Tig inveter vs standard

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I just bought a Lincoln 225 TIG and am wondering if I missed the bus becacuse of being somewhat uneducated on inverter machines. I have a 50 amp 220 service and have not had and problems with my precision tig tripping breakers. I dont move my TIG except in the garage on big projects. I see that the lincoln inverter tig 205 seelms to be rated a bit higher up to 1/4 instead of 3/16. What are the advantages to invertewr tig except power?
Reply:Hey worm122,Basically, the inverter systems not only use less input power to provide the same or greater output power, the output currents are much cleaner and much more controllable(sine wave/pulse). My inverter TIG does an awesome job on both steel and especially aluminum. I find that total research prior to a major purchase will generally provide the info. & parameters on needs for your own requirements. Today's inverter machines are quite remarkable & reliable and are getting to be the standard. Of course, the old transformer engine welders(SA200) are the best for their pipeline/structural reliability as they have proven throughout the years.....like a Timex, "takes a lickin' & keeps on tickin'".  Just MHO......DennyComplete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."
Reply:The interter machines generally have a lot more features than your typical square wave transformer machine. The only problem, for me at least, is the price. You're talking more than two times the price for most machines. Miller Millermatic 252Miller Syncrowave 200Liincoln AC-DC 225Victor O-A Set
Reply:Not only are they more expensive to purchase, wait till you have to have it repaired, if you can find someone except the factory to work on them.  JohnSMAW,GMAW,FCAW,GTAW,SAW,PAC/PAW/OFCand Shielding Gases.  There all here. :
Reply:The price is what makes me think I did  the right thing by buying the Lincoln 225.  I can have a water cooler new water cooled torch and gas and electrodes and still have money left over.  I dont have a power problem and the Lincoln Precision Tig 225 does just fine to me but I dont have a ton of seat time.
Reply:Worm, do you really need water.  JohnSMAW,GMAW,FCAW,GTAW,SAW,PAC/PAW/OFCand Shielding Gases.  There all here. :
Reply:No I dont need water cause I dont spend enough time in the chair and above 200 amps
Reply:Save your $'s.  Buy a Power cable and an HW17 FV Torch and your are Home.  JohnSMAW,GMAW,FCAW,GTAW,SAW,PAC/PAW/OFCand Shielding Gases.  There all here. :
Reply:Power cable??????where can I find that torch
Reply:A power cable adaptor goes on the terminal of the machine , so as to let the gas into the system. It and the HW17 Flexable head and Valve (FV) can be found at any LWS.SMAW,GMAW,FCAW,GTAW,SAW,PAC/PAW/OFCand Shielding Gases.  There all here. :
Reply:Worm,Inverter vs transformer machines have several advantages.Less power consumption per amps output.  As has been mentioned, not a big problem for you, but it is a major issue for many users.More portable.  Again not an issue for you but a major factor for those doing "out of shop" work.Most inverters have the ability to adjust the frequency (cycles) which give the welder the ability to tighten or widen the arc.  (Higher frequency=tighter arc=deeper penetration/narrower weld bead).  Transformer machines are limited to operation at 60 cycles (as provided by the power company).The more advanced inverter machines give the user additional abilities to further shape the waveform (advanced squarewave, sine wave, soft squarewave, triangular wave, etc.).  This is probably not a big factor for you but for those doing specialized applications, it is a big plus.Most of the old, name brand transformer based machines are known for being sort of bulletproof.  Inverter machines are the new kid on the block, however they have also proven to be quite reliable.  The introduction of such machines as the Miller Dynasty 200DX, which can be run off 120V power, have opened up welding opportunities which would have been unlikely/impossible with the transformer machines (lack of available power).You've got a great machine with the Precision Tig 225.  Don't worry about what others have/don't have.I will say, if you get serious about tig, you will WANT a water cooled torch.  Start saving for a nice cooler and something like a Weldcraft WP20 torch. Hope this helps.  Any other questions, just fire away.Remember, as with any information source, you'll get a fair share of bad info to go along with the good.  The challenge is to be able to know where to draw the line.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:Like SundownIII said, spend the money on a water cooled setup, you won't regret it.Anything worth doing is worth doing RIGHT
Reply:An inverter produces a square wave that can be shaped by the weldor.  Some more technical than others, but its a great advantage once you use one and get to know it.  I set my arcmaster on 25 Hz AC when welding 1/4" Aluminum lap welds.  Much more and I don't have enough heat to keep a puddle.  On deep grooves or fine stuff I turn the Hz up to 150 (as high as it goes) to make the arc more concentrated.  I really don't use pulse much.  I'm jealous of the PT 225.  Nice machine....Oh yeah, just get the stinkin water cooled torch now instead of later. DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Working at (or near) the bench with a relatively small machine, a good transformer machine is fine. If you need to go on the road, or are running at high current all day,  the inverter really shines. I'v used both flavors for a variety of jobs, and for most things, there isn't much advantage to the inverter, and the conventional machine has the price advantage. Once you need to move the thing, or running high power all day, the inverter takes over, due to the smaller size and higher electrical efficiency. Even for aluminum, the added features of an inverter aren't that important unless you are doing exotic work.... My make some things a little easier, but not so much as to be worth the extra $$$ much of the time.As to the water cooled torch, It really depends on what your use is. It sounds like you  will be using hte machine fairly regularly, so the smaller, lighter, more comfortable water cooled torches can be very nice. If the use will only be occasional, or you will be going on the road,, it is not worth the money to me (but might be to you).
Reply:I just picked up a water cooler for my inverter. Its great. But if you are doing mostly small stuff under 100 amps The #9 air cooled is the same size as a water cooled #20 and the hoses are lighter. Thay #9 is rated at 120 amps and I have used mine above that for short welds.I never cared for the # 17 air cooled always thought it was clumsy. You can get a smaller collet body for the 17 so you can use the #9 #20 cups on the #17 head. That makes it almost as small as a #9.mm135HTP Invertig 201 With water cooler9" Southbend LatheLots of hand tools.