Miller Dynasty 280DX (auto-line 208-575) w/ CPS

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After reading up on the Miller Dynasty 280DX, saving up for it for quite some time now (not to mention getting my tax return), and reading about "Weedenb's" recent purchase, i decided to purchase a brand spanking new Miller Dynasty 280DX (MIL907514). It is due to arrive early next week.  I have a good relationship with my LWS, so i decided to purchase it through them. They sold it to me for $4670. (Tax not included). I could have purchased it online and saved approx. $400., but these guys have always treated me like a brother so I wanted to make my purchase through them. They have given me smoking hot deals on gas and Smith torches in the past, so I figured they earned my loyalty. The unit I ordered only comes with:Dynasty 280DX W/ CPSA quick reference guideAn adjustable shoulder strap (lol, like anyone really uses this!)  8 foot primary cord(2) Dinse 50mm connectorsThats it. I have funds for everything else, but i could use some input from my brothers here on the best accessories to complete this machine and get me up and running stick and TIG welding with it.Ideas and recommendations on TIG torches, coolers, ETC, would be much appreciated! I plan on ordering the "accessories" online, so recommendations on sources you have used and feel comfortable with is also appreciated.  Thanks,GarLincoln Electric, Power MIG 256Hypertherm Powermax 45 Miller Dynasty 280DXSmith O/A torchGenesis of a welding table
Reply:I would highly recommend email'ing the HTP Ebay store (welders4less) so they can set you up.  Their water cooler, CK torches, superflex cables, any and all tig accessories are second to none.  Just from browsing their store, you can pretty much tell they can configure any torch setup to any machine.  They have high quality brass fittings/supplies on-hand to do all of it.  I pretty much use HTP for everything now a days.  Just a couple weeks ago, I wanted to order a new water-cooled tig torch cable because I thought I had comprised mine in a dumb-*** move I made----I knew they sell the torch kit complete, but I called them up and sure enough they had a water cooled cable they could sell me by itself for a good price. 1st on WeldingWeb to have a scrolling sig! HTP Invertig 400HTP Invertig 221HTP ProPulse 300HTP ProPulse 200 x2HTP ProPulse 220MTSHTP Inverarc 200TLP HTP Microcut 875SC
Reply:If your not using your full 280amps, you couyd go and get the HTP parts....Arctic chill cooler, 25' 20 wc torch, regulator and a bunch of consumables.2cents~John
Reply:Don't forget about the wireless foot pedal....
Reply:I have ordered 907514, from Cyberweld 4720 shipped, a Weldcraft 280 AWC kit 300990, a 6-50P 0042 male plug cap, and a Miller coolmate 1.3. Paul Anderson of Muskegon MI 231-736-1735 has used equipment including coolers and torches at good prices. A fellow you'd like getting out of welding in NH has a cooler (Bernard) at a great price along with other stuff. Send me a PM I'll give you the particulars.Airgas owns all the local welding supplies here. I called a branch near in NH to see if they would perhaps split the difference on price. He was less than pleasant, and declined to move from retail. Minutes later I received a snotty Email telling me to deal with my nearest branch. As I owe corporate headquarters nothing, I felt less guilt ordering online.
Reply:My LWS was about $50.00 more than cyberweld when I bought my Dynasty 350 TIG runner late 2013. Made it a no brainer to stay local. They are independent and have 3 locations. And about the same when I picked up a XMT350 CC/CV MIG runner a few weeks later. But I did spend a lot of time drooling over them at cyberweld. I will most likely buy from them when I upgrade later this year.
Reply:This is awesome to see everybody buying a dynasty 280 on this forum. I think you would be the 5th or 6th one now on welding web that has the new dynasty 280. So far I love mine. Lots of power in it.Ya gotta spend money to make money!
Reply:Originally Posted by welderShaneThis is awesome to see everybody buying a dynasty 280 on this forum. I think you would be the 5th or 6th one now on welding web that has the new dynasty 280. So far I love mine. Lots of power in it.
Reply:Since you bought the version with the CPS, the Coolmate 1.3 seems like a no-brainer. The wireless pedal is really neat but if you don't want to spend the $$$, SSC Controls pedals are very high quality and under $200.CK torches are the best IMHO. HTP and Weldfabulous have the best prices. The CK 230 is well matched to the Dyn280.If you want to put you own ground and stick leads together, you can get all the parts from weldingsupply.com or your LWS. You will spend less and have exactly the leads you want. I have the Lenco HT250 stinger and their 300A bronze ground clamp.Enjoy the new machine, there's one on my shopping list as well! JohnLast edited by Silicon-based; 03-23-2014 at 10:20 AM.Reason: spellingA few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps
Reply:Originally Posted by Silicon-basedSince you bought the version with the CPS, the Coolmate 1.3 seems like a no-brainer. The wireless pedal is really neat but if you don't want to spend the $$$, SSC Controls pedals are very high quality and under $200.CK torches are the best IMHO. HTP and Weldfabulous have the best prices. The CK 230 is well matched to the Dyn280.If you want to put you own ground and stick leads together, you can get all the parts from weldingsupply.com or your LWS. You will spend less and have exactly the leads you want. I have the Lenco HT250 stinger and their 300A bronze ground clamp.Enjoy the new machine, there's one on my shopping list as well! John
Reply:........Last edited by Drf255; 03-23-2014 at 03:36 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by Drf255........
Reply:Yes.  I looked up after the posting.  No clue why they include enough coolant for three fills.
