Drax240z Posted November 14, 2009 Share Posted November 14, 2009 (edited) Well, not sure if I am 100% there yet, but I've been looking at TIG's lately. I've done a bunch of welding including TIG in the past, but never had my own machine. For a while I was working as an industrial maintenance tech. and that particular position involved a lot of SS TIG welding... so I've done a lot, but with that said I'm still not an expert. I am looking for something with AC/DC, enough power to weld aluminum, though I don't expect to be welding heads or anything that large. Think plenums, brackets, SS exhaust, charge cooler pipes, etc. I already have a lincoln MIG, so that side of things is covered. Price range is up to about $2500 or so. I've got 3 options in front of me: 1) Used Lincoln PT185 - $2100 compete with torch, pedal, kart, etc. 2) New Miller Diversion 165 - $1825 after taxes 3) Used Miller synchrowave 180SD - $2000 with accessories I'm leaning towards option 1. I think the millers are in general slightly better machines, but I like the added features of the PT185. I know that none of these machines are super heavy duty production machines, but they are for personal/hobby use with a few side jobs as well. Comments from those with any of the above machines, or the experienced welders are greatly appreciated. Edited November 14, 2009 by Drax240z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpyvette Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 (edited) im not sure of current pricing, but a few freinds have and LOVE these,...worth a call. http://www.htpweld.com/products/tig_welders/tig160.html http://www.htpweld.com/products/tig_welders/tig201.html you might want to look at the local welding shops ,larger manufacturers maintenance departments, and auto body shops as most want to either sell or upgrade equipment occasionally, and I frequently hear about real good deals on used equipment examples in my area http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/for/1436088692.html http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/tls/1433632209.html http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/tls/1465304006.html Edited November 15, 2009 by grumpyvette Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
240hoke Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 Miller SyncroWaves are AWESOME. I have a Syncrowave 180SD that I bought used with very low hours in like new condition from $1200. I had to buy a few accessories for it and ended up with about $1500 in it total. I have been very very happy with it and have been able to do everything that I needed to so far. For that kinda of money you may be able to step up to the Sycrowave 200. Or get a 180SD with a water cooler, which would be nice to have if you plan on doing alot of welding, especially continuously. Ive rarely needed one though. Inverter machine would be nice if you need portability. Dont buy anything other then blue you will be able to get parts easy locally, have good service, and it will be reliable. I have a hobart MIG, Miller Syncrowave 180sd, and a Miller Spectrum 375 Extreme plasma...and everything works perfect never had and issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnc Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 http://www.weldingmart.com/Qstore/p002553.htm Used one for 3 years and its a wonderful welder. http://www.millerwelds.com/products/tig/dynasty_200_series/ Used this for a couple weeks at another shop and its also a wonderful welder. The Miller vs. Lincoln argument is like the Chevy vs. Ford argument, pointless and silly. A welder from either company is just fine. Buy whichever one you can get the best price on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaparral2f Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 The Lincoln is a really good machine. We've got one that we have been jsing for about two years with no problems at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsicard Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 Drax 240Z: The Lincoln PT 185 has been replaced by the 225. I have looked at the Miller Diversion 165 and it is very EASY to set for the material. It also has a current setting knob on the torch which I really like. They can be had for around 1200.00 on Ebay. I have been a Lincoln fan but the Diversion 165 is hard to pass up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drax240z Posted November 17, 2009 Author Share Posted November 17, 2009 (edited) http://www.weldingmart.com/Qstore/p002553.htm Used one for 3 years and its a wonderful welder. http://www.millerwelds.com/products/tig/dynasty_200_series/ Used this for a couple weeks at another shop and its also a wonderful welder. The Miller vs. Lincoln argument is like the Chevy vs. Ford argument, pointless and silly. A welder from either company is just fine. Buy whichever one you can get the best price on. Yeah John, I really like the inverter machines as well. A buddy of mine has the 200dx and is very happy with it. Though after talking to him, it's a lot of machine for what I will do with it. (not to mention at least 50% more than I have to spend) Agreed with the Miller vs. Lincoln. However, I've read a bit about this model vs. that model and there are certainly differences between similar machines that may put one ahead of the other for me. Feature based, not brand based. I'm curious to know how something along the lines of the 180SD or 200SD would compare with a similarly powered inverter setup... Diversion 165 is interesting as well, might see if I can find one to try out... Edited November 17, 2009 by Drax240z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnc Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 Feature based, not brand based. Don't get too hung up on features. I have a Precision TIG 275 and I rarely use all the stuff I ordered on it. A good, stable, controllable arc is your main concern. