Tig Purchase advice

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So I finally got enough money saved up to buy a Tig but im not quite sure the best way to go. Here are my choices: There is a older syncrowave 300 on CL for $1500 Its not the really old one since it has the needle type readout meters on the front panel but none the less its still old. Its probably one of the best condition older Syncwave 300's ive seen to date for its age, cables, torch, watercooler, and foot control included. I know it requires a LOT of power to operate at its full potentiol but thats not a big a deal as i have a seperate service on my gargage just for my welders and equipment. I'm worried about finding parts for it if it breaks however. I was also debating on buying either a new Miller syncrowave 200 or Lincoln precision Tig 225. Both machines are neck and neck price wise. I'm just not sure which way to go here, buy a older miller with more amps for $1500 or just shell out roughly $800 more and buy a brand new machine with less ampreage. Anyone got any advice they are willing to share?? I'm just not sure the best way to go hereMillerMatic 252Miller Dialarc 250Smith Oxy/acetlyne Cutting OutfitHossfeld BenderTubing Roller
Reply:I've never had the opportunity to run one of the Syncro 300's, but I've run a bunch of older Syncro 250's.I'd personally have no issues picking up a nice clean used Syncro 300. The water cooler and water cooled torch adds to the value of that package and you'd probably have to spend another $600+ to add that to a new machine.I'm not sure I'd buy a brand new Syncro 200 with what I know now, unless I needed one immediately. I see a fair number of lightly used Syncro 200's used on CL from time to time in the $1100- 1500 range, and occasionally a few for even less. If you look at the manual, it tells you the start up  sequence to pull up the arc starts and run time for the Syncro 200. That way you know exactly how "used" it is. I don't think the older units have that option however.The only other thought I'd have is what exactly is this for? If this is a machine that will make you money day in day out, can you afford it if something goes wrong? If the answer is "no", then you probably ought to look at a new machine ( or even a back up if it's that critical). If on the other hand, you don't need the machine all the time for business, if you are a hobbyist or if your budget is extremely limited for some reason, then taking a gamble on a used machine starts to make more sense.  ..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:Id get the PT225, new is always a wonderful thing.I got a secondhand PT225 recently, and I absolutely love it.[Account Abandoned 8/8/16 Please Do Not Attempt Contact Or Expect A Reply]. See you on YouTube! -ChuckE2009
Reply:I wouldn't bat an eyelash buying a used machine. You know what thickness materials you weld and should buy accordingly. That said I have a lincoln square wave 175 that I have beat on for the last 10+ years and have had 0 problems with it! I have used it for everything from frame extensions to the wifes house ornaments/decorations. I absolutely love the older tanks! I haven't heard many problems but the ones that do have problems with the newer inverter machines say repairs are not cheap. Usually some computer board that costs $800.Personally I wish I had a little more than the 175 but it has been enough for everything I've done. I would like a 200-225 range machine.After mastering TIG you will find more and more adjustment would be a nice thing as well especially with different strange situations. But like I mentioned a basic machine will get the job done pretty much all the time. You will just be saying to yourself sometimes "boy I wish I could adjust the AC balance a bit to get rid of that haze or get better penetration".
Reply:Although I am learning tig, I bought the PT225 and it has been great so far. I wanted something with a warranty since I just paid several hundred to get a Miller 250 fixed. When I got it fixed, I sold it and bought a MM212.MillerMatic 212, Lincoln Precision TIG 225, Hypertherm 45XP
Reply:Look around and talk to people you know in the industry... unless you need the machine tomorrow being patient wont hurt... look around and when you see a great deal jump all over it. I picked up a miller Dyansty DX (300amp) with a tweco water cooler and torch for $1,000 - after footpedal, regulator and misc goodies i was at right about $1500. It has been good to me and as my skills have progressed the adjustments you can make have become more and more handy. Ill probably never sell it the thing is AWESOME! It stick welds like a beast too.Miller Dynasty 300 DXMiller CST280Miller Maxstar 150 STH
Reply:I ran Synro300's  and 1000's for years Fine machines.
Reply:*new* miller dynasty 200 watercooler wireless pedal and the works. thats what u want. or the biger amp model. do it . now.
