Looking for some advice.

[gearhead]

Recently purchased a Sycrowave 200 and have a Lincoln 215. I have used both welders in a garage job shop type of way. I have a great business oppurtunity to install steel fencing for several individuals and the business will follow work of mouth.

I have been batting this around for sometime, should I sell both welders and purchase a Miller Bobcat or Trailblaser and use it as my sole welding power source. I can buy the Miller passport (I think it is) and use the welder/generator to run it. The other option is a generator and then haul the Lincoln 215 around. Any thoughts on this, when I originally purchased both of my welders I did not think I my home business would take off, or I would ever need a welder/generator.

[triggerman]

Well, here's my $.02 worth

What a dilemma. I started with a gas-powered machine as the base piece of my hobby operation. In the last week I have ordered an inverter machine and considered selling my trailer hog. But I decided that no matter what else, I would always keep my gas machine.

That was a longwinded way to say, you can't go wrong. If it comes down to a choice of only one, it is tough. Maybe you could borrow one from a friend until the biz makes enough to buy one on your own.

Sorry I couldn't be more help, but....

Good Luck.

[SkidSteerSteve]

Too many welders.....what a great problem!

Anyway,

Here's my thoughts. Personally I just hate to sell any tool that is not completely worn out. Mainly because there is such a depreciation effect to take into consideration. I would check around and see what the rental market is like. I'm guessing that since you are in KC, then that would be a big enough market to support several different rental outfits. If you just need it for a few field projects then you won't have all the related expenses of another machine. After all, anything with an engine is twice as much to take care of than just a grid-powered one. Depending on where you live, the neighbors my not like a roaring v-twin echoing down the street every time something needs tacked up. It will also give you a good "test-drive" opportunity if you can rent different ones to see just what fits your needs. I'd be leary of completely re-aligning my whole setup just to try a new avenue. I've done some ornamental fence before and built it in a pre-fab style in the shop, thus limiting my field time. SSS

[SkidSteerSteve]

one other thing

just another note on the idea of buying a seperate genset to run the equipment. I've been down a similar path and came to this conclusion: Even if I'm only going to use the machine as a genset, I'm still going to buy a welder/generator. Why? you might ask. A few years ago, I did something completely out of character and bought a $2500 10KW gen only set from a national chain (initials are home depot) on a spur-of-the-moment decision. I ran it for about a year and put a good handfull of hours on it. Nothing outrageous, but it earned it's keep. As with all machinery, the sticker price is only part of the cost. When I went to find parts for it (after the main bearing in the altenator let go) I found that the service and support end of that brand were less than desirable. Private message me and I'll tell you what I really think about it! It only aggrivated the situation that I was on the road 1500 miles from home trying to order parts to arrive at the next stop down the road. When I went to purchase it's replacement, I looked at the Bobcat 250. When I asked about parts availablity down the line the rep told me that in the rare case something wasn't in stock then I could pay for air freight and have it the next morning. When you have a $20,000 job being held up by a $2 part, you don't mind buying the good stuff. That, my friend, was what sold me on their engine drive. (Not to mention it was only slightly more $ than the cheapo machine I had just trashed.) SSS

[Danny]

My .02 worth, If you want a generator for welding buy a welding generator. I smoked a few 15-18 kw generators using them to run a welder, even with capacitors it was hard on the generators.I had a machine shop in a trailer and used a generator to run the tig welder and power the trailer with a lathe,mill,and various other equip.Then used a trailblazer to run a suitcase feeder and plasma cutter along with any other equipment I needed for remote work.At that time my business was also a Generac service dealer so I had the upper hand on generator repair and still tossed in the towel on the battle with trying to use the generator for running my welder. Keep in mind I did do a bit of AC tig and that can pull a surge of over 90 amps, too short to trip a breaker but long enough to toast a generator head or mother board-long story on all this. I think that miller has a outstanding product when it comes to this- I would get a trailblazer if I were thinking about portable, had one,loved it, ran a 625 plasma off it along with many other options and never ever had a problem.
Another thought: if you are planning a business and are going to be portable, talk to your insurance about this, if you can get anyone to talk to you. If you are less then 3 years in business and do remote welding, it can be a financially challenging situation. My insurance pretty much doesnt want to cover portable. They also have this half baked theory that making a trailer hitch is not covered, but repairing one is ? uh ? ya ? what ever ! Guess there is no risk in fixing up that old rusty one, but welding up that new steel is really risky ? So thats my short take on that.

[SkidSteerSteve]

Amen! on the insurance situation, Dan.

My agent makes it a point to remind me whenever I add a new equipment to my policy that I am only covered at my shop and that my equipment is for repair and maintenace of company owned property (although I do push that envelope from time to time, but I'm very cautious about it). I have to reassure him that the enginedrive is primarily used as a genset. I think it has something to do with the fact that their underwriter's largest claim to date was by a welding outfit that set a building on fire at the air force base...ouch!

[gearhead]

That's really the information I wanted to know, guys thanks for the responses. Looking at the Trailblaser for a possible purchase. Selling both of my TIG and MIG welders will get me pretty close to the price. The extras will have to come next year. I also have trouble selling my stuff off, recently sold a Mill and Lathe and came to immediately regret that. Now looking for a older USA lathe for the replacement.

[SkidSteerSteve]

If you happen to find TWO good US lathes, hollar at me! I wouldn't mind a Leblond sitting in the corner... come to think of it a Bridgeport would look nice too. Actually, those are my next two major purchases that I am saving toward.

Good luck,
SSS

[gearhead]

I'm looking for a Warner Swasey #3 (turret Lathe), there's alot of them around, but can't seem to find one in Missouri. I've found them in every other state, but mine???? To costly to ship from anywhere (3000 LBS) and no one really wants them anymore. I will find one locally or at least in the near by states.

[SkidSteerSteve]

I missed out by just a few days on a local used Summit 19-4 x 80 gapped engine this summer. Granted, they are a European/US hybrid, but my neighbor spent many years working for them as a tech and designer, so he can basically rebuild it in his sleep. Good to have friends like that.
SSS