Welders: Portable vs. Plug-in

[Iplayfarmer]

So, I may have an opportunity to acquire a portable welder. I have some shop stuff I don't want, and a guy on Craigs List has a portable welder that won't start. It's a Lincoln AC/DC. I don't know the amperage. We still have to get together and dicker, but I'll probably end up with it.

I already have a 110 volt MIG and a 220 volt stick welder (230 amp AC only) that I use regularly. I'm looking to trade mostly just to convert my unwanted stuff into something more useful.

So, here's the debate... What are the pros and cons of portable, gas powered welders vs. plug ins?

I'm wondering whether to keep all three or if I should plan to sell one.

 

[Mighty Dodge]

I've got a gas powered Lincoln. Got it for welding plus backup power when necessary. It's 8000 watts, not enough for everything but keeps the lights, fridges, freezer, well pump and hot water heater going.

M.D.

 

[bobodu]

I recently sold my big Lincoln because I never used it and was tired of walking around or over it. Of course,with an hour of waving good bye...this popped up that needed repaired far from my shop. I had enough inventory to make another from a car alternator.
But anyway,this is way too tough of a call from a distance.
Do you have lots of extra room for something you will probably only use rarely?
Do you want to maintain another engine that will only get used rarely? Think gummed up carb...
Can you come up with enough work that can't be brought into the shop to counter more stuff to trip over?
Portable welders can be lifted up with the FEL.
You can take them to the lake cottage or over to the neighbors.
You can use them instead of an extension cord when building a playhouse for the Grandkids.
Backup power.
Have you ever experienced TIGROTBNT (Things I Got Rid Of Tuesday But Need Today) Syndrome?

 

[DanD78]

My welders are kind of like my wifes sewing machings. Each one is a little different than the others but they all give the same end result. I don't use my portable that often but I know it is there when I need it. Everyone has given good reasons to keep what you have if you have room.

Dan

 

[Gary Fowler]

IMO I would not consider a portable welding machine unless it was diesel. Just too much problems with gas engines. I have seen here where someone said that they have a backup home generator that they use to power their AC powered welding equipment so when needed in a remote, they just haul their generator and shop welder down, plug in to their gen set and away they go. I think that is what I would do if I wanted to spent 2-3 grand on a welder, just invest that money in a 10KW diesel gen set then you have best of all worlds. Home backup power, plus offsite electric power that is capable of running a fair sized 220 volt welding machine.

 

[Hookblock]

I have a miller 225 bobcat ac/dc, 8000 watt, 16 hp engine. I am very happy with it, I have had for 10 years bought used, never a problem.

Have you ever experienced TIGROTBNT (Things I Got Rid Of Tuesday But Need Today) Syndrome?

All the time

 

[powerstroke444e]

I like having a generator that can run my welder and plasma off of and if you do much welding you will get sick of hearing the generator running while your in your shop. I would not give up my generator or my plugin welders, but I am a tool addict(Snap-On truck is my biggest weakness).

 

[cdhd2001]

I have completely enjoyed my new Miller Wildcat 200 amp Welder Generator. 200 amp DC welder with 6,500 watt 110/220v AC generator. Has an electric start Subaru Industrial gas engine. I mounted mine to a small 4ft x 6ft trailer. I am still in the process of setting up the tool boxes and racks to hold stuff including the air compressor and plasma cutter. I can drag it around behind the tractor or pull it with the truck.

Plus, it makes a great generator for the RV too!

IMHO, it is a great investment if you feel you have the need.

 

[tommu56]

My welders are kind of like my wifes sewing machings. Each one is a little different than the others but they all give the same end result. I don't use my portable that often but I know it is there when I need it. Everyone has given good reasons to keep what you have if you have room.

Dan

That sounds like my family its still 2 to 1 sewing machines to welders not counting here embroidery machine cost more than all my welders combined.

tom

 

[Iplayfarmer]

...Plus, it makes a great generator for the RV too!

