welder opinion

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i found a TIG machine local for 600. im looking for some advice here as to should i get it or not.its a Miller Econo-twin HF 150amphe says its AC/DC. so i'll be able to do aluminum. is this a good welder? i couldnt find anything about it. all the other ac/dc tig machines i find are around 1500 or more. im willing to spend 1000 right now. and this seems to be a good deal.Lincoln Square Wave 175 TIGLincoln 110v flux core welder (my 1st)Clarke 180EN MIG
Reply:I took a look at the manual on Miller's site.This machine is a shunted transformer type. This means that the amperage is controlled by turning a large crank on the front of the machine. It also means that you cannot add any sort of remote amperage control (such as a foot pedal or hand amperage control). This also means that the weld output is always on (no remote contactor) like with a regular stick welder.The 'HF' means that it has a built in high-frequency generator. This means that you can do non-contact arc starts in both AC and DC. It also allows the use of sine wave AC for GTAW (TIG). The HF is controlled through a switch that is strapped to the torch. As the HF is only on while the switch is depressed, when welding DC you have to press the switch to start the arc then release one the arc is established, for AC you have to hold the switch for the entire weld.The lack of remote amperage control and remote contactor means that you will have to manually break the arc at the end of the weld. If not done properly, this can lead to tungsten contamination and/or contamination/porosity/cracks at the end of the weld.Furthermore, the machine has no built-in gas control which means you will have to use a torch with a built-in gas valve and remember to manually tun the shielding gas on and off and the beginning and end of each weld.All in all, this machine look like little more than a simple stick machine that happens to have a HF box bolted on.If you do decide to get this machine I would ensure that it comes with all the necessary cables and compatible torch, especially the remote switch for the HF.Visit Tensaiteki.com
Reply:1000$ bucks should get you close to a used Miller 180 or Lincoln 185 that will be a lot better, more power wich is needed for Aluminium, beter control, foot pedal, gas solinoid with post flow, square wave, balance, automatic HF starting, ect... It will be a lot easier to weld with one of these than the 150 you are looking at.
Reply:Also having only 150 amps is going to limit you to about 1/8 to 3/16 max thickness in aluminium. And without control over the curent is will be hard to weld thin stuff, even 1/16 would be a nightmare to atempt.
Reply:I've done a lot of tig using an old Miller (not the one you mention as it was a 400 amp job) the shield gas was not run through the gas solenoid just a valve on the torch. It also had no remote just a contactor switch rigged on the torch and you had to hold it closed all the time while welding. To give you the whole picture the machine had built in water cooling but had a 150 amp air cooled torch on it. Next shop had the same machine with everything set up right and a foot remote. It was an absolute dream to use compared to the other. I don't have a problem with the gas valve on the torch but it is something you have to keep up with. The price seems a bit steep to me considering. If you want to do aluminum you probably won't like it. Just my opinion and everybody knows what those are like.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:Originally Posted by Timberwolf1000$ bucks should get you close to a used Miller 180 or Lincoln 185 that will be a lot better, more power wich is needed for Aluminium, beter control, foot pedal, gas solinoid with post flow, square wave, balance, automatic HF starting, etc
Reply:Originally Posted by turboguyThe Miller 180SD mentioned above is a great machine, but it draws at least 70 AMPs -- which means $15/yard cable is required just to power the outlet it runs from. Ouch.
Reply:ok...after reading this and doing my own research.i dont think the old miller is worth it. Also, i found a lincold square wave 175 for $1000 localy. low usage and a lot of extras. im picking it up tomorrow afternoon.Lincoln Square Wave 175 TIGLincoln 110v flux core welder (my 1st)Clarke 180EN MIG
Reply:Originally Posted by jetenginedoctorWhere are you getting your information about the SW 180SD drawing "at least 70 AMPs?"  If you take a moment to look, it's actually 54A, not quite 70.
Reply:picked up the lincon. came with argond bottle and all accessories. everything looked to be almost brand new. he said it has only 2 hours of use on it.Lincoln Square Wave 175 TIGLincoln 110v flux core welder (my 1st)Clarke 180EN MIG
Reply:oh...thanks for the help.Lincoln Square Wave 175 TIGLincoln 110v flux core welder (my 1st)Clarke 180EN MIG
Reply:Originally Posted by turboguyThat threw me too when I first looked at it. 54 amps is only for the machine's "rated output" though. ie the high duty cycle number. For the full 180 amp output the machine draws something like 74AMPs.
Reply:I have only 40 amps for my PT 185. Feed is #8 and about 30 feet from main panel. Surpise to me I have run the welder to the mat a fair bit on 1/4 inch aluminium and the torch gets too hot to use long befor I can trip the breaker.If I remember right the rating on a standard thermal breaker is what the breaker will hold without tripping at an ambient temperature of 30C. Loaded in the 125% to 135% range the breaker is designed to trip in 30min to 1 hour. Even at 200% load most breakes will hold about 10 to 30 seconds. Times depend on breaker design and to what listing they are tested, but also the surrounding air temperature. Once considdering the welders duity cycle and really how much time is spent running a bead I can see why it's possible to get away with a lower rated breaker than would be expected.Having a good ample sized feed and short run though helps prevent voltage drop in the feed wire and the more voltage present at the welder the less curent is needed to deliver the rated output, also effectivly the less load is placed on the breaker. Less energy is wasted as heat in the feed wire too.Lincoln PT185 TIGLincoln 175 MIGLincoln 240 amp AC StickLind Needle Arc plasma welderPlasma cutter, soon???