Cyberweld/ Thermal Arc 201TS initial purchase/performance review

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After looking for a DC only, dual input voltage, HF tig welder, I finally decided on the Thermal Arc 201TS. After price checking all over the web, I found Cyberweld.com to have the best pricing (I did give a courtesy call to my LWS to get a price match and they were 500$ more).I ordered the welder online at 6:30am (west coast time) on wed. morning, and by 8 am cyberweld called to verify my order (shipping and billing were different address, I applaud that they went the extra mile to double check). The nice girl on the phone informed me that the welder (kit) and foot pedal were in stock in their AZ warehouse, and that it would ship THAT DAY, and I would have it by Friday. COOL!Friday afternoon, FedEx showed up and delivered the goods. First impressions, its a clean little unit, really sturdy, seems well built. All of the cables and connectors are top notch. The regulator is a decent piece (victor), ground clamp is nice, no cheap wires (power cable and adapter are all top notch). The tig torch had me interested as I have never used hand controls before, and it was the biggest complaining factor that I could find online.As far as the torch goes, its not much larger or bulkier than my weldcraft WP17, though it does have much more heft to it. The torch has interchangeable controls (2t, 4t, and standard rotary) I've welded a little with the hand controls and its gonna take me some time to get used to. Friday I went to my LWS and ordered a dinse adapter made by weldtech (same one that goes on the maxstar 200sd) to adapt my WP9 torch/cable to it @  a cost of 57$ I will post the part number when I pick it up tomorrow.Attached are some initial photos. Attached Images'14 HTP invertig 221Thermal Arc 201ts'15 HTP 2400'13 Hypertherm Powermax 30Esab 875Esab 251Clark Metal Servicespecializing in stainless steel exhaust systems
Reply:more, here are the torch comparisons (thermal arc in middle), the consumables kit it came with, and size comparison to my hypertherm 30 Attached Images'14 HTP invertig 221Thermal Arc 201ts'15 HTP 2400'13 Hypertherm Powermax 30Esab 875Esab 251Clark Metal Servicespecializing in stainless steel exhaust systems
Reply:When I opened it up at the shop Friday, my boss was interested to see what this little thing would do as well, so we hooked it all up, plugged it into a 20amp 115v outlet, and I ran some lap welds on .025 and .016 321 stainless steel sheet (no backer or heat sink used), and I have to say I was INSTANTLY impressed. this machine has a very soft high frequency start, and a solid stable focused arc. there was a lot of input available with the foot pedal. This satisfied me with its low range capability.Next we cranked it up all the way (still on 115v input) and I laid down a really nice stitch on a 3/15 P&O plate (lap) I welded continuously for about a min (5 inches) and it performed great. arc stayed smooth, had the power to do the weld without any preheat.Tonight @ home, on a 15amp, 110volt circuit (not a dedicated circuit either) I did the following welds without having any breaker or amperage issues; first is a .025 321 stainless sheet, and the next is .050 321 stainless sheet. 3rd photo is 2 .250 321 stainless flanges welded together. after these photos were taken I continued to mess around with it for about a half hour and didn't have any breakers pop or find a lack of amperage.sorry for crappy photos. nice camera is low on my list of priorities right now.So far I am very please with my choice, this welder is going to be perfect for what I plan to use it for. Attached ImagesLast edited by sausage450r; 05-28-2014 at 01:53 AM.'14 HTP invertig 221Thermal Arc 201ts'15 HTP 2400'13 Hypertherm Powermax 30Esab 875Esab 251Clark Metal Servicespecializing in stainless steel exhaust systems
Reply:Any settings for pre/post gas flow? Does the torch have some sort of valve?Lincoln Precision Tig 185Lincoln Power Mig 256Hypertherm PM 45Everlast 140STSmith O/A
Reply:thermal arc states pre flow/postflow adjusts automatically with the amperage (and so far this seems to be true and sufficient). when I want more pre flow I simply hit the pedal but don't strike an arc. post flow so far has been more than adequate, though efficiency may be an issue for some people (I only pay 28$ for 250cf of argon so its small potatos). There is a built in gas solenoid on the machine. nothing on the torch but amperage control.'14 HTP invertig 221Thermal Arc 201ts'15 HTP 2400'13 Hypertherm Powermax 30Esab 875Esab 251Clark Metal Servicespecializing in stainless steel exhaust systems
Reply:I had a Longevity that was almost the exact same unit, but they were having trouble getting the foot pedal, so I returned it.  I don't care how many TIG machines a man has, he needs one of these.
Reply:I bought a TA 161STL about 2 years ago and gave it to my son.  It's very similar, just lift-arc (no HF) and 160A max.  It was a good deal at $650.  I remember Longevity had one about that time that was similar - I think made in the same WTL Welding factory around Shanghai."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
Reply:Crap Sausage, you can damb sure tig better than me, but I have to disagree with you slightly on the build quality of the TA. I think it could be a little more "industrial", although I've had no problems with mine. Its not "cheaply built", but I wish it was a little "tougher". Of course my first inverter was a Powcon 300ST.Sent while hiding at work using Tapatalk Lincoln SA 200Esab Caddy 160Thermal Arc 201TSMiller Dialarc HFI don't like making plans for the day because then the word "premeditated" gets thrown around the courtroom....
