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Although you can do some plasma cutting under 10,000 watts, you may not get the full output of the plasma cutter. "You probably want at least 12,000 watts of single-phase power to cut 3/4 in.," Snyder advises.

Another key consideration is whether the machine will be used to perform more than one operation at a time. For example, one service tech may be performing metal preparation with a grinder, while the other is welding.

This is where welder/generators - with independent generators separating welding and generating power - shine. "A sudden load from a grinder does not affect the welding arc," says Leisner.

Of course, selecting the correct welder/generator is only part of the total solution. There are many potential pitfalls, including literally hundreds of choices when it comes to electrode and wire selection, as well as various choices of welding cables, etc. To find the best combination for the work you perform most often, obtain expert advice from your local welding equipment supplier.

Duty Cycle Defined
"Duty cycle, as defined by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), is the ratio of arc time to total time, expressed in percent," says Eric Snyder, Lincoln Electric. "For example, if the output is applied continuously for six minutes within a 10-minute period, the duty cycle is 60%."