Help with Tig decision

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Sorry for the long post!I am trying to figure out what Tig welder to buy at a reasonable cost. My plan is to get all the equipment I need to goto into business in 2 years, not as a welder but repairing industrial machines for myself. I have every hand tool and things of that nature I could need. I think I put the Snap on and Cornwell tool guys kids threw college. I have a MIG, Stick and Plasma cutter so one of the last things on the list is TIG welder. I am looking for something that will fit in the back of say a cube van/ Bread truck but I could manage to get out on my own if needed. I was looking at the Hobart TigMate and the Miller Econotig, the welding supply store did all but tell me not to buy them and to go for the more expensive and powerful Syncrowave 200. The Tigmate at 150 lbs would be manageable for me but the Syncrowave at 250 lbs wouldn't be. I did however see the guys point, he said the Tigmate and Econotig at 150/160 amps probibley wouldnt keep me happy as an everyday type use machine. I am now looking at the HTP Invertig 201, 200 amps AC/DC and only 68 pounds. Air cooled version is $2295.00. I also saw a Riland Tig200WSE/ Pulse 200 Amps AC/DC @78 Lbs for around $1400. I have seen posts about Riland but nobody really will say Yea its good or no they suck. I want to make a smart purchase and if necessary I will spend 1K more to buy a machine I will be happy with and will last me 30 years. if the business doesn't work out these will be my garage machines. I will take any advise you guys give and please let me know if there are any other machines you suggest. These are just the ones I have looked into. I do however want AC/DC so welding Aluminum is possible.Drivesector Hobart Handler 140Hobart Handler 180Ready Welder 2Hobart Air Force 400Airco Stinger 225Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most."OZZY"
Reply:i dont know one machine from another..MAC702 would be more help in that dept. than me..mobile welding...i would think a semi-serious gererator would be involved..so why not get a radiator and a watercooled torch for the tig?would be your best bet in the long run..butwhat is the objective with mobile tig? wanting a mobile mig/stick unit is probably best unless you're going door to door show car welding... ...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:The reason I would require a TIG is because some of the factory's are USDA and FDA regulated. If I was called in to fix say a stainless steel tray running off of an injection molder running medical hose for instance, the welds have to be pretty. if there not they will say bacteria will grow inside. Same in food plants with stainless tables and conveyor systems. I wasn't thinking generator/welder just for future use. I would rather buy nice welders then possibly have to buy a nice generator. If things don't work out the generator can be unloaded/ sold but I keep the welders.Drivesector Hobart Handler 140Hobart Handler 180Ready Welder 2Hobart Air Force 400Airco Stinger 225Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most."OZZY"
Reply:For what your talking about there with the stainless you don't need a big tig.  It sounds like you need two different machines, one for ali and other 'heavy' stuff, and another small inverter for taking around plants and the like.StephenI'd rather be hunting........USE ENOUGH HEAT.......Drifting around Aussie welding more pipe up, for something different.....wanting to get home.
Reply:Actually I was just looking at the Miller Dynasty 200DX. Thats looking like a winner in my book http://www.millerwelds.com/products/...ty_200_series/@ 200 amps AC/DC and 45 pounds It should do everything I want eliminating the need for more than 1 machine. $2595 @ Cyberweld. I don't think thats to bad, any opinions?Drivesector Hobart Handler 140Hobart Handler 180Ready Welder 2Hobart Air Force 400Airco Stinger 225Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most."OZZY"
Reply:If you are planning to move this tig machines around and lift them often, I would go strictly with inverter-based machines.  They are lighter and will in some cases plug into 120v.  You will pay a good bit more for one, but you will not have a herneia keeping you from paying it off.  There are several to choose from.  The htp 201 (AC/DC) or the Thermal Arc 185tsw are probably two good machines to consider based on both size and price, but there are more expensive smaller units out there like the miller dynasty 200.  If you are mainly thinking of tigging steels, then there are several good used DC inverters out there with more power.  On the cheaper/reliable side are the powcons...they are solid, but with few frills.  300 amp thermal arc dc tig machines sell on ebay all the time at pretty good prices.  Used Millers and lincolns sell there also.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:I purchased the HTP Invertig 201 and have been really pleased with it (that coming from a novice TIG Welder) It came with everything I needed and the controls are simple to operate.  It is not too heavy however I still don't think I would want to lug it around unless it was on a cart.  It has a standard hook up in the back for controlling a water cooler if you end up needing one and it only requires a 30 amp 220 circuit.  Just my 2 cents
Reply:Originally Posted by drivesectorThe reason I would require a TIG is because some of the factory's are USDA and FDA regulated. If I was called in to fix say a stainless steel tray running off of an injection molder running medical hose for instance, the welds have to be pretty. if there not they will say bacteria will grow inside. Same in food plants with stainless tables and conveyor systems. I wasn't thinking generator/welder just for future use. I would rather buy nice welders then possibly have to buy a nice generator. If things don't work out the generator can be unloaded/ sold but I keep the welders.
