I need help deciding

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Well let me start out saying Hello. Im new to the site and love the information that is on it. Well here is my dillema... Im going to school for my associates degree in industrial welding and i want to hopfully start my own shop or work in a shop specializing in fab in the motorsports field. Ive been welding since i was 12 and love tig welding and pretty good at it.  Im looking at buying a tig welder... I have 1500 to spend and debating on getting the TA 186ac/dc but from what ive seen on the sight the have a few problems... I was also looking at a Maxstar 150 sth that i could get for 900 and i was wondering if the ac is worth the extra $$. I do some alum and i love doing it but i dont know if the extra money is worth it. If you could possibly give me some insight on the subject it woould be GREATLY appreciated! Thanks, Dillon
Reply:These are some of my welds i have done in the past. Im 19 now so i got alot to learn yet
Reply:What about a Miller 200 syncro ??  Now you will  have tig and stick.  Check craigs list too.
Reply:Looks like you have a good start on weldingMoney spent on high quality equipment is always money well spent.  I've never regretted buying the equipment I need.  I have also bought lots of used stuff to keep prices down on items I only needed for occasional jobs.  You will have to decide if turning down aluminum work will bother you enough to buy an AC/DC rig.My background had been mostly automotive but eventually slid over to mostly welding.  Now I teach math and still weld on the side.Good luck and keep working at it!Dave J.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Ive been looking for a 200 syncro but I cant find one for the price u want. They are all around 2000 and another thing is I want pulse and high freq. But I understand it adds to the $ and both the maxstar sth andthe Ta have that and they do stick as well. Thanks for the advise! :-)
Reply:I would say go for the AC. You are more likely to need it at some point than never needing it. I really like the Thermal Arc, I've never used a Maxstar, but I see them a lot in the field.  Oh, and if I recall correctly, Maxstar 150's pre 2000 are rebranded Fronius.138# anvilHomebuilt 6 tap kegerator100# cone anvil5" post viceVarious hammers ranging from 250g to 2000gSome tongsA few screwdriversA wrench or twoOh, and a Fronius TPS 2700
Reply:Thats kinda what I was thinking but I was really on the fence with the idea. I would like to get a syncro just because they are so tried and true but the ability to transport the TA much easier is a plus. Im just not wanting to spend a lot of $ and be dissapointed in the end and wish I had gotten somthing else. Thanks again for the help!
Reply:Another thing to think about is power consumption. Transformers eat and waste a lot more power than inverters, and weigh significantly more.138# anvilHomebuilt 6 tap kegerator100# cone anvil5" post viceVarious hammers ranging from 250g to 2000gSome tongsA few screwdriversA wrench or twoOh, and a Fronius TPS 2700
Reply:You may want to actually buy a Dynasty 200 DX.  Pricey, but you are young and have a long career ahead of you.  Your beads look great. I generally think the features of the DX are too much to actually use for most, but if you're 19 and already making welds like that,you will likely get the full benefit of what the machine has to offer.  Used ones are hard to find for a good price, but I suspect there will be a glut of them when Miller actually releases the Dynasty 280.The Customer Service of Miller is second to none.  If you ever have a problem, they literally bend over backwards to help.Add your location to your profile.  It's helps to know where you are.  There's a Syncro 250 by sale near me for $1950 right now.  They tend to sit around here.  Appears to be in nice shape.   You can probably grab it in the sub $1500 range and sell it for the same price when you choose another rmachine.  Or keep it in the shop as old reliable.Last edited by Drf255; 01-26-2013 at 07:10 AM.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Definitely get an AC/DC tig based on your goals.   Your welds look great so far.    In a sense I agree on getting a Dynasty if you can swing it but an extra $ 2500 is a lot of money esp for someone in school an young.   Get a chapter unit and upgrade once the machine is making you money.   By then you will prob want a Dynasty 350.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:Save up and get the HTP 221.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:I see where your coming from. Ive been welding on a dynasty for 3 years now and I do LOVE them but doesnt the TA have the same features. Cuz yes that is quite abit of extra money that is kinda hard to comeby.
