you get the ranger or a miller 12vs if you get the trailblazer.  Then you will only need to take care of tig.  I don't tig weld so I will leave that to the experts.Forgot to add, I would purchase the brand that came with better service.  What local welding store has the best customer service, because that is the machine you wantfarmer2Last edited by farmer2; 02-27-2014 at 11:12 AM.Hobart Champion EliteMiller S-32p 12Lincoln sp175tLincoln 225 ac tombstoneHarris oxy/aceteleneMakita grinders/chopsawHypertherm Powermax 45
Reply:I remember seeing a video of a welding repair shop that worked on both Lincoln and Miller welders. They showed the differences between both of these machines. It was amazing to see the differences in quality between them. The Miller won hands down. I wish I could put my hands on that video but I don't remember where it is. Where will you be living when you retire? If in a really cold climate you might want to go gas instead of diesel. Just my thoughts. Good luck and thank you for your service!Hobart 125 EZHobart Handler 140Everlast STH 160Generic 210 Amp Welder/GeneratorHobart Air Force 500i plasma cutterChinese 50 amp plasma cutter! Youtube Channel : Henrymac100
Reply:The problem with that video  is it was a miller dealer that made the video, and while everything they said was true about the Miller machine.  They were a little misleading on the lincoln.  Plus, neither machine was the model the OP is looking at.  But it does show some valuable differences, so here you go.Hobart Champion EliteMiller S-32p 12Lincoln sp175tLincoln 225 ac tombstoneHarris oxy/aceteleneMakita grinders/chopsawHypertherm Powermax 45
Reply:Buddy of mine owns a Lincoln 305-G, last spring I got him set up with an LN-25 to do Mig work with it. Years ago I gave him an old LN-22 I had, and he has been running gas less flux core. That 305-G is one very impressive machine. I've never ran a Trailblazer 325, but I use to own a Trailblazer 55D, never was impressed with the arc on the 55D. skidsareforkids do you know what the welder in the top of this picture, and the welder in the middle are? If not let me tell you, probably the best SMAW machines ever built. My buddy's 305-G will weld 6010 every bit as nice as the short hood in the top of the picture, and will run 7018 every bit as nice as the Red Face in the middle of the picture. Nuf said about the 305-G I think. Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Thanks for the answers it's nice to know I'm headed in the right direction.Yes I know what the Lincoln's 200's are and I'd be willing to give you $50 a piece for them. By your signature I see you have five, so you should still be good to go.  Don't worry about shipping, at that price I'll come pick 'em up and bring a case of beer to share with me.
Reply:I've always favored gas engines over diesel when it comes to smaller engines.   What I call smaller engines is anything smaller than the engine on a farm tractor.     I'm not sure where you live, but air pollution and emissions are getting to be a factor in some areas and those regulations are only going to get stricter and widen.  I think your going to see a noticeable difference very soon on new machines being gas driven instead of diesel from the manufacturers.   Besides gas is easier to work on and troubleshoot I always thought.   Gas is alot cleaner when you spill it, I mean it won't make the entire load of laundry smell like diesel, and it won't make the back of your pickup collect dust.    Also, how can you go wrong w/ a lincoln?   I know two guys who have a 305g.   One does boiler pipe, the other does equip repair.
Reply:Hello Skids, Let me be the first to thank you for your service to our great country, its much appreciated!!  Im rapidly approaching 700hrs on a Lincoln GXT 250 amp machine I bought 2 years ago. I use it for some weekend money maker projects, but mostly for ranch maint welding. It has never missed a beat, and the only thing I have done to it is change the oil, and top off the fuel. No regrets after using my father inlaws  TB325 for an afternoon. check it out if you think you can get by with a 250amp machine.
Reply:305 G no doubt.  I have one and it's comparable to my SA 200.  Not as good but comparable.  Do your research on arc force and the machine is great for pretty much anything I can think of except maybe 300 mile of heavy wall pipeline.  Right set up, almost puts in an open root with 5p for you.  Tigs great.  I don't mig with it because I'm not big on monkey guns but I think it would do fine.  My opinion of course.  No trouble out of mine.
