Seeking help from those who I know can help.

[SelfTaught]

The high frequency function of the SyncroWave negates the scratch start.
Do you not have a foot control pedal or fingertip controller?

If not, you are missing most of the advantages of GTAW.

Griff

Griff,
I just texted the boss man, after looking into the syncrowave some more, and he agreed to order the foot pedal for it. Looks like I will be able to practice soon before buying one myself.

[griff01]

Griff,
I just texted the boss man, after looking into the syncrowave some more, and he agreed to order the foot pedal for it. Looks like I will be able to practice soon before buying one myself.

Your welding life just got better!
As far as mobile welding, I have a Bobcat and a Dynasty 200. Yes, the Bobcat will run the Dynasty just fine. Except for when I go to the boondocks, I am able to run the Dynasty on the customers 120 or 240 service.

Griff

[SelfTaught]

Anything with gas outdoors is a problem. Any type of breeze & it blows away the shielding so you would need to tent up to block the wind. This is time consuming & if it is not a specialized thing your customer is not going to want to pay for the extra time. I run self shielded wire on my mobile set-up.

You are absolutely correct about the wind problem. When we have 8" convey pipes break, it seems like it is always on top of the silos where the wind is always whipping. In these cases I have to use a lens kit on the tig rig but at times it's still tough.
Thanks for the input MMW.
Hopefully you can help get me on the right path.

[SelfTaught]

Your welding life just got better!
As far as mobile welding, I have a Bobcat and a Dynasty 200. Yes, the Bobcat will run the Dynasty just fine. Except for when I go to the boondocks, I am able to run the Dynasty on the customers 120 or 240 service.

Griff

What are you able to do with the bobcat that you can't do with the dynasty run off a gennie?
Right now I do not want to buy the bobcat and the dynasty. I have put away enough to buy a new bobcat or a used dynasty and 6500wat gennie.
Thanks

[Bistineau]

I'd say go with the Bob Cat first, then get the Dynasty later. This will get you started with just the one machine, and you won't be needing to sell a genset later to buy the engine drive. You will have more electrical power than the generator you mentioned. The Hobart Mig can do the thin aluminum on boat pontoons with a spool gun. I have a Miller Matic 140 and spool gun and it does good on john boat thickness aluminum, about the same for pontoons. The BC can be rigged up with a TIG torch if you need it. Then you will have it already when you buy the Dynasty.

[SelfTaught]

Double post

[SelfTaught]

I'd say go with the Bob Cat first, then get the Dynasty later. This will get you started with just the one machine, and you won't be needing to sell a genset later to buy the engine drive. You will have more electrical power than the generator you mentioned. The Hobart Mig can do the thin aluminum on boat pontoons with a spool gun. I have a Miller Matic 140 and spool gun and it does good on john boat thickness aluminum, about the same for pontoons. The BC can be rigged up with a TIG torch if you need it. Then you will have it already when you buy the Dynasty.

Thanks Bistineau,
I was under the impression that he 140 wasn't big enough. What spool gun should I look into?

[Bistineau]

Thanks Bistineau,
I was under the impression that he 140 wasn't big enough. What spool gun should I look into?

I have the Spool Mate 3035,with the SGA 100 contactor box. I have welded several aluminum boats with it. No broken welds yet either. I bought this set up specifically to do light aluminum boats. I was wanting a MIG that would work on 120V, and at the time this was the only BLUE choice. If the MM 211 w MVP had been available at that time I would have gotten it instead.
Also, I recommend getting the engine drive first, as having a mobile welding service, you WILL be needing one anyway.It should be trouble free right out of the box if you are buying new. If not, you have warranty back up for 2 years. Will the USED genset have a warranty? Can you weld with the genset alone?

[SelfTaught]

I have the Spool Mate 3035,with the SGA 100 contactor box. I have welded several aluminum boats with it. No broken welds yet either. I bought this set up specifically to do light aluminum boats. I was wanting a MIG that would work on 120V, and at the time this was the only BLUE choice. If the MM 211 w MVP had been available at that time I would have gotten it instead.

There is a kit for the hobart handler 140 to make it usable with a spool gun. Found it after reading ur text. The spool gun is for the 210, I think, but the 140 can be modified to use it.
The kit is 500 dollars where the gun itself is a little over 200. They are basicly charging 300 dollars for a few connector pins, a toggle switch and a four pin connector. Pretty sure I could find the stuff at work to modify my hobart. If I can do it for 200 it would be great.
Anyone else heard of this?

[Bistineau]

Since the HH 140 and the MM 140 are basically the same machine, you might want to see if the SGA 100 and Spool Mate 3035 will work with your machine. I don't remember right off what mine cost, but it may be an option for you to look into. You can also have a large spool of fluxcore wire to run in the Hobart for thin steel work in the open breezy areas, with the spool gun outfitted for aluminum.
Another thing to consider on getting the engine drive is, customers PERCEPTION of you as a welder based on your equipment. Most of them may have seen trucks with engine drives in the back and KNOW that guy is a welder. But you show up with a home generator and the little Dynasty in your truck and they might think to themselves, "this guy can't be a Serious welder with THAT get up". Even though you may be able to do the job just fine with the Dynasty and genset, they may not want to call you back for more work because they don't THINK you are properly outfitted to do much Serious welding work, without a good sized engine drive on your truck. Most of them will know little to Nothing about welding and welding equipment, but will be EXPECTING to see an engine drive welder on the truck when you show up. Having the BC on your truck may also get you some "walk up business" too. That is, someone walking up to you in a parking lot somewhere and asking if you can do some welding for them, since they saw the welding machine in your truck. Just a few more things to consider in making your decision on which machine set up you need to invest in first to get your mobile welding business up and running. Have you talked with your buddy that may send work your way what his thoughts are on this subject? It might help to get some input from him too.

