I need some advice on a Dynasty 300 vs Syncrowave 250 decision

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Hello everyone. Glad to be on the board. I have been going through a mental ping-pong match for a week or so and wanted to get some advice. I can't completely reveal how I came into this situation (have to keep some secrets) but I got very lucky and now I could use some help from people who have experience with both machines to let me know what I should do.Right now I have a full Dynasty 300 DX Tigrunner and a Syncrowave 250 Tigrunner (the older one, not the DX) in my possession. I know the Dynasty is a much more capable machine and if money was no object I would have no issue but here's the scenario:-Electrical supply is not an issue. I need to have add sub panel added to my garage anyway so I can get all the juice needed to fuel the Syncrowave. I only have access to single phase though.-I will mostly be doing automotive stuff so I'm assuming 80-90% steel work. Most aluminum I would be welding is thin stuff like inter cooler pipes, body panels, maybe the occasional seat and motor mount. Figure 1/4" is the thickest I'll go.-I will also be using whatever machine I keep as a DC power source for the Thermal Arc Hefty wire feeder I already have. It used to be run of a CST 280 set at 165-200 depending on material thickness.Now for my decision:1. Keep the Dynasty.2. Keep the Syncrowave and put a lot of money in my pocket.My "Tim the Toolman" side wants me to keep the Dynasty since it's just awesome. My rational side wants me to keep the Syncrowave because I feel like it will cover all my foreseeable needs.Feel free to post your input. No right or wrong answer to this one. Just trying to collect as much information I can to make a good decision. I even posted a poll to make it interesting.Thanks!
Reply:I won't comment on which machine to keep.  I've used both and both are excellent tig machines.  I currently have the Sync 250 DX Tigrunner and a Dynasty 200.It doesn't seem that the welding you're planning to do would require the advanced features of the inverter machine.  Aluminum welding and thin SS are where the inverters excel.  Only you can decide which is more important.  Having the advanced features or having money in your pocket.I will comment on the use of a wirefeeder on either machine.  Not a good idea.  Both the Sync and Dynasty are CC (constant current) machines.  Mig welding is generally a CV (constant voltage) process.  You will not be happy with the "low end" performance of the feeder attached to a CC machine.A search will provide additional information on why this is not a good idea.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:Originally Posted by SundownIIII won't comment on which machine to keep.  I've used both and both are excellent tig machines.  I currently have the Sync 250 DX Tigrunner and a Dynasty 200.It doesn't seem that the welding you're planning to do would require the advanced features of the inverter machine.  Aluminum welding and thin SS are where the inverters excel.  Only you can decide which is more important.  Having the advanced features or having money in your pocket.I will comment on the use of a wirefeeder on either machine.  Not a good idea.  Both the Sync and Dynasty are CC (constant current) machines.  Mig welding is generally a CV (constant voltage) process.  You will not be happy with the "low end" performance of the feeder attached to a CC machine.A search will provide additional information on why this is not a good idea.
Reply:Hello kurfgator, SundownIII provided you with a very sound logic for making a choice between these two machines. I would say, with regard to operating your Hefty off of either of these two machines that the Dynasty does have a slight advantage. Since it is equipped with a "dig setting" you may notice a difference by having this adjustment as it will possibly "smooth out" some of the characteristics of using the CC current to run your wire. If you really want to test this theory and are able to operate both of these machines on some items that you have done in the past, do so, and then judge whether this will actually make enough of a difference to justify one choice over the other. Wish I were in your dilemna, I know the choice I would make, but that's another story. Best regards, AllanEDIT: noticed your question about the voltage sensing feeder. It will not run solid wires in the short-arc mode, it will be able to run them in spray. I am currently in the process of discussing this very issue on another post. So stay tuned. CV power is the preferred current for operating wire, there are many instances where the CC power will be adequate. Certainly research this a bit on your own and you'll see what some of the issues are. AllanLast edited by aevald; 02-24-2010 at 10:56 AM.aevald
Reply:After additional thought and reading a couple of the comments, another thing you may consider, to maximize your capabilities is:Sell the Dynasty/Keep the SyncSell the wirefeeder (the CST280 you used it on was a CV machine)Buy a MM211/MM212.You've got all your bases covered and still got money left over.Heck.  If you really want maximum bang for the buck.  Sell the Dynasty.  Keep the Sync.  Buy a MM211/212.  Buy a new Dynasty 200DX.  You should still have money left over.I went thru a similar decision a while back.  Had a 1996 Sync 250.  Really was close to buying a Dynasty 300.  Then, along came a deal on a nearly new Sync 250 DX Tigrunner.  Bought it and sold (to a buddy) the older Sync.  Then bought a new Dynasty 200 DX (with Blue Lightning and addl waveforms).  Used (nearly new-12 arc hrs) Sync 250 and Dynasty 200 were less than a new Dynasty 300.  After having the Dynasty 200, it would be hard to give up the portability.  Machine basically paid for itself in the first 6 mos.  Even if I move to the Dynasty 350 in the foreseeable future, I'll still keep the 200.Decisions.  Decisions.Last edited by SundownIII; 02-24-2010 at 12:23 PM.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:Originally Posted by kurfgatorRight now I have a full Dynasty 300 DX Tigrunner and a Syncrowave 250 Tigrunner (the older one, not the DX) in my possession.
Reply:Originally Posted by kurfgatorRight now I have a full Dynasty 300 DX Tigrunner and a Syncrowave 250 Tigrunner (the older one, not the DX) in my possession.
Reply:Man (Seriously) I want to be in the "Miller Club" but why is'nt anyone useing a Miller in the "Mig like Tig" thread............i've heard , because a Miller just cant do it as nice as a Lincoln. the Miller guys cry , it's not all about looks.I wish , I wish i could be in the Blue Club. But i can have the best of both worlds in the Red Club .  I hate red. I wanna be blue.        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 woi2ldMan (Seriously) I want to be in the "Miller Club" I wish , I wish i could be in the Blue Club. But i can have the best of both worlds in the Red Club .  I hate red. I wanna be blue.
Reply:Ha , luv it , and i could paint the engine block in my Chevy Blue too.        thermal arc 252i  -  millermatic 350P -   miller XMT, cp300ts, 30a 22a feeders, buttload of other millers, handfull of lincolns, couple of esabs  -   Hypertherm 1250 G3