Econotig vs Dynasty 200dx

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I currently have an Econotig that I have used for steel, ss, and aluminum.It seems to be adequate for everything except of course thicker aluminum.I have actually welded some 3/8 al with it, but these were small pieces that kept the heat or at least the part heated up.I am strictly a self taught hobby welder and really enjoy it.I intend to take some welding classes in the future. (when time will alow)My question is how much more capable machine is the dynasty 200 than the econotig.I realize one is a xfmr machine and other is an inverter.Besides having 50 amps more, does the fact that it is an inverter machine increase my abilityto weld thicker material. How would the dynasty compare to the syncro 200. (I just added that to compare apples to apples).ThanksOzLast edited by DirtyOz; 07-03-2011 at 03:29 PM.Reason: typo
Reply:Miller has a great web site to compair their different tig units:http://www.millerwelds.com/products/tig/The dynasty 200 has a lot more features then the Econotig (+ the higher price tag).  The output of the Dynasty is 200 A at 18 V, 20% Duty Cycle where the econotig is 150 A at 26 V, 40% Duty Cycle. (could be wrong on the Econotig spec. I took that info off another web site)The coolest feature with the Dynasty is the AC frequency which controls the arc cone width.Increasing the AC Frequency provides a more focused arc with increased directional control. This is a great feature when welding fillet welds!  Another major advantage of the Dynasty is you can take it anywhere and pug it into any voltage from 115 – 460 V, 3- or 1-Phase Power.  Your amperageis limited to the circuit breaker you are running off of.Check out the Miller web site and see if you have any other questions.
Reply:If your looking to do thicker material then the next true step would be to move up to a 250 amp machine. The Dynasty is rated for 1/4" Al vs the 3/16" of the econotig.
Reply:Originally Posted by DirtyOzMy question is how much more capable machine is the dynasty 200 than the econotig.I realize one is a xfmr machine and other is an inverter.Besides having 50 amps more, does the fact that it is an inverter machine increase my abilityto weld thicker material. How would the dynasty compare to the syncro 200. (I just added that to compare apples to apples).
Reply:I think the duty cycle on the econotig at 150A is only 20%.The econotig has a fairly high lower limit on the current, 35A I think.  So the dynasty will shine on thinner material where the econotig just blows holes.Dynasty200DX w/coolmate1MM210MM VintageESAB miniarc161ltsLincoln AC225Victor O/A, Smith AW1ACutmaster 81IR 2475N7.5FPRage3Jancy USA1019" SBAEAD-200LE
Reply:Thanks for the great advice.I do have very expensive tastes, thus my attraction to the dynasty. Im definately not loaded with cash, but i just like high quality and capable equipment. Money cant buy skill or experience though, but I am definately seeing the limits of this machine. I have been playing with different electrodes but its a pretty spartan unit. For AL of any real thickness its AC high and pedal to da metal and leave it there till either cant hold the torch any longer or its dinnertime.I just cant justify the dynasty 350. Its 225A 1phase or 300A 3phase. I dont have 3phase service.Since i am on the subject of maxing out my machine ill ask this.I basically built a piece of channel using a 5"x5"x.375 and 3"x5"x.375 for 2 of the sides.Of course the first 2 pieces made a 90* so I had to fill the outside corner using several passes then ran a single bead on the inside corner. So when i started with what ill call the root weld(first pass after preheating). I just made sure the arc wetted the area the filler goes before adding it.At my novice level, it just made sense at the time.Does that make sense to you?OzLast edited by DirtyOz; 07-03-2011 at 06:47 PM.Reason: Typo
Reply:Originally Posted by DirtyOzI basically built a piece of channel using a 5"x5"x.375 and 3"x5"x.375 for 2 of the sides.Of course the first 2 pieces made a 90* so I had to fill the outside corner using several passes then ran a single bead on the inside corner. So when i started with what ill call the root weld(first pass after preheating). I just made sure the arc wetted the area the filler goes before adding it.At my novice level, it just made sense at the time.Does that make sense to you?
