3 in 1 welding machines

[Fender1325]

Im hoping in the future to buy a millermatic 212 MIG (roughly $1800). But I have seen a few 3 in 1 machines in the lower 1k range. They do TIG, MIG and stick.

What do you guys think about those types? Are they garbage?

 

[Dragoonmc]

I have the Lincoln 210mp and I love it though it is my first machine so I can't speak for difference to anything else. Haven't seen any complaints about it from others though

 

[rockinacummins]

I haven't gotten my hands on one yet but the Miller Synchrowave 210 is supposed to be a beast! It does all 3 processes but it's actually in the $2500-$3000 range. As soon as funds allow I plan on owning one.

So to answer your question I don't think they are garbage. I believe if you buy a Miller you're gonna get a good welder.

 

[sberry]

The synch is not a 3 process machine, it is not mig and the tig from a 3 in 1 is not AC. They are pretty good though, there is fierce competition here and the losers have been weeded out. While the 212 is ok it wouldnt be on the top of my short list. It doesn't have all that much more on top than a 211, the main benefit is it will hold a full sized spool. A 230 Hobart has a lot more poop for the money.

 

[ephotrod]

I have a Lincoln 350MP it is a multi process machine but is not ideal for all three process. It shines in Mig and SMAW but it does not have a valve for the gas for TIG, so you must use a torch for with a valve. As stated earlier is does not have AC capabilities or Hi Freq start. What do you plan on welding? I always suggest for a first time welder to buy a mig due to its ease of use and setup. Make sure no matter what you weld you have enough amperage to penetrate both of the materials you are going to weld.
Josh

 

[daturbosix]

although all 3 share electrical components i dont think its a good idea to have 3-in-1.. no real reason from me, its just my opinion

 

[twertsy]

I have one that does Plasma, Tig, and Stick. The plasma works fine, haven't even tried the stick and the TIG, well................since I've never TIG welded before, it's probably just me / my "technique!!" Apparently, TIG welding is something requiring more than youtube for training. I really wish there was a GJer TIG expert close to here willing to teach me.

 

[rockinacummins]

The synch is not a 3 process machine, it is not mig and the tig from a 3 in 1 is not AC. They are pretty good though, there is fierce competition here and the losers have been weeded out. While the 212 is ok it wouldnt be on the top of my short list. It doesn't have all that much more on top than a 211, the main benefit is it will hold a full sized spool. A 230 Hobart has a lot more poop for the money.

You are correct, I forgot that it's a spool gun rather than a true mig machine

 

[nickelTwin]

I have a Lincoln 350mp which has been a great machine.
That said, I didn't buy it for the multi process feature. I bought it because it does mig steel really well and does mig aluminum really well with the push pull gun.
I've used the tig and stick features maybe twice just to make sure they worked when I first got it.

I think most 3 in 1 machines do not have AC for tig which means if you want to tig aluminum you need another tig welder with ac.

I would buy separate welders. Mig and ac/dc tig

 

[Fender1325]

"A lot more poop for the money". i like that lol.

I own a hobart handler 140. Its just a 110 machine which is suiting my current needs just fine, but I think Id have better penetration with a full on 230 machine. Once I get into my new place I'll have a 230 outlet put in. The millermatic 212 has a better duty cycle and Im finding that an infinite power adjusting wheel would really come in handy.

 

[FloydShine]

What are you working with? Apples or Oranges? My point is to consider what purpose your machine needs to be able to accomplish. I started out learning to stick weld because that is what was required for the job, I still don't like to stick weld. Then I worked in a shop Mig welding every day. I like the ease of accomplishing projects, pretty simple to learn, and many options of machines in various price ranges. Now, all my projects are Tig welded, I had opportunity to learn while working in a hotrod fab shop, now its my favorite, but I saved a lot of years putting money in a coffee can to afford a Miller sycrowave. I wish I had a nice Mig machine for general work, but you can't beat the Tig for quality. Point, you get what you pay for, in equipment, consumables, and time and effort to learn the process of each.

 

[Fender1325]

I dont have a specific need currently for TIG, but the welds always look amazing, and more so, the process just seems easier to me. I know its claimed to be harder but it seems easier to make a puddle and add filler rod as you go.

