Invertec V205-T Versus Precision 275 etc.

Tue, 31 Aug 2021 16:22:51 GMT

go to see Welding Machine for Invertec V205-T Versus Precision 275 etc.

I've been all over the web gathering good information, and a lot of it from this site, and want to thank al of you. I've wanted a tig welder for some time, and the cost, has allways been a factor. Right now, Sears has the early bird special, ten percent discount on Saterday mornings, from now till Christmas. It runs from 7 to 11, and the 275 price is 3099.99 and 390 shipping, plus tax, and the 205 is  2500. and about 40 shipping plus tax,before the 10% off . I'm really intrigued by waht I've heard about the 205, and think t could be a great little machine. However, for prolonged welding on anything over 3/16 it would not be of any real use, I'm afraid. Although, I've heard, that these inverters perform stronger than their counterparts with the same ratings, for internal reasons. Mainly the copper wound transformmers, from what I read. as opposed to alluminum windings. Which, makes sence. I was Really interested in the Esab  multimaster 260, till I found out the cost of all the BS to mak it work. Might as well just buy two machines, by the time you get done. Anyway, Anyone out ther used the 205 and how were feelings about it? Impressions, shortcomings, others comments, rumors, dilikes, likes, who to talk to. I know if I talk to lincoln, I'll get the party line, to the hilt. Truthfully, I dislike welding aluminum, as the only way I've done it is stick and brazing style, both tricky at best. Recently, I've been working on a project, where I've needed to have a tig rig, and had to hire the work out. Spent enough to buy a cheap rig already. Regreat , I didn't just go out and buy the machine, and do it myself, would have been money ahead. Nothing is ever easy, and buying a welder isn't. The farther you dig, the more you need to know, it seems. I started out,  thinking I could get by spending a 1 thousand to 2 thousand. After looking around, I know this isn't going to work.  I really don't want to step up to the 5K range, as I am wondering if I would ever get enough usage to even partially pay for it. I have been looking on Ebay, and missed out on a decent miller 350, for 3500 in Oklahoma. It went for 37 something, 3500 was buy it now. Snooze you loose, but was still mulling things over. Another Miller (3 months old) went for 2550, just 300 miles north of me.  Another good buy. Just not sure what it is I want, and  where I want to end up, as far welding capabilities. I've been looking at the used stuff turning up on Ebay, and have looked at several used millers, and have heard good things about the aircrafters, and prices are fairly reasonable. I've also looked into buying government surplus, mostly palatized bulk, needing repairs. Not knowing anything about how to repair these, this sounds a little spooky. I've seen some of these machines turning up on Ebay. and bringing around 500 or better each, to the unsuspecting. Still might be a good buy, who knows. Lastly, I want to thank each and every one of you, that have posted. I've enjoyed the questions and answeres. I haven't read all of these posts yet, nor gotten to stuff not related to tig welding. It has been of great help to me. This is a wonderfull resource, hopefully, I may repay, with some help of my own sometime.Have a wonderfull ChristmasRichSure hope I get to them golden years I keep hearing about. The ones I'm living now, hurt like the devil. Youth is wasted on the young.
Reply:i really like the thermal arc 185....much better then the 205tec........and i really love a good old syncrowave 250.......my suggestion to you is to do a bit more searchin before buyin !bonez
Reply:Why Thermal arc over 205, and how about larger thermal arc., as used one is one Ebay, I'm interesested in? Why 250 over 275. I've been informed that Lincoln has better arc characteristics, but less freindly on other aspects. such as repair response.  I also understand the 250 does not have full time watercooler but only when needed, which is another problem waiting to happen in my mind. Don't know about Lincoln in this respect. The 205 has a higher duty cycle rating, if I'm not mistaken, than the thermal arc 185, which is what I'm interested in. I will at times be pushing the limit on the 205. Most likely not for long, but It is a possibility. This is why, I am looking at larger machines. The 250 is also one of my possibilities. I would really like to step on up to the 350, but feel this is more than I can affor, and more than I need at this time, and possibly ever need.  I can buy the 205 tommorrow morning from wears fro 2250 plus shipping and tax. putting it at 2500 or a little less. A lot of money. To step up to either water cooled machine is gonna cost anothe big bill, to go new. On the other hand, andwater cooled torch and a homemade water cooer doesn't cost that much. Welding aluminum really requires the water cooler, and that's what I'm aiming at. I need more info to back up opinions. Opinions are like nose's, in that those are great, and everyone  has got at least one, but doesn't mean it's the right one, for the next guy, or gal. I can still appreciate yours though, and respect it, just need more facts and why you feel as you do, kind of things.Have a great Christmas.RichSure hope I get to them golden years I keep hearing about. The ones I'm living now, hurt like the devil. Youth is wasted on the young.
Reply:RichI've had an Invertec V-205 for a year now. No problems at all and is a real nice machine. Lots of power of 110V, have had it up to 120A for about 2 minutes at a time. On 230V huge power, actually haven't even used all 200A, with a great duty cycle. But then again I haven't welded anything thicker than 1/4 inch. If portability is an issue this machine is perfect for that, weighing only 33lbs. It's pretty easy to learn how to set up and the full featured pulse is awesome when set up correctly. Welding aluminum is where this machine and inverters in general, shine. It's way better than any transformer based machine I've tried (Lincoln Square Wave 255 and Lincoln Square Wave 355). Although the S.W. 255 has unbeleivable arc quality on DC.  Since you need to do aluminum I would favour the 205. Of course, It won't have the power necessary for real thick pieces (1/2 inch +) unlike the PT 275 and other large machines. But if your welding thinner pieces than that, it will do it quite nicely. If you will be welding over 100A for longer than a few minutes I highly suggest you get a water cooled torch. If you have any more questions feel free to ask.
