Passport vs Maxstar 150

[toolmaker]

In my "quest" like everybody else to get the best bang for the buck, and me still not being able to make up my mind I'm going to throw this into fray. If you had your choice which one? Both are priced about the same, portablility about the same. Main difference is that I see processes and maybe total output( passport probably having the edge in material thickness).

Let the rumblings begin.

Thanks for all info.

[Scott V]

Since I have a Passport , I now want a 120/230 volt tig/stick machine. Everybody around here that has a Maxstar 150 wants a Passport.

Either buy both or wait a few years and they will combine them. I still think I would like separate machines though. It would be really nice if the passport just added a stick mode, then you could tig in a pinch. The Maxstars 150 is cool for it's weight and the Passport will never be that lite.

[Sundown]

I think that the question should be, do you want to Tig/Stick or Mig, then look at machines to buy based on the process you want to do. I have a Maxstar 150 STL and it is a great little welder, I use it for both tig and stick. I also have a MM210 and a HH140 and I do find myself trying to justify a Passport 180, so far I havn't been able to but if I do decide to get one the Maxstar and the MM210 will stay for sure, the HH140 might get sold to help finance the Passport but most likely I will just keep them all. Scott's point about having both is well taken, combined you would have to drag the whole mess with you, and it sure is nice to have a 13 lb stick that can operate on 120V if need be. I use the stick outside and the tig side only gets used in the shop, if I need to mig outside I carry the HH140 w/fluxcore, the MM210 is in shop only and for aluminum with the spoolgun. Back to your question, if I had nothing and the choice was between the Passport and the Maxstar, I would get the passport, and right away start saving for a Maxstar 150 STH. The only thing is that you won't be able to do aluminum, but most don't have much of a need to do aluminum anyway.

[Sberry]

Man, if I had to make that may decisions on how to weld something I would be a maniac. I have an easier system, reach for the nearest machine.

[Sundown]

Man, if I had to make that may decisions on how to weld something I would be a maniac. I have an easier system, reach for the nearest machine.

Must be interesting when you need to tig some aluminum and the closest machine is your Lincoln mig

[KB Fabrications]

Back to your question, if I had nothing and the choice was between the Passport and the Maxstar, I would get the passport, and right away start saving for a Maxstar 150 STH. The only thing is that you won't be able to do aluminum, but most don't have much of a need to do aluminum anyway.

I would have to agree with George on this. Those two machines would be a pretty awesome pair. If it were me though, I would save even more and get the Dynasty 200DX (especially bacuse of its AC capabilities). Once you learn to tig weld AL really good, you won't be short of opportunites to do it.

[Scott V]

Must be interesting when you need to tig some aluminum and the closest machine is your Lincoln mig

George that only would work for Cary, because he say nobody can tell the difference in a arc.So when he needs a AC tig, he grabs his Lincoln SP 130 and he can't tell the difference anyway.

[HAWK]

Toolmaker,

I vote for the PASSPORT. Through the years I have fixed many pieces where a stick or TIG was just not an option. An example of this would be welding in side the drivers feet compartment of a small forklift. Most of the pedal levers are crammed in so tight a mig is your only option.

Another example is reparing garage door mounts 25 feet in the air on a fork lift pallet or cage. The PASSPORT is a great choice with the self contained CO2 bottle. Most ceiling beams I work with are rather thin. Even a 3/32" 6013 stick is a hot rod at times.

When you do have room the PASSPORT's arc is fantastic at the very least. It is a very clean and crisp short arc. I use mine to run steel, stainless, and nickel wire. I use it indoors and outdoors. It is pretty easy to shield most work from the wind when necessary.

I hope this clears rather than adds to the confusion.


For me TIG work now stays in the shop. That is just another opinion.

[Danny]

The Maxstar 150STH would offer me the most versatility on the 16 ga. - 1/2" thickness range of steel and stainless that i tend to weld on, so it would be my first choice. Then of course i would start saving for the GMAW unit.

[tommyd]

In my "quest" like everybody else to get the best bang for the buck, and me still not being able to make up my mind I'm going to throw this into fray. If you had your choice which one? Both are priced about the same, portablility about the same. Main difference is that I see processes and maybe total output( passport probably having the edge in material thickness).

Let the rumblings begin.

Thanks for all info.

Get both. One now and one later

[Sundown]

George that only would work for Cary, because he say nobody can tell the difference in a arc.So when he needs a AC tig, he grabs his Lincoln SP 130 and he can't tell the difference anyway.

Yeah, I have days like that also

[ASKANDY]

You'll have to put me down for the passport. I personally wouldn't buy a tig machine unless it had AC. For me, unless all I did was repair SS counters, hoods and tables for the food industry and needed only the DC portable tig, the passport would be more versitile for me as a repair and mobile unit. Remember, tig NEEDS clean material where I can mig through a little contamination on my mower deck if needed.

Andy

[Scott V]

Ok then, add another bag on the otherside of the passport for the stick leads.

[taz]

Stick leads? Not being one to experiment too much, this comment brings up a question: Can you stick weld with a mig machine? I mean, you have a power supply and a ground so can you use a fluxcoated rod and stick weld? Assuming a cable and rod holder.

[ASKANDY]

taz,
Typically not. A stick machine is a constant current type powersource. A mig unit is a constant voltage machine. The inverters have a circuit that changes the output of the machine to make it multiprocess. The speculation is that the Passport may have a new brother sometime in the future that is multiprocess.

A-