Syncrowave 200 VS. Precision TIG 225

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Which would you choose? They are priced almost the same, the Lincoln has a few more amps.
Reply:No inverter option?
Reply:Can't afford one
Reply:The Thermal Arc unit is priced around $2200.  With it possibly being a little more expensive you do get a couple of more features that would be nice to have for aluminum and also make up for the difference in price.
Reply:cant go wrong either way ......both have the squarewave/sycrowave ---Extremely Important Consideration for me is the Low Profile pedal of the Lincoln and how smoooth the pedal to arc operates compared to the tall goofy syncbut im just a painter , whatda i know        thermal arc 252i  -  millermatic 350P -   miller XMT, cp300ts, 30a 22a feeders, buttload of other millers, handfull of lincolns, couple of esabs  -   Hypertherm 1250 G3
Reply:Originally Posted by Jay OThe Thermal Arc unit is priced around $2200.  With it possibly being a little more expensive you do get a couple of more features that would be nice to have for aluminum and also make up for the difference in price.
Reply:Syncrowave all the way.  Im not just a completely biased miller person, I like any machine that works well and welds nice.  However, I have yet to see any lincoln tig machine hold a candle to millers in terms on longevity, trouble free service and features/overall design.I have seen many precision 225's break down for a variety of reasons, most requiring costly new parts.  I have seen a few 200's go down as well, but with much less frequency and much longer run time in between.Also the lift-arc feature isnt found on any lincoln machines and it makes it much easier to run tig without a remote of some sort.  I also feel that the arc start is stronger with millers in general but maybe im just jaded.  Anyways, get the 200, you'll be glad you did.  If you think your going to come across that need more amps, the 25 extra really wont make *that* much of a difference.  You can always run some 5/32 7018 if you really need to burn it in.Have we all gone mad?
Reply:The Thermal Arc unit is the Arc Master 185.  Don't let the 185 amps output through you off, some have said that these units put out 200 amps when an amp meter is connected.  If you do the search for Thermal Arc Pro Wave 185 or for the newer version Arc Master 185.
Reply:The machines are more or less the same at 40% duty cycle. I like red, but don't like labeling the machine at a less than 10% duty cycle rating.If lift arc is important it will affect those DC guys who like to break the arc by pulling the torck back quickly (some folks hate the HF restart when you pull back).The Lincoln AC is more aggressive (and louder) than the Miller. The DC is now very similar between the two (Miller used to be much smoother). The Lincoln has figured out how to maintain a stable DC arc at low amps with larger tungstens.If you like quiet/smooth you'll probably like the Miller, if you like a more agitated puddle you'll like the Lincoln.I've not used the T/A transformer machines, but they follow the old Hobart TIG machine theory (really, really smooth and quiet).Matt
Reply:Originally Posted by Jay OThe Thermal Arc unit is the Arc Master 185.  Don't let the 185 amps output through you off, some have said that these units put out 200 amps when an amp meter is connected.  If you do the search for Thermal Arc Pro Wave 185 or for the newer version Arc Master 185.
Reply:1/4" thick aluminum seems to be the tipping point for the machines you are looking at. The size of the assembly can definitely have an effect on how well the machine will perform on aluminum but you can also get a cylinder with a He/Ar mix for the thick stuff.  If you had a Syncro 180 and it was enough for you, then any of these machines would be an improvement.
Reply:Originally Posted by sn0border88I have seen many precision 225's break down for a variety of reasons, most requiring costly new parts.  I have seen a few 200's go down as well, but with much less frequency and much longer run time in between.
Reply:The only time im around Lincoln TIG machines is at the shop at school, and im there 20+ hours a week for the past 2 school years.  Ive seen the displays go out, HF stop working, loss of amp control at the remote, erratic arc, and im sure more things that im forgetting.We have probably the same amount of millers there, plus the shop I work at is exclusively miller.  Ive only seen them break down twice that I can think of.  One just stopped working, not sure why and the other needed a new rheostat.Have we all gone mad?
Reply:r99g,     I think you have a point in your thoughts about inverter being expensive to fix but as time goes by transformer machine are getting more electronics in them also.  Basicly what I get from reading post is that a newer machine will be more expensive to repair then an older one.  I think that part of the problem with inverters is that since they are small and light in weight they get move around alot more then a transformer machine which exposes them to more possibilities of getting damaged.  I believe inverter technology has been around for 30 years or so and I made my purchase with no regrets because I think the benefits of them over a tranny are worth it.
Reply:Hi r99g,I'm a bit past the age of being a "Fan" of anything.For the longest time it seemed the last thing Lincoln thought of was operator appeal and with AC tig and the Mig machines they just had a different idea of "how a machine should work". Since the middle 90s' they have changed designs and theory but there are still differences.The Millers will have very soft and quiet arcs, Lincolns will have more aggressive arcs and agitate the puddle more, with square wave AC the Lincoln can get very loud (and to some this is annoying).It's a shame you can't go to a demo somewhere and try each to see what you like.As for longevity if you don't abuse the duty cycle either one will still look good someday on your auction "sale rack".Matt