Engine driven welder info

Stuntman Autoworks

Stuntman Autoworks

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May 6, 2010
Location
Sanford NC 27330
I'm looking to buy a welder to have on the truck. I've got it narrowed down to a miller bobcat 225 or 250 and a lincoln ranger 8 or 10.

Anyone with more knowledge on the specific ins and outs of each help me decide which to get. I've read and read info but looking for real world use info and maybe some insight from more knowledgeable people on the different machines. Thanks.
 
All of the mentioned machines are AC generator drives. They all make excellent generators and decent welders... They are all very consistent for structural work. If you want a really good pipe only arc look at something else. I have always felt a lot of people choose these on loyalty of color. But I tend to look at the engine performance in this category. The Lincoln I own welds excellent for its given output. One draw back I have noticed compared to some Millers is gas consumption. Mine is fairly hungry even when tuned up and running perfect. All the new Lincolns carry a different identification system BTW.
As far as arc characteristics I like my Lincoln hands down for 6010 work and in general. The 7018 side seems very comparable. I am partial to RED they just weld better to me even though everything "inside" my shop is blue.
My Ranger 10 is a good size for everything I do except Air Arc Gouging.....It only runs a 3/16 carbon without over working the machine. Its rated around 270 amps so it pulls it hard.
My suggestion is buy the biggest unit you can afford if you wanna run Carbons.
Another wish is full on diesel powered unit and the built in Air Pack.....IE an equipped Trailblazer with diesel. But I don't think that combination is available. AND LINCOLN DOESN'T DO THIS UNTIL ITS FULL BLOWN HEAVY COMMERCIAL ORIENTED :mad::flipoff: Lincoln this bites.


SHORT ANSWER:
Structural work, hand rails and light repair they all work. Heavy equipment, railroad, mining......go to a much bigger platform. Pipe don't waste your money, much better stuff available.
 
WARRIORWELDING said:
All of the mentioned machines are AC generator drives. They all make excellent generators and decent welders... They are all very consistent for structural work. If you want a really good pipe only arc look at something else. I have always felt a lot of people choose these on loyalty of color. But I tend to look at the engine performance in this category. The Lincoln I own welds excellent for its given output. One draw back I have noticed compared to some Millers is gas consumption. Mine is fairly hungry even when tuned up and running perfect. All the new Lincolns carry a different identification system BTW.
As far as arc characteristics I like my Lincoln hands down for 6010 work and in general. The 7018 side seems very comparable. I am partial to RED they just weld better to me even though everything "inside" my shop is blue.
My Ranger 10 is a good size for everything I do except Air Arc Gouging.....It only runs a 3/16 carbon without over working the machine. Its rated around 270 amps so it pulls it hard.
My suggestion is buy the biggest unit you can afford if you wanna run Carbons.
Another wish is full on diesel powered unit and the built in Air Pack.....IE an equipped Trailblazer with diesel. But I don't think that combination is available. AND LINCOLN DOESN'T DO THIS UNTIL ITS FULL BLOWN HEAVY COMMERCIAL ORIENTED :mad::flipoff: Lincoln this bites.


SHORT ANSWER:
Structural work, hand rails and light repair they all work. Heavy equipment, railroad, mining......go to a much bigger platform. Pipe don't waste your money, much better stuff available.
Click to expand...

A litte off subject but I don't do any pipe so what is so different between it and plate that makes these machines not work on it?
 
I had a Miller trailblazer for a few years. Never cared about fuel consumption. Was great machine, multi process. 6010-7018 performance was awesome on the few pipe jobs I had. The fact the it would gouge was a big selling point for me.

I like blue.

What do you plan to use this for? Heavy industrial, fixing your rig on the trail, emergency power and a welder is a plus?
 
Jeff B said:
I had a Miller trailblazer for a few years. Never cared about fuel consumption. Was great machine, multi process. 6010-7018 performance was awesome on the few pipe jobs I had. The fact the it would gouge was a big selling point for me.

I like blue.

