Help me buy a welder/generator.

[thingy]

Well you can't argue with logic like toulamaic,[original poster[ put out there,,he doesn't have any electric at his place and he wants a generator plus he wants a welder,,,,perfect he says,,I will get a cheap generator and a buzz box,,,no need combining the two,plus on top of that,he's going to do some tig welding,,,holy,,#$!$,,,second place at least,,,thingy

 

[Tractors4u]

So,pray tell,what is your point,rookie,,thingy

You missed the point. I could'nt care less about my certs. It's nothing to brag about at all, shinning pipe for a living. I got out.

Merely complimenting those that can do it well and humouring those that enjoy and appreciate it.

I think crbr explained his point. Are you just try to pick a fight or what? When I read it, the way I understood it was that he had the credentials and experience to know a good weld or a bad weld when he saw and compimented those on TBN that could weld well. He never claimed to be a welder himself, just the opposite. Lighten up and let's learn something from each other.

 

[cp1969]

DILLIGAF?

Not being able to see you, it's hard to tell. But I would guess probably not.

 

[sandman2234]

I had the same thought about needing a generator and wanting a welder. I came across a very good deal on an almost new Bobcat welder($1497, 3 months old). I used to have to deal with rental property that required cleaning while empty(read no power). I figured 8kw and a welder would do it just fine. It did, but like all compromises, it has it's drawbacks.
One, the combination uses more fuel than a standalone generator, probably due to having all the extra mass that it needs to turn (?). I have never owned a 8KW generator, so I may be wrong on that. I just know that my little 4kw drinks alot less fuel, several times over.
I do know that the 4kw won't weld worth a flip, never has, never will.
If you don't use a standalone generator, it still requires you to start it up and run it or it won't start when you need it to. If you do enough welding to keep the welder in shape, that makes the backup a lot less trouble.
My problem began when I went over the road as a 18 wheeler driver, not being home to do the things I wanted, needing the welder less and the backup generator went with it.
I got an offer to buy it for $2000, so it went (after almost 15 years) and I purchased a generator for my lawnmower as a backup. I already had the buzzbox and an old Miller AC/DC/Tig machine, so that end was covered.
I only miss the Bobcat welder when I need to do something portable elsewhere and that doesn't happen very often, welding things I can't drag home.
All I am pointing out is, most of the options have drawbacks, and only you can determine which you are willing to settle for.
In the case of a power outage, the cost of fuel, hours on a tractor, etc are really trivial, compared to what the alternative is. Being able to get enough fuel might be a problem, but what it costs doesn't matter because you would pay twice that for it if you needed to. Being prepared for it also costs money, such a fuel storage that requires investment and treatment, and changing out to prevent fuel going bad.
I went with a 10kw generator for my lawnmower because it requires almost no upkeep, uses a fuel that I have a supply of (JD tractor tank is backup, 40gals, tractor trailer in driveway also a backup if absolutely required, 200 gals) and I use the buzzbox and Miller welder when I need them.
Just another point of view,
David from jax

 

[patrick_g]

Lowe's has a 13.5KW surge rated electric start genny for $1300. It will actually sustain over 8KW. It runs my Lincoln AC-DC tombstone pretty well. Plugging in the wall does better but I don't ordinarily do much HD stuff in the field so no problem. Even my little Coleman 5KW genny will run my Lincoln wire feed. My next test will be to run a decent air compressor and the 40 amp plasma cutter. If not simultaneously then in rotation.

If you expect a female person to start the genny because you will not be there when the balloon goes up then you want electric start.

I got my 13.5KW genny at Lowe's as a refurbished customer return for $400 and it does just fine.

Pat

 

[MikeD74T]

crbr, Don't let thingy get to you. Despite being extremely fond of his mirror he does put out some good information. He will even argue with compliments sent in his direction. You're just new blood, welcome aboard. MikeD74T

 

[RedRocker]

I guess that ended the conversation.

 

[gunta]

Not unless you want it to end??!!,,I'm now gunta,,,[lovely ain't it],,cookies thing,,deleted,,etc,,,thingy

 

[DieselPower]

Errrrr, Ummmmm??? Do we now have two thingy's?

 

[tuolumne]

Who else has a comma that sticks?