Reply:I would be quick to reccomend the TA over the Dynasty for $ savings.  A Dynasty withe the contractors kit is around $3000.  TA just had a price increase but is still und $2000 with the tig/stick kit.  That said the TA is a 240V machine and the Dynasty will run at a reduced capacity on 120V.  I believe my Ta weighs in around 42 pounds and while it doesn't come with a carring strap it does have the atteachment points for one.  the Dynasty and the TA have very similar features.  The Dynasty has an additional 15 amps and a little grater range of adjustments over the TA.  I would think the deciding factor for you would be the input voltage requirements.  For what you plan on doing the Dynasty may be well worth the extra $.DennisThermal Arc 185-TSWMillermatic Challenger 172VictorO/AAtlas Craftsman 12 by 24 LatheEsab PCM-875Wholesalem Tool Mill-Drill
Reply:If your goal is to buy the stuff and be ready in two years, I'd wait till the last minute to buy a machine.  if you buy now, you'll just find that in 2 years you can buy a nicer machine for less...of buy the same one used and save about $1k.
Reply:Originally Posted by 383bigblockI purchased the HTP Invertig 201 and have been really pleased with it (that coming from a novice TIG Welder) It came with everything I needed and the controls are simple to operate.  It is not too heavy however I still don't think I would want to lug it around unless it was on a cart.  It has a standard hook up in the back for controlling a water cooler if you end up needing one and it only requires a 30 amp 220 circuit.  Just my 2 cents
Reply:If I was working on jobsites, with tight schedules, unknown problems, and in different locations (which I do, by the way) I would stick with Miller or Lincoln. Yep, HtP is cheaper, and TD may be a better deal. But the $500 bucks you saved goes out the window in a New York Minute when the plant you are working on needs the part fixed tomorrow, and HTP is in Illinois. Whereas most welding supply stores stock common parts for Miller and Lincoln, and most towns have a repair guy who is familiar with them. I have had the local guy drive out a new power switch for my Miller that afternoon. Try that with HTP, or worse, Ryland. Fed EX from China, anyone?If you make your living from these tools, you need a late model lincoln or miller that is easy to get parts for, and is reliable enough that you probably will never need em.Personally, I often use a rented Maxstar for this sort of work, if the sections are small enough- 110volts or 220volts, it dont care- plug it in, and it finds the power it wants. Scratch start tig on stainless is quite do-able.In situations where I need more control, I take my 304xmt Miller inverter- I have a radiator, and a high freq unit for it, so I can use a water cooled tig torch with a foot pedal. The whole thing fits in my Jobbox with lots of room to spare. Its easy to stack up on a 4 wheeled plywood dolly thats 18" x 24", and roll where ever.Then, in other situations, I use a trailblazer gas drive welder- it tig welds just fine- quick and dirty, you use a scratch start air cooled tig torch, and a tank of argon. Got a 100 feet of lead, leave the gas drive outside, and its easy.I sometimes take the HF unit and radiator, hook up to the trailblazer, and have luxury tig welding anywhere- did a job a couple of years ago with the trailblazer in the bed of the pickup, me in the 80 foot manlift up above, with the argon tank, hf unit, and radiator- foot pedal tig welding 80 feet up, right next to a finished office building, where each window cost a couple grand, mirrored colored glass, and replacement costs would have been several grand more- aint cheap to lift a 10 foot square of mirrored double pane glass up 80 feet- so there was no way I could risk stick or mig welding- on hot spark, and the mirrored glass gets pitted.So I say- Miller or Lincoln Inverter- either a maxstar, a dynasty, or both.