Reply:Thanks Farkman,  I have located a 255 used for 1500 that was used in a high school if I'm not mistaken. You can see where someone, stuck a hot tungstun to the touchpad and screwed up the machine. This was the weak point on these machines from what I can gather. The larger welding abilities is what I'm concerned with. although I don't know, as I will ever weld anything thicker than 1/4 inch or even 1/8, aluminum, it's something to think on. Steel I'm not to concerned with, and stainle either, although, it would be nice to be able to do it all. I would like to know more, on the difference you're talking about in regards to the differences. I don't have a problem, buying a water cooled torch, as an extra, but what I don't want is to run out of power. I really like the idea of the V205, and it apeals strongly to me, but I hear the 255 calling, after looking at it. Puts me into a bigger machine for less money. I  have some thoughts on how to protect the touch pad. Thought I would put a lexan cover over it for protection, pr even built an aluninum  flip up panel. To expensive a piece to take chances on damaging to leave exposed. Run a piece of steel into the front, and ther goes some serious money. Anyway, 1500 puts me into a good 2000  model machine with a 6 month waurantee. I haven't been back to the board till today, so I hadn't seen your post, to reply, but sure apreciate the input. Sears has the best buy on these machine at present that I know of. The 205 and 275 that is. 205 is 2499.99, and precision 275 is 3099.99 , but on the every saturday morning before Christmas , early bird special, ordering online got your the machine for 10% off. Catch is, you have to pay shipping. Real booger there. For me on the 275, it's 386$. total to my door 3300, roughly,tax and all. You make out on the 205 somewhat better, as ther is a rebate of 12$ on shipping from sears, actually on both welders. So the 205 is around 24 to 25 hundred total. I know you can still finagle this price, through Sears. They have this early bird price several times a year. The Lincolns are online only though. Lotta people don't even know they have them. Rich.Sure hope I get to them golden years I keep hearing about. The ones I'm living now, hurt like the devil. Youth is wasted on the young.
Reply:RichIn my personal opinion, the 255 is not the greatest machine to use for aluminum. Although the only TIG welders I've used are the V-205, S.W. 255 and S.W. 355. I'm not saying it's bad, but the 205 is much more suited to the task. It has variable AC frequency which is very nice for producing a really tight focused arc. Plus, I really like the way you can set up the machine exactly the same ever time due to the digital display. By the way, what are you going to be welding? If you feel that your never going to weld more than 1/4" you'll do well with the 205. Of course, welding 1/4" will not allow you to weld continuously, you'll likely have a 50-60% duty cycle. Just as a side note, the 205 welds very nicely on stick as well. I know Lincoln rates the machine as average, not excellent, for stick on their website but it welds very nicely (comparing this to a Lincoln Idealarc 250 that I've used at school). This is using 1/8" 7018's on DCSP at ~120A. Also, do you think that portability will ever be an issue for you. If it will be then the 205 wins hands down (33lbs vs. 200-300lbs). Finally if your going to be doing a lot of welding you'll save some money with the 205 because it's much more energy efficient.Do you think you can find a place where you can try the 205, P.T. 275 and S.W. 255 to do a comparison. It would help you determine which welder would suit your needs the best.Peter
Reply:the testing of different models is a problem. I don't have access. I live in the armpit of the world, here in southern Illinois. It would be easieer, for me to test out different Meth lab technics, than to test out welders. One on every corner, our last sheriff, I think was in one it. The one we have now is making a dent in the meth, hopefully he can get it down to nearly nothing. The stuff has touched a lot of our lives around here, and ruined a lot of young lives. sorry, got off subject.I can't test run the 255, as it needs a new board, and touch pad. I need to call back over, and find out what it does, and does not have, as it is a 2000 model. So it may have some of the newer stuff on it. Portability would be nice. I noticed a Thermal arc 300 on Ebay, in Alaska, for 2950, wit accesories. I thought these wre strictly DC machines, but apparently not. haven't heard to much about those machines, have you ? This one is used. Not crazy aabout paying that much for a used machine, especially from Alaska, but sounds interesting enough to ask about. The stats sounded good, but you know how stats are.Talk to you later,RichSure hope I get to them golden years I keep hearing about. The ones I'm living now, hurt like the devil. Youth is wasted on the young.
Reply:RichI haven't heard anything about the Thermal Arc 300. However if it is as good as the Thermal Arc 185, from what I hear, it too should be a good machine. As for the 255, does the price that you said include the repair (I'm assuming it does but you never know). As I said before the 255 is not as good on aluminum as the 205 and that is what you'll be using it for mainly. Forget about portability with the 255. Do you have a 50+ amp, 230V circuit to run the 255 or the 275 off of. I guess you just have to decide for yourself what you need and what you want. If you don't really need portability and have enough juice to power a 255 or 275 then by all means get one of those, they are good welders. However, if you need portabilty, need to run the machine on 110V occasionally and want a machine that is much more adjustable and suited for aluminum then the 205 is the ticket.Peter