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:
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: