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Re: Best engine driven machine for MIG

Originally Posted by walker

Personally, I am not a fan of the airpak machines. They are nice, but I like to keep my compressor separate from my welder. That way if either breaks down, I am not out the other machine as well. I have a gas drive compressor, but also have an electric tha will run off the welder. Now if they only made an air drive welder...

The big advantage to the airpak is the screw compressor that outputs 17 cfm at idle and 26 cfm at run speed you won't find any small piston compressors that can match that output...

That's straight out of the compressor no waiting for a tank to build up at 120 PSI and 130 if you want to push at max...Which I don't suggest except for supplying abrasive blasters..it almost disassembled my little air grinder at 100psi
Went into over tach

Combine that with a fact of limited space and it just makes sense if you have the money ... not a cheap machine but it has it's advantages

Attachment 635091

Re: Best engine driven machine for MIG

thank you Brocoli1 Clifton

Re: Best engine driven machine for MIG

Originally Posted by Ace

+1 on the Lincoln 305G and an LN-25 I have these at work and love them.

Bingo we have a winner. The chopper power supply makes it like a Plug in quality welding power supply..

Re: Best engine driven machine for MIG

I have run the Miller SP32P VS off a bob cat and trailblazer. I was told it would run much better off the trailblazer, but there wasn't a lot of difference in my opinion. Although I was told hard wire is more picky than flux core on those machines and I was running fluxcore. I am told the VS suitcases weld about the same as the 14 pin ones, but I haven't used the 14 pin option. The new ones are rated at 10,000 watts AC aux power so technically they should run a stand alone welder or plasma, but I have had to do a lot of work on my bobcat from overloading it. So I wonder if the quality aux power is different on the bobcat compared to the trailblazer. The trailblazer runs an aluminum spoolgun fine, light airarc, scratch tig, but no AC weld for AC tig. The bobcat is not the latest model, it has an 8000 watt aux power and will not run a plasma or a tig machine, the new design might.

Re: Best engine driven machine for MIG

Personally, I am not a fan of the airpak machines. They are nice, but I like to keep my compressor separate from my welder. That way if either breaks down, I am not out the other machine as well. I have a gas drive compressor, but also have an electric tha will run off the welder. Now if they only made an air drive welder...

Re: Best engine driven machine for MIG

Stick is dead.... Sacrilege....

As for the OP's question
The TB 302 with a 12 RC or other sp feeder will cover all your wire processses except aluminum a spool gun is what you want for 1/4 or above aluminum unless you go with a water cooled tig ac tig setup

You might want to consider a flux core gun if you do heavy steel work with big wire

And don't forget stick work as for repair it will be your bread and butter most of the time

And if you get the money an airpk model wil give you the complete swiss army knife allowing you to run plasma cutters and cac also air tools of all types

I love mine and would be lost without it

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Re: Best engine driven machine for MIG

Cant go wrong with a used Big 40 miller, the newer style with a 14 pin out. It doesnt drive wire like a TB55 but it will work. I run an S-32P off mine, works good for the big stuff, hardfacing etc. for small stuff in the field i run a beater home desperate lincoln 135.

Re: Best engine driven machine for MIG

Originally Posted by walker

Get the license and the insurance first. Then get the work, then get the tools. In other words, don't tool up for work you don't have. If you manage to get a job you are not equipped for, just rent the tools you need. Do this until you figure out what type of work you are going to target. Mobil aluminum TIG is pretty specialized, and you are not likely to get that type of work until you have some experience.

A Trailblazer 302 will do just about anything you want, but each new thing requires expensive accessories. Start out with the engine drive, as you can stick weld most repairs. Get a feeder for MIG, and a spool gun for aluminum MIG.
You are not going to use your Sync 180 as a field unit, ever. The thing is just to heavy, and is a power pig.

Very well said. Everyone wants all the "stuff" first. There is allot to think about before you go gear up. The business model and the actual skills to preform the work is in reality more important than the equipment.

