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Hi folks,  I have picked up a Precision Tig 185 by Lincoln. Any tips on this machine? Is this a good unit? I'm new to tig so any advice on this machine is much appreciated. Thanks   Sorry, just did a search and have lots of info.Last edited by Burnt Shirt; 06-16-2007 at 09:17 AM.
Reply:the pt 185 is a very nice welding machine. great to learn on. enuff features, but not to many to get you off course. it is a great hobbyiest machine and good for light industrial work. the only downside to it, is the duty cycle at higher amps. DONT cycle the overheat to many times. not good for the machine. congrats and good luck. todd
Reply:I just bought a PT 225 a month ago, which is the same machine with a higher limit on the top end, and a smaller duty cycle to go with it. I think they are the same duty cycle at 185. It was my first TIG, and I am very impressed. I was told that 1/4 inch would be the thickest I could reasonably do with aluminum, but I have made a few brackets out of 1/2 inch and repaired some 3/8 inch stuff, by preheating the aluminum and limiting myself to short runs at the max amps. My work looks much better than it ever did with the old lincoln 225AC stick machine, and I can weld with my town clothes on if I want to!-Ryan McEachern
Reply:My wife bought the Lincoln PT 185 for my birthday a little over a year ago.  I love the machine. I learned to TIG on a Miller Syncro 300, but I do have the extra 100 amps that the Miller draws in my garage.  The Pt 185 has been a great TIG. I will be adding a longer water cooled torch to work on my boat's tower and railings. Today is Father's Day and I may already have these accessories without knowing it ...yet.Mike
Reply:I have been using a PT185 for about 2 years now. I have a home shop and have welded Stainless, Aluminum, and Mild steel without any difficulty. It's been a great machine for me, and since it's a home shop the duty cycle has never been a problem. The only improvement I have made it to upgrade to a lens kit. Are there specific features or questions that you want to know about the machine?
Reply:I have been using the PT225 since it came out last year.  I have used the much more sophisticated Lincoln and Miller machines.  I can do anything with the PT225 that I can do on the elaborate machines (within its amp range).  The other posts talk about thick stock, which it does well.  So, I will just let you know that it also is awesome on thinner stock.  I have welded a lot of 26 ga mild steel, and just for fun have welded the sharpened edges of razor blades together.  The machine has functioned flawlessly and is a great value!  Also, it is more stable and predictable as a stick welder than my Miller XMT! Born2Weld
Reply:I too have the PT 185 for about 18 months now. Never tig welded anything and very little of SMAW &MMAW.  iTS BEEN GREAT AND WITH IT i THINK i HAVE DOUBLED MY LEARNING CURVE, BECAUSE OF ITS FEATURES.  I do have a question and I am sure its in my book. But I know I will get a much more detailed response here, ( OK and I am a little lazy.....haha)   What is a duty cycle or overheat cycle as mentined in 2nd post. When he says  "dont cycle the overheat too many times."  I have never had a problems with it shuting down or any issues. Other than when my 8 Vizsla pupies decided to chew the torch hose, pinholes at first and I couldn't understand why my welds were starting to look bad.  Then the full out destruction of hose and footpedal. They were able to climb the 4 foot tall kennel and then 3 were climbing a 6 footer at only 15 weeks old...rediculous.One more question how long of a new torch hose and cable can be used without loosing alot of performance.   TIALast edited by PLUMMER; 07-07-2007 at 03:44 PM.500 AMP AIRCO TIG LINCOLN PT185 100% DC @ 128 AMP-WTFSPEED GLASS 9002X MILLER THUNDERBOLT 225HOBBIEST TURNED WELDING JUNKIE8 2ND FIRECAT - SNOWMOBILE RACE CHASSIS FABRICATORPRIDE IS WHAT MAKES YOUR WORK SO GOOD
Reply:Originally Posted by gavinpierceI have been using a PT185 for about 2 years now. I have a home shop and have welded Stainless, Aluminum, and Mild steel without any difficulty. It's been a great machine for me, and since it's a home shop the duty cycle has never been a problem. The only improvement I have made it to upgrade to a lens kit. Are there specific features or questions that you want to know about the machine?
Reply:I suppose I should be asking these questions in the Mig, Tig,etc. forum. DOH