Welding Tips and Tricks

I'm Looking to buy a welding machine generator got 3k to spend just want something to practice with to continue to improve my skill. was looking at the Hobart champion elite I can get it refurbished for 2750 after taxes and shipping for free. would love to hear some opinions on this. please don't hold back.

Are you doing construction work with it? There are inverter machines up to 300 amps and 60% duty cycle for under $600 that may suit you if practice and skill maintenance is your goal. Or do you need 11,000 watts of generator too?

The Hobart machine is a good engine drive.
I used to have one.

Pretty much the same thing as a bobcat.

Buy one, or hold out for a used miller or Lincoln.

Thx for the feedback, the generator portion is also to run a compressor and other tools as well. thx I went ahead and bought a factory refurbished one and still had a good warranty.

new question in regards to welding equipment anyone have a contact to good prices and knoledgable staff for on welding equipment for carry on to a ship doing a lot of repairs on pie while out to sea. I need connector and power convertors and a machine to carry on board

So now I need a Plasma Ideas on what to get for the shop at work I will need to be able to cut at least 2" plate and some exotic metals like Inconel and stainless as well as carbon steel

Hypertherm - nuff said.

Hypertherm is good.

Thermal Dynamics makes a decent machine, too.

Consider your ready access to consumables.

Steve S

2" plate capacity is going to be a big expensive machine

weldin mike 27 wrote:2" plate capacity is going to be a big expensive machine

No kidding.
Anywhere from $3,000 to $6,000 bucks.....

I didn't know people plasma cut Inconel actually. I guess I never really heard of anyone doing it before

Why not go water jet.

Yeah going to be expensive but thanks guys I'm looking at the cut master by victor any one ever use one

We would most likely do water jet if it were needed to be more precise however found that on some jobs it's nice to be able to remove small sections with ease and make it look cleaner also I have a way to use it on board ships bit if we need it to be prefabricated and needs to be precise then we water jet but need something for on the fly thinking where torches don't really do it

I'm not sure if you would find a portable machine capable of 2" thickness.

weldin mike 27 wrote:I'm not sure if you would find a portable machine capable of 2" thickness.

And probably not single phase.