What do you plan to use this for? Heavy industrial, fixing your rig on the trail, emergency power and a welder is a plus?
Click to expand...
Power and welding ability on wheeling trips, structural welding and on the farm repairs. Power for the house in a power failure situation is a plus.
 
WARRIORWELDING said:
All of the mentioned machines are AC generator drives. They all make excellent generators and decent welders... They are all very consistent for structural work. If you want a really good pipe only arc look at something else. I have always felt a lot of people choose these on loyalty of color. But I tend to look at the engine performance in this category. The Lincoln I own welds excellent for its given output. One draw back I have noticed compared to some Millers is gas consumption. Mine is fairly hungry even when tuned up and running perfect. All the new Lincolns carry a different identification system BTW.
As far as arc characteristics I like my Lincoln hands down for 6010 work and in general. The 7018 side seems very comparable. I am partial to RED they just weld better to me even though everything "inside" my shop is blue.
My Ranger 10 is a good size for everything I do except Air Arc Gouging.....It only runs a 3/16 carbon without over working the machine. Its rated around 270 amps so it pulls it hard.
My suggestion is buy the biggest unit you can afford if you wanna run Carbons.
Another wish is full on diesel powered unit and the built in Air Pack.....IE an equipped Trailblazer with diesel. But I don't think that combination is available. AND LINCOLN DOESN'T DO THIS UNTIL ITS FULL BLOWN HEAVY COMMERCIAL ORIENTED :mad::flipoff: Lincoln this bites.


SHORT ANSWER:
Structural work, hand rails and light repair they all work. Heavy equipment, railroad, mining......go to a much bigger platform. Pipe don't waste your money, much better stuff available.
Click to expand...

Jeff B said:
I had a Miller trailblazer for a few years. Never cared about fuel consumption. Was great machine, multi process. 6010-7018 performance was awesome on the few pipe jobs I had. The fact the it would gouge was a big selling point for me.

I like blue.

What do you plan to use this for? Heavy industrial, fixing your rig on the trail, emergency power and a welder is a plus?
Click to expand...
Any other brands that are worth checking out? @WARRIORWELDING I checked out the air pak models which would be sweet but the price tag is out of range
 
Stuntman Autoworks said:
A litte off subject but I don't do any pipe so what is so different between it and plate that makes these machines not work on it?
Click to expand...
Softer true DC current. AC generators rectified to DC is still dirty current. And some new invertors is like welding with static electricity. They are managing it with electronics and circuits. Its like old horsepower and bottom end to a rice rocket. Two different pursuits same result with totally different in the seat feelings. Old schoolers notice it.....newbies don't know the difference.
 
if your looking for power and just welding around the farm ant the trail. Something like this is probably all you will ever need.
Blue Star® 185 Engine-Driven Welder - MillerWelds

There are some off brands that you can do a comparison search on. IIRC harbor freight has one that they compare to Lincoln welding unit.
 
Jeff B said:
if your looking for power and just welding around the farm ant the trail. Something like this is probably all you will ever need.
Blue Star® 185 Engine-Driven Welder - MillerWelds

There are some off brands that you can do a comparison search on. IIRC harbor freight has one that they compare to Lincoln welding unit.
Click to expand...
Thanks but I want more available power than that one has available.

So far I've found a ranger gxt 250 and a bobcat 225G for around the same money.
 
I have run bobcat never the ranger. I really cannot give you a comparison.
 
Those are a bit newer models. The blue machine makes slightly higher peak generator out put. The red is a bit more multi process oriented. If I got my models right the blue machine is fuel injected. The red machine carburated. I have used a fuel injected bobcat smooth running, easy starts, good on fuel. Welded good. On the same yard I ran my older Ranger. The weld out put per setting seemed hotter and cleaner still. But I will be honest running side by side the Miller purred. As for the newer Ranger weld output I haven't had the pleasure. Miller is strong in this area....what I've had the chance to run the most portable outside the unit I own.

Price and availability is mostly the dictator. Unless familiarity and specific function performance is known and desired.
 
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