Looking for a new welder (multi-process)

My shop will be finished/ insulated in the next few weeks, and next on the agenda is a new multi-process machine. I'm looking at the ESAB Rebel 215, Lincoln 210 MP, Miller 215, and have considered the Vulcan OmniPro (the price is right, but I really doubt I would buy it).

The Vulcan is unchartered territory, I know. I have a Miller Mig setup now (and a Dayton arc welder (AC only))... but would like something I can run a spool gun and TIG with (in the future, I don't have the need for it yet).

From what I can tell, the ESAB can run 6010... and the others- not so much (even if they claim to). I doubt I'll use 6010 much, if at all- but I would like to have the capability. Whatever I buy, I'll most likely use for MIG and 7018. Most of what I'll be doing in my first year are mower/ tractor decks, buckets, implements.

*** A little background info...
I used to weld/ fab for a construction company, and I have done some work for people here and there on my own... but would like it to become a part-time job/business that could potentially lead to a full time gig. Down the road I would like to be mobile (that's where I think the real business would be). I have a good job now, and I'm not looking to replace it- just add to it if that makes sense.

 

Thermadyne makes one too, under a couple different names if I remeber correctly. I'd consider any of those as well. I think I can get a discount on a Miller or Lincoln, not sure about the ESAB.

 

Get yourself one offer these super handy little welders, Tig capable, and stick capable, I've got one and it was a great investment, 110 plug on or 220. So it's super portable, I've been doing my part time business about 2 years now and have only had a dozen calls where I needed the portable and this has suited me fine. And most of those were only $100-$150 jobs. I will say as the maxstar does an awesome, actually phenomenal job in the portable, mild and stainless Tig realm, the stick welding (at least with 110) could be better. Be ready to flip a couple breakers if you've got a bunch of stick to do with 110. So before spending more than a couple Grand on a true portable generator welder, test the waters first. Only downfall on this machine is no aluminum Tig. But I have a Miller diversion 165 for that, which is also fairly portable, but isn't great for a ton of welding but it's done everything I've needed it to so far. I haven't had a lot of need for aluminum either but certainly helps pull a couple customer's in that end up coming back for mild or stainless work, so that's a plus to have right there. My wire feed is an esab migmaster, either a 175 or 275, can't remember off the top of my head. It can lay some great beads with the 90/10 gas and I feel comfortable welding anything with it. Push pull gun for aluminum is available but unless your doing a TON of aluminum it's not worth it, last I priced that it was $700, a starter Tig in the MWS that I was in ran $750. That's a no brainier if you ask me. It would be nice to have a little wire feed for the lighter projects and to do some portable faster and better than stick welding though. Next on the docket that I absolutely recommend, spend the extra money if you haven't already on an evolution saw, 14" blade. Forget about those stupid abrasive cut off saws. Don't even think about buying one. Watch a couple videos on YouTube and you'll quickly see why.

 

XMT 304 or 350. Just make sure it is the cc/cv model. Can do everything (with add-ons), but ac tig. It is an inverter too, so fairly light. I've seen them on CL from time to time with a spool gun for less than half of what the power supply costs new. Can scratch start dc tig with valved torch or get the hf box for lift arc. My buddy has the 350 and I plan on playing with it pretty soon.

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Those are a lot of machine, definitely wouldn't outgrow it. I've seen a couple used, without add ons. I could probably find a decent wire feeder for it for less than $1k. Probably more machine than what I need at the moment, but wouldnt rule it out if I found one local. Thank you for your input.

 

I've got a Miller 215. Only used it as a MIG on 110 power so far. Maxed on that voltage it is still nice and smooth and gets good penetration so long as I don't have the heat pump or well pump kicking on and off. Super user friendly machine to use as you can run it as dumb as you like or tweak settings if you need. As far as running stick with 6010 I couldn't tell you but a quick search pulls up 6011 as a good alternative, trading a hair of penetration for better arc stability. The automatic switching from 110 to 220 by just swapping the plug is extraordinarily convenient and the interface is pretty slick and easy to use. Whether they hold up or not, time will tell.

Eta: Are you limited for MIG with your current machine? Why not pick up an AC/DC stick/TIG machine instead of a multi?

 

I have a Miller Tb 325 EFI Excell with a suitcase 12rc, also the "turtle", with the spool gun, Tig with hand and foot control, remote box for stick and I don't know what else. My Lws came up with a pretty decent package deal. It doesn't have AC but I haven't had a call to Tig aluminum in the field that I couldn't work around.. plus iirc 12k of ac generator. Also I have the Kohler...... pockets dried up before I got to Kubotaville.

 

Also, 6010 capability I personally think is mandatory for me. Not everything can be cleaned well enough, gaps, thin sheet to thick and open root ECT.. sometimes that angry pizzed off rod saves the day.

 

I hate 6010 but the 6011 is great for me.

 

I dont think many of the multi process machines I'm looking at like it at all.

 

I dont plan on ever going mobile to weld pipe, but I would like to practice pipe certs with 6010 in case I would ever need certification... I would be ready to roll.

 

Thats a good thought, but I want a bigger Mig than what I have (even though its done well for me)... so Im killing a few birds with one stone.

 

Carbine, is 6010 a better choice for pipe certs, I used to weld in a packing plant and welded all sorts of dirty metal plus a lot of galv. metal and we liked it for those uses, I tried some 6010 a contractor was using and did not like it.

 

Isn't 6011 just an AC equivalent of 6010 ? I don't have AC on the TB, didn't realize that until I had it home.... The 3 phase DC is pretty smooth though. Also I'm not a pipe welder just a job shop squeezing out a living.

 

I run the 6011 on DC reverse polarity, it works better then running it on AC but it can be run on AC if I remember correctly.

 

Thats all I intend to be. I don't know that I could make a living with it around here, I definitely couldnt replace my retirement or healthcare that my 9-5 provides very easily. We have quite a few amish and mennonite around here, they seem to like to work for cheap too. I dont know how price competitive I could be with them.

 

From what I gather it is, but I honestly couldnt tell you. I thought 6010 was the standard in the pipe world for root pass.

 

It probably is, if you look it up on the internet sounds like some like it some dont (both the 6011 and 6010).

 

Makes all the sense in the world.

Came across this on the 6010, 6011 thing: Is The E6010 Welding Rod A Good Choice For Me? | Everlast Generators

I'm just a hobbyist and have done some welding for work (as opposed to working as a welder) so anything beyond zapping some mild steel together or seeing if I can join something that isn't critical, I'm on the interwaebs or in a book trying to figure out what's what.

 

That was a good article dingbat, much better then the few things I read.