Thermal arc 400 mst

[Bwood1070]

Just picked up a thermal arc 400 mst and was just wondering how they were as far as durability and if you could still get parts for them. Also wondering about the 14 pin connector I was reading that it is compatible with the miller 14 pin would I be able to use my 30a spool gun with this machine. Thanks

[Brand X]

Best machine you can buy..(IMO) Part's call Esab.. Spool-gun will work too.

[Bwood1070]

Awesome how bout my options to add a wire feeder I have a vs feeder but I would like somthing like a 22a or equivalent.

[Brand X]

22a would work, I use a Lincoln LF-72 (24/42 volt) with a Lincoln control cable to Miller 14 pin adapter..All the 120 volt Thermal feeders. really the only ones that don't work in general are the 42 volt Esab/Lincoln feeders. I also have a LN-25 pro that works on my LM-200. (Same as the MST-400 but a lower 330 amp max output) had two 400 model though. Miller Ft control works too.. The MST-400 do best with some adjustment to run in when using smaller wire.. Kind of finicky on arc starts...030 wire bit less with .035.. The LM-200 has zero issues there. Both weld excellent though..The LM- 200is just down on the peak voltage, and output.. Funny they weigh exactly the same as each other. A LM-200 is very close to a esab 252 in output, and duty-cycle. Although Spray-arc the LM-200 wins (IMO) plus you cannot use a LM-25 type feeder in the CV output, because there is no contactor on setting like the LM/MST machines.. That's one reason my 252i went down the road..Plus the Sanrex are very quiet machines to use.. I yet to use a machine with a arc quality as good as a MST machine. Hits all the right buttons for me..

PS- the MST-400 will go into a fault mode running it at about 490 amps output 36 volts solid in the mig process. (single phase input) Not too bad for a 55 pound machine..

[Bwood1070]

Wow thats some serious welding power once I find a feeder im gonna get this setup on a cart I'm hoping to make it my go-to mig in the shop give the old miller 212 a break

[Brand X]

Wow thats some serious welding power once I find a feeder im gonna get this setup on a cart I'm hoping to make it my go-to mig in the shop give the old miller 212 a break

Yep, it is....
Couple of quick pics when i was just testing some big wire with these units.. For me the LM-200 does what I need,,,

[Bwood1070]

So how did you have your 400 wired in it says it can draw up to 87 amps on single phase 220 I hate the thoughts of hard wiring this thing but the biggest receptecle I can get with out spending a fortune is only rated for 50 amps

[Brand X]

A 50 is fine.. It will fall into the duty cycle of the welder. I think I pulled those # on a 60 amp breaker.. Probably would not do it for long, just tested output. Pretty sure you could cruise right along welding at 300 amps +, and have zero issues with a 50.. Put it on a 50, and if you need to run a bit bigger breaker, just make sure the wire size is decent..

[Bwood1070]

Ok that's what ive been testing it out on just wasn't sure if I needed to do anything different will probably be a rare occasion to be using it at 300+ amps any way other then for messing around