Trailblazer 302

[usmcruz]

Im new to this forum, and Im currently going to Tulsa Welding School. They currently use lincoln electric welders, and there really nice, but Ive been comparing welders lately, and it seems Miller gets a little more bang for the buck. Once I get out of school in about 4 months I want to purchase a diesel/gas welder and was looking at the Trailblazer 302 by Miller. Anyone have any experience with this welder, is it a good one where I will have ther versatility of doing many different jobs, both commercially and residental. I know this is a Miller forum, but would really like some non bias sound advise. My instructor at Tulsa uses a Miller at his job and he said he likes them over the lincoln's. Any takers!

[DDA52]

I'm running a 302 and it has been a great machine for me. Of all the Miller engine drives, it is the best for multifunction. I run SMAW, GMAW, FCAW and GTAW off of it with zero issues on any process. Bobcats will run the same processes, but nowhere near as well. Go for it...it will be money well spent.

[usmcruz]

Thank you for your help.

[FusionKing]

It would seriously depend on the type of work you were doing. The Trailblazer is a multi-purpose machine made for multi-purpose work.
If you are planning to do the pipeline work cross country style you had better plan on getting something more heavy duty.
If your going into general repair or structural work it may be just the ticket for you

[BDJ]

I agree with both of the posts above. I own a Trailblazer 302G it has performed very well with every task I ask of it. I was surprised with the weld quality with AC and DC TIG and Stick haven't tried it with MIG. I do not use it all day every day if I did I would've definitely bought something bigger. I haven't had a single issue with this machine so far so I can't complain.

[DDA52]

Nothing wrong with a TB every day, all day. It will do it no problem.

[usmcruz]

Alright so now you guys got me thinking. I plan on doing pipeline work as well, so according to you guys I need something bigger. Is there a welder above the TB302 that would handle heavy duty pipeline welding and still do everything the TB 302 can. Am I looking at spending another $2000 or is the price difference not that severe. I know nothing about buying a welder so forgive me if I have some elementary questions for you veterans. As always any help is appreciated.

[migman69]

want to do pipeline work try this

PipePro™ 304

A quiet, compact, yet extremely powerful multiprocess diesel engine driven unit designed especially for the cross country pipeliner and mechanical contractor.


engine-driven PRODUCT GUIDE
Pricing

Base Model
Starting at:
$ 14,333.00
List Price (US$)
Process

* MIG (GMAW)
* Pulsed MIG (GMAW-P) with optional Optima control
* Flux Cored (FCAW)
* DC Stick (DC SMAW)
* DC TIG (DC GTAW)
* Air Carbon Arc (CAC-A) Cutting and Gouging
* Air Plasma Cutting and Gouging (PAC) with Optional Spectrum Models

Applications

Industrial Applications

* Process Plant Piping
* Pipe Welding
* Structural
* Fabrication
* Generator Power

Specifications

Rated Output at 104° F (40°C)

* 300 A at 32 V, 60% Duty Cycle

Output Power Range

* CC-DC: 5 - 400 A
* CV-DC: 10 - 34 V

Generator Power- rated at 104°F (40°C)

* 12,000 Watts, 1- or 3- Phase

Net Weight

* 910 lb (412 kg)

Engine

* Kubota 26 HP at 3600/2500 RPM (Diesel)


PipePro 304 engine-driven welder generator
PipePro 304 shown with dual power option.
Product Information

* Models & Pricing
* Accessories

Product Literature (PDF)

* English

MIG Resources

* Related Articles
* Owner's Manuals
* Engine-Driven Buyers Guide (PDF)



Weld At Idle provides up to 5000 watts of weld power (225 A at 23 V, 170 A at 30 V), and when more power is needed the machine automatically goes to high speed with no changes in the arc.

Exceptional multiprocess arc. Excellent (uphill/downhill) bead (root), hot pass, fill and cap control on Stick welding. DIG control changes soft arc to stiff forceful arc that prevents electrode sticking. Lift-Arc™ TIG for DC welding without use of a HF unit for x-ray quality starts. MIG arc runs in a variety of modes with excellent results using any wire or flux core in the field. Inductance control customizes puddle for maximum performance.

