TIG welder recomendations.....what should I buy?

I use an older syncrowave 180, It really needs a coolmate(RADIATOR) I use both the foot control(for bench welding) and the thumb control for under the car welding..... If money was NO object I would buy the liquid cooled dynasty DX. I used to use an econotig, but that machine could not even make 1/8" aluminum puddle up........ The 180 is a good machine for the "garage builder"..... LUKE

 

i've used a dynasty but not enough to get a real feel for it. i've been saving my nickels and will be getting one in the next few weeks. i'll report back after i get.

alot of guys from the hobart/miller message board who want a dynasty went with a thermal arc 185 for about a 1000 bucks cheaper. they liken it to a poorman's dynasty. i would rather go american and get the REAL dynasty.check the link for one on ebay.

ebay thermal arc

later jim

 

Hey thanks river1. I think thats the inverter machine I've used at work (an older version) that I liked. I'll look into it. Through cyberweld the Dynasty is about $2200 but dosn't come with torch, foot control or regulator. Let me know how you like the Dynasty.

 

Nimrod, I also posted an INVERTER post this last week, missed/forgot yours in the search.

We just got a Lincoln 185 at the shop. We are using it with the foot control, thumbwheels is on the way. I have used both and think I like the foot control for most normal work. I found with my buddies thumbwheel, I just cranked it up and didnt regulate like I do with the foot pedal.

The new Lincoln has the "pulse" feature. Most of the welders in our industrial complex and others prefer to weld without it. Granted, we just got the Lincoln this week but 4 of us at the shop spent many hours learning the new machine. We all like it with the pulse off!

I thought I wanted an Inverter, after using this machine, I dunno? It is nice, and FWIW, I threw down better beads than the boss and our main fabricator Several of the regulars and shop guys really laid into the fact that the office guy spanked em!

 

The Synchrowave 180 is a decent machine, but if you can afford the extra cost, go with the 250. If you plan on welding aluminum, I'd recommend a water cooled torch. The inverter machines are nice if you have power limitations, as they can be run off 110 and still put out plenty of amps. Some of the early inverter machines were junk, but the new ones are pretty decent. I've been using a Miller Dynasty 300 setup for about six months, and it's pretty cool. The downsides are that the inverter machines cost a bunch more and are not as durable. High frequency will screw up all kinds of stuff, but you only use continuous high frequency for aluminum. For steel and whatever else, it's only used for start up.

 

Here is a thought? Are we overbuying with our welders?

Case in point, the new Lincoln 185 we have at teh shop has a digital readout. If you use the handy slide-chart they supply and set it up like they say........................I have found we use a fraction on the amperage you would think you use!

We just got this thing, the new ones have a digital guage, shows the desired MAX amps and while actually welding, it shows true amps. I was watching the guys play with stainless exhaust, hell, the machine was really working in the 60A range!

Makes me wonder if wee need all the power if sheet metal and frame work is your main work? Just a thought.

 

more power ar ar ar ar ar

in my best tim allen


my first welder i bought to small and out grew it. i am comfortable that i'll never out grow my dynasty 200.

later jim

 

Jim, I agree, but, it blew me away how LITTLE amps you really used!

We were sampling 18G steel yesterday, like I said, we just got this new machine...............damn, we were throwing 40 amps at it on a **** weld!

That said, I am now looking at the inverter styles or a larger Miller or Lincoln.

 

I have a lincoln 185 tig and really like it. I never use the pulse setting. I also upgraded the tourch to a ck-17 when I bought it.

 

What do inverters do? Is it an add-on or built in? Looking at buying a TIG and any info will help. Thanks. Neal

 

Ok im gonna jump in here, I'm looking at getting the Lincoln 185......now for a new question ....to water cool or not.......as far as i know water is for weldding aluminium????.........do ya need to be water cooled if yer gonn be sitting for a long period of time weldding up a T-ch***ie or a chopper frame??
Im guessing the 185 is a fantastic unit for garage pimps like us to build ch***ies and **** of the like
FRITZ

 

From what I understand, the water cooled model will just give you a longer duty cycle. Air cooled will just heat up faster. You can weld aluminum and steel just fine with the air cooled 185, that's what I used at their facility. I'm by no means the authority on the subject, so someone can correct me if I'm wrong.

 

Its just a different way of converting the power coming out of your wall into something you can use to weld. Inverters are kind of the new high tech way, compared to a transformer machine. I'm not sure how different the arc charactaristics are but an inverter machine is just a fraction of the size and weight of a transformer, and I've read that they use the power more effitiently.

 

water cooled doesn't increase the duty cycle of the welder.
theoretically you don't NEED watercooled until you reach 200 amps.
it keeps the torch head cool so your fingers don't get as hot. the most important thing (in my mind) about watercooled is the torch head is a lot smaller so you can get into tighter spots.

you can get a watercooler from ebay for about 1/4 to 1/2 the price of 'retail' from

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=11774&item=7517606336&rd=1

keep an eye on that seller he sells watercoolers all the time and is someone i'd do business with again.

later jim

 

Here's a description of an inverter use in welding.

http://millerwelds.com/education/tech_articles/articles31.php


Chris

 

I can't really help with new machines, but I bought a used Lincoln square wave 175 that does stick and TIG. I got it for $500 and it works great! I had to invest another $125 in a single phase 220v to 440v converter though, but it was worth it. It's an air cooled torch, which is a drag when you're welding thicker aluminum. Other than that, it's all anyone would even need for mild steel or stainless.

 

Now I know. Thanks Nimrod and Chris for the response.

Neal

 

I have a sychrowave 180. I love it. Get all the different size collets for the handpiece so you can run a 3/32 electrode or a 1/16 electrode. The only drawback is duty cycle. I welded up a metal table and I spent alot of time waiting for the machine to cool off. But for most car related things I haven't noticed much overheating and waiting. waiting is an excuse for a beer

 

I bought my Miller 250/250 water cooled tig machine for 1,450, off of a guy that repairs welders, he is always selling new and old and or repaired machines that he gets in. I would call around if anyone is in the market to buy a tig, I have had this one for the last five years and have had no trouble with itand it was a used unit. But like anything else you buy equipment wise, I always buy larger than I think I need. Because it never fails when you get what you think you need, down the road it turns out too small, and highly recommend the water kool get up, money well spent !!! Just my opinion.....Littleman

 

Just make your own...

http://cl***icbroncos.com/homemade-welder.shtml