Best all around welder for the back yard boatbuilder

[dick stave]

I read the metal boat building forum a lot,and I see a lot of posts regarding welding equipment and the appropriate process for hobby boatbuilding.I also visit the design forum and feel very humble in the company of the minds of individuals whom have forgotten more about boat design than I could gather in the remainder of my life if I committed to it full time starting today.I am a backyard boatbuilder.I am also a journeyman metal fabricator / journeyman welder [in Canada means you served a 4 year apprenticeship in each of the disciplines].In my humble opinion,the best bang for your buck is the Lincoln 350 MP [multi process].This is an adaptive synergic machine capable of producing tig like appearence with a spool gun using pulse on pulse technology.It is also excellent pushing stainless wire,it stick welds,and it Tigs[be it DC only and scratch start].When these do it all machines started to appear on the scene ,about 10 years ago, they didnt do anything well and were hard to setup.These new generation machines perform exceptional in all aspects and are easy to setup with there two button controls and pre programmed parameters.Long story short,a weekend warrior who has taken
a community college welding course can produce pretty good welds with a little practise.I have built two alloy boats with a Millermatic 251 and a 30a
spool gun with good results[and 20 years experience]and I can tell you from that experience, for a few dollars more,the difference between these two rigs is night and day.Aluminum welding is tricky,but with the right equipment,is well within the reach of aspiring backyard metal boatbuilders.Hope this helps
and P.S. neither Lincoln or Miller pays me to endorse there products...

[alaskatrawler]

I have a miller XMT 350 with the 30 A spool gun and every time I use it I thinks what an incredile machine it is. Very easy to use a little bit on the spendy side but you pay for what you get. I had a miller 210 with an 15A spoolgun what a difference the 350 XMt is like night and day. I will never go back

Dan

[dick stave]

Just wanted to say congrats on the completion of "Spirit of Balto".I hope one day to build a project of that scope myself.It shows some real dedication and craftsmanship

[openboater]

I guess it all depends on your definition of 'backyard'.

to me, the MM210 is top end for backyard, and any of the pulse migs would be considered a cut above 'backyard'.

Miller Dynasty200dx, HH175 w/spoolmatic3035 , miller cutmaster300 plasma are in my 'backyard' currently, I'd love a MM350p, but that's for 'someday'.

Denny

[Bob S.]

Dick, I just ordered a Lincoln 350. Would be interested in getting your input on settings. I've got a bunch of mods to do on two boats and want to do a new build when those are done.

[alaskatrawler]

Hello Dick

Thanks for the compliment on my boat. Am planning a trip to Mission in the next couple of weeks (driving) to pick up a crane from Steelhead. Currently building the mast (all aluminum) I can' t say enough good about the 350XMT although the 350 pulse is also a very good machine. It comes with a push pull gun which is nice and you can run the large spools of wire.

Dan