One-For-All-One-Pak ???? TIG/MIG Combo.

[AlexGo]

Hey there Gents and ladies (if there are any). :)

So, I've been looking around for some time now and am wondering about the Lincoln One-For-All-One-Pak (K2680).

Simply wondering:

Do any of you have experience with this machine and what are your opinions? It's nice to have both mig and tig capabilities and at the price it seems like a deal.

However, Lincoln products are foreign to me, I'm only familiar with Miller and Hobart and Esab, but I'm not liking the Esab I use at work... anyway. At school my teacher was all about the "power of blue", the one time I met a Lincoln it had issues with the wirefeed. (someone in my class used one and had nothing but problems...) Anyway, I know I probably sound ignorant on the matter, but it's the only data I have to go by, which is why I ask you all for your input.

I'm interested in the Miller 200DX package with water cooler and all, but that leaves me with nothing else. Then I saw the Lincoln I mentioned above.

With the TIG the primary features I care for are AC ability and the pulsing features.

Anyhow, maybe some of you have experience with this Lincoln, maybe you have advice for me, maybe you have other input who knows....

Bring it! :)

BTW - a while back I posted about landing a job in the metal fabrication part of the business. I primarily work with sheet metal, aluminum, stainless and steel. I built my first chair and had to make 30 of them all the same, 4 of which I had to rework :( . The learning curve is steep, but I'm surviving. The chairs are for the Navy, I hope my welds hold up! ;) Anyhow, works going fine.

This machine is for personal use.

[superscubadude]

Alex,

I have hade a hugh struggle trying to pick a machine to buy.

I am in welding school now and doing research on which one to buy.
the guys here have helped alot, and after speaking with my instructor also, I have confirmed that the "one" machine to buy for me is a TIG unit with a stick stinger.

I have a need for aluminum welding and the machine willdo (as you know) other metals.

I happen to like Lincoln Electric and for portability the Invertec's Rock. if your gonna keep this thing at home the Pro Tig 225 ( which weights 212 Lbs) is cheeper.

just get a 220/230 v machine.

just my $.02

[snoeproe]

If i was buying a new welding machine, I'd be looking for an ac/dc stick/tig combo unit. No need for mig when you have tig in my opinion. It's also nice to have the stick option for more heavy material.

[Broccoli1]

The Miller is a lot more friendlier on the 'lectric requirements & small foot print and portable too- if ya need it.

Seems like the Lincoln would need a 60 amp CB to run it above 200 amps.

I think the Miller will run off 30amps-

Also depends how much output you need.

I would get the Miller w/o the Cooler and just add it later if ya need it, and just pick up a 240v Mig when funds build back up:)

[superscubadude]

I think I have also decided to purchase the Lincoln Pre Tig 225 and 140 mig combo unit also.

Prices for the same setup vary as much as a grand so shop around Alex.

Any opinions on this set up guys?????

Lincoln K2680, it come with Mig and Tig torch, stick stinger, cart, mounting bracket for the 140 on top of the 225, gages/flow meter, bottle rack, extra tips, cord plug, Oh! and I think a DVD also. evrything except a gas bottle.

and I like the 3 year parts and service

3 grand and "free" shipping.

"snoeproe If i was buying a new welding machine, I'd be looking for an ac/dc stick/tig combo unit. No need for mig when you have tig in my opinion."

any comments on this statement????
I kinda feel the same way but, I like having a mig gun handy for a quick tac or when I have to hold and tac.

[moya034]

As far as tacking goes, I save the electrode stubs that are 2-3 inches long for that purpose, so I can operate the stinger with 1 hand effectively while holding the work piece.

If you can do stick/TIG well, I think the main reason to buy a wire fed machine is for lower consumable cost if you have to do alot of welding on a large fabrication project.

Once I can afford it, I've been looking at getting the Miller Dynasty 200DX as my next machine. Until then, my AC-225S and O/A torch will have to do.

[superscubadude]

very nice spec's MOYA,

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/tig/dynasty_200_series/

would you say it is comp. to the Lincoln 205?

http://www.buyweld.com/k1855-4.html

It seems that these bad boys do not come with torches and stuff. :(

[AlexGo]

Man I don't get on here often but it's nice to see some reply to my post. Been working long (over 10 hr) days and Saturday's as well... :( Anyhow, I'm able to pay bills and who's complaining right? I mean as there are many people who are loosing jobs left and right I should be happy with what I've got going on... :)

Basically I don't weld all the time, that's how it is in the fab business I'm in, I weld, grind, debur, sand, bend, assemble etc... and I don't always tig weld (my favorite way of welding), though I was on an aircraft carrier yesterday tig welding on some SS counter tops. I want to get better at welding but feel I don't do enough of it consistently at work to grow at the rate that I want to grow. So, I want to make an investment by investing in a welding unit to help me brush up on my skill/quality.

So, right now my eyes are on the 200 DX, and I keep wondering if the 200 dx is enough for 1/4 (.250) Aluminum. Realistically I can't afford anything more than that on the miller side of things but want to, just so I could hit the thicker Aluminum stuff if need be.

I wish I could try the All in One Pak Lincoln is offering... but alas, the lws doesn't allow for test drives... :(

I know the machine will be sufficient for most of my other DC needs but I want to make sure it will tackle .250 Alum with ease.

PS this is where I'm looking to get to Miller 200dx if I do.

http://www.weldingsuppliesfromioc.com/servlet/Categories

[Sberry]

Here is some general observation from hundreds of "what machine to buy" threads. Most people building stuff (this isn't for the ultra dedicated specialist with a burning desire to do alloy types) should be looking at a feeder, the 210 was invented for this class, its still primarily a steel world and the repair, salvage and general use makes this the busiest machine in a small shop and doesn't require a huge effort to get in to. Alex is working 10 hrs and Sat too, I would be spinning around on someone else's dime while I could, if you are welding some at work you wont gain much coming home and dragging azz another hr or 2 and its 3 + grand sitting while you are at work elsewhere. It takes as much time as it does practice to be a welder, most people can get good at it in 2 yrs, the simple mig allows for fabrication work and truth be known it has almost completely replaced tig for alum in our shop where the objective isn't ultra custom but git er done, so much faster cheaper and easier than tig in many cases. A Stickmate or equivalent, even Maxstar these days would be the second unit especially if I was working on equipment.

[Broccoli1]

Alex-

The 200dx is $3,400.00 w/o cooler.

[Broccoli1]

very nice spec's MOYA,

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/tig/dynasty_200_series/

would you say it is comp. to the Lincoln 205?

http://www.buyweld.com/k1855-4.html

It seems that these bad boys do not come with torches and stuff. :(

Nope- with Torch and FC 3400.00 for the DX200:)

[Sberry]

Broc here is a poster child for this, started with a small mig to build what he has to and moved up when needed.

[Amos F.]

My advice (for what it is worth) is similar to Sberry's, and I speak as some one who has a PT185 (it wasn't big enough for the dump trailer repairs once I got on to using it) but my PT275 is! The PT275 has 100' cables on it which comes in real handy right now welding downspouts, distributor parts, valves and hand rails on my 80' elevator leg. My wire matic 250 is hands down the machine that gets the most amount of use by about 5 times the number of hours of operation. I am sure it runs for the least amount of money and gives the highest production. I could care less if I ever burn another stick but it is the thing to have for rusty old farm equipment that won't fit through the shop door on a windy day and nothing else will work way up in the air. The Tig is the most expensive machine to run I think but still the stick machine is probably the most versatile of all.