Hobart 300amp tig

[thelbz]

Found a tig machine on craigslist its a 300A tig with new torch and foot pedal and water cooler for $300 is that a good deal or stray away? Im sure is a massive unit seeing its 20+yrs old but the price seems right to me. I have never tig'ed before so it may not be the best machine to learn but wanted some opinions.

[welds4d]

We had a Hobart TR-300-HF at work for around 25 years. It was a nice running machine. The high-freq board went out, and being obsolete, parts weren't easy to find. We replaced it with a Lincoln Precision Tig 375. I'd say $300 is a decent deal, as long as the high-freq works. It's a beast and will need a big power supply.

[thelbz]

Thanks for the info, I did ask if the HF works and it does, I imagine if it is a 240v machine (waiting for seller to find out) it should pull about 70A but thats just a guess.

[Kelvin]

Originally Posted by thelbz

I imagine if it is a 240v machine (waiting for seller to find out) it should pull about 70A but thats just a guess.

If it puts out 300A you can bet it doesn't run on 110V.

My guess would be that it wants at least 100 amps of 220V to run flat-out.

[DSW]

Originally Posted by thelbz

Thanks for the info, I did ask if the HF works and it does, I imagine if it is a 240v machine (waiting for seller to find out) it should pull about 70A but thats just a guess.

Probably closer to 125 amps of 220v to run full out. Several members here run older Miller 330's on 60 or 70 amp breakers and can get usable output on the lower end. The 330's want 125 amps to get full output.

For $300 it's probably well worth it if everything works and the pedal controls to amperage as opposed to simply engaging the contactor and turning on and off the weld power like some older machines did.

[farmall]

We had one of those at the welding school where I worked.

I'd snag a TR-300 for three bills in a heartbeat especially with the accessories. If Something Bad happens you could scrap the copper and keep the accessories, but they are built like tanks.

I run my Miller 340 off a 50A breaker and will upgrade if/when it starts popping.

If it doesn't have a cart, make one with decent-sized wheels.

[welds4d]

Originally Posted by farmall

If it doesn't have a cart, make one with decent-sized wheels.

That's good advice. The heavier the machine is, the larger diameter the wheels need to be to roll decent. And that Hobart is really heavy!

[thelbz]

Thanks for all the info guys, I doubt I will ever need 300A a electrician friend thought 70A should be enough. I am kinda concerned about learning to tig with a older machine due to the fact I guarantee that there are lots of adjustments to be dialed in, but I have no doubt would be able to figure it out, I am not a welding newbe by any means.

[farmall]

300A is OUTPUT, not input.

You should be able to get a manual emailed to you free by calling Hobart customer service. If you do, kindly email me one for my collection.

http://www.hobartwelders.com/contact/

[snoeproe]

Make sure the unit is not a 3phase machine. If it is a single phase machine that will run on 230v, it will need atleast 100 amp breaker/circuit feeding it to run full out.

[weldbead]

you couldnt buy a torch and pedal and cooler for three hundred. and that beast is full of copper..

[welds4d]

It's single phase. Ours ran on 480 single, but could be re-linked to 240V. I kept a copy of the manual when we retired ours, and can e-mail it to anyone who needs one, just PM me.

If the machine being discussed is the TR-300-HF it doesn't have many bells and whistles. Amps, Range, Polarity,HF Intensity and Postflow are about the only adjustments on it.

If you run off a 70A breaker, you can probably get all you need for beginner/hobby welder needs.

[thelbz]

so i looked at the machine today and you guys were not kidding when you said it was a beast. The thing is on a 6.5'x49" cart made out or 1/2" wall box tube, over kill I think so. The cart must weigh near 500#, but the seller is going to throw in a 90# (I think) tank, a box of cups and tungsten, he swears everything works and never had a issue with it. All and all i think my $300 is going to be well spent.