Running a Thermal Arc 252i off a Miller Legend AEAD 200 LE

[Antolino264]

Need to add TIG welding to my blossoming welding business... I am thinking about a multi process unit as an option. Looking at the Thermal Arc 252i "Fabricator". Seems like a decent unit which would provide two processes which I need and having the third is a bonus and a good back up.

My question is: As I run a Miller Legend AEAD 200 LE as my power unit for mobile jobs, will it create interference or issues powering the Thermal Arc? I am concerned that with the digital controls that I may run into an issue. Don't want to ruin a brand new unit through poor planning.

Any suggestions for a good, cost effective ($2,000 or so) AC/DC TIG or multi process unit that I could use instead of the Thermal Arc? Willing to go new or used.

I have used many units over the years and I have become partial to Miller products, but I am open to anything that will do the job. This is my first endeavor into owning all my own equipment so I want to get as much feedback as I can before making a purchase. I want to know what I want, before I get to the store or shop online.

As always, any help or insight is appreciated.

[Tryagn5]

Need to add TIG welding to my blossoming welding business... I am thinking about a multi process unit as an option. Looking at the Thermal Arc 252i "Fabricator". Seems like a decent unit which would provide two processes which I need and having the third is a bonus and a good back up.

My question is: As I run a Miller Legend AEAD 200 LE as my power unit for mobile jobs, will it create interference or issues powering the Thermal Arc? I am concerned that with the digital controls that I may run into an issue. Don't want to ruin a brand new unit through poor planning.

Any suggestions for a good, cost effective ($2,000 or so) AC/DC TIG or multi process unit that I could use instead of the Thermal Arc? Willing to go new or used.

I have used many units over the years and I have become partial to Miller products, but I am open to anything that will do the job. This is my first endeavor into owning all my own equipment so I want to get as much feedback as I can before making a purchase. I want to know what I want, before I get to the store or shop online.

Not going to be eady as the legend has low aux power ie 4000watts. Not going to power much. If it could what a mess trying to lug two machines out to do a job. If you do that much ac tig in the field i would br looking at a used miller trailblazer 302, it has AC welding current, and lift arc tig. Now for the AC tig to work you would need a HF-251 box for your hi frequency start. Also for what the other welder would cost you can easy find trailblazer 302s for the 2000-3000 mark.
Kevin

As always, any help or insight is appreciated.

Not going to be eady as the legend has low aux power ie 4000watts. Not going to power much. If it could what a mess trying to lug two machines out to do a job. If you do that much ac tig in the field i would br looking at a used miller trailblazer 302, it has AC welding current, and lift arc tig. Now for the AC tig to work you would need a HF-251 box for your hi frequency start. Also for what the other welder would cost you can easy find trailblazer 302s for the 2000-3000 mark.
Kevin

As always, any help or insight is appreciated.[/QUOTE]

[Mikey Welds]

Running a Thermal Arc 252i off a Miller Legend AEAD 200 LE

Why not tig with your legend which has ac/dc capability? For aluminum you would need a hf251. Usually those can be found for around $500 used. The legend manages 5000 watts of power, still not enough to use the 252i to its full capability. As for mig work, one of the cheaper lighter duty units like the mm140 or mm211 might be all the legend will manage. I like what I have seen of the 252i however.

[Tryagn5]

Why not tig with your legend which has ac/dc capability? For aluminum you would need a hf251. Usually those can be found for around $500 used. The legend manages 5000 watts of power, still not enough to use the 252i to its full capability. As for mig work, one of the cheaper lighter duty units like the mm140 or mm211 might be all the legend will manage. I like what I have seen of the 252i however.

If his welder was functioning i would recommend that to..however in a previous post he needed help fixing it. If someone can afford the 252i and needed to do field work i would put the money to an engine drive which does it all. The legend is an old, cc only machine, with little gen set power. I would not use this welder as the center of my operation, instead i would invest in something which can be built around.
kevin

[Antolino264]

great feedback

All great points. The AEAD came my way by chance and was a deal I couldn't pass up. If nothing else it will work out as a reasonable emergency generator for my home. Can't beat that for $500. As I mentioned, my budget is about $2k. So considering a different used engine driven unit such as the Trailblazer 302 is certainly an option. I thought about the hf251, but heard it was a bit fickle which led me to consider a modern portable unit all together, and that brings us full circle. So it appears the hunt is on for a used Trailblazer 302. If anyone sees one in the New Jersey area please let me know.

I am looking into the fix on the Legend, from talking to a few people it seems like a simple fix.

Thank you for the feedback guys. If anyone has more insight on engine driven welders please feel free to chime in.

[Mikey Welds]

Running a Thermal Arc 252i off a Miller Legend AEAD 200 LE

Revisiting this I forgot that the legend only produces 100hz 120v power while welding. This would mean that you would need an additional source of power to do mobile hf tig. Starting to sound like more trouble than it's worth....

[Antolino264]

Agreed. Thinking about other options now.

[Sberry]

I agree, become a power shopper and find another unit that didn't need something cobbled on to it.

[Antolino264]

Power shopper?