SCOOOORRRRE!!!!!!

   / SCOOOORRRRE!!!!!! #1  

dstig1

Super Member
Joined
Apr 7, 2010
Messages
5,016
Location
W Wisc
Tractor
Kubota L5240 HSTC, JD X738 Mower, (Kubota L3130 HST - sold)
I am happy as a clam. I have a Lincoln AC/DC tombstone I picked up last summer for $150 and it worked OK for the things I needed last summer. But I started a Stick class in Jan in which we are using ~$4k Miller XMT 304's and I have gotten spoiled. I've been watching CL for something, and it popped up yesterday.

Everyone thinks their used Millers and Lincolns are worth gold. But a guy posted a Thermal Arc 400MST for dirt cheap. Not sure if he knew it was a $3500 welder or not... Nobody jumped at it since it isn't Miller or Lincoln, so I got my chance. I picked up something that is roughly the equivalent of those XMT304's in great condition for $600. And it appears to work! And that includes a ton of cable - 100' for the stinger and 75' for the ground clamp. I haven't welded with it yet (I'll try it this weekend), but I did power it up and it appeared to start up just fine and adjust amps on the display. This will be sooo much nicer than the old tombstone. I can adjust the amps as I want (no more 15A tap steps) and even though I can now hit 300A (on 1 phase) vs 135 on DC for the Lincoln it is lighter than the old Lincoln! And if I want to try TIG or get a wire feed unit for it, I can add that. I get arc force and hot start control now too! Did I mention I was happy as a pig rooting in oven dry 7018?! :licking:

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   / SCOOOORRRRE!!!!!! #2  
   / SCOOOORRRRE!!!!!! #3  
I helped a friend buy a never used TA STversion of that unit for 400.00. It was in a second hand store that bought it from a company that never needed it and had it sticking around. It was a small company that needed some extra cash and they liquidated it. She was looking for a welder, and I told her about it. DC pulse tig and stick. Its a good machine for the money no doubt..
 
   / SCOOOORRRRE!!!!!! #4  
I don't think I've ever used a Thermal Arc. I understand they have a great arc.

I'd be interested in hearing more about the Miller XMT's. In April there is going to be two auctions, first auction has an CC/CV XMT-350 with S-22 feeder. Second auction has two XMT-304s.
Of course I need another welder like I need a hole in my head, but if it's a good deal!:licking:
 
   / SCOOOORRRRE!!!!!! #5  
ps: sorry for the long link... I don't know how to do the hyperlink, or whatever it is called to make it appear really short
Just type what you want the hyperlink to say , highlight it and then click the link button, type in the url and you are done. Like this
 
   / SCOOOORRRRE!!!!!! #6  
well? have you run a bead with it yet???

soundguy
 
   / SCOOOORRRRE!!!!!!
  • Thread Starter
#7  
Nope, not yet. No time today for that. And maybe not tomorrow either. I need to get the plug on it properly first too. I just hacked it together quick to see if it would power up, which it did just fine.

I think the XMT 304s are pretty similar to this unit. I believe they are DC only also. Seem to work quite well. We've only been using them for stick in class. Some of them have wire feeders on them. Not sure if any were set up for TIG or not. I find the amp adjust knob to be quite touchy on the XMTs. If you want to move a couple amps, you have to be careful to just barely nudge it. The adjusment on this TA has a click at each amp and seems friendlier to adjust.
 
   / SCOOOORRRRE!!!!!! #8  
for 600$ and a gamble I think I'd at least glue 2 pieces together to make sure it was werkin though.. don't have to fab up a battleship or anything.. :) just see if she will make your auto darkening helmet kick over and make some sparks and make 2 pieces of scrap stick together...

soundguy
 
   / SCOOOORRRRE!!!!!!
  • Thread Starter
#9  
Sheesh! I'll get there already! :) To do much of anything with a welder in my overstuffed garage I need to move a car out of the garage, setup some makeshift table and all that. Just need to find some time. And if it isn't working, I pretty much don't have any recourse anyways...
 
   / SCOOOORRRRE!!!!!! #10  
Yes they are DC only far as I know.

The adjustment on my PowerArc 200 is that way, but it seems as my Dynasty 300 clicks about every 1/2 amp, that doesn't mean you see a 1/2 amp change just that the dial clicks two times per amp.
 

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