Any disadvantage to new non-inverter machine.?

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..Hey guys.. LWS has suggested that based on my guestimations of what I'd like to do, a Lincoln Precision TIG 225(K2535-2) would be the ticket.. Ha had some nice lookin little widgets someone had welded with it there including a coupla 'loominum can sections welded together.. Price is in the right range $2600 out the door with my own gas bottle and gas.Haven't really researched that price but it seems inline with everyone else. Looked into the machine a bit and it seems that it's not really an inverter machine unless I'm missin somethin(completely possible). Is that good, bad or indifferent.? Most application once this thing gets rollin somewhere down the line will be on .070"-.250" AL. Till I get some formal schooling starting in Jan. might mess with the Stick a little bit. Portability's prolly a nice thing but I don't really know if it's a deal breaker at this point. How about resale.? Do these hold their value pretty good in the event of a flake-out.? ..Any help mucho appreciated..     d:^)  Schneeks..ESAB 161 LTSCommunicate & adapt, diggit.?ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
Reply:http://www.harrisweldingsupplies.com...-pakwcart.aspxEsab/Lorch ET-220iEsab 160i caddyThermal LM-200 Lincoln feedersThermal Pee-Wee 85sThermal 60i- 3phase /RPC powered (Beast)Thermal Drag-gun 35CINE 1500 Klutch 140i
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Reply:OK.. LWS has the unit itself priced at $2188. I'm not sure if the long distance dealings are worth the extra $100. 'Specially if I can beat'em up to price match, which can prolly be done.. 'Course, taxes are nearly $200 on that local deal.. Definately worth considering...Thanks for pointin it out.. Any opinions on the machine.?    d:^)  Schneeks..ESAB 161 LTSCommunicate & adapt, diggit.?ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
Reply:It's a good machine, It's a bit more powerful then a Thermal-arc arcmaster 185.  You can get a bit more power out of the 185 with the wave-balance and freq control. Still the extra amps of the Lincoln seems to wet-out 3/8 aluminum ok. So your .250 is a reasonable figure with the PT-225. I liked it fine, and you probably will too.Esab/Lorch ET-220iEsab 160i caddyThermal LM-200 Lincoln feedersThermal Pee-Wee 85sThermal 60i- 3phase /RPC powered (Beast)Thermal Drag-gun 35CINE 1500 Klutch 140i
Reply:..From the looks of some of y'all's sig lines collectin machines seems to be part of this gig anyways..     d:^) Schneeks..ESAB 161 LTSCommunicate & adapt, diggit.?ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
Reply:Let me answer your question this way. Inverters are smaller machines and they use less electrical power to the same work. Most have high speed switching in AC tig that allows for TIG welding with out continuous HF. A lot are DC TIG only. When the die it can be very expensive to repair. The precision tig is a 60 hz TIG welder. transformer supply SCR control. Very good TIG welder. depending which options are installed. This welder can do a lot.You should not be disappointed going either way. Try to get a demonstration of both types of welder. This way you can see for your self how they operate.
Reply:..Thanks fellas.!!  Seems like it's kindof comin down to this one new or the 200DX used..    d:^)  Schneeks..ESAB 161 LTSCommunicate & adapt, diggit.?ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
Reply:I have one transformer ( a Syncrowave 250) and one inverter (a XMT 300) in my shop.They are both good welders.The inverter is lighter- if you need to move it around a lot, thats a good thing- I have taken the inverter to a lot of job sites- one guy can easily carry it up stairs.The transformer machine requires my forklift to get it into the back of the truck.The inverter takes a much smaller breaker, for the same, or more, output- its electrically more efficient. And it will run on any power- 220, 240, 440, 3 phase, single phase- whatever you got, you hook it up, and its happy. The transformer machine needs a 100 amp breaker to be happy, especially welding stuff like aluminum or copper, which suck up the amps.BOTH are expensive to fix when they break.Neither Lincoln nor Miller has made a transformer machine for at least 20 years that doesnt have circuit boards and electronics in em, and when they go, they are expensive to fix.An inverter machine is no more likely to break than a transformer, and, when either breaks, expect to spend big bucks. Luckily, both Miller and Lincoln build very good quality welders, and they seldom break.My transformer machine has blown a circuit board. My inverter never has- but thats just luck. Some people are lucky, and their welders never break.
