Suggestions for a Generator/Welder?

[K5lwq]

I have been considering buying a generator/welder. I have never owned one before and need some advice.

Most of my welding has been with MIG. I have owned Lincoln and Hobart 250 MIG machines. I currently have nothing.

Main use would be repairs and small fab projects. I like the idea of backup power and not being tied to a power source for welding. I have a shop that I rent for a place to play in but it only has 120v power. Having its on power source would allow me to use this space for welding projects.

Price point for me is somewhere around $2000.00. Any suggestions?

 

[HCJtractor]

I have a Miller Bobcat 250 that has been great. Like you, I use it in my rented warehouse (no 220V) to weld, power my 220 table saw and jointer, and even power my Miller 211 MIG when I’d rather use mig than stick. It also has been used as an emergency generator to power my house in an outage. I’m happy with it. I mounted it on a small trailer.

 

[George2615]

I also have a Miller Bobcat 250. Powered by a 20HP engine and has 10KW output power. It has run my entire house many times when power went out. It is also a great welding machine.
Mine came on a pallet and I added 8" wheels to that to move it around. It is very loud when running so hearing protection is advised.

 

[BHD]

I have a Lincoln Ranger 9 and a lincoln 250 GXT, both will run a wire feed head, (actually the GXT come with one in the promotion when I bought a few years ago, even tho I have never used it), adn with proper accessories one can tig with it as well,
Ranger(R) 25 GXT Engine Driven Welder (Kohler(R)) (w/Electric Fuel Pump)
currently there is a new promotion going on, rebates or product,

been very pleased with it,

11000 watt generator, the Ranger 9, I think has a 10,000, the ranger 9 has about 4000 hrs on it and it broke down and did not know how much the unit was going to be to fix or if it was fixable (Onan engine, had a valve seat come loose, but that was 4000 hours), but to get the job done I bought the 250 GXT, have about 70 hours on it, (I bought the Ranger 9 used),

Onan engines, parts are getting hard to find and expensive parts, really would suggest to stay away form used with Ohan engines Red or Blue in color,

Miller is a good company, but I like the red stuff, ( It is a Chevy / Ford argument) on who is better, also some of the color choice seems to be regional,

 

[K5lwq]

I have looked the Miller Bobcat 250 online. Seems like a very nice machine. Unless I can find one in good shape used, I will have to keep looking. I think it is easer to find a cheaper welder than a new wife!

 

[K5lwq]

I have a Lincoln Ranger 9 and a lincoln 250 GXT, both will run a wire feed head, (actually the GXT come with one in the promotion when I bought a few years ago, even tho I have never used it), adn with proper accessories one can tig with it as well,
Ranger(R) 25 GXT Engine Driven Welder (Kohler(R)) (w/Electric Fuel Pump)
currently there is a new promotion going on, rebates or product,

been very pleased with it,

11000 watt generator, the Ranger 9, I think has a 10,000, the ranger 9 has about 4000 hrs on it and it broke down and did not know how much the unit was going to be to fix or if it was fixable (Onan engine, had a valve seat come loose, but that was 4000 hours), but to get the job done I bought the 250 GXT, have about 70 hours on it, (I bought the Ranger 9 used),

Onan engines, parts are getting hard to find and expensive parts, really would suggest to stay away form used with Ohan engines Red or Blue in color,

Miller is a good company, but I like the red stuff, ( It is a Chevy / Ford argument) on who is better,

I have used both and like them. I have owned Lincoln before and it was a very solid machine. Lost it in a shop fire so that is when I bought the Hobart.

 

[Big Barn]

I traded an ATV for a Ranger 305G to use for my house backup power. I built a skid so it could be either forklifted onto a pickup or pallet jacked around in my garage.











Realistically, being a retired farmer, I never weld anything away from the shop anymore and I would prob be better off with a dedicated genset.

 

[K5lwq]

Very nice set up, Big Barn!! I should sell off some stuff as well, then I could get away with spending more. I just hate getting rid of anything! I am sure my Wife and Kids would love for me to as it is going to be a lot of cleaning when I am gone! LOL

 

[fried1765]

Very nice set up, Big Barn!! I should sell off some stuff as well, then I could get away with spending more. I just hate getting rid of anything! I am sure my Wife and Kids would love for me to as it is going to be a lot of cleaning when I am gone! LOL

Now that I am rather old, people ask me why I don't get rid of some stuff.
I explain that I don't want to.
Then I elaborate: It will be my kids problem!

