Syncrowave 180

[Mechanos]

Looking at an older Syncrowave 180. Appears to be all analog... no digital readouts, no AC Balance, does not have squarewave or pulse. Is it worth looking into? or is it too antiquated?

[PAToyota]

Depends on what you want to use it for. It isn't the most versatile thing out there.

[Azzy2000]

I have a newer (5 years old or so) Synchrowave 180 (squarewave w/ digital) and while it has been an excellent welder, it is not very versatile. It will not accept a water cooled torch and not well suited for a lot of heavy welding. I am looking to sell mine and upgrade to a Dynasty in the near future.

It really comes down to how much you can get it for, and if it will wok well for you. I would say pass it up and look for something a bit newer/better/more versatile unless you can get it for very cheap.

[95geo]

I would look for something that you can get a water cooled torch on, it really is a huge difference when you are welding. I have a few year old syncrowave 250dx and I am very glad I went with the 250 over the 180 I was considering.

$0.02

[fulltrack]

Originally Posted by Mechanos

Looking at an older Syncrowave 180. Appears to be all analog... no digital readouts, no AC Balance, does not have squarewave or pulse. Is it worth looking into? or is it too antiquated?

It really depends on what you want to do. It would be just fine for welding steel, but you won't weld thick alum with it. Accepting a water cooled torch is kind of pointless as the 180 doesn't really have the duty cycle to support the need for it.

[Mechanos]

Originally Posted by Azzy2000

I have a newer (5 years old or so) Synchrowave 180 (squarewave w/ digital) and while it has been an excellent welder, it is not very versatile. It will not accept a water cooled torch and not well suited for a lot of heavy welding. I am looking to sell mine and upgrade to a Dynasty in the near future.

It really comes down to how much you can get it for, and if it will wok well for you. I would say pass it up and look for something a bit newer/better/more versatile unless you can get it for very cheap.

Yeah, it's priced comparable to what I'd expect a newer digital machine should cost. After talking to the guy, I doubt very seriously that he could be convinced to accept a more reasonable offer.

[NorthWestFab]

We've got a 180 and it doesn't have enough juice. If you preheat things you can get away with it, but I would hold out for a 250 if you are doing aluminum TIG.

[Dustin]

I have one of the newer digital 180s and I like it. I can run out of power pretty quick doing thick aluminum, but overall it works well. Mine was almost new and I got it for 1000 with a big bottle. They can be converted to a water cooled setup without any real hassle. Mine is.

[Azzy2000]

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...ght=miller+200

[sn0border88]

Originally Posted by NorthWestFab

We've got a 180 and it doesn't have enough juice. If you preheat things you can get away with it, but I would hold out for a 250 if you are doing aluminum TIG.

Doesnt have enough juice is relative. We have the exact one you are talking about at the shop, and it does exactly what its designed to do. Welds anything up to 180 amps, does alu. alright but like mentioned it doesnt have adjustable balance (but in most cases isnt needed)

It runs stick fairly well too, but recently I think we fried the pot. for the amp dial. What do you expect, its been in heavy service for quite a few years now.

The aircooled torch is kind of cumbersome IMO, but thats because normally I weld with a watercooled WP-20 which is tiny by comparison.

Bottom line, great entry machine and does exactly what it claims it can do. Will do 3/16 aluminum, 1/4 with some preheat. Runs stick, scratch start tig and remote. Small and relatively cheap