Welding Tips and Tricks

Hey guys, new here be easy on me. I have a question about suitcase welders. Let me start by telling you I am a beginner. I can weld with might and stick both a little. I used to have a mig but had to sell it. My question is about suitcase welders. I can get a really good deal on a LN25. How big a welder does it take to run one. The guys on the welding trucks here at work have monster welders. Big blue 500 turbos I think. I know they use 1/16 elite outer shield. I think they can be used with smaller wire. Really just need some info.

RazrRebel wrote:Hey guys, new here be easy on me. I have a question about suitcase welders. Let me start by telling you I am a beginner. I can weld with might and stick both a little. I used to have a mig but had to sell it. My question is about suitcase welders. I can get a really good deal on a LN25. How big a welder does it take to run one. The guys on the welding trucks here at work have monster welders. Big blue 500 turbos I think. I know they use 1/16 elite outer shield. I think they can be used with smaller wire. Really just need some info.

The main question is what power source do you have, and what wire do you intend to run?
Clear those up and then we're onto something.

~John

023 to 035 wire. That's the thing. I need to know about what size welder to get to run a suitcase. 3/8 metal will probably be the thickest metal I'll weld. I have 220 power in my shop. I just need to know what size welder I would need. I know the big welders run them. I'm assuming you don't have to have a monster welder though.

Sounds like you don't have a power source yet. If you go this route you need a CV power source made for mig welding - because you want to run small wire in short circuit.

Since that's what you want to run, why don't you just buy a normal mig?

For example, my millermatic 210 is an excellent machine

I'd say a Ranger 225 would run it just fine. If you look at Lincolns website the Ranger 225 list the LN25 wire feeder as one of it's accessories. It runs around $3k and should be good. I am assuming here don't take this for gospel that just about any 225 machine should handle this. I don't have experience running one of these but I worked for a guy who had a Ranger 225 and he had a miller wire feeder and ran it all the time.

Yeah, 220v Small CV machines aren't easy to come buy.


Your better off getting a Hobart Handler 190 or 210mvp.

Try looking for a 200amp+ CV power source.

Unless you come buy a older Lincoln or Miller inverter cheap, this route isn't going to be the most efficient.


~John

A CC or CV power source will run your LN25. If you don't want to go portable with it then there are more cost effective routes. They are designed for job sites without power like brideges or large steel buildings. Most engine drives can run one as well as any DC power source NOT part of a dedicated machine (ex. Lincoln DC400). They run great with CV but will also operate well with any CC source. You only need to make sure your amperage is sized correctly but if 3/8 is all you need to weld 200-250 amps is plenty.