Really?? I had always heard that these welder/generators were pretty loud.

I have a little 4 Kw generator that I use camping. I think it would power my MIG, but it's only a 110v generator, so no luck on the AC stick.

The main appeal to me in trading for this portable is that it is AC/DC. I've heard that DC is supposed to give much better results in many cases. Keep in mind too that I'm trading stuff that I have already but don't need (I hope). The cost to me is basically nothing. Whatever space this welder takes up will likely be less than the stuff that I trade for it.

The responses so far have been very helpful. One thing I thought about that hasn't been mentioned yet is the exhaust issue. If I'm running this thing in my shop, I'll have to route the exhaust outside somehow.

 

[have_blue]

So, I may have an opportunity to acquire a portable welder.

I have a Lincoln 5500W, 125A gen welder. It burns 1/8 rods just great. Only down side, it's heavy. Weighs 165 Lbs, and even with added wheels, it's hard to move around.

 

[cdhd2001]

DC is much smoother with hardly any splatter. As for the noise, I welded on a 12'' long by 7'' wide muffler from a small car. My local auto parts store let me dig in the bins until I found one that fit. Muffler plus misc. pieces was about $40. Now the generator itself is the loudest part of the setup. Since my welder is mounted to a trailer, I just wheel it in and out with the tractor. Also, you buy a "cart" mount for it similar to what people use on MIG machines.

Ps. Make sure your leads are at least 50 ft. long each. Any shorter is practically useless.

Really?? I had always heard that these welder/generators were pretty loud.

I have a little 4 Kw generator that I use camping. I think it would power my MIG, but it's only a 110v generator, so no luck on the AC stick.

The main appeal to me in trading for this portable is that it is AC/DC. I've heard that DC is supposed to give much better results in many cases. Keep in mind too that I'm trading stuff that I have already but don't need (I hope). The cost to me is basically nothing. Whatever space this welder takes up will likely be less than the stuff that I trade for it.

The responses so far have been very helpful. One thing I thought about that hasn't been mentioned yet is the exhaust issue. If I'm running this thing in my shop, I'll have to route the exhaust outside somehow.

 

[mlauk]

If you are just going to use the portable welder in your workshop, I wouldn't get it especially since you already have a welder. If you are going to build some pipe fence or need to weld outside of the shop, then I would get it.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I may end up selling it after I get it running and looking for a deal on a DC stick. My mind keeps wandering off to think of projects where I'd need a portable welder. It keeps wandering back without anything.

The biggest pros to keeping it are 1) It has DC, and 2) The back-up generator option.

I'm hoping to build a shop someday, and when I do it may not have power for a little while after I get it built. It would be nice to have a portable welder then. That could be a decade away, though.

If I do get the thing running, what do you think I could sell it for?

 

[easygo]

Depending on what the problem may be with the welder it could easily cost as much to get it fixed as it would cost you to buy an AC/DC stick welder. I was looking at a the same kind of thing a year ago. I would love to have a portable welder/generator, but really don't have then need. Plus I hate the noise of a generator running for longer periods. I bought a dinged up Hobart AC/DC buzz box and added 50ft each to the original leads. It works very well. I can reach anything that is within 60ft of my garage door and that is more then enough for my need.

Does that welder have an hour meter? It would help determine how used it is.

 

[rhett]

If I do get the thing running, what do you think I could sell it for?

Probably 1/2 of retail or more, depending on the buyer and condition of said unit.

More than likely the carbs are gummed up from sitting with gas left in tank for a period longer than 6 months. The shelf life of gasoline is 6 months, so drain the tank and carb when next use is undetermined, this goes for any gasoline application.

The repair cost might only be the time you invest or a carb gasket kit. Lawnmower repair shops love home owners that neglect to run the tank dry for the winter storage.