Reply:After reading everyones opinions I have decided to go with the Miller Dynasty 200DX. I agree with Ries with the Miller or Lincoln and getting parts. I also agree with Engloid and will wait and try to get one for a better price but I don't want to wait the 2 years. I would like to have one in a few months because I can use it now with what I am doing. Just wanted to know what i should save my Penny's for. My local dealer (Arc Source) is a Miller dealer and they will give a free loaner unit if the unit failed within the warranty period. And if you buy it from them a rental unit is half price until your unit is repaired (forever). I like that and will spend an extra 100 bucks to but it from a local dealer for that reason. I appreciate everyones opinions and if you have more please let me know.Drivesector Hobart Handler 140Hobart Handler 180Ready Welder 2Hobart Air Force 400Airco Stinger 225Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most."OZZY"
Reply:Originally Posted by drivesectorAfter reading everyones opinions I have decided to go with the Miller Dynasty 200DX. I agree with Ries with the Miller or Lincoln and getting parts. I also agree with Engloid and will wait and try to get one for a better price but I don't want to wait the 2 years. I would like to have one in a few months because I can use it now with what I am doing. Just wanted to know what i should save my Penny's for. My local dealer (Arc Source) is a Miller dealer and they will give a free loaner unit if the unit failed within the warranty period. And if you buy it from them a rental unit is half price until your unit is repaired (forever). I like that and will spend an extra 100 bucks to but it from a local dealer for that reason. I appreciate everyones opinions and if you have more please let me know.
Reply:I think for this application the 120v capability might be worth it.DennisThermal Arc 185-TSWMillermatic Challenger 172VictorO/AAtlas Craftsman 12 by 24 LatheEsab PCM-875Wholesalem Tool Mill-Drill
Reply:Just another guy who has a HTP product. I have a 175A MIG welder from them and it is about 18 years old and never any problems, none. Just the usual consumables which I buy at the LWS. I do agree with the idea of getting parts locally, but if the LWS has to order them then you are in the same boat.
Reply:I was leaning toward a Miller or Hobart 150 series TIG unit, but bought an HTP Invertig 160DC from the HTP direct at less than the MSRP, including an optional regulator/flow meter and some consumables they threw in.  If an HTP model makes your best and final list, you might call them, discuss the other brands you're considering, and see if they will give you a good deal.TeddCoHTP Microcut 400 & Invertig 160DC  Smith Dual Guard MD-510 OA Rig  Lincoln SP135+  Hobart Stickmate LX 235/160
Reply:I am still looking. kinda settled in on the dynasty but I  called HTP this morning and can honestly say they were less than helpful. I called and told them what I was looking at and how much they were and how much I was looking to spend. They told me that they would not compete with the Thermo arc 185TSW @ $1690.00 Which I can get it for threw my supplier because of the volume of business we do with them. We didn't even get into how much the Miller was because he instantly got an attitude. The thing that got me is the guy wasn't even interested in trying to sell me the unit. just seemed not to care. When I told him what I was looking for in a machine he said and I quote "Yea and" And when i told him I was looking at TA and Miller for specific reasons he didn't respond with anything, but when he wouldn't even budge from the catalog price @$2250.00 (close I have the catalog at work) which I had in my hand I said " I guess I will go with the TA or the Miller then" and he said "Yea I guess you are going to have to" and hung up on me. Nice I thought, I wonder how there customer support is. I am not a telephone tuffguy and didnt give this guy an attitude. I get that from people at the other end of the phone most of the day. And I'm not cheep. I can afford to buy whatever machine I decide on in the end. Just want to get every penny worth of what I pay for and the Invertig 201 seems like a nice machine on paper. But to have to deal with guys like that on the other end. Its worth the extra cake for the miller if I decide not to go with the TA.Drivesector Hobart Handler 140Hobart Handler 180Ready Welder 2Hobart Air Force 400Airco Stinger 225Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most."OZZY"
Reply:That's a Smokin price for a TA.  It's a tuff call to pony up the extra $ for Dynasty but the fact that it accepts just about any input voltage you can through at it might make it worthwhile.  The Dynasty will also connect to 3 phase power.  One thing to keep in mind.  If you go TA at that price you can surely sell it for nearly what you have in it or maybe a liitle more if you need to trade up to a Dynasty.DennisThermal Arc 185-TSWMillermatic Challenger 172VictorO/AAtlas Craftsman 12 by 24 LatheEsab PCM-875Wholesalem Tool Mill-Drill