Help me Buy a New TIG Welder!

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Well, I have about $2000 in the bank right now and I'm shopping for a nice TIG welder that will fill my needs over the next 5-10 years. I am willing to wait a bit longer and save a bit more money to get a nicer welder. My ultimate budget lies in the $2000-3000 range. I'm trying to decided which machine I want. I would like a machine that can handle about 200amps. Has to be capable of both steel and aluminum.The choices as I have thus far:Miller Dynasty 200dx with contractor kit. (high end of my price range).http://store.cyberweld.com/mildyn200dxa.html$3220 shippedThermal Dynamics Arc Master 185tswhttp://toolsforless.com/product/9805.html$1988 shippedMiller Syncrowave 200http://store.cyberweld.com/milsyn180sd2.html$1815 shippedI figure the miller machines will hold there value the best. The Thermal Dynamics inverter machine seems like a very good value. It just hurts that they've raised the price on them $300+ dollars since I was looking at them last summer. What would you recommend for me?Best Regards,Justin Olson
Reply:I have a Syncrowave 250 DX.... I think it's a great machine. I have no exerience with the others you mention. I priced one with the torch and running gear not that long ago I think it ran approx 3500.00, I can doulbe check the number._________________Chris
Reply:All good choices.I'm still a TIG newbie and I just got the syncro 200 and I am very happy with it.  My LWS was willing to match/beat the internet price and it was out the door for $1,779.Given your budget, I'm told that the dynasty 200DX is the shizzle.I don't know much about the arcmaster but I notice it mentions a 5 year warranty which is very good.You have plenty to spend so . . . if you need portability, I'd say the dynasty is the way to go.  Everyone who has one seems to really love it.  If you don't need to move the machine around much, more amps will help with thicker material, especially aluminum, plus a machine with more amps has a higher duty cycle over its range, so in that case I'd second what Lorenzo recommends with the syncro 250DX.Don't forget to add in the costs of the branch circuit to power whichever machine you buy.  Copper wire gets more expensive all the time.  Whichever machine you choose, good luck with it and have fun.
Reply:Just a thought here, but....  will you be using this machine in a shop or are you looking for something more portable. If you are looking for a shop machine you could find a very nice used machine in that price range that would be a good bit bigger than the 200amp range you are in now.  Portability wise the dynasty is the way to go.  I also played with a lincoln precision tig 225 the other day, and I was pretty impressed with it as well so don't over look the lincoln's in your search.  Good luck in your decision.  ~JacksonI'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:I'm looking for something to go in the garage right now. I dont have a large shop space. I would pay the extra money to have something portable, so It looks like I'll be going with an inverted power supply. Also, whats the thought on the HTP 201?http://www.htpweld.com/products/tig_welders/tig201.html
Reply:How thick/what size aluminum are you planning on doing?  The Dynasty is the cat's meow as far as output goes, but that 150 amp output can reach it's limits pretty quickly with Aluminum.  If you can afford the Dynasty, I would look into stepping up to a 250 DX synchrowave unit if possible, and if portability is not a concern.  Will hold its value forever, you'll never have any issue as far as parts/service goes, etc.
Reply:I'm not looking at welding aluminum much thicker than 0.125" thick.Regards,Justin
Reply:I have used all those machines and I would say the Dynasty.  It is a very very slick machine.  The syncrowave is also a nice machine.  I have used the older ones and they have put down more welds than probably any other tig machine.I currently have a Thermadyne 190gts (I think that is the model).  Little tiny DC only machine.  Works great, cost me $600 used and has HF start as well as other features.  I will be upgrading to a AC/DC machine when I can afford it and the Dynasty is my #1 choice.
Reply:Syncrowave or Dynasty (Im biased).  Seriously, buy what you want and never look back.  Im REALLY impressed with what I can do with my little Nasty, and it keeps showing me things...ThermalArc 185MillerMatic 180 w/ AutosetVictor Cutskill Oxy/AcetyleneThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 38and spite!
Reply:have you looked at the Lincoln 205 ?ChuckASME Pressure Vessel welder