Perhaps I should try my hand at good old oxy/acetylene gas welding? I wonder how cheaply I can get into that.

 

[CamaroKid]

There's much more to tig than making a puddle and adding filler. It's about how wide your puddle is. How much filler your adding. Keeping a consistent rhythm while keeping your heat proper. And feeding your filler rod. It's a lot like patting your head and rubbing your stomach but adding in a couple more things.

 

[RedneckWelder]

I dont have a specific need currently for TIG, but the welds always look amazing, and more so, the process just seems easier to me. I know its claimed to be harder but it seems easier to make a puddle and add filler rod as you go.

Perhaps I should try my hand at good old oxy/acetylene gas welding? I wonder how cheaply I can get into that.

Don't rush to grab a 3 in 1 machine.

You can use most stick machines as a DC scratch start tig machine- all you need is a gas bottle and a tig torch with a gas valve on it to turn the gas on/off, you simply clamp the stick lead to the tig torch cable lug and you are good to go. It does not work well with a tap adjustment machine but an infinitely adjustable machine, works great. These stick machines are not that expensive, especially on the used market.

I advise most new welders to get a quality MIG machine for general purpose fabrication. I'd rather buy a Miller 211 vs. one of the three in one machines any day.

You mentioned O/A welding. It's good to learn this process. Plus you need a set of O/A torches anyway for cutitng and heating, and welding tips aren't expensive

 

[Voi]

I dont have a specific need currently for TIG, but the welds always look amazing, and more so, the process just seems easier to me. I know its claimed to be harder but it seems easier to make a puddle and add filler rod as you go.

Perhaps I should try my hand at good old oxy/acetylene gas welding? I wonder how cheaply I can get into that.

Here's a thread I saved on Lincoln's new machine. IIRC the thread steered off into discussion about 3 in 1 machines in general.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=265787&page=2

Around the time the Lincoln was introduced Miller was offering their Multimatic 200 with a free TIG kit for a really good price. Might be worth seeing if that deal is still around or is rumored to be coming around again.

As far as TIG being easier, there is a poster here on GJ who argues that TIG is harder to learn initially but easier to get decent at than MIG. Or something to that effect.

I just did a quick search to see if I could find one of his posts but no luck. I think the poster's username was Justanengineer if you want to try to search yourself. Not everyone agreed with his thoughts but he made some compelling arguments.

 

[MJD1]

I have the Thermal Arc 181i and love it . Very good on mig and stick, tig is limited to lift arc DC which will do steel and stainless steel. You need a torch with a gas valve but its not a big deal. You can get a foot pedal or a torch with fingertip amp control but its not necessary for most of the welding done with that machine. It has a downslope setting which the Lincoln 210 mp doesn't have which is a good way to control amps and to break your arc.

 

[zkling]

They typically give up an important process. Most often AC output which is what lures a good majority of home users to the tig process.

 

[bill wallace]

Here is the thing about welding. If you want to weld well & on many different metals buy a welder. In that case you really have one choice TIG. For some people learning to do almost anything out of a certain comfort zone ( make that easy to do ) will discourage them. The reason there are different machines involved in fabricating metal is that each can do its process best. You will always regret buying the cheapest way out.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Some of the Chinese welders are getting better, notably Longevity and Everlast. Hard to pass up their pricing.

For TIG pass on anything that is DC only or scratch start. Variable current (pedal or torch know) is highly desirable. Also pass on any MIG rig that can NOT do gas.

 

[ttpete]

If you're going to tig, don't cheap out. Look for a good used machine that has AC/DC, HF start, a foot pedal, and provision for water cooling. I bought a like new Miller Dialarc HF complete with a water cooler for $1000. It's big and heavy, but it'll run all day and stay cool. The HF is done with spark gaps, and there are no electronics to **** out. Another good machine would be a Miller Syncrowave 250.

 

[Fender1325]

Thanks for the input guys. I knew it was too good to be true, otherwise itd make all the other pricier "single type of welding" machines obsolete.

Owning the Hobart Ive been pleased with the quality - and they seem to offer great capability for the money in comparison to Miller, but it seems the Miller's have a greater duty cycle, excellent reputation, and most importantly to me is that infinity power dial rather than the tapped selection. Pricey yes, but I also think I could buy it and consider my MIG needs covered for many years to come.