Choosing the good Tig

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Hey guys! I'm looking at purchasing a little Tig welder and have difficulty choosing one due to my inexperience in that welding process. Here's my situation:I'm a farmer in the dairy buisness and extended cultures, so dealing with SS piping and tanks, cast iron, alu, ... everything!!  I'm also a motorcyle hobbyist, choppin' bike for myself and friends, not as a buisness, for now! I already have basic Oxy/Acet torch, an Old Ac-225 Lincoln and a little Lincoln Mig Pak 180a. I have no need on spending 5k on a welder, my budget for that is +/- 2k, but If I can get something decent for under 1k , I'll go for it!! I need ( I think) a welder that can push  about 200 amps, no need for a 110/220 multipower, but it can be usefull! Portability is not a main point for me but it can be really usefull on a farm!!here's what catched my eyes for now:#1 The new Thermal-Arc 186 Ac/Dc tig, I can get it at 1800$ with the foot control here in Canada.#2 A Used (like new) Miller Syncrowave 200 fully loaded for 1600$ (Concerned on portability and the extra sucking juice vs the inverter type if moved?)#3 Miller Diversion 180 for 1850$#4 Everlast? Eastwood? Longevity? What you guys thinks on those for my part time needs?Thanks for helping me!
Reply:Originally Posted by Sn34ky#2 A Used (like new) Miller Syncrowave 200 fully loaded for 1600$ (Concerned on portability and the extra sucking juice vs the inverter type if moved?)
Reply:to do aluminum you must have AC and go for 200 amp or bigger.  Not spending the money for bigger now husts later when you need it for 1/4" work.  Inverter saves weight and power in.I have an Everlast PM256 does what I need. They have a dealer in Canada too.http://www.everlastwelders.ca/
Reply:I would say the 186 TA looks like a good machine if ur wanting new..  if u got with Everlast, Longevity.  Get plenty of hrs on it in the 30 day return window.    Infancy failure is the main issue with Chinese made stuff..As u want to do stainless the pulse functions may be of use to you on a TIG machineTiger 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 250
Reply:Originally Posted by fortyonethirtyWhat does "fully loaded" mean? Water cooler? Gas bottle?
Reply:you can also look into HTP Invertig 221.  220A AC/DC, with pulse and tons of options.  Granted it's a bit more $$$ brand new, but I had once asked about open-box/refurb/dent-n-scratch units available at lower pricing, and Jeff Nolan said they occasionally had some, just had to call the office.  Might be worth looking into.  I know I'll be getting one eventually.
Reply:Originally Posted by Sn34ky... Since I'm not gonna weld all day long, just for short periods, I don't think I need water cooled torch.
Reply:I'm partial to the American made stuff myself. So, I'd be leaning toward the used miller, but I think the price is too high. Maybe offer them $1200 and see what they say.Ian TannerKawasaki KX450 and many other fine tools
Reply:I'd avoid the Diversion. It really doesn't have the output power or any advanced options. The Syncrowave 200 it a far better machine.As far as Longevity/Everlast, there have been any number of issues with DOA machines and poor customer service after the sale when the machines go bad. I'd point you towards the threads, but most get moved to the paid forums where the company quickly either edits them or simply deletes them so there is no bad threads to locate. Do a bunch of in depth searches and you will find a few that didn't get deleted and they are just the tip of the iceberg. If you choose to go this route, be warned and use due diligence to make an informed decision.As far as the Syncrowave 200, I'll admit I'm biased. I have one personally at home and the tech school has about 8 Syncrowave 250's of various ages. All are excellent machines. Input requirements on the Syncro 200 aren't any higher than most transformer stick machines and the average user won't really notice the extra power usage on their bill. $1600 is on the high side used at least where I 'm located. I see very nice Syncro 200's for between $1000-1400 regularly and have even seen a few Syncro 250's in that range on occasion.Last edited by DSW; 11-14-2012 at 07:31 PM..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:Originally Posted by SnuffyThat's what I said. Then I got a machine that came with a torch the size of a small baseball bat. Air cooled torches are really big and it makes it really hard to get comfortable. Now doin my homework as to what I need to build a water cooler.
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWAs far as Longevity/Everlast, there have been any number of issues with DOA machines and poor customer service after the sale when the machines go bad. I'd point you towards the threads, but most get moved to the paid forums where the company quickly either edits them or simply deletes them so there is no bad threads to locate. Do a bunch of in depth searches and you will find a few that didn't get deleted and they are just the tip of the iceberg. If you choose to go this route, be warned and due due diligence to make an informed decision.
Reply:Where are you located?ESAB Heliarc 252
Reply:The TA 185 was a great machine. If I'd been aware of it when I bought my Syncrowave 200, I'd have definitely had a hard choice to choose between the two. The TA 186 is so new, there really isn't a lot of feed back on it yet. If it is anything like the TA 185 it's the equivalent of the Syncrowave 200, but would be lighter and use less power.I'll refrain from commenting on it since I can't say good or bad on it..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:Originally Posted by BlauSchuhWhere are you located?
