Looking for a new welder (multi-process)

In my shop I have a Miller 251 wire and a Miller syncrowave 250. Both stand alone machines. Because of space I keep the Trailblazer at home in the garage. I haven't done it yet but my plan is to put a carbon monoxide exhaust blower in the garage for working on engine's and I will have a connection for the welder. The new engine drives are so quiet compared to the older ones that it is not obtrusive to be around especially since it does most jobs at idle (stick). Plus the duty cycle is hard to beat.. I purchased a transfer switch to allow it to run the house in case of a power outage.

 

Interesting info about 6011, might just have to try it. The whip and pause isn't difficult.....go forward about 3 rod diameters and dig a hole go back 2 diameters and pause to fill it in..... rinse and repeat.

 

Very good read. To clarify, my desire to run 6010 isn't based on my wants or needs at this point... But if code or a cert would require it, that's what I would want to be familiar with, and have a welder capable of running it. (If both rods behaved exactly the same, I'd be fine with only running 6011).

I could very well be wrong, but I was under the impression most pipe certs require 6010, with 6011 being an option (which is my sole reason for my interest in 6010).

In all honesty, 99% of my stick welding will be with 7018. I may never even touch a stick of 6010.

 

I genuinely appreciate every bit of input I'm getting from you guys. Feel free to keep it coming.

 

Found one other thing about the Miller. Assuming it carries across to other manufacturers.

Check out post #5: considering buying the miller multimatic 215
Of course, this is just random internet crap. "Miller Brad" might be a 12 year old kid at his school computer lab.

 

A big question you want to consider is what type of welding work do you want to be liable/insured for. Certain jobs like pipe welding, trailer hitches, structural, even a simple bucket hook are better off cash or dash. So you weld a bucket hook on using 7018 for example......it fails and a liability arises. Was the rod, fresh, oven used, did you test it, what load did you certify it for ??? bla,bla,bla. NEVER guarantee aluminum !! No matter how they look they are now CAST aluminum deposits unless it's sent out for heat treatment......
I'll shut up now

 

That's darn good info, not just for me... But everyone reading. Definitely keep it coming! I like hearing what you have to say, I think what you are doing is the direction I'd eventually like to go (on a part time basis though).
My 9-5 isn't welding, and with the job I have I see those kind of liabilities and the whole getting sued thing. I don't know what kind of liability or idemnification cover I would need... But I will definitely try to dot my i's and cross my t's the best that my attorney knows how.

 

That is a very good read! It makes sense, and not something I would have considered. If the ESAB runs 6010 well, I wonder how it compares with the Miller or the Lincoln on its Tig operation...

 

Are you sure a multiprocess machine is right for you? They all have limitations that might not meld was th you business aspirations.

 

At the moment, that's the direction I feel I need to go. Long term, will I out grow it? Maybe, and if so I'll buy something else. If I was building another shop, I would probably go bigger than what I would need, and grow into it (it'd be a lot easier than adding on later)... but buying a welder, it wouldn't bother me to lose a few bucks on it to sell and grab a bigger machine when (and if) the need arises. I'm not on a real right budget, but enough that I dont want to get carried away on a machine and have to put off other things I need at the moment for the shop also.

 

Better to have something with too much balls, then not enough. I have a Dynasty 200 (Blue lightning) and a HH 187. The XMT would fill that thick aluminum/steel (especially aluminum) gap the other machines are not capable of doing in one pass. Plus, you can do neat things like spray transfer with the right gas mix with the XMT.

 

Don’t have much to offer other than glad to hear your shop is almost done brother. I have a Millermatic 212 and really like it. Always looked at other welders for my shop but can’t justify one!

 

Thanks bro, I'll post pics when it's done. The ceiling is in, and the lights are mounted... Nice and bright in there now.

 

Depends on the process line. 99% of what I've done the last 10 years has been tig root then stick out. Last job I tested 6010 was 2005 best I remember. Gas lines are most 7010 or 8010 and it's downhill.

The only multi process machine I've used was my neighbors Lincoln. It did fine on mig. I use a Maxstar 150 for tig and stick here at home.

 

Agreed on the 110 operation...works MUCH better on 220...but it will stick 2 pieces of metal together on 110 if that's all that's available...
Not really much help on the welder selection I guess...just a comment on the 6010...I had a small fab job on the bench at work this past week...and was out of 7018 (except for rod that was too large) and too lazy to go get more for this little inconsequential job, so I used the 6010 that was there...and regretted it afterward when I had to clean that splattered up mess for paint
On another note, anybody ever try that anti splatter spray that evaporates after a couple hours? I see Loctite makes some...maybe others too, IDK...

 

Surprisingly enough, the stuff I get from fleet farm once in a while, Hobart brand, works pretty well, it's in an spray can, and it even smells decent. Not like that's a big deal or like I'm huffing it, but one thing that I noticed. In a pinch you can use water and dish soap. In any case any time I load up a part with a lot of spatter spray, put a nice tack down and wait a couple seconds before running a bead. It gets the spatter spray to evaporate out of the joint and you'll have less problems with porosity.

 

I have a Miller 250x and Syncrowave 250. Both bought new as around here used machines normally go for close to the same price and you get no warranty with used. No brainer. The thing I would mention is that go with a brand who has a good dealer close to you. Granted, with today's internet you can get parts or consumables fairly quickly but if the dealer is close, you normally can get them same day in most cases. Makes a big difference if you need to get something done.

As far as buying, once you make your choice, shop around. I ended up getting my Syncrowave from off Ebay. Indiana Oxygen and Gas was the seller and when I went to the local dealer for a price it wasn't even close. At that time I didn't have to pay sales tax either but it was way cheaper BEFORE that, delivered to my door with same warranty. Great experience all around for me.

I found out a dirty secret when buying a 1100 Hypertherm Plasma cutter. They had agreements with dealers with selling territories. Only one dealer could sell the machines within a certain mile radius. They all could sell consumables and parts but not the machines. If a company sold a machine in an area where they weren't allowed Hypertherm would pull all parts from them. How do I know? When I was shopping around for mine I got price quote and drove to another dealer in the same town. When I asked them their price it was $400.00 more. I told them no thanks I had a better price and they asked from who? I told them and he said I tell you what, go back and get that price on their letterhead and we'll match it plus a $100.00 less. I did just that. E=When I gave it to him he was like a school girl and grabbed it and shouted " We got 'em, we got'em". They used me to get the other dealers ability to sell parts pulled. Maybe even machines as they had stores in other locations.

For my personal use it is worth having stand alone machines as it's a pain to switch all the time. I did that at my former job and it was always back and forth. Nothing ever seemed to line up. A lot of times now I'll use both welders on the same project. As others said, go bigger than needed. Duty cycle is everything. Last thing you want to do is wait for your little machine to cool so you don't burn it up. If you do burn it up your extra cost would have put you closer to buying the bigger machine in the first place. Just being real here.

 

X2 spot on !!

 

I have a Lincoln 210 MP and it's a nice welder for the basic stuff I do. Easy to use and navigate for a novice like myself. I have a great dealer and he said it's a good welder and very functional in all aspects.

 

I can definitely tell the difference running 10 vs 11 rod. I can tell a 10 rod difference between brands/manufactureres.
6010 (Lincoln)is the industry standard.


If you know the type of work you will be doing it will help with machine choices.