So I just bought my first welder.

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Thanks to everyone who helped me out in the various brand forums while I was shopping for a decent welder. I've been checking every craigslist in the state for an AC/DC tig welder daily for the last 9 months and I finally scored at Miller Syncrowave 200 only 3 years old for $900. I'm really pumped to get started with it but I gotta get some accessories first. Power source did not come with the tig torch, stinger, orr foot pedal. It has the ground clam, the gas hose and regulator only. I also need a helmet and gas and consumables.Should I buy the OEM torch/pedal/stinger, or is there a decent alternative that will be cheaper. I got about 400$ to get up and going which doesn't buy much, and I have almost no welding experience which is why Im asking for advice. If I buy one of the cheaper torches with the fingertip control and blow off the pedal for now am I going to regret it? aside from running past the duty cycle, is there anything else I should make sure to absolutely not do in order to not trash the machine while Im learning?
Reply:$400 won't go far. Figure you will cut that in half roughly getting an 80cf-100cf cylinder. The smaller ones won't save you much, maybe $40-50, but you will find you run out of gas quickly. Get a good fixed shade hood. They are cheap, and you can upgrade to an AD later. Several guys have commented on issues with the cheap AD hoods not working well on lower amp tig. Now that will leave you less than $200 roughly for the torch and remote. Fingertip vs pedal shouldn't affect the torch you choose. Some prefer one over the other as far as remotes.As far as the torch, my Syncro 200 came with the WP17 aircooled torch. It's fine for steel at moderate amps, but for alum I'm keeping my eyes open for a good WP20 watercooled torch. The aircooled torch gets hot fast doing alum. With a WP17 aircooled torch I doubt you'd really have to worry about duty cycle on that machine. You will melt the torch most likely before you would exceed the duty cycle. Keep in mind that the WP17 and WP 20 torches use different parts. If you plan to upgrade to a watercooled torch in the future when you have the extra money, you need to get all new parts. They do make a WC torch that uses the same parts as the WP17, but you give up the small compact torch that makes the WP20 so nice. Also you MUST use coolant with a water cooled torch. If you try to use it as an aircooled torch you will destroy it right away..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:i started learning tig without a pedal, and am just now getting a pedal. weldersales is a member on here who got me the best price i could find for a pedal, just don't be in a hurry to get it from him. you might see if he has a torch, otherwise i would watch craigslist, go to pawn shops, and watch ebay. if you buy an air cooled torch, i would buy one that has interchangeable consumables with a water cooled that can handle the max ratings of your welder, so when you grow into a watercooled you don't have to buy a new set of consumables. send me a pm. i have an aircooled torch with a bunch of consumables that we might can make a deal on.Dynasty 200DXPassport plus w/ spoolmate 100victor 315c oxy/(act and prop)Miller digital elitemilwaukee power tools
Reply:Thanks for the responces guys. I went to the LWS to price some of this stuff out, but they wern't a miller distributor, so they admitted they would have an extra markup on the stuff I need. I was able to price cylenders though, you were right. they have a 60lb for 129, or a 125lb for 200, the 125 is about the same price to fill though. Sucks cause I don't plan on welding much, and I like the compactness and portability of the 60lb tank, especially if I need three tanks to weld on different materials, dont they sell like single use disposable 2-5lb cannisters if you just want to weld up like one part?I'm sure I can guess, but on the off chance the typical doesn't hold true, does anyone have any experience with the ebay nock-off torches? the 'wp20-25r type or style' is what Im referring to. same thing for the pedals, would that be cash down the drain?and thanks for the offer turk, I will consider it but I want to check the other LWS first. weldcraft documentation states that the wp17 can handle max 125 amps 60% duty on aluminum, has this been true in your experience? the only AL project I have planned is some thin wall intercooler piping, and I'll be working slow so I'm pretty sure I could get by with an air cooled. I'll send you a pm wen I decide what I'm gonna do.
Reply:For tig you really only need one gas cylinder. 100% argon will do everything, steel, SS and alum. If for some odd reason you want a funky mix, then you just pay for a new fill and swap the cylinder for that gas and swap back when done. After all it would cost you the same to get the 2nd tank filled anyways. I'm not sure why portability is a concern. At 235 lbs and a box the size of a medium sized filing cabinet, the Syncro 200 isn't exactly a "portable" machine. The machine weighs more than even my big 282cf cylinders. Multiple gases only really applies to mig when talking about the basics. I'd get the 125cf and if you want you can always just keep an eye on CL for someone who's got a cylinder listed. Most supply places will swap for the apropriate gas as long as you have a cylinder to exchange. I snagged an old acet cylinder off CL and swapped it out for a nice O2 cylinder that I later exchanged for my argon for tig.I've done alum over 125 amps with my WP17 torch. I use thin tig gloves and when it's too warm to be comfortable, it's time to take a break and do prep or something else for a while..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:portability in order to take it to get refilled, I don't have a truck, andeven If I could fit in my trunk the smaller tank is just easier to handle/load. Thanks for the tip on gas, I thought I needed argon/co2 for SS and AL. Going to pick up the welder in the morning, I'm stoked.