Which welder??? Help!!

[swyman]

I'm new in the welding and fab business, well working for myself. I want a tig/stick machine and would like it to be able to run a carbon arc also. I have been looking into a synco 250dx and 350lx and also the dynasty 300dx. I am sold on the 300dx but am concerned about it not having the power to run a carbon arc. I think the 350lx would fit the bill plus it has pulse lke the 300dx which I prefer. Could anyone that has these machines give me some insight?? Also I have 3-phase if that makes a difference.
Thank you, Shane Wyman
Modern Metalworking

[Bmxin^Bjorn]

why do you need a carbon arc?,, what kind of fab are you doing?..

[swyman]

I want to use it to cut welds. I like the control you have and the finish is very clean. I know it takes a lot of juice to run one. Just wanted someone to give me some real world experience between the 300dx and the 350lx.

[Sparky C]

I think you need at least 400 DC amps to run 1/4" carbon arc rods, you can get gouging tips for a plasma that does the same thing without as much smoke as the carbon rods. I use them with the Hypertherm 900 I have at the shop, you just turn up the heat and turn down the air pressure.

[Blondie_486]

I think you need at least 400 DC amps to run 1/4" carbon arc rods, you can get gouging tips for a plasma that does the same thing without as much smoke as the carbon rods. I use them with the Hypertherm 900 I have at the shop, you just turn up the heat and turn down the air pressure.

I've tried both methods of gouging, call me old fashioned but for gouging out welds I prefer carbon arc.

Sparky C, I don't have either machine that you're looking at but your dealer should be able to make a recommendation (one advantage of buying local vs the internet). Some of the larger dealers may have the machines set up so you can try them out, one of my dealers will let me demo any machine I'm interested in before buying.

Blondie