Reply:Im a miller guy to the core bud, but there engine drives always had a, meh  kind of arc to them. And ive ran em all, I talked with my bud Mr. CEP about this, and threw in the towel and took his advise without question and went with the 305g. Know CEP is on board with being a real deal welding hand and he wouldnt steer me wrong, not unless he wanted to get beat up in front of his wife. And yes a beating can get worse, its all in the timing. In front of the wife adds to the pleasure. And back on topic, if you know and feel what a quality arc is like the 305g is the better hands down. Spoken from a guy with seven miller machines. And your lucky CEP. I needed a vacation then. Any excuse would have been good enough for me to get on a plane. I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPBuddy of mine owns a Lincoln 305-G, last spring I got him set up with an LN-25 to do Mig work with it. Years ago I gave him an old LN-22 I had, and he has been running gas less flux core. That 305-G is one very impressive machine. I've never ran a Trailblazer 325, but I use to own a Trailblazer 55D, never was impressed with the arc on the 55D. skidsareforkids do you know what the welder in the top of this picture, and the welder in the middle are? If not let me tell you, probably the best SMAW machines ever built. My buddy's 305-G will weld 6010 every bit as nice as the short hood in the top of the picture, and will run 7018 every bit as nice as the Red Face in the middle of the picture. Nuf said about the 305-G I think.
Reply:I don't know any thing about the Lincoln 305 but I have had two Trailblazers, an original 250 DC only and a 301 that I have now. They have been great machines and I have no complaints. I bought the first one when the Traileblazers first came out. I used it for 18 years. I bought it for $2460 and sold it for $1800 to the first guy that looked at and welded with it. 18 years of use for $660 ain't bad. The Onans seem to be a great engine and are trouble free for me. Hope this helps.
Reply:I use the Trailblazer 325 (Gas) all day, every day. Start it at around 6:00AM and shut it down sometime after 5:00 if I'm lucky. Cold weather? No problems. We use it to power a Miller SuitCase 12RC for flux-core dualshield. Probably burn about 33lbs of .052" on a given day. Great arc characteristics. I've only run about a hundred pounds of ER7018 5/32" on it ever and I had no complaints about the arc quality. But, we didn't get it to run SMAW. I like the fact that its a true multi-process machine and that flexibility is important but Lincoln's Ranger series is most likely just as good. The TB325 will do 325A at 100% duty cycle so if you need that extra bit it does have the Ranger 305 beat by a little.But, how can you argue with Lincoln's engine driven welder experience? I sure can't. Just like blue welders I guess. Put it this way, I just bought 3 more of these to put on new trucks if that says anything. Thought about trying a Ranger but now it just makes sense to have all our rigs running the same gear in case we need to swap parts in the field.Good luck with your purchase, whatever you end up with.EricAWS D1.1 Certified SMAW 3G Unlimited, Open Root                             FCAW-G 3G Unlimited, w/BackerCellular Tower Reinforcement Welding on the frozen tundra of the greater Mid-West
Reply:Weldermike, ''Im a miller guy to the core bud ''.  Wait a minute, I thought you were a " Keystone Light Guy '' ?  Yea, Mike does have a Lincoln BUT, HE BOUGHT A MILLER COVER FOR IT !  I agree with the others, both a good. See what you can get the best deal on and go from there.
Reply:You're kidding, look at the Miller trailblazer efi and enough said. Worked for a shop that had Lincoln's, junk. Trouble trouble trouble, but half the world is made with them so. Miller, no question about it
Reply:I've had a few military friends and cop friends and firemen friends,, etc, etc retires, work for me... Out of 5, 1(cop) went back home to Maine and successfully ran a business... The rest, work was to hard after settin around for 20 years, ha... If you are going to be welding in a refinery or chemicals company, etc,  they will not let a gas machine thru the gate... Gas machines give-off exhaust sparks and ka-boom... I started with a $500 SA-200... Bought a Lincoln D-10 Pro(diesel) which lasted me 27 years and still performing, ha, when I want to crank it up... Also have a Hobart(Bros) 400D Mega-Arc(diesel)... Just pay attention to the puddle and you will not have any trouble with any machine!!! Any piece of equipment is trouble sooner or later......
Reply:I'm glad your friends managed to milk the system so they could sit around for 20 years, unfortunately for me as an Infantryman for 4 years and an Apache Crewchief for the last 15 years I haven't got to do much sitting around.Thanks for the advice about the diesel requirements in certain jobs.  I hadn't thought of safety in the gas vs. diesel debate.
Reply:They all work and break ,from having 10 manufactures 20 years ago to 2 today tells you something. Just remember you will not test in 798 with a air cooled welder only grey ones and a 350 pipe pro.