Ok, narrowed it down to Thermal Arc Pro Wave 185TSW and Miller Dynasty 200DX

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Ok, narrowed it down to Thermal Arc Pro Wave 185TSW and Miller Dynasty 200DX.Are there any major differences between these two machines other than price?  I don't make enough money to buy cheap things, so I want to avoid any pitfalls here.Thanks
Reply:The Dynasty will set you back around a grand extra.  For that you get 15 amps and little morem adjustabilty for AC plus the ability to run off 120 volt recepticle.  Unless you need the 120 capability TA is the way to go.  Both have a 3 yr warrantyBTW The TA is the more user friendly for setupDennisThermal Arc 185-TSWMillermatic Challenger 172VictorO/AAtlas Craftsman 12 by 24 LatheEsab PCM-875Wholesalem Tool Mill-Drill
Reply:Does the Thermal Arc have high frequency and pulse?
Reply:Yes on both counts.  The pulser is a full function so you can set top end amps, background amps, pulse frequency and pulse width.DennisThermal Arc 185-TSWMillermatic Challenger 172VictorO/AAtlas Craftsman 12 by 24 LatheEsab PCM-875Wholesalem Tool Mill-Drill
Reply:Hre's an Al. weld done with the TA.  Keep in mind my Al expirience is pretty limited and I was a little rusty  on Al welding.  The tube wasn't properly prepped but I got-R-done.  The flat plate is a mounting bracket for a set of three tubes welded in a triangle ( side to side ).  This became one of the rod holders for my tig cart. Attached ImagesLast edited by Tailshaft56; 08-31-2006 at 04:56 PM.DennisThermal Arc 185-TSWMillermatic Challenger 172VictorO/AAtlas Craftsman 12 by 24 LatheEsab PCM-875Wholesalem Tool Mill-Drill
Reply:Originally Posted by Tailshaft56Hre's an Al. weld done with the TA.  Keep in mind my Al expirience is pretty limited and I was a little rusty  on Al welding.  The tube wasn't properly prepped but I got-R-done.  The flat plate is a mounting bracket for a set of three tubes welded in a triangle ( side to side ).  This became one of the rod holders for my tig cart.
Reply:That tube wasn't anodized.  It was covered in yours of built up dirt that had solidified on the tube.  what i did was cut to length and chuck it up in the lathe with an improvised dead center for the tailstock end.  Ran it fairly fast and sanded of the dirt and corrosion.  The tube was something i found in an old shed on the property.  Seems I had a pretty much balanced waveform running @ 120 hz and about 100 amps but maybe less amps than 100.  The tube was pretty thin.Last edited by Tailshaft56; 08-31-2006 at 11:25 PM.DennisThermal Arc 185-TSWMillermatic Challenger 172VictorO/AAtlas Craftsman 12 by 24 LatheEsab PCM-875Wholesalem Tool Mill-Drill
Reply:I think this is one of the most comment question asked since I joined this forum and asked the same question. BTW, I spend the extra $1200 and got the Dynasty 200DX.Tailshaft56 .. I wished my Al welding went that well
Reply:Originally Posted by noobieTIGI think this is one of the most comment question asked since I joined this forum and asked the same question. BTW, I spend the extra $1200 and got the Dynasty 200DX.Tailshaft56 .. I wished my Al welding went that well
Reply:Originally Posted by RojodiabloDennis, what ratio of cleaning vs penetration did you use for the anodized aluminum? I find it hard to get a setup that blows off the anodizing, yet doesn't gore up the base material too much. When I can cut through easily, I blow through a lot. When I back off the cleaning, I punch through. When I back off the penetration, I get lots of deposits. I know one thing, I don't practice enough.
Reply:Dyn 200 VS TA-185 the dyn200 is a more robust welder and i delieve it to be werth the extra $$, that being said after saving for 3 years i just could not get there and got the TA-185 . if i was getting it for a buisness, no question about it i would get the dyn200. the TA-185 is agood unit, i have been fallowing it on several forems for the 3+ years i was saving for my dyn200, and it has a good track record and many happy owners. as a hobbiest its agreat choice and for the $$$ a great deal. if you have the extra $$ get the dyn200 and never look back, it will serve you well for many years to come. if $$ is tight and odds are the welder will not be making you any $$ (like me) go for the TA-185 and again never look back just injoy and dont worry about the jonses, its agood solid TIG unit that also runs a great stick weld. the dyn will give you 15 amps extra in TIg and 50amps extra in stick, as the TA-185 will only give you 150Amps in stick mode. but as most are getting them for TIG any way it may not be that big of a deal. just some thing to be aware of.if you chose the TA-185 i make an exilent cover for it, well i alos make one for the dyn200 but i'm the only place you can get one for the TA-185. my dyn cover is much better than the factory version also as it will go on with the cabels conected and the factory cover requires dissasembly befor you cover.  and that gets old fast. I know one thing, I don't practice enough.that is the key right there. aluminum is all about practice. but then all tig realy is. you just have to get used to aluminum and the way it looks and acts. this from a new-bee but i have years of reading from some great forems and O/A behind me. and practice and pationse( no idea how to spell that one) but just dont rush it, take your time it will come.Last edited by fun4now.; 09-05-2006 at 02:43 AM. summer is here, plant a tree for mother earth. if you dont have time or space, sponcer some one else to plant one for you.feel free to shoot me a PM or e-mail me at [email][email protected] i got lots of time.