Reply:Originally Posted by dubl_tCrap Sausage, you can damb sure tig better than me, but I have to disagree with you slightly on the build quality of the TA. I think it could be a little more "industrial", although I've had no problems with mine. Its not "cheaply built", but I wish it was a little "tougher". Of course my first inverter was a Powcon 300ST.Sent while hiding at work using Tapatalk
Reply:Might as well post this adapter, and save people some money..http://www.ebay.com/itm/USAWeld-Q5G-...-/171026310207I went ahead, and put a real Weldcraft #9 and cable inside the Thermal-arc  186 hand setup. Bit larger handle, but works well with my #20 water cooled torch, and ft pedal setup. I would of liked to find the 201 #17 handle, but used what I had. The # 9 head would be great with your setup.. I still saved the 26 dinse/cable, and torch for the foot control too. (never use it, but a back up)Last edited by Brand X; 05-29-2014 at 12:12 AM.Esab/Lorch ET-220iEsab 160i caddyThermal LM-200 Lincoln feedersThermal Pee-Wee 85sThermal 60i- 3phase /RPC powered (Beast)Thermal Drag-gun 35CINE 1500 Klutch 140i
Reply:Originally Posted by manningAny settings for pre/post gas flow? Does the torch have some sort of valve?
Reply:Originally Posted by OldendumI bought a TA 161STL about 2 years ago and gave it to my son.  It's very similar, just lift-arc (no HF) and 160A max.  It was a good deal at $650.  I remember Longevity had one about that time that was similar - I think made in the same WTL Welding factory around Shanghai.
Reply:I really want one of these buy wow that a large price tag on it.I am sure it's worth it though.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleI really want one of these buy wow that a large price tag on it.I am sure it's worth it though.
Reply:Originally Posted by sausage450rI will have to amend this statement. I was looking through the manual tonight and it states that if you press and hold the arc start button on the finger control, it will preflow until you release. and If you hold when you want to stop the arc, it will post flow until you release. I have not tried this with my torch yet. I will when I get a chance.
Reply:Originally Posted by rahtreelimbsOn what page in the manual did you find this?
Reply:Nice makes me wanna order one.. lol
Reply:Originally Posted by rahtreelimbsOn what page in the manual did you find this?
Reply:USAweld one is a exact copy of the CK worldwide one.(Not sure if it's made by them or not?) USA does sell a lot of CK parts..Esab/Lorch ET-220iEsab 160i caddyThermal LM-200 Lincoln feedersThermal Pee-Wee 85sThermal 60i- 3phase /RPC powered (Beast)Thermal Drag-gun 35CINE 1500 Klutch 140i
Reply:so I've used this thing a few times now as a mobile welder, and I am still extremely pleased. this thing does great with 110v input power, and the arc on it is so much better than my dial arc HF that I think its time to sell the dialarc and get an HTP 221 dv for my alumn jobs.'14 HTP invertig 221Thermal Arc 201ts'15 HTP 2400'13 Hypertherm Powermax 30Esab 875Esab 251Clark Metal Servicespecializing in stainless steel exhaust systems
Reply:Originally Posted by sausage450r The nut/elbow that screws into the dinse for the gas line is also made from VERY SOFT 8mm brass which with barely any pressure is wanting to round itself. I am curious to see if the USAWELD part is any better
Reply:Originally Posted by Brand XUSAweld one is a exact copy of the CK worldwide one.(Not sure if it's made by them or not?) USA does sell a lot of CK parts..
Reply:Originally Posted by copeI bought a 25' CK 17F from USAweld.  They don't advertise it as CK, but it is.
Reply:Originally Posted by Brand XI will have to look closer, and see. I have had enough original Flexloc setups over the years, and it does look exactly like one  Just did not see a CK worldwide name anywhere. It's just as nice quality, but cheaper $$$ bottom line..
Reply:Originally Posted by copemine is marked on the torch handle.  Can't see it in their eBay picture.My torch.
Reply:So I've had this thing for two months now, and have used it on dozens on mobile jobs, and I will report I am extremely satisfied with its performance. Its really making me consider hard replacing my high output ac/dc transformer tig with a modern high output inverter based tig. The only pain in the *** about this unit is the setup @ the site. unpacking and setting up, and then tearing down and packaging back up adds 30-45 min to my jobs, so I build this handly little cart that will contain everything, and even purchased a pair of 80cf bottles to use specifically on this unit vs. lugging around my 250cf bottles. Attached Images'14 HTP invertig 221Thermal Arc 201ts'15 HTP 2400'13 Hypertherm Powermax 30Esab 875Esab 251Clark Metal Servicespecializing in stainless steel exhaust systems
Reply:More update. Still totally stoked on this welder. I really like the way this welds, and have not had any issues to this point. My Dialarc isn't getting used to its potential, so its for sale, and may be gone tonight (if this craigslister shows up). If that happens I will be calling HTP next week for a inverting 221 to replace it,  and will do a side by side comparison of these two.'14 HTP invertig 221Thermal Arc 201ts'15 HTP 2400'13 Hypertherm Powermax 30Esab 875Esab 251Clark Metal Servicespecializing in stainless steel exhaust systems
Reply:You might want to wait a few weeks for their "Black Friday" sale, about $500 off their regular price. Also just looked at their site and the 221dv shows "temporarily out of stock". JohnA few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps
Reply:Yeah. I am going to call tomorrow and feel them out on the whole black Friday sale. I am pretty sure i'll not get DV anyway. if they give me the Friday sale pricing I will just get a cooler too'14 HTP invertig 221Thermal Arc 201ts'15 HTP 2400'13 Hypertherm Powermax 30Esab 875Esab 251Clark Metal Servicespecializing in stainless steel exhaust systems