Talk me OUT of buying a TA-185!

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This will be my first TIG welder.It will be used in my garage, which is limited to a 50A 230V circuit.Primary use will be for gauge metal (steel + aluminum) up to MAYBE a maximum of 1/4" aluminum (probably thinner): - Autobody sheetmetal - Thinwall tubing (headers/exhaust) - Medium (for me anyway) mild/chromoly tubing (roll cages) - Aluminum for things like fuel tanks, intake manifold modifications, etc... (racecar stuff)I expect to be paying around $1900 for it with the TIG/stick package from my local welding supply.  I know I can get it cheaper online but I prefer to buy locally.Is there any reason for me NOT to buy a TA185?I was looking at a PowerTig 185 but I simply can't meet the power requirements (plus it'll take up much more room).For my limited use is there any justification spending the extra money for a Dynasty 200SD or 200DX?  I could afford it but it'll mean more compensation for the wife of doom.
Reply:i think that the miller machine has a better background with customer service... thats one of millers stong points but i have used the t.a. 185 and it was nice a hell of a lot better then that p.t. 185 any day !!!get in touch with arron and ask him what he tihinks lol dawg
Reply:I love mine for doing the exact things you are talking about. I can't say anything bad about the unit. I have not tried the Dynasty though so I can't really compare. Most of what I do is steel, chro-mo, and Al. tubing. If you are wanting to do much 1/4" steel then you will be under powered.
Reply:Better question:Why doesn't Miller talk you into spending the extra coin on their unit?Do a search on the Hobart site.  As highly praised as Miller is there (duh???) the number of users who have purchased the T/A is amazing.  Miller won't say so, but T/A is kicking their can on this one.  Eventually, the street price on the Dynasty will fall to where it will be less of an issue, but until then the small AC/DC inverter TIG to buy is the T/A Pro-Wave 185 TSW.The T/A is a sweet machine.  You will not regret it.
Reply:Originally posted by Aaron Better question:Why doesn't Miller talk you into spending the extra coin on their unit?
Reply:Look at it this way:Budget for the Dynasty.Buy a Thermal "Combo-Pack" for the same price.    (how did they do that?)Your "Combo" will include the T/A 185 TIG and the T/D Cutmaster 38 plasma cutter.
Reply:Originally posted by Aaron Look at it this way:Budget for the Dynasty.Buy a Thermal "Combo-Pack" for the same price.    (how did they do that?)Your "Combo" will include the T/A 185 TIG and the T/D Cutmaster 38 plasma cutter.
Reply:John, Let us know how you like it. I'm interested in one too. Actually for once have the money. Not quite ready to act. Truthfully if I could find a 200DX near the same price, I'd buy it. Wishful thinking. But the T/A at $1000.00 cheaper, makes you think twice about the boys in blue.Millermatic 210Dynasty 200DX Fisher CZ-5Trek 5500
Reply:JonB, fyi, I'm selling my T/A 185 and it's only been used off/on for a few months.  It's just not seeing the use it should, so I'm getting a bigger mig.  I'm including extra gas saver lenses and stuff I got from CK, a bunch of tungsten etc.  Price, even with shipping from NJ, will be significantly less than what you are talking about.  Then again, this is just an FYI.
Reply:Well, I stopped at the welding supply this morning and ordered it.  Should have it before my birthday on June 8th.  Then all I need to do is figure out how to use the darned thing.
Reply:Jon, You can give yourself a headstart and download the manual on line. Good luck with your new machine and let us know the likes and dislikes......Millermatic 210Dynasty 200DX Fisher CZ-5Trek 5500
Reply:JonB and Wheat,I guess you guys don't read your PM's.  I sent both of you (and a few others) messages a while back about going in on a group T/A purchase deal.  And JonB, we're in the same locale.I must admit, I'm torn between the T/A and the 200 DX.  Some days I think I'm sure about one...then change my mind to the other     Now I'm waiting to see what new machines Miller will present next week.I was considering buying Newb's, but he disappeared from the scene suddenly.Where'd you end up getting your's JonB?  Congratulations!...hope it's perfect for you.Move toward the light...
Reply:Originally posted by DaVinci Where'd you end up getting your's JonB?
Reply:Originally posted by JonB Sorry I missed your PM.  I never even checked my user page and this board doesn't seem to notify you that you have PMs waiting.
Reply:Originally posted by JonB I bought it from Ramona Welding Supply.  They'd never even heard of the thing before I came in asking for it, but had no problem ordering one.Their price was a little higher than I could have gotten over the Internet but I'm doing my part to support the little guy.Sorry I missed your PM.  I never even checked my user page and this board doesn't seem to notify you that you have PMs waiting.
Reply:It came!  I plan on taking it down to my father-in-law's shop sometime in the next few days so they can compare it to some of the other TIG equipment they have in house, as well as get some instruction and see if I can make a weld I won't be embarrased to show you guys.
Reply:DrooooooL !!Can't wait to hear your feedback.Congratulations...enjoy that puppy  Move toward the light...
Reply:Jon, Wow... insanely jealous and Happy Birthday!!!! Nice to see a good pic of the machine other than the downloaded owners manual. Looks like I'll have to re-read it, that instument panel is a little more complicated for this old rookie than my MM210. Also it should have came with a CK-17 torch can you let me know how you like it. I'll probably buy a short back cap for the torch to work in tight areas. Believe it or not I've already bought the tungsten but have no tig welder. Insanity. I see the cable for the Stick what is the small black cable rolled up in the left hand corner of the pic??? Really interested on how it works with aluminum. Thanks for showing us pics of your new toy...DonMillermatic 210Dynasty 200DX Fisher CZ-5Trek 5500
Reply:SWEEEEEEET!!!!! JonB that is a nice rig there buddy. Can I borrow it next weekend?Nice welding table too!
Reply:The torch is indeed a CK-17, and it came with a short back cap, as well as 3 (red, I think) tungstens and collets/gas cups for each size.  My only complaint is that the gas line is completely separate from the power line so it tends to get tangled.  Does anyone think it would cause problems if I lightly zip-tied the two together?The small cable is for the foot control.I'm not sure how valuable my feetback will be, since I had never TIG welded before I bought this machine, but I got a few pointers from my father-in-law yesterday, ran one bead at his shop (with their gigantic and ancient machine) and spent almost 4 hours playing around with the thing last night.It didn't hiccup, overheat, or do anything out of the ordinary during that time.  I played around with the settings a little and tryed the pulse (on some 22ga sheetmetal).  Most of the welding I was doing was on 16ga 1" square tubing, but I also did a little on some 1/8" steel plate.I tried both HF start and lift start, both worked perfectly as far as I could tell.  Haven't tried AC yet as my father-in-law recommended I get proficient on steel before I try aluminum.The controls on the machine are actually way more intuitive than they seem.  Changing the amperage is super simple as the machine defaults to that mode and you just turn the dial one way or another.  Another really cool feature is that the display shows you the actual amperage used (in case you're not all the way down on the foot pedal or something) for about 5 seconds after you stop welding.I made some halfway decent LOOKING welds last night, but I'm not ready to share pictures yet.  I'll probably spend most of tomorrow practicing and hopefully by then I'll have something I'm not embarassed to share.P.S. I pulled the cover off trying to take a picture of the inside but there's a paper shield over all the components and I couldn't figure out how to remove it without tearing it.  I can say though that the machine is jam packed with electronics.Last edited by JonB; 06-05-2004 at 10:27 PM.
Reply:So far, so good  Did your father-in-law give it a go?  If so, did he comment on the arc quality or otherwise?JonB, since you're in Ramona, would you be interested in joining a few of us for a TIG session?  RockyD and I are going up to Fallbrook sometime in the future to meet 'Harold' at his place.  He owns several machines, including the 200 DX.  Perhaps we could get a firsthand comparison.  I'm not sure about Harold, but RockyD could certainly give a qualified opinionMove toward the light...
Reply:Originally posted by DaVinci Did your father-in-law give it a go?  If so, did he comment on the arc quality or otherwise?
Reply:Great...sounds like a plan   In the meantime, I'll try to collect some small pieces of material to goof around with.Move toward the light...
Reply:JonB.Buy a lead cover. It's a fire-proof cover with a zipper. I made the mistake of accidentally laying the torch on my TA185 down on my gas line....melted right through it. I had to replace the tubing and bought the protector. It will also keep your gas line and torch power line together.