Reply:The Dynasty200DX is an amazing little machine. It blows the doors off your Econotig at half the power consumption as stated. The return in investment won't take long, especially if you can sell your Enonotig for some cash.I demo quite a few Miller welders before buying and sometimes just wring them out for the regional sales rep in our area. The Econotig had a very low duty cycle, and limited range in the foot control, which left quite a bit of cratering. The Dynasty200(pre blue lightning) I thought was a toy before I tried it. I was shocked at the performance, and had the range in the RFCF14 foot control that I was acustomed to with my Aerowaves. Without trying that Dyn200 I would not have upgraded to my Dyn350s. My rep still carries a 1/2" weld sample I did for him on the preblue lightning 200 in his car trunk.I ended up buying a Dyn200DX finally, to go out and service clients in their facilities. Honestly my Dyn200 does as well as my old Sync350 power hog.You won't go wrong if you do the upgrade to the 200.Oh, the dc welding is way much better with inverter squarewaves too. Engage the pulse on thin steel sheet and you will wet you panties.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:DSW, yes I was thinking about the heat treatment thing while waiting for the damn puddle to get here! Lol.   Which bring up a question. Isnt there a way to achieve say a T6 treatment yourself?oz
Reply:Having moved from a EconoTIG to a Dynasty, there really is no comparison. They both do the same thing, one just does it a million times better. The day I sold my EconoTIG, I tried to weld across some AL for the new owner and works, but days later running my Dynasty makes me wonder how I could even weld AL. The arc is super stable, goes where I want and you have such better control. Rather than fight with where it will wander, you point the tungsten and away you go. Dial up the positive and clean dirty material, crank up the frequency and close down the arc width, it's light years ahead. Plus, pulsing on thing steel/SS is a thing of beauty.Even if you never use it to make a single dollar, just having one to weld with makes the hobby that much better.
Reply:I just found a used dynasty200. The guy wants 2000 obo. Havent talked to him yet but he said in the ad that he just had the arc stinger for it. He must have at least a ground clamp lead too. Ill call tomarrow. If i could get it for 1800 or less that to me is a good deal.......right?Oz
Reply:Note there are 2 models of the Dynasty 200, the SD and the DX. The SD lacks the pulse and the sequencer control that comes on the DX model. Since he's only got a stinger, I'd bet it's the lower cost SD model and he probably just got the machine to use for stick. You'll have to decide if the pulse and sequencer controls are important to you or not. The spec sheet lists some of the differences between the 2 models.http://www.millerwelds.com/pdf/spec_sheets/AD4-8.pdfIf you go to Millers site you can download the manual for the Dynasty. I believe like my Syncrowave, there is a function that will let you pull up the hours and arc starts. That will give you an idea how "used" the machine is..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Problem is i cant view it in person.  I live too far away. He said its a dx. I could get better pics i suppose.Oz
Reply:Be careful. There have been any number of Dynasty scams from time to time. Usually a big tip off is if they tell you you can't see the machine or test it. They seem to run in groups. You'll see a 1/2 dozen or so of these scams running and then they disapear for a couple weeks and then pop up again. Not saying this IS a scam, just be aware that the Dynasty is one of those machines that they use as a bait to suck guys in on these scams. If the price looks too good to be true it usually is.Sutton Garden has some used Dynasty SD's for sale. Looks like they don't have any of the DX's right now. Price looks about in the range you are looking at. I've had good luck with the used stuff I've gotten from them and so have several other guys here.http://suttongarten.thomasnet-naviga...ing-equipment?.No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Originally Posted by DirtyOzI just found a used dynasty200. The guy wants 2000 obo. Havent talked to him yet but he said in the ad that he just had the arc stinger for it. He must have at least a ground clamp lead too. Ill call tomarrow. If i could get it for 1800 or less that to me is a good deal.......right?Oz
Reply:I'd be sure to test out EVERYTHING. Every feature, every function, high amps, low amps, EVERYTHING.  That's a lot of cash to lay down for a broken machine.  New ones with full warranty were around $2800.  They're probably over $3000 after the price increase.  So $1800 would probably make it worth having no warranty, but only if everything works.BTW.  Turn the machine on, then press and hold both the amps and the output button.  Wait for the firmware version number on the display to go away before releasing. Then it will light the 's' lamp and show the arc time. 123-456 on the two displays means 1234 hours and 56 minutes.  Then it will light the 'A' lamp and show arc counts.  Read the two displays together as one number.Dynasty200DX w/coolmate1MM210MM VintageESAB miniarc161ltsLincoln AC225Victor O/A, Smith AW1ACutmaster 81IR 2475N7.5FPRage3Jancy USA1019" SBAEAD-200LE
Reply:With me living in Alaska and the machine in Washington, I just cant get there to truly test and check it out. I think I had better pass on this one. His ad title was for a Maxstar and after clicking on it said it was a dynasty 200dx with only a stinger. Yet he says its 4800 new. Everything about it sounds sketchy at best.If I were in the area I would definately check it out.Oz
Reply:After thinking about it, having a differrent machine in the title could be a trick to try and hide it from someone looking for their stolen unit on C.L.         Ya think?Oz
Reply:Originally Posted by DirtyOzWith me living in Alaska and the machine in Washington, I just cant get there to truly test and check it out. I think I had better pass on this one. His ad title was for a Maxstar and after clicking on it said it was a dynasty 200dx with only a stinger. Yet he says its 4800 new. Everything about it sounds sketchy at best.If I were in the area I would definately check it out.Oz
Reply:I'd ask for a picture of the serial #, it still might be from a different machine if it is a scam, but you have a better chance at catching it early.