another TIG welder thread

[Gusagus]

so i'm in the market for a new welder, the wife isn't happy since i already have 3 in the garage, but that's another story. so who knows what about TIG welders?

right now i'm looking at the Miller Syncrowave 200/250 DX AC/DC TIG/Stick, and a Dynasty 200 DX AC/DC. leaning towards the Syncrowave 200 mostly due to price.

[blackcloud]

The synchrowaves are really nice machines, we have a 500, and a 350 or 300 not sure, at work and they are really :grinpimp: , the fact that you can stick with them is also great since you dont need to have two machines next to you can just turn around and grab the other electrodes. The 500 has a watercooled torch and has been used all day long, for 12 hours straight with no problem. And I mean at high power, using 5/16" filler rod, to hardface mill equipment.

That said the Maxstar's are nice machines as well. Have you priced them at all? They are normally smaller for a given amperage machine from what ive seen. We worked with a 200 DX at work as well. It has some very nice features like programmable pre/post flow, ramp up and ramp down functions, pulse width, on time, all kinds of stuff. It was used to build an automated welder for a tube making machine:grinpimp: Worked great.

Havent worked with the dynastys yet, maybe later...

For a home shop, or production work, where it will be done by hand I would go with the synchrowave anyday. I would even think about waiting and finding a 500 on the used market. Depends what you want to do with it. the 200 is probably more than adequete for anything the truck would need welded up.

[300sniper]

i think most people will recommend you look for a used sw250. there were none to be had in my area when i needed to get a tig. i got the sw200 and am very happy with it. i am still learning to tig so i couldn't justify buying a new sw250. the price for the 250 was more than twice that of the 200. if you are looking for garage tig machine i think the sw200 is fine. if you can find the sw250 used for a decent price i would jump on that.

[Brian1]

I would also say to look around for a used SW250. I picked up mine for $1k with brand new argon tank (full), pedal, ground lead, gas regulator and torch. It also came with a used water cooled torch and stick lead. I had looked at buying new but my max price range would only get me the 180SW DX so I jumped at the 250SW deal. It is my first TIG machine and I am still learning to TIG but it has been a great machine so far.

[Jaydee1445]

Has anyone used a Thermal Arc 185? It is discused here
http://www.weldingweb.com/showthread.php?t=7839&highlight=arc+master+185
These guys sell it under the Firepower name for $1889
http://www.asedeals.com/firepower_tig.html

[Gusagus]

yes this is for a home shop use nothing production, just something to burn metal on the jeep, and maybe build some yard crap for the wife (need some reason to justify buying another welder). big thing is i don't want ot buy any more welders and want to be able to weld anything. don't need to get to crazy with the amperage but want enough to not worry about needing more. currently i have a mm175, an ooold craftsmen 225 ac stick, and a harbor freight TIG.

price on the sw200 is about my price range but might suck it up and wait a little longer if i really need that extra 50 in the sw250.

[Rock Ape]

Has anyone used a Thermal Arc 185? It is discused here
http://www.weldingweb.com/showthread.php?t=7839&highlight=arc+master+185
These guys sell it under the Firepower name for $1889
http://www.asedeals.com/firepower_tig.html

I have a thermal arc 185 great machine as long as 1/4 aluminum or smaller is gonna be enough for ya.I only use it for aluminum,I just mig steel.The best part is my old miller 180dx would pop my 50A breaker at times,this machine has yet to do it at all.:D

[BRAD D]

I have a Miller SW180 works mint and does all the fab work i need it to do.

[rokdog03]

I have a synchrowave 200 and m happy with it. But i have only used it a handfull of times. I wanted a dynasty 200dx but decided on the synchrowave for the price.

[SeanP]

what's a fair price for this SW180?

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/tls/309650830.html

[Brian1]

what's a fair price for this SW180?

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/tls/309650830.html

At least $500 less than the asking IMO. You can buy a brand new SyncWave200 for 1,815.00 to your door. Add in another 200-300 for bottle and you have a brand new slightly higher capacity machine.

[300sniper]

At least $500 less than the asking IMO. You can buy a brand new SyncWave200 for 1,815.00 to your door. Add in another 200-300 for bottle and you have a brand new slightly higher capacity machine.

it's actually $1974 for the sw200 "runner". that welder doesn't sound like a bad price with the bottle. personally, i would still rather spend a bit more to get a new sw200.

[Brian1]

personally, i would still rather spend a bit more to get a new sw200.

Agreed. I guess to be fair I should have compared to one with the running gear. But I dont see spending $160 extra for a cart when you can make a similar or better one for much less than that.

[CoryHinsz]

Have you guys ever checked out HTP? Their website is www.usaweld.com. I have used their Mig 200 and their Microcut 380 for about 9 years. Great machines and customer service. I plan on buying their Invertig 201 soon.