Which AC/DC TIG machine to get?

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I'm looking at picking up one within the next few weeks. I'm new to TIG (as you can see by my boardname). I have a mm135 which has come in handy but I want to weld Al so I can build an intercooler and intake manifold for my car.I'm looking at the Miller Syncrowave 200 and Thermal Arc Pro-Wave 185TSW. Since they are in the same price range.If you had to choose, which one would you pick?
Reply:If I had to pick, I'd go with the thermal arc.  They syncrowave is BIG because it's a transformer based machine...not that this is bad, I use one and really like it.  It just limits the adjustability somewhat and portability alot.  Just my opinion...get others before you decide.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:I'm personally on the fence between the TA185 and the HTP Invertig 201.  The TA185 is a bit less expensive but the HTP supposedly has a better low end.  Either welder is a great deal less expensive than squarewave TIG inverters from either Lincoln or Miller.  Many folks on the forums have experience with the TA185 and really love it.I'd personally opt for an inverter over a transformer machine just about any day of the week.  They're lighter and more efficient.  I have found that if I forego the cart, I can get my 400 amp MIG power supply, the wire feeder, a 125CF cylinder of C25 and a chop saw in the trunk of my Honda Accord.  That's a big benefit to me when I want to drive 150 miles round trip to do some welding for a friend and I'd rather not have to drive my truck.-Heath
Reply:Halbritt is right.  I was going to mention the invertig 201, but the price is about 3-4 hundred or more, new...I think it might be worth considering though.  If it wasnt for the fact that I'd have to sell (AND MOVE) my old dialarc, I'd probably go for the invertig right now.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:Size isn't an issue for me since it will sit in one spot and move about 10 ft from that spot at max. I was reading old threads regarding the Syncrowave 180 verus Pro-Wave 185 and there wasn't a true winner. SW 180 didn't have pulse control so it lose some points but the new SW 200 does.I guess the Pro-Wave has frequency control .. what does that really do?
Reply:The advantage of the inverter is more than size.  You can vary the frequency in the output on the inverter...you cant in a standard transformer.  The cleaning adjustability is much wider also.  You can also weld aluminum without HF on continuous on some inverter machines.  One thing you might want to do is go to miller and check out the specs on the syncro and on the dynasty 200.  See what they say the advantages are of the dynasty.  Those will be the same advantages that you will see in the inverter machines from other brands (in large part).Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:I purchased a Miller Dynasty 300 Tigrunner.  Single/Three Phase power.Let's get serious and buy the best that money can buy.  Well Versed TIG welders use Miller Dynasty 300 Tigrunners.
Reply:Right!  Why didn't I think of that?  Rather than purchase a <$2k HTP InverTIG 201 or a TA 185TSW, either of which have all the features and all the power I need in a TIG welder, I could spring for a $7800 package that offers me very little in addition features or power.  Good plan!I am afraid that you are mistaken, sir.  Well-versed TIG welders use what is appropriate for the job.-Heath
Reply:Let's get serious and buy the best that money can buy.I guess if you were serious about arc quality you would buy a Thermal TSW 300Not as much money but it sure will more then match the Dynasty series.A whole lot quieter AC arc (smoother) I happen to like the constricted arcon the Thermals. You don't have to run it at 250 HZ to get it to narrowdown. Soft arc starts with no wander is the norm.
Reply:Man I am kinda bummed now. I bought my dream machine Sync 250 and now it's not even serious enough for a well versed tig welder, man that sucks.Millermatic 251Century 180 migSpectrum 625 Syncrowave 250DX
Reply:Originally Posted by CarterKraftMan I am kinda bummed now. I bought my dream machine Sync 250 and now it's not even serious enough for a well versed tig welder, man that sucks.
Reply:I only buy the best that can be bought.A Syncrowave 250 is like driving a Ford Model "T" on a Los Angeles Freeway.And How many of you make car payments ?  But won't spend $7,800.00 on a tool that makes you money.How cheap can you get ?Last edited by MetalSculptor; 02-14-2006 at 10:57 PM.
Reply:I only buy the best that can be bought.Sell that yesterdays tech 300 and buy the 700 or 350 if you feel that way.Yours can no longer make sound welds because it's old tech now.
Reply:The TIGRUNNER 700 is on order with Miller.
Reply:Welding with a TIGRUNNER 700 is like driving a Ferrari in a traffic jam.  Sure, you look cool doing it but you won't get anywhere any faster than anybody else.Buying the most expensive welder you can buy isn't a very sound investment, especially, if you're only going to be welding up an intercooler for your car.  After initial investment in the welder, gas, tanks, and parts for the intercooler you have just made yourself a $9000 intercooler.  It's worth so much you would have to send it to Fort Knox and have it locked up in the vault.  How the hell is that going to pay itself off in the hand of a hobbiest?  Even in the hands of a professional, a Synchrowave 250 or 350 is going to do every job they will ever come across.  Why would you spend the money on the TIGRunner?  Not all of us are shipyard workers and not all of us have to weld x-ray quality 2 inch thick superheated steam pipes or bronze sea water piping.  Maybe well have to weld up a CuNi evaporator shell, but even an XMT-304 is more than enough for that.Last edited by 76GMC1500; 02-15-2006 at 03:09 AM.
