Suggestions for a Generator/Welder?

   / Suggestions for a Generator/Welder? #21  
Another advantage of the Miller Bobcat is that they retain their value. You could always sell it and recoup a good bit of the cost. Used ones don’t take long to sell.
 
   / Suggestions for a Generator/Welder?
  • Thread Starter
#22  
Truthfully, my wife is quite easy on me. Probably because she retired 10 years ago and I'm still working and probably close to 10 more if I can. I buy lots of tools and she just says, don't you already have one of those. My stock answer is 'yes... sort of, but...'

Good days are when I retrieve the Amazon package while is away from the house. :D

I'm now warming her up for a nice bandsaw!

Yes, I would say a nice band saw is in order!! Smart thinking! :thumbsup:
 
   / Suggestions for a Generator/Welder?
  • Thread Starter
#23  
Another advantage of the Miller Bobcat is that they retain their value. You could always sell it and recoup a good bit of the cost. Used ones don’t take long to sell.

I see that they have really good resale value. That is the problem I am having. Hard to find in my neck of the woods. Still looking. ;)
 
   / Suggestions for a Generator/Welder?
  • Thread Starter
#24  
Double post.
 
   / Suggestions for a Generator/Welder?
  • Thread Starter
#25  
I found a bobcat 250 with 2,592 hours on it for $2750. It is a 4 hour drive one way. It was a rental unit and looks a little rough. No leads.

The more I look, the more I think a new Hobart would make more sense.
 
   / Suggestions for a Generator/Welder? #26  
I found a bobcat 250 with 2,592 hours on it for $2750. It is a 4 hour drive one way. It was a rental unit and looks a little rough. No leads.

The more I look, the more I think a new Hobart would make more sense.
I am not a fan of buying rental tools no matter what they are... means you got a few hours put on by many newbies and it has likely been abused and banged around plus lots of transport. Just my two cents. Would definitely prefer something with one or few owners that took care of the tool.
 
   / Suggestions for a Generator/Welder? #27  
I found a bobcat 250 with 2,592 hours on it for $2750. It is a 4 hour drive one way. It was a rental unit and looks a little rough. No leads.

The more I look, the more I think a new Hobart would make more sense.

I wouldn’t touch that.
 
   / Suggestions for a Generator/Welder? #28  
I found a bobcat 250 with 2,592 hours on it for $2750. It is a 4 hour drive one way. It was a rental unit and looks a little rough. No leads.

The more I look, the more I think a new Hobart would make more sense.

My bobcat 225nt was $1500 with 425 hrs.
 
   / Suggestions for a Generator/Welder? #29  
I have two generator welders. One is a Ranger, and the other is an SA 200. I've had others growing up and in business that I've dealt with. But honestly, unless it is a really dedicated, hard core machine and need that you have for such, that sort of thing is so 1990's.

Today, you are better off, buying a good, clean powered generator and buying an inverter to run off of it. I talk to pros all the time who have either done this, or are contemplating this. This way, you can always have what you need and aren't paying ridiculous prices for "add ons" to make your generator welder suitable for the process you desire.

Well, while that may not be a popular notion with some people, it is one that is gaining popularity.

You can buy a 13kw CLEAN power (essentially exactly the same as wall power, if not better) for well less than 2k under the PowerHorse line from Northern Tool. A 9kw is well less than 1k. A competent welder that can carry 200 amps stick/DC tig is 400.00 from us. So for about 2k, you can have a large generator and competent stick welder and you are set. If you want to add other units, like a TIG, which will work on that unit with power to spare and output 250 amps, you can as you need. If you just need MIG, add it for about a grand for a highly competent and portable rig. This way, you can put the unit near you and don't need to walk back to change gears.

Not to mention, the generators have wheel kits and can be wheeled around and are much more efficient than most welder generators. (and in many cases much quieter and easier to maintain).


Honestly, I do love engine drives, especially the growl of the SA200, but inverters and modern technology are slowly but surely moving these units out of the way and into museums. I don't think engine drives will ever be completely replaced, but unless you are needing over 400 amps, I wouldn't even consider it...new or used if I had to do it over again.
 
   / Suggestions for a Generator/Welder? #30  
I have two generator welders. One is a Ranger, and the other is an SA 200. I've had others growing up and in business that I've dealt with. But honestly, unless it is a really dedicated, hard core machine and need that you have for such, that sort of thing is so 1990's.

Today, you are better off, buying a good, clean powered generator and buying an inverter to run off of it. I talk to pros all the time who have either done this, or are contemplating this. This way, you can always have what you need and aren't paying ridiculous prices for "add ons" to make your generator welder suitable for the process you desire.

Well, while that may not be a popular notion with some people, it is one that is gaining popularity.

You can buy a 13kw CLEAN power (essentially exactly the same as wall power, if not better) for well less than 2k under the PowerHorse line from Northern Tool. A 9kw is well less than 1k. A competent welder that can carry 200 amps stick/DC tig is 400.00 from us. So for about 2k, you can have a large generator and competent stick welder and you are set. If you want to add other units, like a TIG, which will work on that unit with power to spare and output 250 amps, you can as you need. If you just need MIG, add it for about a grand for a highly competent and portable rig. This way, you can put the unit near you and don't need to walk back to change gears.

Not to mention, the generators have wheel kits and can be wheeled around and are much more efficient than most welder generators. (and in many cases much quieter and easier to maintain).


Honestly, I do love engine drives, especially the growl of the SA200, but inverters and modern technology are slowly but surely moving these units out of the way and into museums. I don't think engine drives will ever be completely replaced, but unless you are needing over 400 amps, I wouldn't even consider it...new or used if I had to do it over again.
Hard to argue with you here :thumbsup:
 

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