Does Anyone Like Their Transformer Better?

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I have been reading many posts touting the superiority of inverters over transformer TIGs.  They certainly have alot more features and the ability to fine tune welds over T machines.  As many of you know, I have vey limited TIG experience.  I'm in it for hobby purposes only.  I fired up the TA185 I bought for the first time last night.  Thank god it works.  What little I've learned so far has been on my Synchro 250.  I found that the arc of the Synchro was much "softer".  I was able to get a puddle going much easier than with the TA.  I played with the AC frequency as well and found I liked 60 Hz the best.  No surprise there.  I also futzed around with the balance controls.  The Synchro just feels "better". Has anyone had similar experiences with the arc?  It almost feels like I'm learning an entirely different method.   I was looking to get rid of my Synchro, but now I'm having second thoughts.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:i have a old dialarc HF at home and use a dynasty 200 at work i would take the old transformer machine any day over the dynasty i just like the hum of the transformers i guess
Reply:There's a reason the transformers (Syncrowaves) have continued to sell for over 35 years.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:Don't forget that the Synchro 250 has quite a bit more top end than the T/A185. That will surely help it start the puddle faster on thick metal.JohnA few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps
Reply:what tungsten are you using in your inverter?tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:Ceriated.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:i like lanthanated in my ta185tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:After changing over to inverters some years ago there is no way I would change back to transformer machines, especially for AC welding.On DC there's not a lot in it apart from the inverters being far more power friendly at the power supply side.On AC however the inverters give a lot more scope for change and their ability to fine tune AC Balance and AC frequency is far superior to the transformer tigs.On my Tigs, if I want them to act as a transformer Tig I'll swap them over to Sine wave, change the Hz frequency to 50-60 Hz and soften up the AC balance.It's pretty close to how our old Syncrowave 250 welds at those settings.Another thing the inverters are good at is looking after the tungstens at high amperages and their ability to push more amperage through smaller tungsten electrodes. (On AC welding).People like to quote about transformer machines legendary reliability. Ok but I also know a friend who has problems on his late model Synrowave 250 that simply cuts out after doing a lot of welding. His previous older model was much better with a much larger (and noisier) fan that seems to have a better ability to keep the machine cool.My own Japanese OTC inverter (one of the 1st inverters)  is over 10 years old and apart from cooking a couple of Tig torches is going fine and it gets used all day every day.I'd be curious to know the proportion of Inverter vs Transformer Tig machine sales by Miller now.Regards Andrew from Oz.
Reply:+1 for inverters.  I sold my Syncrowave 250 and bought a Dynasty 300DX 10 years ago and would never go back.  BTW, the Syncrowave needed a new circuit board after 5 or 6 years.  So far the Dynasty has been flawless.Dynasty 300DXSmith He/Ar gas mixerMM350PHobart Handler 120Smith LW7, MW5, AW1A
Reply:Drf255,I don't think you have enough seat time to notice the true differences between the two machines. I definitely don't tig much but did notice a diff between a Miller Aerowave and a TA185, of course this is justmatching the lower end. TheTA185 started the puddle quicker and with less amps considering both machines were set at the same amps. I do find it odd that you set the TA to mimic the settings SW rather then continuing to experiment more with the adjustability which will help especially on fillet welds on thinner Al.
Reply:I like my transformer machine just fine. It's a Esab 252, and really is one of the cheaper machine to fix. (if it blows) I had 3 Thermal AC/DC inverter machines, and the Esab can't compete with the overall quality of the AC arc. I know both sides, and for me the transformer machine works. Some people would never go back to that type of machine, I find after three years and the warranty is up, I always wonder if it's my lucky day when I flip the switch. (inverters) The Esab has been unchanged for many years, so it's a proven design. (no longer made) I generally just mess with the tungsten type, and shape, if I need a bit different type arc. (within the limitation of what you are working with) Better then a Inverter, no, good enough for me, yes..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:I'll take my 600 LB power hungry transformer anyday..It runs fine everyday with out the bells and whistles thank you....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterI'll take my 600 LB power hungry transformer anyday..It runs fine everyday with out the bells and whistles thank you....zap!
Reply:I'm with the Transformers my Ol' Idealarc 250 AC/DC tigstill brings home the bacon after 20 + years of servicekinda like a  GOOD woman  with a boat an motoridealarc 250/250 ac-dc tigidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tig #2 used for sticklincoln sp100hh125dual arbor grinder polisher30 yrs of hand tools52 pitch blocks 6p-26prake gauge -pitch gaugeG&D prop repair 918-207-6938Hulbert,okla 74441
Reply:that 330ABP is 830lbs naked!
Reply:Originally Posted by soutthpawthat 330ABP is 830lbs naked!
Reply:The 340 looks like a fridge..Can it keep beer cold too.
Reply:I would rather run the Syncrowave, or scratch stat TIG off the old Idealarc 250 than use the new Maxstar.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:The only inverter I have experience with is the XMT's that work has. That said, we still have many more transformers at work than Inverters. My home machine is a transformer (Idealarc 250) with scratch start. I like the simplicity of the scratch start transformers.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:Originally Posted by Jay ODrf255,I don't think you have enough seat time to notice the true differences between the two machines. I definitely don't tig much but did notice a diff between a Miller Aerowave and a TA185, of course this is justmatching the lower end. TheTA185 started the puddle quicker and with less amps considering both machines were set at the same amps. I do find it odd that you set the TA to mimic the settings SW rather then continuing to experiment more with the adjustability which will help especially on fillet welds on thinner Al.
Reply:I learned to weld using transformers and my first 3 jobs had only syncro's. Currently I don't own any transformers. I like my dynasty 200dx over my maxstar 150sth when compared on equal levels of steel and stainless, but it comes down to portability for me. The welder could be on 5 different jobs on any given day. Try moving a fridge 5 times a day and get work done.