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Up Topic Welding Industry / General Welding Discussion / Home welding machine
- - By dschlotz (***) Date 03-24-2012 20:43
I'm about to retire and although I will still have welding privileges at my present employers' shop I want something at home. I have a dedicated 50 amp single phase circuit in my shop.
I want to be able to MIG, TIG, & Stick. I don't need to be in production but I want good arc characteristics and the pro feel of the Miller equip I'm used to. I also have a 5000 watt 220 generator so that I can go mobile.  I have heard of a new to me brand from China, that is an all in one. I would rather do American if possible.

Suggestions are welcome and desired.

Thanks Dennis
Parent - By Lawrence (*****) Date 03-24-2012 20:48
This is prolly what your looking for my friend.

https://www.thermadyne.com/Thermal%20Arc%203in1/index.php

The 3 in 1   will do everything but AC GTAW   and the price is excellent in my opinion.

Not robust enough for an industrial setting but just the trick for the well wired garage  :)
Parent - By aevald (*****) Date 03-24-2012 23:06
Hello Dennis, we are about to get 2 of the 3in1 181i's at our shop, however if you are a fan of Miller equipment, they are also going to be coming out with some of these in the very near future. Only issue for the Miller's will be the price tag, I understand they will be considerably more than the Thermal Arc's. Good luck and enjoy. Best regards, Allan
Parent - - By weldwade (***) Date 03-25-2012 00:27
I have an XMT304CC/CV and I love the machine. I bought it used from my AirGas rep that I have known for many years. I search craigslist all the time and wait for good deals to come up on things I am looking for. I seldom buy new anymore. I see xmt's for under 1k all the time. There is nothing about my 304 I do not like. It will not do AC if that is a concern. For mig and stick as well as DC tig I am more than satisfied.
Parent - By hillbilly (**) Date 03-25-2012 01:07
Thermal Arc is releasing the Fabricator 252i that issupposed to hit the 300 amp mark.
Parent - - By Sourdough (****) Date 03-25-2012 02:35
Sorry to burst your bubble, but if you want a good all around machine for tig and heliarc and what not, you will need a 100 amp service.
Parent - By DaveBoyer (*****) Date 03-25-2012 03:40 Edited 03-25-2012 03:46
The Fabricator 252 that Lawrence mentioned only draws 40 amps. That is the benifit of an inverter.
250 amps goes pretty far in a home shop setting.

A transformer type 250 amp Tig machine will draw 100 amps when maxed out at 300 amps if it doesn't have power factor corection.
Parent - By 357max (***) Date 03-25-2012 03:49
You are right about single phase transformer rectifiers drawing near 100 amps. Most inverters will draw less than 50 amps.
Parent - - By Lawrence (*****) Date 03-25-2012 06:02
Join the 21st Century Sourdough you old dinosaur!
Parent - - By Sourdough (****) Date 03-25-2012 19:38
caw caw...............that is the sound I make when flying over looking for something dead to eat.........
Parent - - By Lawrence (*****) Date 03-26-2012 00:10
That reminds me;

Need to call my mother in law
Parent - By Sourdough (****) Date 03-26-2012 00:39
:yell:
Parent - - By Kix (****) Date 03-27-2012 16:25
I've got a Miller Dynasty 200 that only requires a 30amp breaker tig welding .250" aluminum.
Parent - - By Sourdough (****) Date 03-28-2012 03:57
I know, I know, I am behind the times. It's hereditary.
Parent - - By Kix (****) Date 03-28-2012 13:00
Ya know they probably got some kind of pills you could take for that.. :lol:
Parent - By Sourdough (****) Date 03-28-2012 15:02
Pills to catch up with the times? Or pills to dull my tenacious mental appetite? Or pills that would allow me to fade into that apathetic drone that threatens to irreversibly ruin this great country.....?

No thanks.
Parent - - By Northweldor (***) Date 03-28-2012 16:12 Edited 03-28-2012 16:14
"I know, I know, I am behind the times. It's hereditary. "

Good line!
Parent - By Sourdough (****) Date 03-29-2012 04:35
:lol:

You can never read deep enough my friend....good one back at ya!
Up Topic Welding Industry / General Welding Discussion / Home welding machine

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