Tig Practice pics and TA186

admin

Hello Everyone,               Was doing a lil tig practice today with the old dry rig touch start setup. I am not the greatest tig welder, I mainly do Mig and Stick at work. 17 series torch, gas lens, valve, running off the miller pro300. No foot pedal or amp control about 95 amps, 3/32 tungsten, 1/8 filler (all i had) probably a little too hot in the second pic as I got some oxidation on the other side. Not a bad setup for dc barebones tig.   However,          I am looking into getting a TA186 ac/dc to run off my 300 for mobile aluminum tig . I see that the 186 is cheaper than the well reviewed 185. I've heard this is because they are manufacturing oversees now and what not. They give the machine a 3 year warranty so im not really having too many second thoughts on ordering one. the guy at the LWS is getting back to me with a price . the best deal i found online for the base package is around 1600. Does anyone have any experience with this machine? Thanks Attached ImagesLast edited by MillerManJohnny; 04-23-2013 at 01:57 PM.-MMJMiller PRO 300 CC/CV MitsubishiMiller Big Blue 502D CC/CV DeutzMiller XMT300Miller Suitcase 12RC  Lincoln Invertec V310 ACLincoln  Power Mig 250Lots and Lots of Dual Shield
Reply:I demoed on and although a little whacky to set the controls, it puts out a nice strong arc, AC or DC. The pedal has an issue where it steps up or down on current amount on a good amoun of these machines.Someone on this forum zeroed in on the problem which points a finger at SCC controls who makes the foot pedal. A tight fitup somewhere makes the potentiometer catch somehow. I have the same on on my ThermalArc 400 and is does not do that.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:Is the 186 on the street?  I saw a video which showed release this summer.  I have the Longevity 200EX, which sure looks like the twin to the 186.  Panel layout is different, but the specs are awfully close, and the interior looks identical.
Reply:cope, The funny thing is last week I was on ThermalArc's website and it showed the 186ac/dc. When i went to the LWS today we looked on TA's site and it was not listed. I told him it was on there last week and he  thought i was crazy or somethin. So he called and they explained that they do have it in stock. Also, you can purchase them on ebay from various dealers but I decided to go to the local joint instead. (Owner's a good guy).-MMJMiller PRO 300 CC/CV MitsubishiMiller Big Blue 502D CC/CV DeutzMiller XMT300Miller Suitcase 12RC  Lincoln Invertec V310 ACLincoln  Power Mig 250Lots and Lots of Dual Shield
Reply:Originally Posted by MillerManJohnnycope, The funny thing is last week I was on ThermalArc's website and it showed the 186ac/dc. When i went to the LWS today we looked on TA's site and it was not listed. I told him it was on there last week and he  thought i was crazy or somethin. So he called and they explained that they do have it in stock. Also, you can purchase them on ebay from various dealers but I decided to go to the local joint instead. (Owner's a good guy).