I use a TB 302 to weld pretty much anything that u can think of. Its not cheap. Need a RC feeder for critical code mig work, a 12 vs for flux core structural stuff, spool gun for aluminum mig, Air cooled tig torch for scratch start tig, high freq. box and heavy duty air cooled tig torch for aluminum, 2/0 leads and adapters......

Geez thats allot of stuff.

Pry up around 10k plus.

Find and trailblazer 302 it will have ac in case you do end up wanting to head down that road. Thats a good starting point. The TB 302 is a great machine. You wont regret it I can almost guarantee that.

Piece together the extras as the needs arise.

Good luck!

Re: Best engine driven machine for MIG

+1 on the Lincoln 305G and an LN-25 I have these at work and love them.

Re: Best engine driven machine for MIG

Originally Posted by killdozerd11

Mike how well does that work on mig using 035 or 030 wire ?
I have a 12 RC feeder and have thought about getting a VS feeder also due to the distance of control cable problem with the RC

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It works pretty good with solid 035 a few weeks ago I ran some 035 fluxcore self shielded and that felt like it was the low end of the voltage I could run. Bigger wire runs awesome it will run 045 all day. Other than the weight with a 44 pound spool I love it, with the feeder, stick Is dead

Re: Best engine driven machine for MIG

Get the license and the insurance first. Then get the work, then get the tools. In other words, don't tool up for work you don't have. If you manage to get a job you are not equipped for, just rent the tools you need. Do this until you figure out what type of work you are going to target. Mobil aluminum TIG is pretty specialized, and you are not likely to get that type of work until you have some experience.

A Trailblazer 302 will do just about anything you want, but each new thing requires expensive accessories. Start out with the engine drive, as you can stick weld most repairs. Get a feeder for MIG, and a spool gun for aluminum MIG.
You are not going to use your Sync 180 as a field unit, ever. The thing is just to heavy, and is a power pig.

Re: Best engine driven machine for MIG

Originally Posted by Firemanmike69

Took some pics of my set up with the suitcase hooked up and how it's powered off the bobcat
Hook up the regular old welding leads just like your going to stick weld use the stinger clamp to grab onto the lug on the back of the suitcase feeder

Here's the feeder, it can be close to the bobcat or as far away as your leads allow you

Then you hook up this clamp that's attached to the suitcase it senses the voltage your going to weld at
Attachment 632941
Then turn the suitcase on and your off to welding

Mike how well does that work on mig using 035 or 030 wire ?
I have a 12 RC feeder and have thought about getting a VS feeder also due to the distance of control cable problem with the RC

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Re: Best engine driven machine for MIG

There's been a similar subject being discussed on the Miller forum about a Bob Cat for power and setting up a mobile welding business. You may want to look this over about what has been said there.

http://www.millerwelds.com/resources...-know-can-help

Re: Best engine driven machine for MIG

Originally Posted by cnich

it seems mr jackson and myself are having a similar problem, have all equipment in shop but need a power source that can be used mobile to power our machines in the field, question will and what kind of generator will or will not work. I wish you all the luck with your new welding business. I build metal fencing and gates so my 220v welding equipment is just right seems hard to justify the expense of a engine welder to power something. Thanks for any advice clifton

see post #25

Re: Best engine driven machine for MIG

It seems Mr Jackson and myself are having a similar problem, have all equipment in shop but need a power source that can be used mobile to power our machines in the field, Question will and what kind of generator will or will not work. I wish you all the luck with your new welding business. I build metal fencing and gates so my 220v welding equipment is just right seems hard to justify the expense of a engine welder to power something. thanks for any advice Clifton

Best engine driven machine for MIG

Took some pics of my set up with the suitcase hooked up and how it's powered off the bobcat
Hook up the regular old welding leads just like your going to stick weld use the stinger clamp to grab onto the lug on the back of the suitcase feeder

Here's the feeder, it can be close to the bobcat or as far away as your leads allow you

Then you hook up this clamp that's attached to the suitcase it senses the voltage your going to weld at
Attachment 632941
Then turn the suitcase on and your off to welding

Re: Best engine driven machine for MIG

http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...mig&highlight=

Check out Yorkie's set up if you want to go with a stand alone generator.

