Miller Dynasty 200

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Hey guys,The welding class I'm currently in at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo has 25 of the Miller Dynasty 200s that were donated by Miller. I'm looking at buying my own TIG/Stick setup and I am wondering what would compare to this machine in quality and features, without such a high price tag. I really like the idea of welding aluminum, but I guess I don't really have to.Thanks
Reply:I personally own a Thermal Arc 185 that I really like. 95% of the welding I do is aluminum. The only thing I don't like about it is I wish I had the extra 15 amps sometimes on some of the aluminum I weld. or should I say the aluminum I wish I could have weldedAlso check out the HTP Invertig 201. I've seen nothing but good things said about the machine and the company.http://www.htpweld.com/products/tig_welders/tig201.htmlI suggest searching the forum for "thermal arc"  "ta 185" and "invertig". Should provide lots of info on both welders. I'd love to own a Dynasty 200, but being a hobbyist welder, I can't afford the big price difference.Campbell Hausfeld Fluxcore 80Thermal Arc 185Millermatic 250JD Squared model 32 bender
Reply:gtcway, yeah, but if you had the dynasty you'd wish you had 15 MORE amps.  It's a never ending cycle.Dynasty200DX w/coolmate1MM210MM VintageESAB miniarc161ltsLincoln AC225Victor O/A, Smith AW1ACutmaster 81IR 2475N7.5FPRage3Jancy USA1019" SBAEAD-200LE
Reply:if you do a lot or mostly aluminum you owe it to yourself to try a helium mix instead of straight argon if you haven't tried that yet, will make your welder weld like a bigger machine...miller 330a bp TIGmiller dynasty 200DX TIGmillermatic 185 MIGthermal dynamics cutmaster 101 plasma cuttersnap-on YA5550 plasma cutterhypertherm powermax 30 plasma cutterbaileigh CS225 cold sawetc....
Reply:Everlast 250EXMillermatic 251Spectrum 300 PlasmaEverlast PowerTig 250EXEverlast PowerCool W300Harris / Victor OACraftsman 13 Speed Drill PressProTools Air/Hydraulic Bender48" BrakeCompressor, Notchers, Grinders, etc.
Reply:Originally Posted by turbocad6if you do a lot or mostly aluminum you owe it to yourself to try a helium mix instead of straight argon if you haven't tried that yet, will make your welder weld like a bigger machine...
Reply:Originally Posted by RugarEverlast 250EX
Reply:Originally Posted by gtcwayI just found out about that machine and it looks really nice. Not as nice as a Dynasty, but perfect for what I need. Only thing I'm concerned about is warranty/parts 5 years from now.
Reply:What isn't made in China these days? Even the American "made" machines are probably just assembled in the US with parts made in China. I'm going to try a helium mix and see how that goes. If it works as well as I've heard it will, I might be okay with the Thermal Arc for a while, but I'm definitely interested in getting the Everlast 250 or the 256 with plasma cutter next year.Campbell Hausfeld Fluxcore 80Thermal Arc 185Millermatic 250JD Squared model 32 bender
Reply:Sounds crazy (since their made in china) but i think everlast is pretty good. I have read nothing but good about them and i hear their tech support is top notch. Jody (weldingtipsandtricks.com) did a review of the 250ex and compared it with his dynasty and said they both welded the exact same. A dynasty is top notch cost $$$ too,  if your using it every single day and making money with it then its worth it, but if your a hobbiest and making general repairs here and thier then an everlast might be good for you. Don't count out the thermal arc 185 either, thats another great machine. Its all up to what your budget allows really.ShaneYa gotta spend money to make money!
Reply:Originally Posted by gtcwayWhat isn't made in China these days? Even the American "made" machines are probably just assembled in the US with parts made in China. I'm going to try a helium mix and see how that goes. If it works as well as I've heard it will, I might be okay with the Thermal Arc for a while, but I'm definitely interested in getting the Everlast 250 or the 256 with plasma cutter next year.