Reply:...My other thoughts were, "if i ever upgrade to a Dynasty 350, ill have a cooler that is rated/ compatible with it."  GarLincoln Electric, Power MIG 256Hypertherm Powermax 45 Miller Dynasty 280DXSmith O/A torchGenesis of a welding table
Reply:7A749, Thanks for the info brother!  Im not sure what size torch ive been using in school, its attached to a Miller Dynasty 350 and its water cooled. The TIG torch ive used at work is a bit smaller, and its attached to Lincoln Squarewave 175, and its also water cooled.I have heard nothing but good about the CK line of torches, and im very interested in them.  I know the recommended torch for the Dynasty 280 is the Weldcraft W-280 Super Cool™. Has anyone used this torch? Do you like it?Also, how does the Coolmate 3 Vs the Coolmate 1.3 compare as far as how quiet it is. Or say the Coolmate 3.5 or even the Coolmate 4 do in compareson to noise level...  Ive heard the Coolmate 1 is very noisey.  Id spend a bit more if it meant a little less noise. Also what is this Quick connect feature you speak of?GarLincoln Electric, Power MIG 256Hypertherm Powermax 45 Miller Dynasty 280DXSmith O/A torchGenesis of a welding table
Reply:hey Gar,I have the coolmate 1.3 and I think it's quiet.  While welding on AC you can't hear the cooler running, on DC it sounds the same as the fan on the 280. I'm welding in a carport with plywood walls so its pretty open.  I don't know what it would sound like in an enclosed shop.I hope this helps and doesn't confuse you even more.
Reply:Originally Posted by golfingweldorhey Gar,I have the coolmate 1.3 and I think it's quiet.  While welding on AC you can't hear the cooler running, on DC it sounds the same as the fan on the 280. I'm welding in a carport with plywood walls so its pretty open.  I don't know what it would sound like in an enclosed shop.I hope this helps and doesn't confuse you even more.
Reply:I'm also a big fan of the Coolmate 3; I plan on getting the non-CPS version of the 280 and using my existing CM3 with it. I only suggested the 1.3 because you already have the CPS version of the 280. It may be possible to wire the CM3 to work with the CPS version but I would be wary of voiding the warranty on such an expensive welder.JohnA few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps
Reply:My new 280DX arrived today. No cooler yet. I rigged it to house water. I'm not yet doing well. I'll try again tomorrow. Parameter changes have me stumped. How do you leave auto set to try other wave forms? What an angry noise it makes!
Reply:Post some YouTube video of what it sounds like and looks like.  Give us a 360* tour of this machine.  @7A749 (Steve?)  Thanks for the info brother, much appreciated!! Side note: Decided to go with the Dynasty 280DX without CPS, since I will be using it with a Coolmate 3, or 3.5, I figured the 280DX without CPS which is $600 cheaper retail, was a better choice.  My LWS said they were not able to order it without CPS (907551), so now I am searching for one online.  Seems best price is $4260. delivered.  Anyone seen it any cheaper?Willie B, what did ya pay for yours (out the door price)?GarLast edited by Gar; 03-26-2014 at 11:38 PM.Lincoln Electric, Power MIG 256Hypertherm Powermax 45 Miller Dynasty 280DXSmith O/A torchGenesis of a welding table
Reply:Originally Posted by Willie BMy new 280DX arrived today. No cooler yet. I rigged it to house water. I'm not yet doing well. I'll try again tomorrow. Parameter changes have me stumped. How do you leave auto set to try other wave forms? What an angry noise it makes!
Reply:Gar, that's the best price I've found too without CPS.
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonYou push balance, then turn the knob to get off autoset. You push freq, then knob to also get off autoset.If you want to change wave profile, you push "A" under the knob, then gas/dig button. You will see Tungsten diameters. You then can scroll through parameters to find softsquare. That is the waveform window. Turn the knob to go to Advanced square, Tri, or sin wave, or keep going to get back to Softsquare. To get back to panel push "A" and then gas/dig to return to panel.
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749Willie, if you got the video disc with it, take a few minutes to watch it.It will illustrate what Terry is saying here & show you with an operator doing it on an actual machine. The default is soft square. Default balance is 75%
Reply:Willie, here is the video on YouTube.I still haven't received the cooler. I've been pleased with sink water. my hose isn't long enough to reach the drain, so I use a 6 gallon bucket. I dumped it twice tonight. Maybe I could have saved $609.
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonYou push balance, then turn the knob to get off autoset. You push freq, then knob to also get off autoset.If you want to change wave profile, you push "A" under the knob, then gas/dig button. You will see Tungsten diameters. You then can scroll through parameters to find softsquare. That is the waveform window. Turn the knob to go to Advanced square, Tri, or sin wave, or keep going to get back to Softsquare. To get back to panel push "A" and then gas/dig to return to panel.
Reply:Originally Posted by Willie BWhen you say scroll through parameters, specifically how? after tungsten size I push dig again, it goes to R2T I have 4 choices R standard isn't one of them, I can't get to the next parameter.
Reply:Many thanks guys. I don't know how to express my gratitude. I don't know what I finally hit, I was able to try other wave shapes, The 4 part menu has been blocked at the REM2T which I still can't get past. Somehow, and I will figure out the combination of things I did, I moved past and got to Wave shape. after leaving the menu it reverts to REM STD. Life is good! It is a &#(( of a welder! I feel like a teenager who just discovered sex! This thing welds dirty aluminum! It still looks good! I knew the 50/50 balance thing with sine wave welders, that the sine wave has to begin a new electrode positive arc 60 times a second in which it must overcome the dielectric nature of aluminum oxide and dirt before it can ionize argon. This means the most cleaning action happens on the cleanest metal, least on dirty. I never knew how extreme the difference is. My Foxboro friend would say it's the balls. I wonder what that means?Maybe i'll get used to the noise of the arc. Like Kamikaze in an old movie!