Reply:Well really im just looking for a Tig for my own home personal use. I work at a local welding/fab shop so this will just a welder I use in the afternoons and on the weekends for small side jobs so if it breaks I could wait a couple weeks for replacement parts. I'm not in a huge hurry to buy a tig I just have been saving up money for a while and now im getting a litte ancey waiting to buy one. Whatever machine i do end up buying it needs to be able to weld 1/4'' aluminum which is why i was leaning towards the older synrowave 300 but i was unsure just how dependable it was. I guess I just need to sit back and be a little more patient until a better deal comes along  I appreciate all the helpful info everyone has provided me with. Thanks everyoneMillerMatic 252Miller Dialarc 250Smith Oxy/acetlyne Cutting OutfitHossfeld BenderTubing Roller
Reply:Originally Posted by SilveradoLook around and talk to people you know in the industry... unless you need the machine tomorrow being patient wont hurt... look around and when you see a great deal jump all over it. I picked up a miller Dyansty DX (300amp) with a tweco water cooler and torch for $1,000 - after footpedal, regulator and misc goodies i was at right about $1500. It has been good to me and as my skills have progressed the adjustments you can make have become more and more handy. Ill probably never sell it the thing is AWESOME! It stick welds like a beast too.
Reply:take a look at the Thermal Arc tig welders, the 185 amp machines are a lot of bang for the buck, good solid machines.  I've owned mine for 6 yrs, it's been a great machine..tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:Originally Posted by brucertake a look at the Thermal Arc tig welders, the 185 amp machines are a lot of bang for the buck, good solid machines.  I've owned mine for 6 yrs, it's been a great machine..
Reply:The thickest aluminum you can weld with a machine will be the same regardless of brand as it is amperage dependent.    Figure 200 amps for 1/4 inch aluminum.Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Originally Posted by soutthpawThe thickest aluminum you can weld with a machine will be the same regardless of brand as it is amperage dependent.    Figure 200 amps for 1/4 inch aluminum.
Reply:I have a sync 300, bought it used about 10 years ago and it has been flawless, use it almost every day. 1/4" aluminum will require a water cooled torch if you plan to weld for more than about 1" at a time.Power requirements on the sync 300 will be about 70 amps for full power, but I ran mine for years on a 50 amp breaker and it was just fine for most things, but I was doing mostly steel and stainless rarely any 1/4" aluminum.Ian TannerKawasaki KX450 and many other fine tools
Reply:Originally Posted by fortyonethirtyI have a sync 300, bought it used about 10 years ago and it has been flawless, use it almost every day. 1/4" aluminum will require a water cooled torch if you plan to weld for more than about 1" at a time.Power requirements on the sync 300 will be about 70 amps for full power, but I ran mine for years on a 50 amp breaker and it was just fine for most things, but I was doing mostly steel and stainless rarely any 1/4" aluminum.
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWNot quite true. Top end inverters like the Dynasty, can weld slightly thicker material than similar amp rated transformer based machines if set up properly. The ability to focus the arc by using higher frequencies and running a higher percentage DCEN allows for more penetration in a narrower area at the same amps, so the machine acts like it has more amps available to work with. True it won't turn a 200 amp machine into a 300 amp machine, but when running rear the edge of the range it gives just a bit more "power" to work with..  200 amps is also a bit low for 1/4". You really need closer to 250-275 amps to do 1/4" without special prep or small pieces. 200 amps will do 3/16" with no problem though.
Reply:Mine has a wp-20. The windings on the transformers appear to be copper, but i'm not gonna mess with em to find out for sure. The welder and cooler together weigh almost 1000 lbs.Ian TannerKawasaki KX450 and many other fine tools
Reply:Any TIG over 150amps can weld as thick of aluminum as you can find on earth. Just needs pre heating and many many passes.
Reply:Originally Posted by fortyonethirtyMine has a wp-20. The windings on the transformers appear to be copper, but i'm not gonna mess with em to find out for sure. The welder and cooler together weigh almost 1000 lbs.
Reply:Yep the transformer stuff is not portable...   a syncrowave is 450 odd lbs.  850 for a 330A/bp. Though mine is very portable on the forks of my skid steerTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Originally Posted by soutthpawYep the transformer stuff is not portable...   a syncrowave is 450 odd lbs.  850 for a 330A/bp. Though mine is very portable on the forks of my skid steer
Reply:Originally Posted by YoungBloodWell this makes things more interesting. If i was to but I have no clue how I would ever get it loaded on my trailer  Maybe I should just stick to looking for a inverter Tig machine
Reply:The older Sync 300 is about 720 pounds.  A Sync 250 is about 385."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder