Looking for welder

Glowzinski · Sat Jan 02, 2016 6:35 pm

Alright, I am new to welding. I am thinking of taking a class on it, sometime this year. I have a cheap stick welder. I want a good one. I want a stick, mig and tig welder. My dad used to have a Miller. He died in 03 and I have no clue what happened to the thing. I saw these Bobcat 250 (Kohler), GFCI. This one seems as if it can do everything I would ever need. All but for aluminum welding. Then I saw Syncrowave 250 DX 200/230/460 V. This one would let me do aluminum, as well as some other stuff. BUT, they are expensive as hell. I thought, say I saved for the Bobcat, then got a cheaper one for aluminum stuff. So, I just joined this site and thought I would ask actual welders what they thought. Is the Bobcat 250 any good? How about the other one? What are some others that compare to these two?

Poland308 · Sat Jan 02, 2016 7:19 pm

Do you have access to 3 phase power?

MinnesotaDave · Sat Jan 02, 2016 8:13 pm

For what you describe, I would not buy an engine drive yet.

The syncrowave is an excellent stick and tig welder.
Used prices range from $900-$2000

Then buy a good mig and you'll be all set.

Glowzinski · Sat Jan 02, 2016 8:52 pm

3 phase power huh. Well, if I knew what that was, I would be happy to let you know. haha The only way I will be able to use a welder here, is with a generator. Some told me not to use one. But, I have no other choice. So, if there is one that would allow me to do what you are asking, I would be happy to save some money for it.

Also, I see the Syncrowave. Price is almost $3000. Same as the Everlast.

MinnesotaDave · Sat Jan 02, 2016 10:40 pm

Glowzinski wrote:3 phase power huh. Well, if I knew what that was, I would be happy to let you know. haha The only way I will be able to use a welder here, is with a generator. Some told me not to use one. But, I have no other choice. So, if there is one that would allow me to do what you are asking, I would be happy to save some money for it.

Also, I see the Syncrowave. Price is almost $3000. Same as the Everlast.

Where are you that there is no electricity?

Make no mistake, the everlast is NOT in the same league as the Miller Syncrowave.
I won't get into bashing mode - just note that Miller is a long time player in this game.

Used machines will save you money.

Many will run on a generator, the syncrowave needs more power than an engine drive will deliver however.
You will need an inverter based welder.

What are you specific needs?

soutthpaw · Sat Jan 02, 2016 10:54 pm

Transformers need a lot of power, so it's hard to get a generator to run them. New inverters use much less power so they will run better on a generator, but it needs to be a good quality one that puts out clean sine wave power. Many inverters will run fine on a generator that puts out 30 amps of 220vac current.

Sent from mobile. Not responsible for Typos

Glowzinski · Sat Jan 02, 2016 11:44 pm

Well, my mom and step dad really don't want me to run the thing using our power. Maybe I should just see how it would work. Ask someone who knows about that kind of thing. I bet our neighbor would know.

Glowzinski · Sat Jan 02, 2016 11:45 pm

Alright, you guys are super helpful. I am going to take the ones guys advice and not get the engine drive thing yet. He said the syncrowave is good. Ok, so, I see I can get a Tig one for $2,759. He said then get a Mig machine. Now, I see that I can add Mig to this machine. For like $406 more, I can get the version that comes with Mig. Is the added price worth it? Again, I want to thank everyone for the help. I know not a person who knows anything about welding.