Finally Bought a TIG

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Hey everybody, new to the forum, and new to TIG welding, but have many years of production MIG welding experience. I decided I want to gain a new skill, so I invested in a Miller Migstar 200 SD that was on eBay. I've always liked the recognised brands of machines, even if they are just rebadged Taiwanese machines, because I expect a big company has a reputation to protect, so they don't just grab the first machine they find at a Taipei or Beijing welding fair or trade show. That said, I'm on a budget, so I had to look to trusty eBay for a good deal, and I think I got one, well that's if it actually works If anybody can identify this torch (I'm still waiting on delivery), I'd really appreciate it, as the eBay seller was a pawn shop and they had no idea about anything. He couldn't answer the most basic of questions, and my total lack of experience with these machines didn't exactly put me in a position to know what to tell him to look for.My plan is to build a set of custom, stainless exhaust headers for my car. It's nothing high performance, but a few members at my club talked me into it, as they want a set as well, so with a project in mind, I've started procuring the extra tools required for the job. I've also bought a SSC Controls foot control, as I was told they're a better way to go than the Miller designed foot control, as in, better built (all metal), and lower in profile.Anyway, hope to make a few friends, and does anybody recognise this torch and lead?StephYes I know, it's really dusty, but it was also really cheap Miller Maxstar 200 SDSSC Controls foot controlMig Star 250AL
Reply:I think you know this but the machine is called a Maxstar not a Migstar.  The machine is made by Miller in the US, not an outside Asian company.   I don't recognize the torch. If I had to take a guess, I'd say Weldcraft, since that is the brand Miller includes with their machines but I don't own a Weldcraft torch so can't say for sure what that one is.  Yes, the SSC is indeed a great pedal.  I have 2 of them on 2 different machines and am very happy with both.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:From the pic., the torch looks like a PT-18 or PT-20."SOUTHPAW" A wise person learns from another persons mistakes;A smart person learns from their own mistakes;But, a stupid person.............never learns.
Reply:Originally Posted by StephHey everybody, new to the forum, and new to TIG welding, but have many years.......... I've also bought a SSC Controls foot control, as I was told they're a better way to go than the Miller designed foot control, as in, better built (all metal), and lower in profile........... and lead?StephYes I know, it's really dusty, but it was also really cheap
Reply:AWE! I told that pawnshop guy I'ld have the money for the torch come tuesday, dang! City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:Originally Posted by tanglediverAWE! I told that pawnshop guy I'ld have the money for the torch come tuesday, dang!
Reply:How much did it cost?
Reply:Welcome aboard, I wish you all the best with that new machine.Regards from Toronto, Ontario, CanadaWorking on cars and bikes is my hobby, learning to weld the pieces together is my quest.
Reply:Originally Posted by DesertRider33I think you know this but the machine is called a Maxstar not a Migstar.  The machine is made by Miller in the US, not an outside Asian company.
Reply:You would have to double check this with someone who works for Miller, but as far as I know, they don't manufacture Miller branded welding machines anywhere but Appleton, Wisconsin.  They do buy individual components that go inside the machines from elsewhere I'm sure, but no actual complete machine manufacturing outside the US, for machines with the Miller brand on them.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:There's a thread here somewhere about Miller having a factory in China making machines for the Chinese market. The OP asked the question if it was possible to import one back to the US, he then went on to call one member a pedophile, and another a hick. Ring any bells?Anyway, I'm sure Miller has no intention of bringing those machines into the US market... yet :PMiller Maxstar 200 SDSSC Controls foot controlMig Star 250AL
Reply:I rang the pawn shop today, and of course they were "just about to call the courier". Anyway, he had a look at the torch and told me it's a Binzel. He read some other stuff off it for me like TSK 35-50 50-70 but couldn't give me a model. So Binzel make good quality stuff, although it does look bulky for a TIG torch?Miller Maxstar 200 SDSSC Controls foot controlMig Star 250AL
Reply:Originally Posted by StephThere's a thread here somewhere about Miller having a factory in China making machines for the Chinese market. The OP asked the question if it was possible to import one back to the US, he then went on to call one member a pedophile, and another a hick. Ring any bells?Anyway, I'm sure Miller has no intention of bringing those machines into the US market... yet :P
Reply:Originally Posted by DesertRider33I don't remember that topic.  From your description, sounds to me like Johnny Welder was probly involved somehow....
Reply:Originally Posted by StephI rang the pawn shop today, and of course they were "just about to call the courier". Anyway, he had a look at the torch and told me it's a Binzel. He read some other stuff off it for me like TSK 35-50 50-70 but couldn't give me a model. So Binzel make good quality stuff, although it does look bulky for a TIG torch?
Reply:Originally Posted by rlitmanIts not that the torch is bulky, but it does look like there's a fingertip control attached to it in addition to the foot pedal.  Excellent buy!
Reply:I got my machine today and it seems to be in good shape with no damage. I checked the 'mileage' and it has 445 hours of arc-time on the clock, so that's not too bad. The lead is in excellent shape, but the torch head has taken a fair beating by being dropped and I think hung on something sharp that's worn the rubber off around the neck. I still can't work out what model it is, and all I have to go on is it's a Binzel with EN 50 078 which only brings up a bunch of Binzel torches. But it has got a switch, so that's a bonus. Anyway, I'm going to buy a new flex torch head for it tomorrow at our solitary Miller dealer in Adelaide. We have a population of over a million and only one shop that carries Miller machines, and even then only the top of the range machines. I gotta say, this seems to be a really well built machine, and yeah, it was made in the good old US of A.Miller Maxstar 200 SDSSC Controls foot controlMig Star 250AL