Help me outfit a Miller Dynasty 280DX

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I am new to welding.  I figured what is the best way to get better at welding when your MIG beads look like crap?  The easy answer is buy a TIG :roll eyes:I just bought a Dynasty 280DX and have never TIGed before.  I got it 30% off on todays ZORO St Patty's sale.  I love the Irish I read up on the Miller stuff and it sounds like the cool mate is LOUD and the foot pedal and water cooled torch are overpriced. Sooo......other than the Victor flowmeter I bought, what do I need to purchase?  What torch, cooler, tips etc?  Is there a good cart (or plans for one I can build) to hold all this stuff?I am going to sell my Thunderbolt so what else do I need to purchase to be able to stick weld with it?  Also, what attachment allows me to plasma gouge with it.  Okay, Okay... I know it can't do that but I am still excited to get this set up and going.Now I'm off to go watch Jody on welding tips and tricks
Reply:Get a 25' water cooled torch from HTP.Foot pedals can be found everywhere.Just a couple welders, big hammers, grinders, and torches.Work will free you.Men in dirty jeans built this country, while men in clean suits have destroyed it. Trump/Carson 2016-2024
Reply:Well it sounds like you elimated the water cooled torch option which is completely fine. A WP-17 Air cooled torch with a flex head and gas valve would be a perfect torch for you. I know it may sound odd to get a gas valve torch since your machine has a solenoid in it, but it makes your rig more versatile. Those Air cooled rigs are good for up to 150-180 amps, but will start to smoke your hand if you keep welding on it past 150. They do make HD WP-17 rated up to 180 amps which is what I use. Your gonna need 3/32,1/8 RED tungsten, and 3/32, and 1/8" GREEN tungsten. Red for most ferrous materials, and green for aluminum. Your gonna need filler wire, ER70S-6 or ER70S-2 good common carbon steel filler rod, get that in 3/32 and 1/8" as well. As far as common aluminum filler I am not too educated on. Your also gonna need a bottle of argon, preferably a 100+ cf bottle.Miller Maxstar 200 SDPiperliner #10 Gold
Reply:I use 2% lanthanated in 1/16 and 3/32.  That covers me for everything I do on AC and DC. I picked up the machine and then pieced together everything else. I bought the wireless pedal. Then everything else came from HTP for the most part. I picked up their cooler, 20 series flex head, and ground clamp. I also have a 9 flex head for DC work from my previous machine. I'm very happy with the HTP products. It's a great machine. You'll love it.Mike ZanconatoZanconato Custom Cycles @mzank on Instagram
Reply:When you say I eliminated the water cooled torch option what do you mean?  Should I have ordered a different model?
Reply:You have the welder.You can put a good used Coolmate 3 under it for $300 (or purchase the new Watermate Showdog has for sale here)Buy your choice of torch (I went with a CK SuperFlex Trimline setup and used Weld Tec connectors & quick disconnects)Buy a new pedal from SSC controls. They're under $175 shipped to your door. I bought the cordless pedal and I love it. Worth every penny.Throw a ground lead on it and you're good to go. Like zank said, you can buy most everything from HTP (usawelds.com) You can put an air cooled torch on it for the time being if you don't have immediate funds for a cooler. You can pretty much set it up how you like. There are no real limitations, except the size of your wallet IMHO of courseExpert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:I think he misunderstood your comment on the coolmate being loud and thought you wanted to go air cooled instead.With a machine with the output that one has, I'd go water cooled so you can make the most use of the power available. A CK 20series water cooled torch like the  CK 250 would work You can get it in several versions like the standard torch, flex head or swivel head. I'd just start with the standard head myself. You can always change later if you find a need for one of the others based on what you need to weld.SSC makes reasonably priced pedals that would work. I've used the wireless Miller pedal and it's nioce if expensive. Depends if you want to sp[end the money to avoid the cord. I can make do just fine most times with the corded pedal myself..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Oh, a Coolmate 3 is one of the best coolers on the market. About as quiet as they come. Last forever and hold an excellent resale value too. $300-350 will get you in a very nice used oneExpert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:I hate buying stuff twice.  So tell me what the dream setup is for this.  Which pedal, torch, cooler etc.
Reply:Welder.Coolmate 3Ck 25' SuperFlex TIG torch (in whatever configuration you like best)Weld Tec Dinse connector and spin on quick connects for water and gasMiller wireless pedal (or an SSC one, they're cheaper than OEM)1/0 ground lead with Tweco solid copper clampBuild your own cart. Think that about covers it  Attached ImagesExpert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:Originally Posted by smilexelectric..... and green for aluminum........
Reply:Yeah, inverters change what you thought you knew about TIG welding.
Reply:Since we are on the topic of tungsten, I'm used to using Thoriated on a Maxstar 150 with SS and mild. I was reading the description on the various tungsten and I can use 2% blue's for SS, Mild, and Alum. I know Zank said the same thing but I just want to get some more opinions on the subject. I think I would need to keep separate tungsten for metals?