 

[K5lwq]

What about the Hobart Champion Elite?

I am thinking that it is priced right for what it is. I could always Power a separate Mig if needed and could use just stick for repairs and such.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I've had a couple welder generators, it was the amount fuel they use that I really hated, they aren't cheap to run...

I now have a pto generator for my tractor and I can plug any welder I own, into it as needed, and power my home too...

SR

 

[K5lwq]

I have thought seriously about doing that. I would have to put some safety switches on the tractor before I would trust leaving it running unattended. Oil pressure switches, temp switches and the like. I would also have to convert fuel shut off to a electric solenoid.

I like keeping the tractor as simple as I can. That is why I haven't gone that route.

I don't think I will use a unit enough to worry about fuel cost. Keeping fuel fresh is more likely a concern.

 

[MinnesotaDaveChalmers]

My used miller bobcat 225nt was only $1500 with 425 hours on it.
Works great to power house and for welding.

To power house I used 100' extension cord so the noise is greatly reduced.

 

[Stimw]

I've owned over a dozen portable welders!
I bought 8 Miller 225's for $300. 25 years ago, all needed engine repair. Onan parts aren't cheap!
There is one out there with a VW carburetor on it! $10. at a junkyard, Onan carb was $180.00. Worked great.
Sold all of them because I didn't need them.
I would buy a 10,000 watt generator and run a welder off of it and have it for back up power.

 

[yomax4]

I traded an ATV for a Ranger 305G to use for my house backup power. I built a skid so it could be either forklifted onto a pickup or pallet jacked around in my garage.


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Realistically, being a retired farmer, I never weld anything away from the shop anymore and I would prob be better off with a dedicated genset.

Over The Top !!!

 

[K5lwq]

All great info! Not seeing a lot of used units in my area, but still looking. For what I have seen, I could just get the Hobart Champion Elite new and still come out cheaper. The reviews I read online are all good on this Hobart unit.

I am going to give it a few weeks to see what I can find. If anyone knows of a good unit used not too far from East Texas, please let me know!

Thanks for all the help!

 

[sea2summit]

I have looked the Miller Bobcat 250 online. Seems like a very nice machine. Unless I can find one in good shape used, I will have to keep looking. I think it is easer to find a cheaper welder than a new wife!

Go out to your main breaker before the wife wakes up, turn it off, explain that the power is out, keep it off until she agrees to a reasonable budget:thumbsup:

Another vote for the Bobcat 250. I was going to get a PTO genny (even based most of my last purchase decisions off PTO power for it) but with the cost being north of 3k for a 10kw+ unit, wife wouldn稚 be able to run it when I知 gone, safely, and I might want the tractor for work it just made less and less sense. Still want one but a stand alone just made too much sense. Then look at a quality 5k unit...again pushing past 3k and don稚 get me started on 10kw units. Bobcat comes with a bigger gen plus a welder for a great price IMHO. Bought mine online but I致e heard of people getting similar deals by talking to the local dealer.

 

[dragoneggs]

Go out to your main breaker before the wife wakes up, turn it off, explain that the power is out, keep it off until she agrees to a reasonable budget:thumbsup:

I like the idea! ...but I didn't have a gen, my wife would see though it in a New York minute. She would first call our next door neighbor to see if their power was out or look to see if she could see other lights on nearby and then wonder what I did to blow a fuse!

 

[K5lwq]

:laughing:My wife would just say do what I do every other time it goes out.

She is actually pretty understanding of my silly purchases and would never say a word. I just have learned to fly under the radar to keep it that way! After 29 years, I am certain I have it better than most!

 

[dragoneggs]

I like the idea! ...but I didn't have a gen, my wife would see though it in a New York minute. She would first call our next door neighbor to see if their power was out or look to see if she could see other lights on nearby and then wonder what I did to blow a fuse!

:laughing:My wife would just say do what I do every other time it goes out.

She is actually pretty understanding of my silly purchases and would never say a word. I just have learned to fly under the radar to keep it that way! After 29 years, I am certain I have it better than most!

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.

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