Portable welder choice

As part of my job as vocational supervisor for my county I need to purchase a portable welder for students to learn how to use real world equipment to be more employable. In my price range and local availability I have the following machines,Miller Bobcat 225 or 250 , Lincoln Ranger 225,250 or 305G. I know some of you far exceed my knowledge in this area. I want something that will help my students and be very durable. I don't know when the chance will occur again to buy something like this. Thanks for any advice, Lee
 
Bobcat 225 is a popular machine, and no reason to go bigger in a learning environment, the larger models function the same just more power and duty cycle. Never used a ranger but appear to be very simular in specs and function. Arc characteristics of any of these class welders aren't ideal since they are rectified ac rather than generated dc like a pipeliner or such but they are pretty standard machines in maintenance work nowadays so definitely good to have in a teaching setting. 225 bobcat is what's on my service truck at work and it works well. Does stick, tig and gouging altho it is limited to about 3/16 carbons for gouging but as I said in a teaching environment that's not an issue really.
 
If you could find a used Lincoln Pipeliner, they weld so nice you almost can't believe it. Mine had a Continental F132 flathead 4 cyl engine that ran really sweet.
 
I had a bobcat and liked it fine, but on the welding forum that I go to the Lincolns get better reviews as far as welding charactoristics. Maybe for training it woild be better to have the poorer welder so they learn to weld with pess than the best. Not sure how that works. Either way they are all good welders and should serve well.
 
Because this is a class room/shop, I assume that it is in doors. I hope you don't plan on running this engine driven welder inside the shop.
I wonder if there is a welder that is powered with electricity put would weld just like an engine powered one?

Dusty
 
I have owned at least 10 engine drives in my years of business. Hobarts,Lincolns and Millers. It is kindly like which is better,Ford or Chevy? I bought a Miller Legend a few years back and it was a total lemon.They never did get it fixed.I now own a Lincoln Ranger 250 -a Miller Big 40 and a Miller Bobcat. If I were going to buy a new welder today it would be the Lincoln 305G hands down.You can do so much more with it than the Bobcat or the 250 and they don't cost all that much more.
 
Thanks so much for the input it helps me for sure. We wont run it indoors. I actually have plans to let the students build a rolling carrier to roll it outside and a trailer to enable us to haul it if needed. I will have to pay for the trailer materials out of my pocket but the results for the kids will be worth it. Jon I start the students on an old AC Lincoln buzzbox because it is a little more difficult. After they get started at that I let them move on to MIG and DC. A few get good enough to move on to our Miller digital MIG that has a push pull for aluminum. We also have a TIG that a few graduate to. I wish I could tell you that I was good on all of these but that would be a lie. I have several students that exceed my abilities and that always pleases me. I am not a teacher anymore but whenever I get time you will catch me in the shop doing what I love, making a positive difference in a young persons life. Thanks again, Lee
 
Have you checked into any school discounts from either manufacture ? Lincoln is likely built in the USA and treat their employees better than most any other companies.
 
Thanks Mike , we are getting a discount in fact the company I deal with even gives my students a discount for their personal purchases. When I buy equipment for the school USA made is one of my first requirements.
 
Biggest differences I see between them is that the Lincoln 225 and 305 are DC only. AC output would likely only be important if you need to weld on recycled drill stem. The Lincoln 305 and Bobcat 250 would look to be better to pair with a wire feeder if that is desired. Both Lincoln and Miller build good machines.
 
(quoted from post at 12:54:46 11/22/16) Biggest differences I see between them is that the Lincoln 225 and 305 are DC only. AC output would likely only be important if you need to weld on recycled drill stem. The Lincoln 305 and Bobcat 250 would look to be better to pair with a wire feeder if that is desired. Both Lincoln and Miller build good machines.


You dont wrap your DC welding lead around the pipe about 4 turns before welding to demagnetize it???? but you need to wrap the correct lead and the correct way to remove the magnetic field.
 
I like others,have run most makes and models over the last 20 years.For my own use I bought a Miller bobcat efi.Before you make your decision look into the fuel injected bobcat,I absolutely love mine.It runs smaw and my suitcase mig welder very niclely.The efi gives you a couple more hp in turn making it have 275 amps and 12000 watt genarator instead of the normal 250 amp 10000 watts.Also the fuel economy is great.Lastly it doesn't have a carb to deal with! No sticky float from travel,no places for the ethnol to reek havoc with.All in all I think it's the best bank for the buck.
 
Lincoln and others did make electric
motor driven welder generators, they had
of course an excellent arc as they were
true generated dc. A bobcat type welder
is an alternator which makes ac and then
it is rectified to dc so the arc
characteristics are simular to any basic
ac dc transformer welder which I imagine
they already have.
 
I'd buy Miller Bobcat, I absolutely enjoy mine. Have had it about 5 years and although mine has a carb. it is still a good all purpose farm or general use machine. I burn non - ethanol gasoline in mine. Have been building pipe fences around my place and the Miller has been a great tool. We also have 5 dealers within 30 miles of me, but never needed any service yet except regular maintenance. JB in East Texas
 

I would find out which one has the best serviceability in your area if there is an option for it, talk to the supplier and so if there is anyone locally who can repair either Lincoln or Miller. While the little air cooled engines aren't a problem the electronics and generator are a different story. Also go with a machine that has copper windings in the generator it will have a longer life span and more consistency. If money isn't an option the Ranger 305g is a nice little machine with lots of options.
 

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