What advantages to a welding generator

[Woof]

I am planning to get a generator for various uses but will probably use it to power my Miller Passport and Dynasty 200 at some point. What are the advantages of choosing something like a Miller Bluestar 185 DX over a equally rated generator from someplace like Home Depot?

I can think of a few.
No need for an adapter plug
Higher resale value (not that I ever sell anything)
Miller is a pretty colour (yeah, I know....You don't have to start)
It can stick weld on its own

Are these things worth $500-800 extra?

[air-sickness]

Just make sure the generator can handle the peak amps. I would prefer the generator and dynasty over a bobcat just so I dont have to run a generator in my garage when i want to weld. With a big enough generator you can MIG TIG STICK & plasma cut with it. My$.02

[Sberry]

There are a couple advantages with this type of unit. One big one is that it can be directly used as a welding unit, is rugged and quality compared to the avg generjunker from a box store. The welding units are normally dependable with a fairly long reliable service life. I got a 210A simple single cyl machine with lots of gen poop I paid 1600 for 25 yrs ago has never missed a beat, new ones still dont cost much more than that and are better than ever.

[Sberry]

Are they worth the extra? Yes. A quality genset costs that much anyway and it don't weld. This would be a machine that the avg handyman/homeowner/ even some small business would never have to replace with regular use and common care.
Another thing to consider there is great support compared to a generic junker, whole company that does nothing but develop, test, support with lots of common owners of these machines.

[discusswelding]

its too bad that Hobart doesnt make a good welder/generator.

[John Stuckey]

I bought a Bluestar DX 145. There is a duty cycle difference between the HD/Lowes type generators and the Miller units. I compared the engines and found that the Kohler Pro 10 was rated for longer runs. I use the unit primarily for residential power backup. The engine maker's websites should be helpful. I assumed that Miller exceeded the engine durability ratings in their generators.

[FusionKing]

I can't imagine life without my Bobcat and with that said I feel like it just does have enuff amps/watts to keep me happy.
I'm not sure if a Bluestar has enuff power to run a 200 Dynasty at full power?
What is the max on that unit anyhow?

[Steve Crum]

I was looking for a Miller Bobcat or Lincoln Ranger For portable work and residential power. I stumbled on to an older Hobart G-3010 for a third of the cost (and 4X the weight) The old Chrysler 225 slant 6 will cruise along at 1,800 rpm using scant more gas that a Bobcat cranking at 3,600 RPM. The Hobart has a 100% duty cycle. And as one older welder told me "if there were a way to hook drawbars of that old Hobart and a new Bobcat, the Bobcat would end up a molten puddle". I really like the idea of the Hobart running so much quieter that a Bobcat or Ranger. Not a big fan of continuous loud noise anymore.

[hankj]

its too bad that Hobart doesnt make a good welder/generator.

They do. It's called a Champion.

Hank

[hankj]

I am planning to get a generator for various uses but will probably use it to power my Miller Passport and Dynasty 200 at some point. What are the advantages of choosing something like a Miller Bluestar 185 DX over a equally rated generator from someplace like Home Depot?

Are these things worth $500-800 extra?

Aside from the fact that it is a stand-alone welder, the power is much "cleaner" than the made-for-the-bigbox-store machines.

Hank

[Big_Eddy]

Couple of other comments.
Electric Start - it was a must for me - as soon as you look for electric start in the big box gens you end up pretty close to the Miller price.

Noise - If you move up a bit more you can get an enclosed welder generator to drop the noise level. Getting the same in a big box generator will cost you plenty.

Parts and Support - Miller will be there for you.

Cool Factor - all your friends will be envious.

Note that there are some good generators coming available these days in the same price range. I was looking at a fully enclosed Kipor Diesel the other day that looked like a decent unit for ~$2K. And some of the auto switchover standby units are pretty slick, although they mostly run on propane or natural gas. If all you want is a home backup system - there is a lot to be said for a permanent installation and auto-switching that doesn't need a second thought - but for more general use and flexibility the welder gen was the way I went.

[Some Creep]

For a generator- the Millers will eat the box store generators in the long run. They're just built that way.

For a welder- you don't get the versatility vs. the multiple units for process variety and use in-doors. Unless you drop the big bucks....

You get what you pay for. A good long lasting generator will cost alot of money too! I wouldn't want to put my trust in a cheap generator with my Mig or Tig risking circuit boards to dirty power. Are you going to use the generator year round for other purposes or just as a 'welding power supply'?

I use my welder more than I can come up with uses for a generator, let alone a generator of the size it would take to run one of my welders. I like using my welder in my shop too..........where it's warm........and it's easier to hear the football game on the radio...........

[Sberry]

A good amount of the worlds portable welding work is done with stick electrodes. The equipment needed is simple, as one said, cant imagine life without his Bobcat. I agree, some rods and leads and you good to go. The avg guy would have a hard time wearing one out. Could run it for months if needed for power.

[crenshawjm]

its too bad that Hobart doesnt make a good welder/generator.

Hmmmm ! ! ! seems to me my Hobart Champ 10K works great, not had a minutes trouble, purrrrrssss like a kitten, welds very well.... runs ac equipment as well.... just can't find a reason to get something else. since it ain't broke i can't see fixing something that ain't broke...

[wlbrown]

HELLO TO ALL,
the millers BOBCAT 250 is 100% duty cycle.
hobart makes a machine that looks the same,
but it is not 100% duty cycle. so if you are in
the market for a machine, look for one that has
the higher duty cycle. as for the price, yes they
are high, but if you hagle with the dealer, you can
get some extra things with the machine.
wlbrown