Reply:Wow thanks for all the good info. I'll spend some time researching and get back to you all on what I decide.
Reply:The big thing that you're paying for with the Dynasty 200 is the Autoline: the ability to plug it into anything up to 460 3ph. If you don't want or need that feature, then the Everlast would be a good choice, from what I've read. I considerd the Everlast when I was looking at welders, but the portability and  versatility of the Dynasty allowed be the Autoline is a big part of what sold me.
Reply:Originally Posted by PeterTrocewiczThe big thing that you're paying for with the Dynasty 200 is the Autoline: the ability to plug it into anything up to 460 3ph. If you don't want or need that feature, then the Everlast would be a good choice, from what I've read. I considerd the Everlast when I was looking at welders, but the portability and  versatility of the Dynasty allowed be the Autoline is a big part of what sold me.
Reply:The portability is a large part of my business plan, thus the Dynasty's portability and ability to run on just about any current is important to me. Most of my money is made in repair welding. My shop has a dedicated 50A 240V circuit, but many of my customers that want mobile work done don't. And some don't want/can't have an engine-driven welder running in the neighbourhood. So my Dynasty has the standard 6-50 plug on, but I have adapters made so that I can plug into just about anything. I'll take the generator if I have to. I also have a small  #16 bottle of argon, that I can just throw in the back of the car, which is only used for mobile work.
Reply:I have a Dynasty 200 DX I use for stainless and light aluminum.  I got it as a refurb, but have enjoyed every use since I got it.  And its very handy to throw in the back seat of the truck for portable jobs.  I have more than paid for the machine in BS remote aluminum fixes running off the bobcat or trailblazer.Lots of toys.
Reply:I bought a little Everlast 200  amp (DC) multifunction unit a few months ago and am really happy with it and with the dealer.  For an inexpensive machine the plasma cutter is quite amazing, slices thru 3/4" very nicely. Nothing wrong with the way it welds either, but it is only DC.On the other hand my neighbour is selling his Bakery Equipment business and has a near new Miller Dynasty 200 DX which he says he is putting aside for me, price unknown at the moment but likely around $1500. As the French Canadians say "I don't say no to that!"
Reply:Originally Posted by worntornOn the other hand my neighbour is selling his Bakery Equipment business and has a near new Miller Dynasty 200 DX which he says he is putting aside for me, price unknown at the moment but likely around $1500. As the French Canadians say "I don't say no to that!"
Reply:I have a Dynasty DX and love it.  Make sure you get a DX and not an SD, the SD doesn't have half the adjustments of the DX.I use mine for everything, too, I built a pair of large stainless tanks, two smaller heated tanks, a sink for a restaurant, and a bunch of oddball aluminum repairs, plus I built a trailer running stick on it.Last edited by 4x4_Welder; 11-03-2010 at 08:20 PM.
Reply:For me, it was a choice between the Dynasty 200, TA185, TA200, Lincoln Invertec V205T and HTP Invertig 201.   I chose the TA185 and have been very happy with it.  No problems with it whatsoever since 2006 and I do take it out on the truck for mobile jobs as well as using in the garage shop.   It does everything I need it to and more.  My only regret is I didn't spend $1500 more for the TA300.  At the time, a 300 amp machine was not in the budget so I got what I could afford.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:I've heard lots of good reports on the TA units. I've also read in some posts that these are seen as a US built item and in other posts that they were thought to be Italian built. This is from Duncan from Everlast Canada. Duncan is a straight shooter."They are manufactured for Thermal Arc by a Factory located in Shanghai Pudong district in China. I recently had a tour of the Facility to see manufacturing procedures. cheers,  Titan Winch"
Reply:My TA185 was made in Japan, says so right on the machine.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:"My TA185 was made in Japan, says so right on the machine. "I guess like most of these companies they move things around as opportunities arise.
Reply:Any comments or reviews on the Longevity combo machines?