Welding/Plasma Cutter...

[Ralph Barhorst]

Eric

Be careful with the Thermadyne PM 100XLP. I believe that it is a 3 phase machine.

The Miller mig machine would be good and might be a little overkill.

[Eric DeSilva]

Thanks for the responses.

I double checked on the 100XLP and its one of the 220V 1PH versions--I gather they did variations on 220 v. 460 and 1PH/3PH.

My main panel is in my basement 50' (of wire) away. I can get another run of wire to the garage if I need it--or even a subpanel--but I'm not really thinking I'm going to be pushing the limit of these machines and would rather not go to the expense. The 100XLP severs 1.25" steel--I doubt I'm going to do much 0.25". Same on the 180SD side, doubt I'll be welding much over 0.25". But, when I look at shelling out $3K for a 211/39 setup, versus $3K for these machines, its just sooo tempting to get more than I need... esp. given the potential for another shop down the road.

[Scott T Smith]

Eric, if it were me I'd opt for the larger machines and run a new circuit out to your garage.

There have been times in my life where I wished that I had purchased a larger piece of equipment, but few times in my life when I regretted purchasing one that was too large. My present welding equipment includes a Miller Syncrowave 250 TIG, a Miller Trailblazer Pro diesel engine welder and a Spectrum 2050 plasma cutter (along with a suitcase MIG for the Trailblazer, carbon arc equipment, Oxy-acytelene, and a Miller AC/DC crackerbox welder).

One option that is well worthwhile on a TIG is a water cooled torch. Also, if you want to weld aluminum make sure that your tig has the high frequency option.

It's also a good idea to purchase a separate 6" bench grinder and dedicate it for sharpening your tungstens, otherwise you risk contaminating them with debris left over from sharpening other tools.

[Eric DeSilva]

There have been times in my life where I wished that I had purchased a larger piece of equipment, but few times in my life when I regretted purchasing one that was too large.

That was exactly my thinking. But, I'd rather not install a new panel or run a new circuit if I'm never going to pull more than 30A--that's my real question... At this point, I've talked myself out of the 100XLP. So its really coming down to the question of whether its unsafe or stupid to try an run the 180SD TIG off a 30A circuit if I'm not intending--in this configuration--to ever do more than 1/4" steel.

If I get motivated to do more than that, I figure I can add the circuit then, or possibly by then I'll have my real shop with a bigger panel...