Miller Dynasty DX package or...Not?

admin

I am looking at buying a Dynasty 200DX (next week gas cooled for now) and was asking myself do I go with the Miller "Contractor pack" (seems to have more then I would need and use). Or do I part a system together?I will be doing only TIG with it and have little experience (I dont want to worry about buy a welder for a while and look to have growing room in the first TIG machine I buy). I will be welding mostly Aluminum and Chromoly tube and plate around .120 to .095 wall.So I am not sure what all is really needed beyond the power source.Would it be easier/ better to just pick-up the unit ($2958.00) then get the rest individually?What would be needed?Dynasty 200DXFlow meter/ hoses (what kind is best...)Foot peddle (what kind is best...)Torch (what one is best fit for most jobs... air cooled)Grounding cable...Is there anything else? If someone can make a list to help this noobi out so I can do some research it would be greatly appreciated!! Thank you
Reply:You will need the dinse connectors and a torch parts kit.I bought the contractor kit, and use most of the parts today. I would not do it again, but would get a Weldtech aircooled flex torch, a better regulator, the wireless foot control, and a better ground clamp and lead.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:I agree, better to get the components you want. I picked a flex torch with valve and a dual regulator because I do some purging. didn't want a 25' torch so I ordered a 12'. you really don't save all that much going with the contractor pack so why not get what you want. also, I made the mistake of ordering the dinse connectors but you don't need to, they come with the bare bones machine. what doesn't come with the bare bones machine though is the plug end. the bare machine just comes with the 2 dinse connectors and  a bare power lead that you will need to terminate yourself. I used a 4 prong twist lock on the cable end that goes right into my 3 phase outlet, then built a few other ends that have female 4 prong twist lock to a 220 50a plug and another for 110v so I can adapt it to any power source I have available... this is another minor consideration as I spent over $100 on just these terminations and adapters. I assume the contractor pack comes pre terminated and with adapter plugs for different sources?miller 330a bp TIGmiller dynasty 200DX TIGmillermatic 185 MIGthermal dynamics cutmaster 101 plasma cuttersnap-on YA5550 plasma cutterhypertherm powermax 30 plasma cutterbaileigh CS225 cold sawetc....
Reply:I bought the bare bones machine (before there were contractor kits).  It came with two Dinse connectors.  One plain one for the ground, and a second one with a gas port for the torch.  I had to buy a third for a stinger.I'm much happier with a 25' torch, 25' ground and 25' line on my pedal.  That way the machine stay's near the outlet, and I don't have to move it around the shop, but YMMV.I already had a flex torch with a valve, and would prefer a torch without the valve (less bulk to handle), since the Dynasty has a solenoid valve, but I'm not replacing it until it breaks.
Reply:Like shovelon, I bought the contractor package but wouldn't do it again. At the time it seemed like a good idea because it comes with everything you need except for gas. After using that setup for a while, I found that air-cooled wasn't enough, 25' leads were way too long for me, rigging tees for purge was...well pretty crappy, I really wanted the wireless foot control, and the accessory kit was really bare bones. It's a great quick start package, but you may out grow it really quick and spend more getting your setup "just right"
Reply:Machine only.  Buy a used pedal, water cooled torch and a procon pump on eBay and build a cooler.  You should be able to do this fr less than the accessory pack.  The water cooled wp20 torch is HUGE.  Even if you're a novice like me, it's the difference between holding a broomstick tied to a 3/4" steel cable vs. a pencil tied to a piece of rope.  I really believe you will get better and have much more control with a WC torch as I have.  Plus, the consumables seem to last forever.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Drf,Think you may want to check your last post.The WP20 torch is anything but HUGE.I think there must have been a disconnect between the brain and the fingers.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:If Drf thinks the wp20 is huge, he should try using a wp17 with a gas lens. Feels like you're welding with a hammer lol
Reply:HUGE is slang for something that "makes a huge difference". The wp20 is small and flexible.  I was using a 17 with a gas lens before it, hense the description that followed.Looking back at it, I can see how it looks like te opposite of what was meant.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum