Bought Lincoln Precision 185 TIG

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So I bought myself a the Lincoln 185 TIG. Any opinions on this for a garage type TIG welder? Mainly will be used for thinner tube welding and some other stuff. Just curious
Reply:I have had mine for over a year. Love it. The torch gets a little hot when trying to do aluminum. I am going to go to a water set up when money permits! - however, once you start using it and getting familiar with it, it just purrs right along.I primarily use mine for 14 gauge steel tubing. Although a mig would work for that, I like the flexibility my tig gives me.I think you will love it.Here is a link to a post I made a while back. - my second time on welding aluminum. My first real aluminum project. It takes practice, and I am still learning, but you can see the machine laid down some pretty good welds for a rookie!http://www.weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=4643Last edited by kshellrazor; 07-20-2006 at 11:31 AM.
Reply:Everyone likes some support that they bought the right item!I had occasion to weld test: Miller 200,300 Dynasty's, new 200 Syncrowave and the Lincoln Precision Tig 185. Aside from spec sheets I found the Miller machines with their computer based programs all with hidden menues behind the push buttons an operating obstacle and question the usefullness of all the options they have. The Syncrowave Tig welded Aluminum better right out of the box and Arc started better than the Dynasty. Overall the LINCOLN PRECISION TIG 185 performed as good if not better than the Millers and much much simpler to operate....it does good even with stick 6010. I ended buying the Lincoln myself and find it a great machine and super user friendly!Last edited by Arcie; 07-21-2006 at 01:01 PM.
Reply:I bought a Precision Tig 185 when they first came out and I love it. The air cooled torch does get a little hot, well alot hot, when welding thicker aluminum. I,ve welded cracks in aluminum heads before and had a blister on my finger from the heat when I got done. The 185 does great on thin wall tubing for pipes and headers and it is really user friendly.Bruce
Reply:be careful... torches costs$$get  a water cooled torch whenever possible....be cool ...zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterbe careful... torches costs$$get  a water cooled torch whenever possible....be cool ...zap!
Reply:You can add a water cooled torch at any time.  The water cooled torch will require a water cooler.  The other method is to run tap water through the torch.  If you do it that way I reccomend you put in some sort of filter.  The passages in the torch are very small and could easily clog from hard water deposits.    If you go to the Habart or Millers boards there are some good threads on home cooler.  Basically you need a procon pump.  For cooling some guys use an auto heater core and some just use a large capacity resevoir.  This would make a great project.   I don't have A PT-185 but have used one at the local Vo-tech.  Neat little welder.  I came close to buying one but wound up waiting a year.  By then I had heard enough good things about the TA inverters that I went that way instead.     Good luck and enjoy.DennisThermal Arc 185-TSWMillermatic Challenger 172VictorO/AAtlas Craftsman 12 by 24 LatheEsab PCM-875Wholesalem Tool Mill-Drill