welder recommendations for newbie

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Howdy all,I just finished a semester welding class at the local JC.  I am looking at spending some $$ on a higher end welder.  I have a gentleman's ranch and am a network engineer by trade, but I have a backhoe and other equipment that needs work from time to time.  I also want to do some lighter gauge stuff (MIG), but want to do some aluminum (TIG).  What recommendations can you folks make on a box that can do Mig and Tig?  I have a 50A circuit in my shop; will I need to go generator for a do-all machine?ThanksJ
Reply:Hi, welcome to the forum. I hate to tell you this, but there really is no one machine that does everything. There are anumber of mulit process machines that will do mig and DC tig. If you want to do alum you need AC tig. You can get that also if you get some engine drive machines. You will still need a wire feeder and then all the tig equipment to add to either the multiprocess machine or the engine drive.You might be better off with 2 machines. A good 220v mig and a decent ac/dc tig machine whuch will also do stick. A nice top end mig would be something like millers MM252, but a MM212 or MM 180 would also be good. Tig something like a syncrowave 200 or a miller Dynasty would be good choices.Think hard for a little bit about what you want to do and if you need the ability to do alum. if you dont need alum then the multiprocess machine like an XMT 304 with the tig parts and a wire feeder may be another option.Good luck.
Reply:I agree that you will be better off with two machines, one each that does each process very well.  If you are planning on repairs of backhoes and stuff with the GMAW process, than I also recommend a 250A-class machine, like the MM252.You sound like a guy who would also want the Dynasty 200DX for GTAW.  Lots of efficiency and variability for welding aluminum.  How thick do you plan to go with the aluminum?Other brands also have quality equivalent machines, I'm just more familiar with the Millers.
Reply:Thanks for the help all.  I have approval from upper management to spend $2k, which generally means I can spend 3.  I was thinking that I probably needed two machines, but I was thinking if I could get the functions into one, it would save on space.Does 3K sound about right for used gear?
Reply:Hey Abrahamj, take a look at one of these http://www.mylincolnelectric.com/Cat...t.aspx?p=50178the mig is only a 110 machine, but, it is a TIG powersource (has a stick mode) with a MIG on top........these can be had for about $2600.00....KennyYeah, yeah, I know you are a weldor too. But, are you a good one?
Reply:Thanks Kenny.  That is what I was looking for.  That looks like it would be the ticket.  With stick, I would only be using MIG for thin stuff.  Anyone else out there have experience with this box (or one like it)?
Reply:I have the tig unit (PT 225) and am pleased with it. It runs stick nicely as well and has a pulser and auto set (or manual) on the arc balance on the AC side. Works very well for its size. I couldn't step up to the PT 275 due to the large breaker and power demands of that unit. If worse comes to worse, I can haul it say to a restaurant and power it off of my Ranger 305G and work......kinda heavy for that though. My next TIG purchase will be an inverter machine though....KennyYeah, yeah, I know you are a weldor too. But, are you a good one?
Reply:So I have this buddy.  We own a buncha stuff together - dump trailer etc - and he tells me he has an "old mig welder" I can use as long as I keep it safe and working.  He hasn't used it in 15 years... So I go to get the big dump trailer at his shop and there, loaded in the trailer, is what he called a Lincoln "Derlick (sp?)" DC 250.  It is set up for mig, tig and stick.  Thing looks like it has maybe 10 hours on it!I said wow, I was expecting a real POS.  Shoulda known better; he always buys good stuff.  And there you have it, sitting in my driveway.  I gotta buy the stick leads and the gas cyl, he says.  It has an industrial sized spool of flux core on it and another, smaller wire spool in a box.  YeeHaw!
Reply:Originally Posted by abrahamj...a Lincoln "Derlick (sp?)" DC 250.  It is set up for mig, tig and stick.  ...