Not knowing anything about the condition of the welder/genset, chances are 95% of being fouled by bad gasoline. So many people are unaware of gasoline's shelf life. I've seen 1 year old mowers on the road side that a little cleaning will fix.

Portable welder and power is the kind of thing that just might pay for itself the one day it is needed. A dry storage spot might be the only issue, if I had the opportunity I would find a dry spot.

Good Luck, hope it is an easy fix (cleaning)

EDIT: just have to add an FYI - Diesel Fuels shelf life is TWO Years !!!

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Probably 1/2 of retail or more, depending on the buyer and condition of said unit.

More than likely the carbs are gummed up from sitting with gas left in tank for a period longer than 6 months. The shelf life of gasoline is 6 months, so drain the tank and carb when next use is undetermined, this goes for any gasoline application.

The repair cost might only be the time you invest or a carb gasket kit. Lawnmower repair shops love home owners that neglect to run the tank dry for the winter storage.

Not knowing anything about the condition of the welder/genset, chances are 95% of being fouled by bad gasoline. So many people are unaware of gasoline's shelf life. I've seen 1 year old mowers on the road side that a little cleaning will fix.

Portable welder and power is the kind of thing that just might pay for itself the one day it is needed. A dry storage spot might be the only issue, if I had the opportunity I would find a dry spot.

Good Luck, hope it is an easy fix (cleaning)

EDIT: just have to add an FYI - Diesel Fuels shelf life is TWO Years !!!

I should have clarified. The "No start" issue is a result of the starter motor not working, but it probably has gummed carbs too if my experience is any indication. I have made a lot of money off of gummed up carbs.

So far I'm still waiting for the guy to call me back. He was supposed to call last night. Maybe I won't be trading for a welder afterall.

 

[schmism]

So, here's the debate... What are the pros and cons of portable, gas powered welders vs. plug ins?

I'm wondering whether to keep all three or if I should plan to sell one.

i suppose that depends on how you most use your welder.

if your constantly welding broken crap that you have to push-pull-drag back to a power source to plug in a welder, a portable unit would serve you well.

if you dont ever venture farther than 5-10' from an outlet to do your welding (aka fab work) then why go to all the expense (ie fuel) to have a noisy engine powered welder sitting next to you.

on the upside the "portable" one is nothing more than a plug in welder wired to a fuel powered generator. the upshot is that the generator will produce power regardless if its going to the welder or not. ie you can use it as a generator if you need it for that

so if you use a generator a lot, or use a plug in welder off a generator in the feild, then a all-in-one unit would work well for ya.

personally i dont venture far from an outlet with my welder so i wouldnt have a need for one. But virtually every farmer around hear has an engine driven one because 7/10 times they are out in the feild welding up something that broke.

 

[RPW]

What has been said is good information. You have to have a reason to have an engine driven welder. It's not something that you want to use on a regular basis in a quiet neighborhood. It's more cost effective to us a plug-in welder with maintenance, fuel etc. All gas engine driven welders run at 3600rpw (there's probably exceptions). And to get a diesel driven one costs anywhere from 2x plus i.e. Lincoln's 225 amp Ranger is under $3k but their diesel is over $7k. I do plan on getting one myself to add to my arsenal but each has their purpose. My Lincoln pro-mig 140 is for lighter welding jobs that require clean welds. Miller econotig for stick and tig and the miller bobcat 225 for ranch work and backup power. So my 2cents is to keep what you have and use them around the shop but use the engine driven one for when the project/repair is away form the shop. Also it would be good for backup power.

BTW IMO portable is a misnomer in this context as there's nothing portable about an engine driven welder. At 570lbs for the lightest that I could find.

Good luck.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I finally heard from the guy tonight. He came out and decided to trade me the welder for a snowblower. It's a front mount snowblower for a craftsman garden tractor.

I'm going to haul the snowblower to him on Saturday and pick up the welder then. Plan to see another thread at that time asking for help in getting the welder running.