Reply:Originally Posted by Sn34kyNear Montreal, Quebec
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterWow how do you like that..Do you believe at this time in the season the BRUINS and the Canadians are still undefeated?...zap!
Reply:The Lincoln precision tig 225 is a real good unit also. It is transformer based, so a bit larger. But it is tried and trued and one heck of a welder. If you do some looking, one should be found for around $2000 new.It will also stick weld with any electrode.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:I just came back from visiting the Fabtech convention here in Las Vegas.  Although I currently own an older Thermal Arc AC/DC inverter myself (which I am very happy with), I'm very impressed with with the ESAB 2200 tig inverter.  The water cooled package was pretty nice.   (220 amp nominal output, albeit at 20% duty cycle.  I do see others are using that same duty cycle, eg. Miller Dynasty 200 = 200amps at 20% duty cycle.  )    Its not made in China. No one on this forum ever seems to mention this unit, but I thought it a nice package.http://esabna.com/us/en/products_cat...Product_ID=784
Reply:Originally Posted by zipzitI just came back from visiting the Fabtech convention here in Las Vegas.  Although I currently own an older Thermal Arc AC/DC inverter myself (which I am very happy with), I'm very impressed with with the ESAB 2200 tig inverter.  The water cooled package was pretty nice.   (220 amp nominal output, albeit at 20% duty cycle.  I do see others are using that same duty cycle, eg. Miller Dynasty 200 = 200amps at 20% duty cycle.  )    Its not made in China. No one on this forum ever seems to mention this unit, but I thought it a nice package.http://esabna.com/us/en/products_cat...Product_ID=784
Reply:Since I don't work part time welding for people. I also could not see affording $2k for a machine plus other things that I needed and was looking through CL for used and still the major brands are still pretty costly and without warranty. I really don't understand how much it would have cost to fix any problems with broken machines. I have only a few hours on my Lincoln Mig that I sold as it did not work for any small parts that I wanted to make. Eventually I ended up buying an Everlast 200DX through Amazon for $999, got a tank that cost me nearly $200 from a LWS plus a few more items such auto dark helmet, clamps etc, eventually my expense to start melting metal was around $1500. So far I have had the machine for 3 weeks and have made a few projects and already went through 3x 55cf of argon tanks, so far I love working with TIG. If the Everlast breaks no matter I don't lose much as it is only a tool toy in the garage. My other reason for purchasing the Everlast is the 5 year warranty. Paying an average of $200 per year on a machine is darn cheap for a hobbyist like me. Something that is totally unheard of 5 years ago.I would buy red or blue if I made money from it as it will eventually pay for itself. The Tig machine goes well with my other tool toys like my CNC milling machine and Mini lathe.I know the WP26 is a big torch but I eventually got used to it and I put the cable on a sling that helped lessen the weight of the torch.Last edited by vicrc; 11-15-2012 at 03:14 AM.
Reply:I've owned the TA185, a Dynasty 200 DX, Syncro 250 and now a TA Arcmaster 300.  If the new 186 is anything like the older units, I would snap one up in a heartbeat.   My TAs were all made in Japan, but the new ones made in China to their specs should be just fine.  The lower input power and size of the inverters, plus the extra features, make them a no brainier for me.I haven't heard many good things about Everlast machines.  The machine quality and component quality has been complained upon here.  Worst of all, it's tough to get valid opinions as Everlast deletes or modifies any negative postings regarding their machines.   Apparently it's commonplace for the machines to arrive needing adjustments straight from the factory.  The tig torch is supposed to be a POS.  most postings show that after the initial setup, adjustments and torch replacements, they hold up ok.Btw, the TA 186 is only $1505 shipped here.  Idk if the increased price for you is simply because of the exchange, your location, or the vendor you picked.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Originally Posted by snoeproeThe Lincoln precision tig 225 is a real good unit also. It is transformer based, so a bit larger.
Reply:Originally Posted by Sn34kyIf you have to choose between a 186 at 1800$ and a '' like new'' Syncro200 at maybe 1400$ wich one would you get?
Reply:Not alot of Alu, maximum I will weld is maybe 1/8'' or less in Aluminum for intake manifold and some custom parts. 90% of my welds will be on sheet metal, 1/8'' wall steel tubing,  and some 4130 chromoly too!!  1/4'' Steel is the max i'll need to weld!Lincoln Ac-225, Mig Pak 180 and alot of Massey Ferguson!
Reply:Originally Posted by Sn34kyNot alot of Alu, maximum I will weld is maybe 1/8'' or less in Aluminum for intake manifold and some custom parts. 90% of my welds will be on sheet metal, 1/8'' wall steel tubing,  and some 4130 chromoly too!!  1/4'' Steel is the max i'll need to weld!Hey guys! What do you think about the Precision Tig 185? I can get the hand on a very clean one at 750$!Lincoln Ac-225, Mig Pak 180 and alot of Massey Ferguson!
Reply:Originally Posted by Sn34kyHey guys! What do you think about the Precision Tig 185? I can get the hand on a very clean one at 750$!