HTP 201 or Thermal Arc 185

admin

I am looking to buy a Tig in the low $2000 range. I have done quite a bit of research and these two tig welders are pretty much what I can afford. Can anyone offer personal experiences with these two welders? And if so does anyone have pics of some of their projects or welds with these welders? I will be mainly welding steel, with the occasional aluminum projects.Thanks for your input.
Reply:I just recently bought a TA 185.  I've never TIG welded in my life and I've only been MIG welding for a couple years.  All self taught out of books, videos, and posting pictures for friends on the net and getting suggestions, etc.  I'm very impressed with the TA 185 but I don't have anything to compare it too.  Here is a picture of the very first bead I did with it:This is the second one right after that:Here's some later work - I've been welding with it for a couple weeks now:back side of same:Here's some steel I've done with it:Keep in mind that's with no instruction, reading books (Miller's TIG, and the Welders handbook), and watching a Weldpro video.  I have a couple friends that TIG weld that I have contacted online and ran pictures by them and gotten suggestions with problems I was having.  The only TIG welds I've ever seen done were on that Weldpro video.  I love the TA - the control you have is incredible.  JMHO as a novice welder.
Reply:It looks like the TA185 is gone now having been replaced by the Arcmaster 200ACDC.  Dig it:http://www.thermadyne.com/evolution/...=99&pdtnbr=568I'm wondering myself which to get.  I'm not sure how much the new TA unit is, but the HTP seems to be getting a bit pricier.  If it's much above $2k, I can get a Dynasty 200DX (power supply only) for just under $2600, which doesn't seem like much more of a stretch to me.  The Dynasty has a few nice features, as well.-Heath
Reply:They're still making the TA185 - http://www.thermadyne.com/evolution/...=99&pdtnbr=567 .  The 200 is more expensive by about $400 according to IOC.
Reply:Originally Posted by halbrittIt looks like the TA185 is gone now having been replaced by the Arcmaster 200ACDC.  Dig it:http://www.thermadyne.com/evolution/...=99&pdtnbr=568I'm wondering myself which to get.  I'm not sure how much the new TA unit is, but the HTP seems to be getting a bit pricier.  If it's much above $2k, I can get a Dynasty 200DX (power supply only) for just under $2600, which doesn't seem like much more of a stretch to me.  The Dynasty has a few nice features, as well.
Reply:I wasn't happy with the sales person at HTP when I called them. I thought they were rude, I wont get into that. Anyway I hear everyone in here say how much they love the Thermo arc and I only herd about 5 people talk about the HTP. I would base my decision on that alone, but thats just me.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:HTP used to be known for Customer service.  Seems like that's changing.  This is not the first post about them being rude.  I'm guessing but I think Thermal's TA cost old Jeff a lot off business.BTW I vote for the Thermal.  You will have to guess why.  LOLDennisThermal Arc 185-TSWMillermatic Challenger 172VictorO/AAtlas Craftsman 12 by 24 LatheEsab PCM-875Wholesalem Tool Mill-Drill
Reply:Originally Posted by Steve St.LaurentThey're still making the TA185 - http://www.thermadyne.com/evolution/...=99&pdtnbr=567 .  The 200 is more expensive by about $400 according to IOC.
Reply:That would be me  .  He didn't have an exact price when I asked about it and said that he didn't carry it yet although he was looking into it.  I wasn't familiar with the 185TSW as I just started researching tig machines a month and a half ago.  FYI - I got the Arcmaster 185ACDC for $1948.87 from IOC.
Reply:Kyle,  unlike Drivesector I had a great experience with HTP and I purchased the HTP Invertig 201 and I just love it.  It is easy to setup and configure and so far has worked just fine.  I've used it mostly on steel but I messed around a little with aluminum and the quality of my welds have nothing to do with the unit but rather my inexperience with aluminum.  I had no issues with their sales folks or people in their office who were really helpful.I don't see how you can go wrong with either unit. It sounds like it is going to be a matter of how much bang you can get with your buck.
Reply:For $2K, I'd buy the ThermalArc ArcMaster 185 or a used Miller Dynasty 200DX. Watch eBay for a while and you might be able to find a deal on the Dynasty...
