Looking at a used precison tig 185

admin

Hi,I've been reading posts on this site for a little over a year, registred a while back and finally have an excuse to post.  I work for a production company, and when I'm not in the feild working events I do a lot of maintence work, and do a lot with a miller 210A mig machine.I've been wanting to learn to tig for a while now, mainly due to some automotive projects I want to undertake, and because it make make some things at work a little easier.I found a used Precision Tig 185 about an hour and a half away from where I live with what appears to be a very competitive asking price. I was just looking to try and find out if this machine is a good machine to learn on. The guy who is selling it has agreed to lay a few beads for me to prove that it is in good working condition. Are there any things I should look at speciffically when inspecting it prior to purchance?Thanks for any insight!
Reply:I got one back when they were the PT175.  I bought it new for about $1500.  After a hear and a half, I sold it for $1000 and bought a 10 year old Miller machine...   and have never regretted it.The PT175 was garbage.  The "auto balance" didn't work.  I'd be welding along, and suddenly the balance would go so far to the negative side that it wouldn't even weld.  The Lincoln guys weren't much help at all..  they never asked me to bring it to them, never offered a loaner, or anything.  They were no help, really.  They didn't even offer to repair it at my cost, after warranty had ran out.The PT185 will struggle with welding 1/4" aluminum on AC.
Reply:Originally Posted by frost31337Hi,I've been reading posts on this site for a little over a year, registred a while back and finally have an excuse to post.  I work for a production company, and when I'm not in the feild working events I do a lot of maintence work, and do a lot with a miller 210A mig machine.I've been wanting to learn to tig for a while now, mainly due to some automotive projects I want to undertake, and because it make make some things at work a little easier.I found a used Precision Tig 185 about an hour and a half away from where I live with what appears to be a very competitive asking price. I was just looking to try and find out if this machine is a good machine to learn on. The guy who is selling it has agreed to lay a few beads for me to prove that it is in good working condition. Are there any things I should look at speciffically when inspecting it prior to purchance?Thanks for any insight!
Reply:I think it would be used mostly for lighter stuff (1/8 aluminum and steel) but I can think of a few unlikely situations where the ability to do short (6") welds on 1/4 aluminum could come up. For $700 it looks to be a good deal assuming its in the great shape the seller says it is.Is there anything I should look for in particular on it when i look it over?Thanks
Reply:I tried one out and loved it. I has HF start and pulse which are great options to have. I am a miller man myself but I am current looking at the newer version the PT225 as it is a lot cheap then the equivalent Miller.Miller DVI2Lincoln Precision Tig 225Thermodynamics Cutmaster 38Everything else needed.
Reply:I have the pt185. It is a very fine machine. Sorry for the guy that had a 175 and had bad luck. There is a lemon in every good product. It's just the way it is. I had a Miller Guy use my 185 and was very impressed. It would have no problems with 1/4 inch steel. If you weld a lot of 1/4 aluminum, you would not be looking at this machine anyway. It is what it is. 185 amps. And for what it is, it is a sweet machine. Seriously ask yourself - how many guys tig on 1/4 inch that are hobbyist? Some may, but most don't. In my opinion, Lincoln and Miller you can not go wrong with.
Reply:....and that is a steal for $700.
Reply:I have a Precision Tig 225 and it works great!  I am sure the 185 will be the same.Only problem, they are a bit heavy to move around unless it is on a cart with wheels.  I still have mine on the wood bracket it came on because it sits under my work bench until I TIG weld a TIG cart for it.Just my .02 cents.Build a Barstool Racer at BarFlyRacers.com!
Reply:Originally Posted by frost31337I think it would be used mostly for lighter stuff (1/8 aluminum and steel) but I can think of a few unlikely situations where the ability to do short (6") welds on 1/4 aluminum could come up. For $700 it looks to be a good deal assuming its in the great shape the seller says it is.Is there anything I should look for in particular on it when i look it over?Thanks
Reply:If it's working right, and in decent cosmetic shape $700 is a great price.
Reply:I'm going to check it out friday afternoon, i'll be sure to upate the thread if I bring it home. Other than the "burned transformer" smell, and powering it up to verify it works, is there anything else i should check?ThanksMatt
Reply:Just got an email from the guy today, he decided to sell it out from under me even after he told me friday was the earliest he could let me look at it. Back to the drawing bord I guess.