mig+plasma buyer question

as some of you may know.
i will be going to school to learn to weld.
and i will be able to purchase equipment soon.
i am leaning towards a mig that is powerful enough to for instance build frames.
i also want a plasma cutter.
in my city there are tons of pawnshops with welding equipment.
and i have seen plasma/mig combination boxes.
but i am wary of buying something that is like a cheap swiss army knife
supposedly does everything
but doesnt do anything well.
do you guys have any input for me?
the reason i am thinking pawnshops is theres a lot of miller/hobart/lincoln etc.
for thousands less than new.
thank you for your time.

I think you're on the right path! Just about any of the big names should be a good purchase but used equipment is always a crap shoot so ask about return policies.
Also ask your welding instructor his/her opinion(s). And what is the voltage supply in your shop or are you going to consider a portable unit?

I'd go after a welder first, and a set of oxy/acetylene torches, I still don't have a plasma cutter and don't see one in my future. I just don't do that much cutting that I can't do with my torches or sawzall.

Works for me! Hope it helped you...

i have looked at the hobart at TSC this a miller under its skin .machine seems the price is right . i looked at that machine in 250 amps. i had a miller 250 x this size i could of welded a battle ship with it

I would suggest anything you going buy used,get the model numbers/serial numbers and go on line to see if the repair parts are still available.Sometimes they on the older stuff just don't make those internal parts anymore.

i have a miller econotig and have been satisfied with it. i have a hobart mig and it is also a good machine . i have learned over the years to buy quality instead of price. there is a lot of junk being pushed right now. lincoln or miller .

I've got a Lincoln 200 MIG and had it for 15 years or better. I use it on everything from chassis building to sheet metal, and use it a lot. Still works great, might be needing a new gun one of these days, it's finally starting to show some wear and occasionally an intermittent trigger. Haven't had to replace any rollers or the liner. Very pleased with it. I also have a 300 Miller that stays in the shop on the farm where it's been in use for 20+ years. Quality always ends up being the best value for the dollar, as others have mentioned stay away from the cheap stuff.

Also the serial number will tell you what year it was made, Miller does I know. Look over the general condition, cables, power cord, ground clamp, mig gun, and cabinet, subtle indicators of use or abuse. I never buy used or from pawn shops, many are clearing houses for the crooks, just me and the way I roll. **)

My plasma machine is 220v, a number of other guys have used it and they have 110v machines and they say there is no comparison. I haven't used the 110v so i can't say, i'm just passing it along. Mine is a hobart but i think any brand name 220v machine will be just right.

I have lincolns and love them. My cutter is small and can operate on 110 or 220 so just leave it at 220. I am not very good at it but am getting better and it does seem to make it easier than my grinder with a cut off wheel.