Bobcat Vs. TrailBlazer 302

[Triple Three]

Well, I am making the leap. Looking at purchasing either a Bobcat 250 or a Trailblazer. Most for Farication work. But I am looking for a rig that can expand with as I grow with my welding skills. Any information would be great.

Currently I am using a MM 251 and I am looking for something mobile.

[cnslmva]

Get the Trailblazer! You'll love the stick arc, its Mig abilities are second to none, and it'll do a darn good job Tig welding. I wouldn't give up my Trailblazer 250G for nothing and the newer ones are only better!

[Bulldog]

Hey Triple Three,
Welcome! I have a Bobcat 250 NT and the thing is great. I think that the guys here will like the Trailblazer a little better but I sure like mine! I also have a MM210, MM251 and I just got a Syncrowave 250DX so I'm not using the Bobcat as much as I did when I first got it but I do use it anytime I have to go mobile. Buy the way I have run my MM210 off it and it ran great! I think the generators on the new Bobcats are more stable then the one I have (It's a 2004 model)and I think it would run your MM251 pretty nicely.
Good luck,
Bulldog

[DDA52]

Hey, Triple Three!
I was faced with the same decision in '88. The Bobcats were brand new and my dealer was pushing them hard. They talked me outta a new TB250G in favor of the Bobcat 225G. It has done everything I've asked of it everytime I needed it. Now I have rebuilt it and it still does great. The only down side is the CV side is limited. The newer ones have an expanded CV side compared to mine, but compared to the TB, they are not in the same ball park. It all will depend on what exactly you want to do with it.

Stick and power only? = Bobcat
MIG? =Bobcat(OK, but limited) TB= Best bet.
TIG? = TB absolute best bet. Bobcat can do the scratch start thing on DC, but will need the Hi freq converter to do ac. I'm told the Bobcat TIG is just acceptable.....nothing spectacular.

Bottom line is ....if you want the best bang for the buck if you plan on expanding into all facets of mobile welding, then hands down, the Trailblazer is the best bet. If stick and power generation are your only concerns, then the Bobcat is the best buy. That said, the TB has a better all around arc on stick, plus variable dig settings on the TB302G. My $$$ would be, and probably will be one day, on the Trailblazer.

[Slaghand]

Hi there! I also have a 2004 model Bobcat 250 NT. I run a 3545 spoolgun on it, wouldn't trade it for anything. I use both nearly everyday. I weld in the field quite a bit. Steel, aluminum, stainless, gas & fluxcore, I do a little bit of it all. Alot of spoolgun aluminum on irrigation pipe in the summer, Stainless for the dairies year round. Very smooth and trouble free. the guys talk about the Trailblazer, I'm sure it's a great rig, but i like my Bobcat! Try them both out! Your the one you have to please. Good luck!

[GaryM]

slaghand What part of Eastern Oregon you from???



Gary

[Slaghand]

I'm in the great big town of Adrian. Post office,hardware store, grocery store, restaurant, bar, welding shop, mechanic shop. Oops just went through town! LOL

[boilerman79]

Go with the Trailblazer,I have a 301g and it has a great stick arc and i run a 30a spoolgun on it and it does great.i have run a wirefeeder off of it with fluxcore wire with no problems.I have only tigged a little stainless with it but it had a very smooth arc.Nothing wrong with the Bobcat at all,just the Trailblazer lets you go a little farther.And i even have that dreaded-ONAN ENGINE OF DEATH,and it has given me no problems.good luck

[Portable Welder]

DDA52 said it best. I have two rigs on the road, If you just need to stick weld than the Bob Cat ifs a fine choice, However I run mig of my Pipe Pro and Trail blazer and it runs just as good as my shop machine, the new trail blazer offers Lift arc which is nice when I Tig weld.

[Triple Three]

Purchased a TB302

After all the inputs I have decided to go ahead and buy a TB302. Hawk was gracious enough to pass on information regarding a very nice used machine. However the difference between new and used was just too close. Now my attention turns to a wire feeder.

thanks for all the help and input from this board.

Triple Three


MM251
Trailblazer 302

[Obewrench]

Bobcat Vs. Trailblazer

Triple Three
Being that the TB302 is a true CV machine not load volt like the Bobcat, I would go with the Suitcase 8 or 12RC wirefeeders
Good luck, WELD OUT
Obewrench

[lramberson]

I would go with the RC12 as I have the RC8 and the wire choices are greater with the larger unit, the size difference is minimumal.. Hind site is 20/20. Good luck on your new purchase & happy sparks..

[DDA52]

Ditto to the 12RC. I have a 8VS for my Bobus Catus. I have found it hard to find the wire I need at times in 8" spools. I have always been able to find it in 12" spools however. Live and learn.

[Triple Three]

Ok new Thread. 12 RC Vs. 12VS

Ok, the question continues.

Is having the remote controls on the unit a true benifit vs the cost associtated with paying for the unit.

Really just curious what is being used the most. I am typically building metal buildings and having the unit close at a hand to change the setting is nice. But how often are you actually changing the unit?

[Sberry]

If you were doing delicate stuff, lots of tig, and pipe welding I would think the remote would be handy. If most of your stuff is grab and growl I would thik you could find a setting and live with it. I assume lots of moving around, the remote cord would be a pain. A cordless would be great, like an infared TV remote.