Thunderbolt XL vs DX200

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I have an AC/DC Thunderbolt XL and would like to learn to Tig.  I don't know a dang thing about TigI have two questions:1)What Tig setup should I purchase2)Since I can stick weld on my Tig can I sell the stick machine to pay for the Tig.Here are the details:I have 220 v power at my shop.I want to buy a really good Tig machine and not feel like I have to upgrade later so I want a water-cooled torch etcI own a Thunderbolt XLDoes the DX200 do everything the Thunderbolt XL does or does the Thunderbolt have a better duty cycle or the ability to weld thicker metal etc.  In other words can I sell the Thunderbolt to partially pay for the DX200 without giving up any capabilities?Is there a machine I should be looking at other than the DX200 with water-cooled torch?  I want to spend the money to do it right the first time.  Being able to use 110 power is attractive but I don't want that to limit me.I own a MM211 as well.I am a hobbyist and don't really weld more than 3/8" but would like to weld thicker on the off chance I every build a tank.
Reply:Are you welding aluminum? 200 amps might limit you there. I recently purchased a syncrowave 250 and am selling my Hobart Stickmate (virtually the same as a thunderbolt)...no need to keep the stickmate. That said, you will spend thousands on a dynasty and might recover 3-400 tops for your ThunderboltMiller Multimatic 255
Reply:I would like to weld aluminum.  I know i won't recover much for the thunderbolt but if it doesn't do anything the new machine does is there any reason to keep it?If I want to do aluminum what machine should I be looking at?
Reply:The question is how thick do you want to do? A Dynasty 200 will do 3/16" alum if set properly no problem. If you want to tig thicker alum, you'll need more power. Something like a Syncrowave 250, Dynasty 350 or a monster like Terry's Dynasty 700. Of course the price tag goes up along with your max amps.Most home hobbyists almost never need to weld alum thicker than say 1/8" on average. That keeps you in the 200 amp range and at reasonable prices. If you push it up to say 1/4", then you are up in the Syncrowave 250 range or one of the bigger Dynasty's. Used syncrowave 250's can be found at reasonable prices fairly regularly, but bigger Dynasty's hit the wallet hard.Many opt to go with mig for thicker alum vs spending huge amounts on a bigger tig they seldom need..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:no reason to keep it. A number of people have said the DX280 might be a better choice for aluminum work. I find the HTP Invertig pretty interesting as well. What is your budget? A brand new water cooled DX200 is ~$5,000. A new water cooled DX280 is about $6,000. That's a lot of money for a hobby. You may be better off trying to find a used machine.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:Is there a machine comparable in quality and performance for a lower cost than the DX280?
Reply:Nope. The cheaper alternatives are all Chinese made. You could step down to a used syncrowave for anywhere from $1500 to say roughly $2500-ish, depending on the age of the machine. syncrowaves are not inverters though and take up more space, need more power. I love mine.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:Syncrowave 250=310 amps of "set phasers to kill" awesomeness....Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:A Thunderbolt is a low end machine. Anytime you talk about TIG and aluminum in the same sentence, include $$$$ as well! You don't need a water cooled torch right off the bat but if you wanted to go that route, you'd also need a water cooler and you'd want a foot pedal. If you want weld 3/8" aluminum, expect to pay at least a couple thousand for good used machine. It's possible to find an older Lincoln Idealarc TIG 300 or a similar Miller but these are HUGE power hungry machines. You might want to rethink your plans for a TIG machine.
Reply:Well, huge in comparison to what? A syncrowave 250 is about 350 lbs and maybe the size of an old tube style console TV. But the old 330A/B Ps are twice as big and twice as heavy. So it is a matter of relativity. It does suck power. Miller recommends 4 gauge conductor and 100 amp breakers to feed this thing, but that's not as bad as everyone makes it out to be. Its not like you need to have a dedicated sub panel or anything.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:Good morning, Dan.I'm a hobbiest too. Sounds like we have a lot in common (see my equipment list in signature).It took me well over a year to find a used Syncrowave 250 with cooler and foot pedal that I could afford, but I really enjoy that machine! I have it on a 50 amp breaker and in 2 years I have never had to reset the breaker. I TIG weld aluminum (not as pretty as I would like) and steel. I have a stinger but never used it. It does take up more space than a Dynasty, but that is not a problem for me. If I sold my Tbolt, that would free up about half the actual footprint of the Sync. Remember you will need an argon tank or two and that takes space too. I would much rather have my Sync and $2000+ in the bank than a new Dynasty.Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:I actually spent a lot of time stick welding with my Stickmate and my Syncrowave this past week, and I have to say the Stickmate is going to find a new home soon. I found the Syncrowave to be a MUCH better stick welder than the Stickmate/Thunderbolt.Miller Multimatic 255