Powcon 300sm w/o feeder--good/bad

[Quench]

I have a Lincoln tombstone AC/DC (the little one, not idealarc).

I know someone with a Powcon 300sm, but no feeder, under $300. Is that going to do anything for me? I was thinking more for using it as a scratch tig box, but now and then a wire feeder comes up and might be compatible. I've held off getting a mig only because of limited space, and inverters are pricey. So maybe this plus a feeder gets me a 2-for-1.

I know these were built well, but they are old. I figure won't outlast my tombstone. Is there any advantage over what I have now? Little lighter weight. Higher output & duty cycle.

Also, the "power level" knob is strange vs. amps. Seems that would be hard to set.

What I really want is an inexpensive HF starter so I can use low amps to stick weld thin stock. I know this doesn't get me that.

[norite]

I have used one in the past. One of the nicest arcs for stick welding I ever used. I was really disappointed when it expired.

For you, definitely a step up from that Lincoln, not a lot of money and you can find a used feeder for it. I'd just get a suitcase feeder for it, Lincoln or Miller.

[Jawslandshark]

Great welders, I would not hesitate to buy for that price. Almost any feeder will work and eBay always has some old Powerdrive 1 or 2's for sale that plug right in if you want to make it easy. You won't want to use the tombstone after you weld with the Powcon.

[MinnesotaDave]

It's cheap enough - I'd buy it

[Quench]

Wow, unanimous. Thanks guys. Didn't know I would notice any difference in the stick welding, but then I've only used the tombstone so no comparison to anything.

[Quench]

Looks like the guy blew me off. Had a bad vibe about that one, anyway. I'll keep looking.

[ccawgc]

Just about any 24 volt wire feeder can be used. You just have to add a relay to reverse the welder control from normally open to normally closed.
The 200sm takes a closed switch to turn the welder output off. Change the plug to match the powcon.