Patented dual-power option operates on engine or 230 volt single- or three-phase electric input power which eliminates fuel cost, noise, engine wear and emissions.

High welding outputs to dominate larger diameter flux cored wires for increased deposition and Air Carbon gouging thru 1/4 in carbons.

12,000 watt voltage-regulated generator power allows tools, inverter welders or plasma cutters to run without affecting the arc while welding.

One of the most fuel-efficient diesel machines. at 150 amps, 40% duty cycle, fuel consumption is only .42 gal/hour while welding at idle speed. The same weld output at weld speed uses only .61 gal/hour. Fuel capability is 13 gal to provide long runtime before refueling.

Compact and lightweight design allows a smaller truck to be used and reduces transportation costs. Machine fits sideways in a standard pickup.

Toolless top and side access allows easy and faster maintenance with little clearance space needed. Toolless remote oil drain is standard.

Lift-Arc™ start provides TIG arc starting without the use of high frequency.

Dual digital weld ammeter and voltmeter are standard. Amps or volts can be preset using the weld meters.

Low noise operation allows for better work site communication and safety.
72 db @ 7 m (no load - idle), 78 db @ 7 m (full load - high speed).

Adaptive Hot Start™ for Stick
Automatically increases output amperage at the start of a weld should the start require it and prevents the electrode from sticking and creating an inclusion.

[migman69]

heres a pic of it

[DDA52]

You won't be spending any $2k over...maybe $8k over the price of a TB if you buy new. Used is a different story. $11-12K is about the entry level price for a good multi use machine like that. Some can be had for less, but you would have to sacrifice some features...like AC output. The PP304 that was mentioned above doesn't have AC weld output.

[usmcruz]

Thank you all, but man is that allot of money for me to drop. Seeing the new light of the price I think Ill stick with the TB302. If Im gonna be doing pipe welding, I will get with a company that provides the machines. I want to do allot of fabrication so the TB302 is perfect. Any accessories that are a must?.

[DDA52]

It all depends on what you want to do with it. I run a 12RC feeder with mine and that is about it...so far.

[Miller John]

Great comments, and I'll add my two cents worth as well.
The Trailblazer 302 produces more welding and generator power at higher duty cycles and is rated at higher temperatures than any competitive welder on a pipeline. It can also run wire extremely well which is becoming more common on pipe. It;s real powerful and the smaller size comes from a high speed versus low speed engine.
If you wanted a diesel, while the Trailblazer is a good choice, and so is the PipePro, you may want to check out the PRO 300. A very good arc for less money than the PipePro and a very quiet diesel powered package. It just had some good arc improvements implemented which were driven from Pipe line welders, and we've gotten real good feedback on the machine.
I hope that is helpful info.

[abprt]

302 Millers

Im new to this forum, and Im currently going to Tulsa Welding School. They currently use lincoln electric welders, and there really nice, but Ive been comparing welders lately, and it seems Miller gets a little more bang for the buck. Once I get out of school in about 4 months I want to purchase a diesel/gas welder and was looking at the Trailblazer 302 by Miller. Anyone have any experience with this welder, is it a good one where I will have ther versatility of doing many different jobs, both commercially and residental. I know this is a Miller forum, but would really like some non bias sound advise. My instructor at Tulsa uses a Miller at his job and he said he likes them over the lincoln's. Any takers!

I own a Miller 250 trailblazer and one of the biggest reasons that I bought a miller was because Miller corp. will help you with any problem that you might have instead of their main competitor. I've operated the three main companies equipment and they all are good machines. The only reason I would consider stepping up to a larger machine is to use bigger airarc cutting rods and to have more power to supply my home in case my electric goes out in this rural area. Actually I don't use the full potiential of my 250 and most of average welding stays within 90 to 140 amps so unless you are planning on buring some 3/16 - 7024 jet rods, a 302 would do you just fine. My 250 is a multipurpose machine as well and it does all that I ask for and very happy with it. If it was to die tomorrow, I'd go for the 302 myself.

[F350Welder]

What about Pro 300

What about the Pro 300 any input on that?