Reply:Another vote for Ac/Dc.Aluminum is fun and profitable. Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:Well ac/dc it is but do I save up a lot more or do u get the TA. Gamble, did your problem with the 186 get fixed?
Reply:I am sure the YA will work well for you and you will be happy with it.   Same will be true for a Longevity 200EX.  Buying new and getting a 5 or 3 or what ever year warranty (brand specific) should take to the point u are making good money and can upgrade to that Dynasty 350...  Ask Simon but I think the 200ex may be made in the same factory as TA 186.....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:Thank you that sounds great! You guys are a great deal of help! I very much appreciate it!
Reply:No net yet, but I have a demo of the 200ex. You will like it too.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:It really sucks anyway you look at it. A  MILLER 200 syncro  is nice but not portable, more a shop machine. A 150 or 200 MAXSTAR is portable but not the same as a syncro. Guess you are gonna have to get one of each !      This is why ALL manufactures have different machines so WE can spend MORE MONEY !Whichever one you purchase first, you will buy another. It is just the way it works !
Reply:You sir have a great point of view! Lmao Gamble which of the two would you rathr buy again.
Reply:Originally Posted by d_wannerYou sir have a great point of view! Lmao Gamble which of the two would you rathr buy again.
Reply:Well I have my money saved up and now I have the chance to pick up a newer miller syncrowave 200 for 1500. What would be better the miller or the thermal arc 186
Reply:Originally Posted by d_wannerWell I have my money saved up and now I have the chance to pick up a newer miller syncrowave 200 for 1500. What would be better the miller or the thermal arc 186
Reply:Thank you for that :-) im just kinda worried about quality of the thermal arc. The syncrowave is so tride and true that I feel it will be much better in the long run. Somthing that I will want to keep around then in the future get a dynasty but I just want a great machine that will last me a very long time
Reply:Always buy American made products whenever possible.  It helps the American economy and the American people, something many foreign companies don't offer.  Lincoln Electric, Power MIG 256Hypertherm Powermax 45 Miller Dynasty 280DXSmith O/A torchGenesis of a welding table
Reply:Originally Posted by GarAlways buy American made products whenever possible.  It helps the American economy and the American people, something many foreign companies don't offer.What does Lincoln no longer make equipment state side? I went with Hypertherm for my plasma due to being the best and for that matter made in the USA.  It really is getting hard to get any thing made in the USA. Guess the economist forgot that to have real value in an economy you actually have to make something.
Reply:Originally Posted by d_wannerThank you for that :-) im just kinda worried about quality of the thermal arc. The syncrowave is so tride and true that I feel it will be much better in the long run. Somthing that I will want to keep around then in the future get a dynasty but I just want a great machine that will last me a very long time
Reply:Originally Posted by d_wannerThank you for that :-) im just kinda worried about quality of the thermal arc. The syncrowave is so tride and true that I feel it will be much better in the long run. Somthing that I will want to keep around then in the future get a dynasty but I just want a great machine that will last me a very long time
Reply:There's this guy:http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=244001His price is way too high....Or he is....The leftover 185's I've seen are around $1900 with warranty.My cousin got a NIB one for 1250 on eBay.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Originally Posted by Drf255There's this guy:http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=244001His price is way too high....Or he is....The leftover 185's I've seen are around $1900 with warranty.My cousin got a NIB one for 1250 on eBay.
Reply:New 185 is back up in price $2600 with the foot peddle. http://www.scottgrossstore.com/servl...-Welder/Detailbrucer; You didn't even bother to clean it for your photos too.Last edited by nikodell; 02-03-2013 at 08:10 AM.
Reply:Originally Posted by d_wannerThank you for that :-) im just kinda worried about quality of the thermal arc. The syncrowave is so tride and true that I feel it will be much better in the long run. Somthing that I will want to keep around then in the future get a dynasty but I just want a great machine that will last me a very long time
Reply:Originally Posted by nikodellNew 185 is back up in price $2600 with the foot peddle. http://www.scottgrossstore.com/servl...-Welder/Detailbrucer; You didn't even bother to clean it for your photos too.