Reply:Lately, I've been using the same 1/16" 2% lanthanated prepared the same way for both AC and DC. Granted, I don't do much in the way of heavy wall. The threaded shell in this picture is 0.150" wall, which is about as thick as I go for most of my work.Random by Zanconato Custom Cycles, on FlickrThis steel frame was done with the same electrode.0306151636 by Zanconato Custom Cycles, on FlickrThis is how I prep all of my tungsten for both the steel and aluminum frames.1/16" 2% lanthanated initial prep by Zanconato Custom Cycles, on FlickrThis is what it looks like after welding one aluminum frame.1/16" 2% lanthanated after welding by Zanconato Custom Cycles, on FlickrArc starts are excellent on both AC and DC.Hope that helps a bit!Last edited by zank; 03-18-2015 at 06:51 AM.Mike ZanconatoZanconato Custom Cycles @mzank on Instagram
Reply:HTML Code:The threaded shell in this picture is 0.150" wall, which is about as thick as I go for most of my work."Hey Zank,In your 1st pic , is that an allen head threaded back purge device inserted into the pedal spindle bore?2. The spiral springs on the allen head bolts on the fixture are to prevent scratching the piping?Just wonderingLast edited by maxstar300lx; 03-18-2015 at 09:44 PM.
Reply:Um.... does this mean we are off topic?
Reply:This is why I bought my 200dx in package form. Congrats! I still have to buy a plug setup and argon and a helmet! And like you I have zero tig experience.
Reply:To the Op -- nice job -- I did the same thing!!!  -- Got a tracking # and my machine should be here Friday  -- that price was unbeatableI am not new to tig -- been using a 251 HF box off my miller 250G Trailblazer for a few years now -- this inverter is going to change everything for me I have a CK flexloc torch, water cooled --  Will the CK safeloc dinse connector fit the dynasty?  I though I read that there where some issues with depth using dinse connectors other than MillerHow about the ground lead -- Does a dinse connector come in the box for that?  I bought 200 feet of 1/0 cable from electron beam tech a few weeks ago -- Needed some for a few projects and knew I was gonna buy a dynasty fairly soon
Reply:Originally Posted by nelzweldzThis is why I bought my 200dx in package form. .
Reply:Originally Posted by AKweldshopYour happy that you bought your Dynasty as a package?You lost money there.
Reply:Add to that the exact same package from the exact same seller on line went up $192 from the time I ordered to the time it was delivered. I must've ordered just in time!
Reply:Originally Posted by nelzweldzFor me personally; it was money well spent. That's just how I feel about it. Dx machine, coolmate 1 with a gallon of coolant, wireless pedal, watercooled torch with 3 different sized cups and 3 different sized tungsten electrodes, a regulator/flowmeter and gas line for your argon, a cart with wheels 2 roll it around on. A total newb like me just has to choose my plug, buy gas, filler, and safety gear and go. Sure an experienced weldor might have some or all of this and knows about a cheaper cooler here, and a better pedal there...etc. But for ME , personally, this was the best deal. Ordered and delivered to my door in 2 business days. I think I did alright.
Reply:Originally Posted by nelzweldzAdd to that the exact same package from the exact same seller on line went up $192 from the time I ordered to the time it was delivered. I must've ordered just in time!
Reply:Why do you want to limit a 280 amp welder with a 150 amp torch? I bought a SSB foot pedal, a Weldcraft 280 torch, a coolmate 1.3 cooler, Tungsten could be anything but green pure. It dissolves into big droplets of liquid. Lanthanated is nice. I have gas lenses in 4 sizes, Cups range from #8 down to 4. I rarely use other than 8. I have but haven't used .020 and .040 tungsten. 1/16, 3/32, and 1/8" A dedicated grinder is a must. Mine is DeWalt about $120.00 I found it on sale at $100.00. You also want a dedicated 4-1/2" hand held. I use aluminum hargd grinding discs from Radnor, Norton Blaze soft disc. Wire brushes in stainless and steel.Acetone, and a flat cookie pan.An optimist is usually wrong, and when the unexpected happens is unprepared. A pessimist is usually right, when wrong, is delighted, and well prepared.
Reply:Originally Posted by Willie Band a flat cookie pan.Just a receptacle to clean stuff with acetone, Which reminds me you need good Raven nitrile gloves, Ove gloves, TIG Fingers from Weldmonger, clamps, I use copper blocks for many things.An optimist is usually wrong, and when the unexpected happens is unprepared. A pessimist is usually right, when wrong, is delighted, and well prepared.
Reply:I live 20 miles from a gas dealer. I rent 300 CF bottles of argon, If you find a dealer willing to provide a second tank at a bit more cost, do it. I only run out on weekends.Some use a cart, I don't. Mine sits on a shelf. You can build a cart. I'm in love with 4943 Filler, occasionally 5356 might be needed. for aluminum.An optimist is usually wrong, and when the unexpected happens is unprepared. A pessimist is usually right, when wrong, is delighted, and well prepared.
Reply:Originally Posted by AKweldshopYour happy that you bought your Dynasty as a package?You lost money there.
Reply:Miller really sticks it to you with bundle pricing.Their cart is grossly overpriced for what it is, and there's absolutely zero incentive purchasing the bundle as far as added value versus cost savings goes. For the guy that wants a plug and play, roll it off the pallet and turn it on deal, then that's definitely the way to go.For the guy that doesn't want to pay Miller a premium price for a cheap cart and accessories, buying the machine by itself and building a rig is the best way to go. Personally, I don't like their cart, price for a new cooler and particular brand of torches and accessories. I built my own set up, and pretty well always have for all my welding machines. I'm also not a fan of all in one MIG machines either, I like the versatility of a multi process inverter or power source with a wire feeder. For a lot of users, my setup would be overkill and totally unnecessary for their needs. All about what the individual wants. I prefer an 18 year old industrial inverter for my MIG & Stick welding needs. That isn't necessarily gonna work for the next guy down the line tho. Just depends on the user and their needs. There's no right or wrong answer, rather an individuals specific requirements that define the best value for them.IMHO of courseExpert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948