Welding Tips and Tricks

Im looking to get a engine driven welder. Trying to find out what you rigwelders think.

When looking at the Bobcat and the Trial Blazer they list "Non-Ctitical AC" Im assuming it means that they suck for welding GTAW on aluminum. But Im not sure.

Is there any engine driven welder that has good aluminumm welding cababilities or am I dreaming?

Also, Im gonna build a rig. Debateing wether or not to build a trailor or a flat bed. Cause I am gonna start out with a used truck. I can make the flat bed to just transfer to a new truck but I like the idea of haveing the trailor so andother vehicle can take the rig. Or the rig can stay on site while the truck goes to get something.

What are the drawbacks of a trailor, not good in rough terain?

The only reason they say non-critical AC is because you cannot make the "critical" adjustments for AC tig welding that you can on an actual tig machine. For instance, you are stuck with a 50/50 balance. No adjustment. But I can say this, the Trailblazer can lay a bead just as good as a tig machine with the same settings.
It can also lay some nice aluminum mig beads too.

As far as the trailer, it has it's good and bad. You got one bad. Not good on rough terrain. The other is that it is easily stolen on a trailer.

Thanks jpence.

I was thinking maybe that was the case. I wonder why they are not able to have adjustable AC balance?

What kind of MIG gun you running on your trail blazer? A spool gun? Do they have a push pull gun?

I think for now I am gonna look for a used trailblazer.

I am gonna sell off some of my shop machines. Its gonna be heart breaking. Eventually I will close my shop and sell everything off. At some point in my job search I will have to stop taking on new contracts and finish the ones I have. It is a little confusing.

I have some good gear including a fairly well set up Scotchman Cold saw. If I sold everything in one shot Ill bet I could buy a truck and machine for a rig. There is just a certain amount of pride and attachment that is gonna make it difficult. Plus I know I wont get what I think the stuff is worth. Blah Blah Blah.