I'd love to have an old SA. The DC generator makes DC with no ripple. The modern welders are alternators and rectifiers. Not quite as good to weld with.

The old SA's though, seem to be better welders than generators, and use LOTS of fuel. I've wanted a 225 Bobcat for a long time, but the price has gone up to about $3600 best case. I now have my eye on a Lincoln Ranger Eagle 10,000+. There's a local farm store that sells them for $2,999. It's a 225 Amp welder, 100% duty cycle at 210 Amps. Pretty hefty. Has one of the really good Kohler Industrial V twins too.

I keep thinking that I will find something on the used market that hasn't been used up, but who knows?