Re: Best engine driven machine for MIG

Originally Posted by Lucas_Jackson

Yea Droopy, I did not realize that. Is there a machine that will do what I need? And what is with this diagram? Attachment 632771


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If you are not familiar with engine drives the brochure is a little misleading because to to do MIG you have to use a a suitcase feeder or plug a Mig machine into the auxiliary power receptacles.

http://www.millerwelds.com/om/o4419e_mil.pdf

Look through the manual section 6.3 for the Typical Mig set up for an engine drive

Re: Best engine driven machine for MIG

That is great advise, and I definitely want the work to justify the tool not the other way round, (which I've been known to do in the past haha)
What does a syncrowave go for nowadays? I would love to upgrade to a dynasty with more control given the gap between the two isn't wider than my wallet


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Re: Best engine driven machine for MIG

Not 100% sure what your needs are but.
From Miller, only the uber expensive Trailblazer does AC - the air pack one with the built in air compressor - like $12000 list expensive.
The Bobcats do AC, but it will not be the quality you get from your Syncrowave.

For under $5000, Lincoln Ranger GXT will do AC and has some sort of a TIG module for remote + high frequency. You can get the GXT for under $4000, but the TIG module will set you back $2000ish.

If you need compact reliable stuff, you won't go wrong with Miller or Lincoln, however, a Generator plus some inverter machines is probably the cheaper way to go (if you have the space).

Quite frankly, I'd look into things like stand-alone generators + stand alone air compressors and use more efficient inverter machines. Upgrade the welders you have (used late model Dynasty + Inverter based MIG - Thermal Arc or Multimatic etc.) You can use those welders at your shop as well. Yeah, you have to load them on the truck everytime you go out on a call. When that gets old, and you have enough business - then buy the dedicated engine driven welder. One caveat, with the inverters I wouldn't want them on a trailer. I know everything is tougher these days, but bouncing a dynasty on a trailer seems to be a sure fire way to shorten the life span. I'd have a padded cabinet in the back of a truck. A 200 Dynasty plus a 200+ MIG will get you into light trucks - and some trailer repair. Beyond 200 amps you are really starting to talk about water coolers etc. A serious TIG. On the MIG side of things.
I don't know what your budget is, but if you look at upgrade + new generator + sell what you don't need anymore, your probably money ahead of where a dedicated engine driven welder would be. And if you go used... I've seen XMTs on Craigslist for $1500, Dynasty 200s for $2500, Wire feeders for $500 (yes suitcases are typically expensive but who buys just a suitcase? Not a lot of buyers...) Figure what you have is pretty quick sell at $1500, a bit longer if your holding out for more. That will buy you the generator. So you've upgraded all your equipment plus 100% mobile for $4500.... The cost of just an engine drive. (and you have to add suit case to that).

If your business is booming, next year buy that engine driven welder.

I think its a universal truth that everyone that has their own business wishes they started earlier and spent less (or more wisely) when they did start.

Re: Best engine driven machine for MIG

Originally Posted by Lucas_Jackson

how different is the process from MIG welding?

Same thing, well maybe just a little heavier than a regular Mig gun.

Re: Best engine driven machine for MIG

Looks good, I have never used an aluminum spool gun, how different is the process from MIG welding?


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Re: Best engine driven machine for MIG

I have the same spool gun, here is what it can do on 16-GA aluminum.

Re: Best engine driven machine for MIG

And thank you CEP, I will check out that Lincoln 305


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Re: Best engine driven machine for MIG

Yea Droopy, I did not realize that. Is there a machine that will do what I need? And what is with this diagram? Attachment 632771


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