gasoline welder needed

[bgarrett]

The search feature hasnt turned up a thread about gasoline powered welders, maybe you guys can help. I need a welder to use in the country far from electric power. I have been watching craigslist for a Lincoln SA200 and looked at info for a Miller Wildcat which seemed impressive with its ability to TIG and plasma cutting.
There is a bewildering array of welders available. What do you guys like?

 

[Crusty Nut]

Although I don't own a engine driven welder, I'm a fan of millers. Red or blue really is more of a ford/chevy conversation. They both make good stuff.

I have used both red and blue engine driven welders and prefered the Miller (I think it was a bobcat)

 

[shovelhead91701]

Love my miller bobcat!

Had a hobart before it and like the adjustability better on the miller 100%.

 

[metaleltr]

The only way you are going to plasma cut with a wildcat is if you plug a plasma cutter into it and connect a separate air compressor. I do not think it's power output can handle a plasma cutter and an air compressor.

 

[bgarrett]

The only way you are going to plasma cut with a wildcat is if you plug a plasma cutter into it and connect a separate air compressor. I do not think it's power output can handle a plasma cutter and an air compressor.

All I know is what the ad says
"Processes
Stick (SMAW)
DC TIG (DC GTAW)
Air Plasma Cutting and Gouging (PAC) with Optional Spectrum Models
6,500 Peak Watt AC Generator"

 

[38Chevy454]

Just thinking out loud here, but could you just use a regular generator and plug a std welder into that? An 8000 watt generator should be sufficient for all except the largest welder. 8000 watt generator is still in the "portable" class.

 

[lotsoftools]

We have a Lincoln Vantage at school and it is pretty sweet, but they run around $13k new.

 

[BD1]

I have a MILLER TRAILBLAZER 302 and it is awesome. Best part is that it has 11,000 watts. With the 220 volt plug you can run a lot of goodies in the house. You can get a spoolgun that plugs right in to it.
Bad, you better figure that you may burn about a gallon a hour running
full bore.
Best, it is a awesome welder.

 

[bgarrett]

Just thinking out loud here, but could you just use a regular generator and plug a std welder into that? An 8000 watt generator should be sufficient for all except the largest welder. 8000 watt generator is still in the "portable" class.

I tried that! I bought a new 7000 watt generator and plugged in my 30 amp cracker box welder. 30 amps at 220 volts equals 66oo watts.
Should work, right? Specially since I dont weld at 30 amps, right?
nope. doesnt work

 

[bgarrett]

Has anyone been successful using a portable generator to power a 220 volt welder?

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

I picked up a Miller Trailblazer 250 gas unit about 10 years ago for $500 from a welding company going out of business. 4kw power to use as a generator when needed....just used it for 3 days of power after Sandy.
I also got an add-on wire feeder to make on-site fab work easy.

 

[Jagmandave]

Yes, mine worked fine, but my genset makes 50 amps at 220V - still, it's portable - in a sense. It has wheels on one end and I can roll it on and off the trailer by hand by myself. That and I was only trying to weld 1/4" material so I didn't need it cranked......

 

[tpierce]

The Lincoln SA 200 is a fine welder. I have one I'm rebuilding. There is no sweeter welding machine for stick welding. They are highly sought after by pipeline welders for their buttery arc characteristics. BUT they are DC generators, so they aren't as versatile as an AC-DC machine, and they cannot be used for generator back-up power. I will probably sell mine and get a Miller Bobcat 250.

 

[offroadsteve]

All I know is what the ad says
"Processes
Stick (SMAW)
DC TIG (DC GTAW)
Air Plasma Cutting and Gouging (PAC) with Optional Spectrum Models
6,500 Peak Watt AC Generator"

That may be refering to its ability to carbon arc cut / gouge, which still requires a seperate air compressor and is significantly differnt from plasma cutting. I could be totally wrong though.

As far as a gas powered welder, like others have said, the Miller Bobcats and Lincoln Rangers are very common and should be easy to find parts for. The next step up in size is a Miller Trailblazer / Big 40 or a Lincoln Vantage. Those are very spendy. All of these machines have welding output as well as regular 120V/240V output for running tools or can double as a back-up generator in a pinch.

Unless you're burning a lot of rod, I'd steer clear of a SA-200. They are great for what they are as tpierce said, but they are not very versitile. You would be much happier with a Bobcat or Ranger.

As others have said, if you already have a welder, you can get a regular generator and run it that way. I have run both a Lincoln Precision TIG 185 and a Miller Dynasty 200 off a 13,500 watt Northern Tool brand generator before with great success. The Dynasty will run of a standard 15 Amp circuit... but we already had the big generator.