Are process specific machines still better?

[Wamsutta]

It used to be that having a MIG specific machine or a TIG specific machine was better than having a multi-process machine; is it still that way?

 

[cvairwerks]

Depends on how much you need it and would a failure of it stop all your work... I’ve got stick and TiG in a single unit, but adding MIG via a single process machine. A single unit failure won’t completely shut me down while it’s being repaired.

 

[f150skidoo]

Also keep in mind if you want to weld aluminum most multi process machines are DC only, where a TIG machine is AC/DC and also has more settings to control what you want. I have a Lincoln 210 MP MIG welder which is capable of stick & TIG. I wanted to buy the TIG accessories for it but they were pretty expensive to have a machine that won’t weld aluminum, I decided to buy a SquareWave 200 instead.


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[Hot Rod Grampa]

Agree with having specific task units. I have a Miller 140 mig for sheetmetal, a Lincoln square wave 175 tig along with a buzz box, as well as a Hobart AC/DC stick welder. You may not need to weld heavy plate or 1/4" aluminum so a multi type unit would be ok. Then there are the torches for brazing, silver soldering or gas welding. Just depends on your specific needs.

 

[MattT]

Depends on the specific machine to some extent. I've seen some that are limited to scratch start or lift arc TIG which is a compromise I wouldn't be willing to make. How difficult it is to switch between processes is another thing which could make a multi process machine more trouble than it's worth.

 

[theoldwizard1]

The "best of both worlds" machines cost a TON of money ! The Miller Dynasty 280 DX comes with the "suitcase" MIG wire setup but NOT any of the TIG accessories. This is a HUGE purchase for anyone who would not being using it daily !!

 

[atthebeach]

If you are like me and just do a little welding now and then, a multi-process machine will take up less space and has a lower purchase price. Last year I was considering a Lincoln Square Wave 200 Tig ($1500) plus a Millermatic 211 Mig ($1200) instead of a Miller Multimatic 215 ($1800).

I chose the Multimatic 215 and have been very happy with it. So far, I have just used the mig and tig processes; and it is very quick to change between processes. It has two gas solenoids, so no need to even mess with the gas bottle connections.

As others have pointed out, it is a DC only machine, so aluminum welding is limited to mig and that would require the additional purchase of a spool gun. It is also lift start instead of high frequency which took me a while to get used to. If you do a lot of welding where schedules are critical, need to do tig welding of aluminum, or are x-raying your welds - single process machines would be the better choice.

 

[BD1]

Unless you want to spend big dollars , dedicated machine is my choice. You lose duty cycle and amps on the smaller multi purpose machines. IF one process goes dead they all do. I know the older ones were like that.
I say you get more machine for your money by going separate.

 

[sberry]

A neighbor got one recently, a 200 syncro , its got a spooly and some stuff, I don't remember all but it doesn't have a lot of power. Lists a 14/30 circuit.

 

[bullnerd]

Check welding tips and tricks, his latest vid is the miller one.

Looks like it does pretty good.

 

[pi_guy]

I have two a 200 Dynasty and a Multimatic 200.
Picked up the Al spool gun for the Multimatic this gives me the ability to cover most processes in 120 or 220v with portability.

 

[sqznby]

I prefer having a machine specific for each process.

Also consider transformer powered vs inverter machines for Tig.

 

[kat06]

Miller recently came out with a machine Multimatic 220 AC/DC that will do stick, Mig, and Tig AC&DC. New for 2019, I was quoted around 2800.00 for it. stick and mig up to 3/8" Tig 1/4"

 

[kkroger]

I've yet to encounter a multi process anything that I was happy with... TV VCR combo back in the day was the absolute biggest disappointment I just don't care for multiprocess things, but then again I am not a big fan of unitaskers in OTHER tools...
I would not want an English Wheel bead roller shrinker stretcher combo tool... at all..

 

[joe_padavano]

It's a floor wax AND a dessert topping...

 

[sberry]

These machines are pretty good. It's mostly a matter of cost. If a guy wants a 250 might mainly stand alone 2 to 2500$ or so, a multi in that power range is lots more, not exactly sure as I am not in the market but that little 200 was about that, probably more.

 

[kkroger]

Well the Machine on the truck would be a Multi Process, with a Suitcase wire feeder and a push pull gun on that, with TIG adaptation... probably a Miller Big Blue Pipe Pro 400... about a $10000 dollar machine without the accessories...

 

[thejimmy]

In episode 127 of the Welding Tips and Tricks podcast they talk about buying your 1st machine for a side hustle, and the discussion centers around the multiprocess units and other considerations.
Everyone situation is a little different and there's not just one answer to fit everyone, do your research and you'll find what will be best for you. IMO

 

[Fueler]

It seems to me that the multipurpose machines are all small power machines.
This means some pretty severe restrictions on what one can actually work on.
I always thought these machines were like all in one printers. Certainly they can do all the things advertised but cannot do any one thing really well.

I have separate name brand powerful machines after going the cheap route when starting out long ago. That lasted all of 2 weeks when reality knocked down everything the salesman said.

I always recommend automotive enthusiasts and artists to go the TIG route. More versatility.

 

[Brand X]

They are not all lower powered machines. I had a Lincoln powerwave 300c that was not low powered by any means.. I still prefer the Mig arc on just about every multi process machine I have owned.Generally you get slope, and inductance controls that most single process machines don't have. AC/DC tig-stick machines are best buying that way..Now on to the Lower power machines. Hit, and miss. Sometimes nice to have Mig /stick units, but it will never be as light as a little Maxstar/Thermal-arc dc tig stick units.. It's all about what works best for you,

People that say the little machines like a mig/ stick /DC tig machine can't do any process well has not used very many of them. They might fall down on the Tig high freq start ability,but the tig arc can be excellent,along with the stick mode/ mig arc.. Plus they cost about the same as a stand alone mig unit..