Reply:I trust that the HTP is a good machine and that the customer service is likely pretty good.  I asked for a quote and some details from Jeff Noland just the other day and he was quite helpful and responsive.Even still, $2300 isn't that far off from $2600 for a Dynasty 200DX and I'm thinking that the dual-voltage feature might be pretty useful.-Heath
Reply:Gotta remember the HTP comes complete. Foot pedal, torch, ground clamp and regulator. The miller is extra. Around 500.00 extra.That makes the HTP 700.00 cheaper than a Dynasty.mm135HTP Invertig 201 With water cooler9" Southbend LatheLots of hand tools.
Reply:When I requested a quote from HTP for a power supply only, the quote I received was for $2300 that included the tig torch, the foot pedal, and the regulator.  All of these are things I don't need, which makes the HTP $300 cheaper than the Dynasty to me.-Heath
Reply:Halbritt,  I bought mine from Jeff Noland and I bet if you explained to him what you needed as opposed to what he wanted to sell you he would probably cut you a deal.  Every once in a while Noland will put an Invertig 201on ebay that they used in a training class (about 4 hours of use) and you can pick it up at a good price. I'm definately not sorry that I bought the HTP over the Dynasty especially since it left a little coin in my pocket for steel and consumables.
Reply:The ones that show up on ebay generally sell for more than list price.-Heath
Reply:if $$ is a concern the TA-185 is the top dog. i love mine even though i have only got to use it a little. i need to upgrade my power to the shop. on steel its supper sweet and seem just as nice on aluminum. if you have the $$ get the dyn200DX and dont look back. if you already have the foot controle, torch and gages i would try my best to save up for the dyn200DX. it was all i could do to get the TA-185 after 3 years of saving and i just could not wait another year to get to the dyn. here is my TA-185 all dressed up to go out for the evening LOL  although i may end up selling my TA-185 to finance a building purchas, i would not think twice about getting another one later to replace it. IOC was great to me on the sale, i have used them for all my power scorces. MIG,TIG,& plasma, and will also use them again.if you go with the dyn200DX i can also dress it up for an evening out if you want, well heck i could dress the 201 also for that matter.in short if $$ is short go TA if not go Dyn200DX. congrats on the new toy wichever one you get. Attached Images summer is here, plant a tree for mother earth. if you dont have time or space, sponcer some one else to plant one for you.feel free to shoot me a PM or e-mail me at [email][email protected] i got lots of time.
Reply:FWIW i made a cover for a fellow with a ryland 200 he was real happy with. if you think that might be an option i can dig you up a guys e-mail that deals in them, he also likes them but i have never seen one so dont know first hand on it. summer is here, plant a tree for mother earth. if you dont have time or space, sponcer some one else to plant one for you.feel free to shoot me a PM or e-mail me at [email][email protected] i got lots of time.
Reply:Wow, I'm really surprised to hear about bad customer service from HTP.  That sounds very out of character for them.  My experience with them has always been great.   Jeff and his people have always been very understanding and helpful every time I've contacted them by phone or email.  I'm still quite happy with the HTP MIG200 I purchased from them almost 15 years ago too!  That being said, the Thermal Arc 185 machines seem to be less expensive and offer more features and a longer warranty than the HTP and appear to me to be about the best value in an AC/DC inverter TIG machine on the market.  I'm considering purchasing the new Arc Master 200 once the internet suppliers start carrying it, provided I can afford it.  I might end up with the new 185 instead though if the 200 turns out to be beyond my reach.   The Miller and Lincoln AC/DC inverter TIG machines are a little too pricey for me right now at some $3200 and up for the whole set-up.   I will likely go with HTP when it comes time for the plasma cutter though, as it appears they have the best value on the size of machine I'm looking for.
Reply:yep the lil TA-185 is a great bang for the buck deal, about the best choice out there for the hobiest. i think if i were getting it for a buisness i would strech the check book out a bit more and go for the dyn200DX though. but as a hobiest i'm real happy with my TA-185 and it looks real good next to the rest of my miller stuff now that its in a nice blue cover.  now all i have to do is embroider the miller logo and lettering on it and the rest of my welders wont even know the diference. they will just think its a short dyn200. summer is here, plant a tree for mother earth. if you dont have time or space, sponcer some one else to plant one for you.feel free to shoot me a PM or e-mail me at [email][email protected] i got lots of time.