buying a tig welder need a little help

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I'm looking to buy a Tig/Stick welder for my personal shop at the family farm. At work I'm the company's Maintenance mechanic. I just got a miller Syncrowave 200. I really like the machine and it performs well. The welder I'm looking at for the farm has to last the test of time. i'm not going to be buying another one for a while. Our old (1950s i think) Forney C-5 stick welder is still welding till this day. I used it for a repair job on our John Deere yesterday. So that is why i'm leaning more to a transformer machine. I do know that they don't make things like they use to but i'd like it to last. The machines i'm looking at are: Lincoln Precision TIG 225, Lincoln Square wave 175, Miller Diversion 180, Syncrowave 200 and the  Thermal Arc 185 AC/DC. Any help would be greatly appreciated, Thank you.Miller Syncrowave 200Esab Migmaster 275Miller Millermatic 210Forney C-5Hypertherm Powermax 30
Reply:Diversion isn't a stick welder.Thermal arc 186 is the newer than the 185.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:yes i know that the miller isn't a stick welder. i also don't care for not being able to change out the torch like on the syncrowave machines. So that is something i don't like about that diversion.  The 185 is still able to be bought new, also i would probability go with the 186 if i were to go that routeLast edited by SpyderTB; 01-12-2013 at 04:21 PM.Miller Syncrowave 200Esab Migmaster 275Miller Millermatic 210Forney C-5Hypertherm Powermax 30
Reply:Depends on your power availability as well.  The TA185 will run off 30 amps.IDK how the 186 will be, but the 185 was a great machine with a higher duty cycle than the 186.  Apparently it's not a great stick machine.The new tranny machines have circuit boards in them too, just less of them.  Do you need AC?  If not, Miller XMT's are great durable machines that can do Mig, Tig and Stick.  Just don't get a 300, just a 304 or higher.  The 300's were fraught with problems.If you need AC, I wouldn't hesitate on the TA machines.  The 185's and 300's were made in Japan (at least mine were).  The new ones are Chinese, but made to Thermadynes standards.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Power is not an issue.  If I found a 460/ 575v machine used I could run in. But would prefer to stay at 220v. As far as amps go that's no issues either as you can guess. My pops use to work for the electric company so he kinda went over board with the power here.  We have some 3 phase here too just not in the shopMiller Syncrowave 200Esab Migmaster 275Miller Millermatic 210Forney C-5Hypertherm Powermax 30
Reply:I'm partial to the Syncrowaves myself. You can find some nice deals on used machines if you keep your eyes open on CL..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:Of the machines you have listed, the Lincoln precision tig 225 would make you very happy. It is one heck of a machine, stick and tig.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWI'm partial to the Syncrowaves myself. You can find some nice deals on used machines if you keep your eyes open on CL.
Reply:i have a syncrowave 200 in my maintenance shop at work. it is a great machine, i like it a lot. I would like to buy new not a used machine, but the 250 is out of my price range unless i buy used. I love to buy tools and can afford one but i can not justify spending that kind of money and not used it to make me money for welding on other people's projects or cars. If i were going to buy a used machine i always liked the lincoln idealarc 250 and 300. i have never used one myself but my unlce had one and always watched him stick and tig weld. That machine seemed to take anything he would throw at it. Welding wise and really throw at it. Would buying one of those idealarc be as good as the machines i listed in my prior posts? Thanks again for the time you guys take to read this and respond.Miller Syncrowave 200Esab Migmaster 275Miller Millermatic 210Forney C-5Hypertherm Powermax 30
Reply:The Idealarc machines are great stick welders and good dc tig welders but they are not ac tig welders like the Precision tig or syncrowave machines. There is no high frequency or remote amp control with the Idealarc.I dc tig weld a fair bit of stainless steel and thin gauge sheet metal with my 250 idealarc.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:Originally Posted by SpyderTBi have a syncrowave 200 in my maintenance shop at work. it is a great machine, i like it a lot. I would like to buy new not a used machine, but the 250 is out of my price range unless i buy used. I love to buy tools and can afford one but i can not justify spending that kind of money and not used it to make me money for welding on other people's projects or cars. If i were going to buy a used machine i always liked the lincoln idealarc 250 and 300. i have never used one myself but my unlce had one and always watched him stick and tig weld. That machine seemed to take anything he would throw at it. Welding wise and really throw at it. Would buying one of those idealarc be as good as the machines i listed in my prior posts? Thanks again for the time you guys take to read this and respond.