[griff01]

What are you able to do with the bobcat that you can't do with the dynasty run off a gennie?
Right now I do not want to buy the bobcat and the dynasty. I have put away enough to buy a new bobcat or a used dynasty and 6500wat gennie.
Thanks

Bistineau pretty much answered this one for me.
Thanks

Griff

[SelfTaught]

Since the HH 140 and the MM 140 are basically the same machine, you might want to see if the SGA 100 and Spool Mate 3035 will work with your machine. I don't remember right off what mine cost, but it may be an option for you to look into. You can also have a large spool of fluxcore wire to run in the Hobart for thin steel work in the open breezy areas, with the spool gun outfitted for aluminum.
Another thing to consider on getting the engine drive is, customers PERCEPTION of you as a welder based on your equipment. Most of them may have seen trucks with engine drives in the back and KNOW that guy is a welder. But you show up with a home generator and the little Dynasty in your truck and they might think to themselves, "this guy can't be a Serious welder with THAT get up". Even though you may be able to do the job just fine with the Dynasty and genset, they may not want to call you back for more work because they don't THINK you are properly outfitted to do much Serious welding work, without a good sized engine drive on your truck. Most of them will know little to Nothing about welding and welding equipment, but will be EXPECTING to see an engine drive welder on the truck when you show up. Having the BC on your truck may also get you some "walk up business" too. That is, someone walking up to you in a parking lot somewhere and asking if you can do some welding for them, since they saw the welding machine in your truck. Just a few more things to consider in making your decision on which machine set up you need to invest in first to get your mobile welding business up and running. Have you talked with your buddy that may send work your way what his thoughts are on this subject? It might help to get some input from him too.

All very good points! Thanks for that.
I really wanted the bobcat. I use one at work when i have to weld out side of the fab shop and I love it. I really don't do a whole lot of stick welding with it though. Mostly I use it to repair ss pipes. It's a great machine for scratch start tig.
What would you and Griff's opinion be on an enclosed trailer with the buisness name and number on the side? Would u go with the dynasty and gennie then?
Like I said, I really had my heart set on the bobcat before joining this forum but now I can see that it might limit my options on what jobs I take. I have a month or two before I start up. I will go and work with my friend to learn the ropes a few days next week and I will speak to him. I know he uses a bobcat for most of his road work.
Decisions, Decisions. ...........

[metalmanipulator]

welding and welders

I am new to the discussion part, but for me I got into the field in the mid 80's and started my professional career as a industrial maintenance mechanic. I have always taken any advice I could get.I try to try and apply it to the style and position and project I am doing at the time but practice is the main key. I Bought a Miller XMT 300 in 1992 got a 22A wire feeder and a spool gun for aluminum. Also have it set up to tig with a foot petal. I truly love it. If I can afford it, I like having my own tools at a facility. The equipment they have is used by anybody that can pull a trigger or strike an ark. I have had my miller at my last two jobs. So I have Used it each and every day. I Have had it in the shop only once, and that was my fault for not rapping cables up well and they got a wear spot by the wheels and then when i struck an ark so did the cable to my stainless steel cart. The problem was fixed with $240.00. I run with 480 three fase and drop one wire and i can do 230 at my home shop. The only reason that I would consider a different welder is one I could tig aluminum with also.
As far as Tig welding secrets. The One that stands out in my life is As soon as you reach for fill rod. Grab it with a leatherman or your favorite pliers and bend the end over. I normally cut them in half and then bend the ends over. In out of position welding or just in a hurry It seems to be safer. I would have poked my self in the face many times. Then practices and go to utube for more help.

[Bistineau]

What would you and Griff's opinion be on an enclosed trailer with the buisness name and number on the side? Would u go with the dynasty and gennie then?

Like I said, I really had my heart set on the bobcat before joining this forum but now I can see that it might limit my options on what jobs I take.

It Might limit your options on some jobs, but not by much as I see it. It may also OPEN many MORE options too. Like when I comes to working on the farm equipment you have mentioned. It will weld thicker material than the Dynasty, which will be handy when working on heavy implements. Plowing and planting season starts kicking in NEXT month.


I have a month or two before I start up. I will go and work with my friend to learn the ropes a few days next week and I will speak to him. I know he uses a bobcat for most of his road work.
Decisions, Decisions. ...........

Go work with your friend for a time and you will find most of the mobile work is not shop fabrication, but field work. You will then have a better feel for the type of equipment you need to do the jobs you get. Be sure to read the text I added in the spaced text above that you did.^^^ If y'all are working together, the Dynasty may b a good addition just run it off his BC and continue to save for your own BC. It's just some of the decisions you will be needing to make regarding your particular situation. Just trying to help you avoid tying up money in the genset and then needing to sell it to buy the BC for more power and to go it on your own. Having the genset instead of the BC WILL limit your options for the work you may encounter. Keep us updated on your decisions and progress.

[SelfTaught]

Go work with your friend for a time and you will find most of the mobile work is not shop fabrication, but field work. You will then have a better feel for the type of equipment you need to do the jobs you get. Be sure to read the text I added in the spaced text above that you did.^^^ If y'all are working together, the Dynasty may b a good addition just run it off his BC and continue to save for your own BC. It's just some of the decisions you will be needing to make regarding your particular situation. Just trying to help you avoid tying up money in the genset and then needing to sell it to buy the BC for more power and to go it on your own. Having the genset instead of the BC WILL limit your options for the work you may encounter. Keep us updated on your decisions and progress.

I see what you're saying. These jobs will more or less be my bread and butter starting out. I REALLY enjoy fabrication but that will come in time. Stick with the bread and butter, get my name out there and the rest will come (I hope).
Thank you for your advice and believe me I am listening.