SMALL portable welder needed. . .suggestions?

[Bob_Skurka]

I have an older small wire feed welder that gets some occasional use around the house, but mostly is at work doing light duty repair jobs. It's been abused and is due to be replaced.

I'm considering switching over to a MILLER Maxstar 150s Stick Welder. It is small, light, portable, operates off regular household current (which is a must have feature for light duty repairs as it is easier to get a small welder to the broken conveyor in the warehouse than it is to totally disassemble the conveyor and take it to the welder). Maxstar 150 S

Anyone have any other suggestions for a small light duty welder? I am NOT considering a big unit, one of my neighbors owns a machine shop with real welding equipment, I have access to the big stuff when big things break. I am looking for a small simple unit that is portable, runs on household current, etc. Thoughts? Experiences? Brand & model recommendations?

 

[RayH]

Heres one for true portability. Ive got a Century 131 and its pretty basic but will stick two pieces of metal together. I got it for off-roading where there isnt any AC at all.
http://www.wwwsales.net/migs/century_131.htm

 

[Tevi]

I prefer mig and suggest the Millermatic Passport

 

[Bob_Skurka]

RayH . . . that is the one I have now! I actually like it, but some of the guys here who THINK they can weld up metal have banged it around pretty good, didn't let it cool down between welds, it did a good job for the first couple of years on our light duty stuff, but I'm looking for something that would be a slight upgrade.

Tevi . . . The Millermatic Passport is a neat unit, I had not seen one with the self contained gas cylinder before (then again, I can do basic welding but don't consider myself anything other than a hobbyist and I don't really look at welding equipment all that often). The only thing that scares me a bit is the price. At roughly $1300 it is double the price of the Maxstar 150. But I suppose it is probalby worth it. Have you used one? Do you like it?

 

[Tevi]

I did demo one and it worked great.The problem for me is in my work I use thicker steel so I went with a Spoolmatic 30A with a 50ft extension(80ft total travel)and a WC115A wire controller which plugs into my Bobcat 225NT

 

[ScottV]

I have one and it is a Maxstar 150 with a cv loop in it, plus a few more tweeks.

Go here for more info on the Maxstar 150s. Ask Hawk what rods work best.
http://www.millermotorsports.com/mboard/forumdisplay.php?f=3
I prefer the 150 STI but that is just me. (hi freq tig too)

Really there is nothing that matches the Maxstars or passport in
the area of 120 input to welding output.

http://tinyurl.com/bwdae

 

[Dargo]

I burned some wire with the Passport before buying my MM 210. The Passport was by far the best small unit I've ever used. I have to say that I was honestly impressed with what it would do on the low voltage side. But, as you mentioned, it is not cheap. However, it sure lets a less experienced welder lay down some nice welds with good penetration better than the cheapo units I've used.

 

[MadReferee]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I prefer mig and suggest the Millermatic Passport )</font>

Really??? Do you own one? Have you ever used one?

The Millermatic Passport is rated at 3/16". This unit is more like the MM/Hobart 135 than anything else. It is also much more expensive than the smaller units.

The Passport's small self contained CO2 cylinder contains enough gas for only 25 minutes of welding on 3/16" steel and it cannot be used with C25 gas which is a BIG disadvantage. It's output rating is only 150 amps at 20% duty cycle and 130 amps at 60% duty cycle on 230 volts. The ratings are almost 50% lower on 110 volts. Check the link below for the specs.

I think it might be fine for a small portable gas welder for temporary body shop type welds in an emergency but not for light or even heavy steel fabrication.

You can see the passport specs Here .

 

[Bob_Skurka]

So Mad, what would you recommend?

 

[Tevi]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( </font><font color="blueclass=small">( I prefer mig and suggest the Millermatic Passport )</font>

Really??? Do you own one? Have you ever used one?

The Millermatic Passport is rated at 3/16". This unit is more like the MM/Hobart 135 than anything else. It is also much more expensive than the smaller units.

The Passport's small self contained CO2 cylinder contains enough gas for only 25 minutes of welding on 3/16" steel and it cannot be used with C25 gas which is a BIG disadvantage. It's output rating is only 150 amps at 20% duty cycle and 130 amps at 60% duty cycle on 230 volts. The ratings are almost 50% lower on 110 volts. Check the link below for the specs.

I think it might be fine for a small portable gas welder for temporary body shop type welds in an emergency but not for light or even heavy steel fabrication.

You can see the passport specs Here .
)</font>If your going to quote me then read all my posts.I said I demo'd it.Also he said he wanted one for around the hous so unless he's strapping C25 tank to his back I think the Passport might be a feasable option