Reply:Sorry there is a correction. the used welder i was looking at was the Lincoln Idealarc 300/300 TIG AC/DC.Miller Syncrowave 200Esab Migmaster 275Miller Millermatic 210Forney C-5Hypertherm Powermax 30
Reply:Yes, the Idealarc 300/300 tig/stick will ac tig weld aluminum.It is an old school machine that will work well. I'm guessing you will need 90 amps of 230v power to run it?JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:really that many amps? ive never heard of a welder drawing that many.Miller Syncrowave 200Esab Migmaster 275Miller Millermatic 210Forney C-5Hypertherm Powermax 30
Reply:Originally Posted by SpyderTBPower is not an issue.  If I found a 460/ 575v machine used I could run in. But would prefer to stay at 220v. As far as amps go that's no issues either as you can guess. My pops use to work for the electric company so he kinda went over board with the power here.  We have some 3 phase here too just not in the shop
Reply:An example of a bad buy for him but a good one for you.http://longisland.craigslist.org/tls/3542953304.htmlThis will be sitting a while as most shops need bigger, and most hobby guys lack 3 phase.  You could take a ride and get this for a song.  It's $2309 brand new on eBay delivered with warranty.  Betcha he takes $1500.Last edited by Drf255; 01-16-2013 at 06:05 AM.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Originally Posted by SpyderTBreally that many amps? ive never heard of a welder drawing that many.
Reply:I oboe they are full of copper windings. I have cleaned out our Forney C5 before.  That welder has been around since so late 50's my grandfather bought it new from the door to door salesmanway back in the day. With my future new Tig welder purchase my thoughts are if that transformer welder lasted that long then a new Transformer welder should last half as long with how things are being made now. Lol that is the reason I'm leaning towards a transformer welder over inverter tig.Miller Syncrowave 200Esab Migmaster 275Miller Millermatic 210Forney C-5Hypertherm Powermax 30
Reply:Originally Posted by Drf255An example of a bad buy for him but a good one for you.http://longisland.craigslist.org/tls/3542953304.htmlThis will be sitting a while as most shops need bigger, and most hobby guys lack 3 phase.  You could take a ride and get this for a song.  It's $2309 brand new on eBay delivered with warranty.  Betcha he takes $1500.
Reply:no i can't use that machine. We don't have 460 3 phaseMiller Syncrowave 200Esab Migmaster 275Miller Millermatic 210Forney C-5Hypertherm Powermax 30
Reply:Originally Posted by SpyderTBPower is not an issue.  If I found a 460/ 575v machine used I could run in. But would prefer to stay at 220v. As far as amps go that's no issues either as you can guess. My pops use to work for the electric company so he kinda went over board with the power here.  We have some 3 phase here too just not in the shop
Reply:yes i didMiller Syncrowave 200Esab Migmaster 275Miller Millermatic 210Forney C-5Hypertherm Powermax 30
Reply:Our shop is really set back from the rest of the motors we have there.  The 3 phase is up front with the silos so yes we do have the power but not anywhere near the shop.  So that's is what's going on with the power at our farm. But what machine do you think is the best for me.  The Lincolns or TA 186Miller Syncrowave 200Esab Migmaster 275Miller Millermatic 210Forney C-5Hypertherm Powermax 30
Reply:I haven't used the Lincoln, but I was very impressed with the Thermal Arc when I used one a couple years ago. Almost bout one before I ended up going multi-process TIGI have used Lincoln Invertecs and hated them for tig, stick they weren't too bad.138# anvilHomebuilt 6 tap kegerator100# cone anvil5" post viceVarious hammers ranging from 250g to 2000gSome tongsA few screwdriversA wrench or twoOh, and a Fronius TPS 2700