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHO-Z Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 You really need to look at what you are planning of using it for. A DC welder will tig SS and Carbon steel just fine. In the construction industry standard DC welders are used for Tiging SS and carbon steel pipe. Aluminum plate and tube can be gas welded with practice. The original Cobra bodies with gas welded together using a blow torche. But there are few craftsman left that know how to do that proceedure, but it can be done. Is it worth paying the extra $ for high freq and all if you are really seldom going to use it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drax240z Posted November 18, 2009 Author Share Posted November 18, 2009 AC is a must. Among the many projects in my future are aluminum railings, truck racks, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluto Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 Hello fellows, I bought a thermal arc 200 ac/dc this spring off of ebay this spring and so far im very happy with it. I leaned how to tig on a miller sd 180. probably something like 20-30 hrs on that machine. When I was shopping price and power draw and power output were my main concerns. I also considered the htp machines but went with the thermal arc in the end. If I could have gone with a 20yr old 300amp non inverter based machine I would have in a heartbeat but my power supply is what it is. Power output: I wanted to be able to do ic and radiator work. Most everything I have used the machine for so far has been light but I did run some fat beads on some 1/4 alu. without issue. Power draw: I run my machine on 220v 40amp service and a 50' extension cord(heavy bugger) and have never popped the breaker or had a machine fault code. machine is also configureable for 3phase. Price: 2200ish delivered with a nice accesory kit(torch pedal torch multiple cones, collets and tungsten). equally equiped miller or lincoln inverter machines were around 2700-3000. I have about 20 or 30 hours on the machine now with no hiccups but only time will tell. I still cant use it to its fullest capabilitys but i am deffinitly still a beginner. A new torch is in the works, it came with a 27 and i am buying a 9 for light alu. I think that about covers it, if anyone has any q's shoot me a pm or email. Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doublexl240z Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 just looked at tig machines most of yesterday at the PRI show. I can get a diversion165 for 1275 from cyberweld.com (delivered). One switch ac or dc, and a dial to set the thickness of the material, comes with a thumb controlled torch, ready to go. Foot control for an additional 135. Are you building bridges? space shuttle stuff? Do you know what all the switches do? Me neither, just want to weld stuff and make money!! The 165 will weld 3/16 all day, 1/4 if it is preheated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnc Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 Me neither, just want to weld stuff and make money!! They said that about the Internet too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fsuz32 Posted December 20, 2009 Share Posted December 20, 2009 I have had my thermal arc 185 for a couple months now and I love it. I tried using a diversion and it is a nice machine, but i don't like the "kid toy" type adjustment and the non removable torch so going watercooled later isn't a option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrandrei Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 My dad was able to buy a used 350 Syncrowave with cart, cooler, torch and all for $1500. It's pretty reliable! I think he found it on Craiglist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 I've had a Sycrowave 250 for about 15 years now. It's a great machine for SS and aluminum. I wouldn't go much lower than a 250 if aluminum is in your future. A 180 will be like trying to drive 10 penny nails with a tack hammer. you'll get there but it takes some time! Derek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeinCA Posted January 17, 2010 Share Posted January 17, 2010 At Wyotech we used precision tig 225 machines. Great welder, and it can take a lot of abuse, as i never saw one go down, with hundreds of students using and abusing them all day. Im planning on picking one up when i find the funds, and the space... Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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