Consolidating into a TA 181i... opinions, what am I missing?

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I currently have three welding set ups and wondering if I should / could / would consolidate some into a TA 181i. I should mention I'm just a Damn Bed Frame Welder (TM) in my garage and nothing really bigger than 3/16" plate and usually smaller.Here's what I work with:75 cf acet and 125 o2 set up for oxyacetylene welding using Smith torches.  I like it a lot but the 75 cf is limiting for welding.HH140 and a small bottle.  Frankly, it runs pretty spatter free on FCAW so the bottle sees virtually no use (I'm just a DBFW - no beauty pageants).Finally, earlier this year I lucked into an old tombstone 250 with PFC's.  It's a beast and I love welding with it, but it never sees more than about 125 amps since it's hooked up to a 30 amp 240v dryer, and since I'm not building the Sears Tower.  Or gantry cranes. So, if I sold out all three set ups and went to a TA 181i, I end up with stick that's plenty well in my range, GMAW/FCAW, and add tig to basically replace the OA set up (less cutting).I consolidate some floor space (which is an issue... I'm too ashamed to show pictures) Lose the ability to run AC stick but I don't really use it anyway unless I needed to weld on a space alien craft that had some residual magnetism. Can't tig aluminum, but i can GMAW if I got the spool gun.  I don't do any aluminum but I can see wanting to.I don't do much OA cutting, and I guess I could switch to MAPP or propane if I really needed.I haven't tigged except in classes some years back, but I recall it being a "little" easier for me than OA welding, believe it or not.  I think there's a foot control for the TA, but not sure.  That would be nice.  I don't need HF start - no code welding.Am I missing any downsides?  Any other upsides?  Would you make the jump?
Reply:You sound like a damn fine metalworker. The TA181i is a fine machine, I have tried it.With your ability I recommend you jump to the TA252i. It is a lot more stout for the work you will most assuredly tackle with it. The tig lift/arc and foot pedal work very well together. I know the 181i does not have a tig gas solenoid in it, which is a deal breaker for me. I don't know if the 252i has it.Good Luck with your decision.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:The 211i is suppose to be coming out in June I believe, I've received a flyer a few months ago that stated June was the target release date.  I think the price is suppose to start around $1300-$1400..Its also dual voltage 110v/220v.tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonYou sound like a damn fine metalworker. The TA181i is a fine machine, I have tried it.With your ability I recommend you jump to the TA252i. It is a lot more stout for the work you will most assuredly tackle with it. The tig lift/arc and foot pedal work very well together. I know the 181i does not have a tig gas solenoid in it, which is a deal breaker for me. I don't know if the 252i has it.Good Luck with your decision.
Reply:RodJ,the only drawback I can see, and this may be a long-shot, is if the 181i went down for some reason.  I like having back-up welders around, as that's usually the case for me.Lincoln SA 200Esab Caddy 160Thermal Arc 201TSMiller Dialarc HFI don't like making plans for the day because then the word "premeditated" gets thrown around the courtroom....
Reply:It's made in china.Ian TannerKawasaki KX450 and many other fine tools
Reply:I'm not one for putting all my eggs in one basket so to speak, but I will say that I purchased a TA 161 a year or so ago to use in my plant instead of having to drag cables all over the place.  I was skeptical at first, but I have been really impressed with the performance of that machine.  It's gotten where it's about all we ever use anymore, and I have no problems recommending the TA inverters.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:Originally Posted by fortyonethirtyIt's made in china.
Reply:Well, I just pulled the trigger on the 181i and will be unboxing it this week. Waiting on the cart that my dealer forgot to order, but I will make due. Have several wires to put it through its paces and will report what I find. I have four other welders, but need a small portable job once in a blue moon and hey...this one is cute and doesn't need a forktruck to make it portable. Would love to have AC and HF but I worked around that for years with my portable rigs anyway so just need to get used to scratch start again. "Anybody can talk $h!t behind a monitor, I let the quality of my work speak for itself"Lincoln Square Wave 255 and 355 Tig Lincoln 255 Power-Mig w/ spool gun Koike 5 x 10 CNC plasma Hyd-Mech DM-10 bandsaw Ineco QB-76 NC tube bender
Reply:You will like the 181i. I have had mine for about 2 months or so and am very impressed with it. http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=122261 here is a video I made of mine.Making as much progress as a one legged duck in the middle of a pond, just going in circles.
Reply:I really like my 181i.  I have not used the stick yet, but MIG and TIg with it with great results, and I am a hack.  The machine has been flawless for the 4 months I have had it, and I have welded quite a bit (3-4 nights a week....you'd think I would be further along on my projects by now...)I still wanted the gas option, so here is what I did... Attached Images
Reply:I really appreciate you all taking the time to comments on the TA 181i and the considerations to think about.  In my reading here on weldingweb, I saw your video Bhardy and your set up Drb.  Those are what really got me thinking about rolling everything up into one package and started this thread. Yer already famous! However, while I don't know enough about others brands or more modern electronics to know the difference, with the Tombstone it seems like the only limiting factor in setting down good welds is me.  She's a big girl but she's a good girl.   I don't know how I will stop crying if I sold her. I went out and practiced a bunch with the Tombstone this evening -- and just love the feces out of that machine... uh, wait... I don't think that came out quite right Coupe, since you have multiple set ups and have used portables, I will really be interested to find out what you think. Thanks again, Gents (and Gals)
Reply:Originally Posted by RodJSo is this:
Reply:Thank you. Thank you very much... you're too kind.  Please stick around for my 11 o'clock show.  If the 181i were dual voltage, I'd be done.  Why!  Why can't they have made it dual voltage!??    I'm going to cool my heels till the 211i comes out and see how the price is and whether you have a "choice" of wiring it one way or the other, or it's adaptors.  God forbid it's the former... no way they'd do that, right?  If it's only a few hundred more, and easy switcherooski, the convenience would be nice cuz the Beast (tombstone) is currently hooked up to an extension cord from the dryer outlet.  Although I can make it work, it's not the most convenient situation.