Reply:I hated the whole interface on my V205T invertec and the total absence of memory slots.    Welding I thought it was good for tig and has twice the duty cycle of the dynasty 200dxTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250I made this same post, on another thread, about someone looking for their first TIG machine, in case you had been there, it is the same.  I bought a Lincoln Precision TIG 225 and it was very easy to learn on. It does have an Auto-balance, or you can set it with the cleaning or penetration settings you want. It also has a pulser.  I work with a foot pedal and an air-driven hand-piece, a foot pedal and an electrosurge and a foot pedal and direct-drive electric hand-piece all day for the last 22 years, so that might have helped get the hang of a foot pedal and the torch.  But, it was surprising how you can add or back off the heat as you need to start, weld and end. Without the knowledge of professionals who have been using tig for 20 years, too many bells and whistles can let you adjust yourself into trouble. The machine has been 100% reliable and would buy the same machine, again. You can TIG and stick with it. Good luck on your search and decisions.Northern Tool has free shipping and fairly good prices as does Lowes, at times. Indiana Oxygen is around $2200 on Ebay, also. If you have a good LWS, see what kind of price matching/beating they can do, too.http://www.lincolnelectric.com/asset...ature/E337.pdfSome of its features include:--5-230 amps is the widest welding range in its class.--Patented Micro-Start™ II Technology delivers extremely stable low amperage starting, welding and cratering for AC and DC welding.--FREE TIG Pulser – Optimal heat input control results in reduced warping and burnthrough on thin materials and improved appearance.---Excellent Stick Welder – even with Fleetweld® 5P (E6010).---AC Auto Balance® automatically sets the optimal cleaning vs. penetration levels for great looking aluminum welds.---Standard NEMA 6-50 plug on 9 ft. (2.7 m) input power cord with receptacle. (208/230 volt models only).115 volt auxiliary power receptacles with 20 amp service reliably powers water coolers orother tools (208/230V model only, all other models 6 amps).---Standard torch parts storage compartment and cable hanger keeps you organized.---Ready-Pak® models include a Pro-Torch® PTA-17 air-cooled 150 amp torch with 12.5 ft. (3.8 m) ---Ultra-Flex™ cable.---Fan-As-Needed™ (F.A.N.™) prevents overheating. F.A.N.™ reduces power consumption noise, motor wear and dust in the machine.---CSA C/US certified.TxDoc's Photos Lincoln SP175 PlusLincoln Power Mig 256Lincoln 250 LX Spool Gun Lincoln Precision Tig 225 Hypertherm 600 KMG 2x72 Belt GrinderBaldor 812RE Grinder
Reply:This would be my first machine for home use. I have a syncrowave 200 in my shop at work, so this isn't my first time tig welding.Miller Syncrowave 200Esab Migmaster 275Miller Millermatic 210Forney C-5Hypertherm Powermax 30
Reply:If your wanting a transformer machine the Lincoln pt225 or syncrowave 200. would be a tough choice between the two.  I would lean towards the Lincoln pt225 for the extra power..  at that point a used syncrowave 250 would fit nice and probably around the same money, maybe even less.. I sold my TA185 recently, I believe they are the most underrated tig machine on the planet. I think TA messed up by discontinuing them and introducing the 186. It must have gotten to expensive to produce the 185 or the contract with Sanrex is coming to an end. I wouldnt be scared of the TA200 ac/dc..My next choice for an inverter would be HTP221.. The HTP221 is getting good reviews, many people have said HTP sales and support is top notch and they back what they sell, might be another option for you..tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:Now is the time to buy a TA 185. One of my LWS's has them new for $2200..........which icludes pedal, regulator etc.I have both the TA 185 and HTP 221. I am new to TIG welding but both machines have been very good!!!
Reply:SpyderTB.........sre you looking to TIG aluminum???If steels are your only interest/needs might I suggest looking into one of Thermal Arc's mig/stick/tig units!Brucer did a really nice write up on one a few days ago !!!