Reply:no one mentioned the aerowave dont they make that any more?
Reply:Originally Posted by MetalSculptorI only buy the best that can be bought.
Reply:I know a lot about welding like which welder is the most expensive and how to upset the hobbyiest welder.I am guilty of going to the tool store to look at the most expensive tools and drool all over them, then I look at my Proto Blackhawk socket set I bought for $12 and feel good about myself.  Cheap stuff isn't necessarily bad.Last edited by 76GMC1500; 02-15-2006 at 04:13 AM.
Reply:^5 Halbritt   it is true, a fool and his money are soon departed, especially in this post.  Howdy Howdy everyone, and for the original poster, the TA 185 is an awesome machine, and portable.  Lots of features at a great price for what it is.  The syncrowave is huge, and does have higher outputs, but do you nead that?  Also, the transformer machines CAN be more durable, to physical abuse.  The inverters make a nicer arc in my mind, and can really advance your SMAW abilities.  More specifics on your material thicknesses would help for us to really get a good recomendation.   thanks, Brian Lee  Sparkeee27
Reply:When I worked at the Boeing plant at Corinth, Texas, as a fab tech, we had a 351 miller syncrowave.  The adjustable wave is nice for welding thicker aluminum when set closer to the negative side of the wave.  That is the only advantage I can see over my own machine that I have owned over 30 years.  I love my miller 330 a b/p.  Never had any problems with it.  If I need to weld thick aluminum I simply use helium and dc negative electrode.  I really can't compare it to the newer inverters because I've never used one of them.
Reply:I thought he was plugging Lincoln a few months back. What happened? I believe Airgas was also plugged....
Reply:I went with the Thermal Arc 185-TSW.  Hands down the best bang for your buck in that size of machine.     Dennis
Reply:I only have $2000 to spend! So buying the best my money can buy, I'm pretty much restricted to the TA 185 and SW 200! (I guess its more like $1800 + $200(bottle of Argon gas.)I was reading up on inverter power supply last night and it seems like the Dynasty 200DX has some issues with their HF board. This is not an issue with some user on this board because in 3 years (when the warranty expires), they will put more hours in it then I would in 10 years.Is the pulse control on the SW 200 very good? I read about the Lincoln Precision 185 pulse control as being a joke. If the pulse control isn't good (which I read is a must for beginners welding al), it makes the choose much easier.
Reply:Originally Posted by riley mcmillanWhen I worked at the Boeing plant at Corinth, Texas, as a fab tech, we had a 351 miller syncrowave.  The adjustable wave is nice for welding thicker aluminum when set closer to the negative side of the wave.  That is the only advantage I can see over my own machine that I have owned over 30 years.  I love my miller 330 a b/p.  Never had any problems with it.  If I need to weld thick aluminum I simply use helium and dc negative electrode.  I really can't compare it to the newer inverters because I've never used one of them.
Reply:The Miller Synch 200 has a pulser that's roughly equivelent to the lincoln.  I got a little more stick time on my TA 185-TSW today.  It's a sweet machine.The TA has many features you won't find on the Synch 200 but it does lack the arc on time meter the Miller has and top end is about 15 amps less.  It's portable enough and mizerly enough it can be run from a drier outlet with the proper ac adapter (HOMEMADE).Last edited by Tailshaft56; 02-18-2006 at 02:20 AM.DennisThermal Arc 185-TSWMillermatic Challenger 172VictorO/AAtlas Craftsman 12 by 24 LatheEsab PCM-875Wholesalem Tool Mill-Drill15 amps less.You will only notice it on dc output because the TSW 185 cango father into the DC -  side on ac output. That means more heat/timewith the 185. Then you can adjust the freq to lower then 60 HZ toget the puddle wet real fast on thicker stock. It nice that the Millerhas 200 amps because it's almost what is needed to get the puddlewet quick on some of the the thicker type aluminum jobs.The point is the 200 amps benefits the 200 more then it would the TA 185.You would need to step up the the Syncro 250 to overpower the 185 onac output.
Reply:don't sugar coat it kidjust give it to him straightthis is a great forum!a living library
Reply:Update:After thinking long and hard, I'd finially made my decision. Miller verus Thermal Arc? Inverter verus Transformer? Miller and Inverter wins!I ordered a Miller Dynasty 200DX with contractor kit last tuesday thru the Ebay company. The decision between a TA185 and SW200 was just to hard and I wanted to stick with Miller so I cough up the $2979 for it.
Reply:Congrats,  From what I hear the Dynasty's a great tig.DennisThermal Arc 185-TSWMillermatic Challenger 172VictorO/AAtlas Craftsman 12 by 24 LatheEsab PCM-875Wholesalem Tool Mill-Drill
Reply:congrats on the Dynasty it's a very "cheap" weld rig.  i don't have a spunky username just what it is, me!
Reply:You will love the Dynasty.  It will help you build your Kingdom