Reply:Ries-Thanks for the response.. Sounds logical. Ain't nothin cheap to fix if ya can't do it yerself anymore. I guess my main concern if I went with a setup like the PT 225 was gettin some kindof an Albatross that would be hard to move at an acceptable loss (assuming new purchase) if things didn't work out or I needed to upgrade later. .. I'm still on the fence, but leaning more t'wards the inverter machines right now. Mainly on size, resale and flexibility points. I just don't have the room for a big unit in my work area at this point in time. The PT's not too big, tho'.. Still a little much for just tossin in the truck. On a positive note it is an affordable unit that seems like it'd do the job. Long as it was in reach of the setup.. ..Might better be findin a piece of wood on that "inverter never has" remark..   d:^)  Schneeks..ESAB 161 LTSCommunicate & adapt, diggit.?ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
Reply:I don't think it would be too difficult to sell any low end (under $2K new) AC/DC Tig machine, seems there are always guys looking for them.  Depends on your definition of "acceptable loss" though, for a couple year old machine @ ~ $2K new, I'd say $1500 would be fair, a buddy of mine would probably think if he got less than $2200 he's getting ripped off, LMAO.  I bought the PT225 and haven't even used the torch yet because I'll be learning Tig in school in January.  I did use a Lincoln V205 inverter at school for stick, running 6010 and 7018 in all positions.  It is a very slick machine and is more adjustable than the PT 225.  You can change from crisp to soft by pushing 1 button, and it remembers your amps for each.  Say you have it set to 77 amps on crisp and 85 on soft, and finish up running a 7018 on soft setting and need to go back to a 6010.  Just hit the button to cycle back to crisp setting, and it will automatically be back on 77 amps.   It does not have an adjustable arc force setting but no big deal.  The inverter is obviously more flexible but the main thing for me was $1950 vs. $3500.  And that's not counting a stinger, gas bottle, electrodes, hood, other protective gear, or any other tools that you will need.
Reply:My esab 252 has pretty cheap and fixable boards in it. Really can't say that about the three four thermal-arc inverters I owned, One board blew up and it was $1800.00  in a Prolite LM-300. Couple of boards in the Esab, and it might hit $500 tops on the largest one. Still repairable too. Sometimes inverters can really bite you hard. The Esab is the only non inverter welder I have, and I am keeping this one.Esab/Lorch ET-220iEsab 160i caddyThermal LM-200 Lincoln feedersThermal Pee-Wee 85sThermal 60i- 3phase /RPC powered (Beast)Thermal Drag-gun 35CINE 1500 Klutch 140i
Reply:Josh- Yeah, being in the biz I'm in, it really pains me to pay retail for anything, I negotiate with my Dr.!!  There's prolly a few more machines that I haven't known to research so that's why I'm pesterin here and takin my time. Thanks for your input.. Nice buck, BTW. Weight.? I know those Ill. deer can be bruisers.  BrandX- I've seen the ESAB name in sig lines. Haven't researched them yet either. Will do.. Thanks for your input..    d:^)  Schneeks..ESAB 161 LTSCommunicate & adapt, diggit.?ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
Reply:Remember to count the cost of a water cooler for the torch. Water cooling is mandatory at those amp levels.  Of course the water can be supplied from the tap, but it must continue to flow uninterrupted.City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:Originally Posted by SchneekyNice buck, BTW. Weight.? I know those Ill. deer can be bruisers.
Reply:The closest I ever came to buying a new truck was a 2 year old Ford Sportrac. On the way home from the purchase I met my wife for a celebratory dinner at a local restaurant. On the way home from the dinner I was T-boned by a deer...No more too new trucks for me, thanks..    d:^)  Schneeks..ESAB 161 LTSCommunicate & adapt, diggit.?ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
Reply:Disadvantaegs to a transformer-based TIG welder compared to an inverter-based TIG welder?- bigger- heavier- no frequency or waveform adjustements for AC- not as efficient on input power usageThese things may matter to you or they may not matter much or at all.http://lincolnelectric.com/knowledge...t/inverter.aspPower efficiency can matter both for the actual energy cost used to run the machine and from the infrastructure 'cost' to support the machine.  Inverter machine might run just fine on a 30-50 amp breaker/circuit, while a 'comparable' transformer machine may need a 100 amp breaker/circuit.One example showing that is here:http://content.lincolnelectric.com/p...ture/nx330.pdfFor AC usage on aluminum, the balance adjustment is usually broader for an inverter machine.  Usually not all that big of a deal there, but sometimes those 'little' differences matter.Again, for AC on aluminum, the waveforms can often be adjusted on the inverter machine.  May matter, may not.The frequency adjustment is usually a bigger deal for the inverter machine.  Increasing the Hz (frequency) of the AC 'tightens' the arc and narrows the arc/weld.Oh, and also, because of the inverter's electronics switching speed, they often do not have to run a high-frequency 'overlay' on the arc, so you can get a 'benefit' of not having  all that RFI while welding.  The arc lights up and then the only frequency is the AC frequency of the waveform itself without any overlayed high-frequency.Both can let you make welds (operator skill dependent  ).  Inverter-based machine may give you some more options on the settings and arc adjustments beyond what you can do with a transformer-based machine.You pays your money and you makes your choices.    The best laid schemes ... Gang oft agley ...
Reply:Thanx, Moonrise.. Good schtuff to consider.   d:^)  Schneeks..ESAB 161 LTSCommunicate & adapt, diggit.?ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