Coastal TIG.?

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OK guys, I know it's prolly already been beat to death somewhere on here, but yet again, here's another noob lookin for opinions on THE question.. Which TIG do I get.?  Please forgive the length but I'm trying to not miss potentially important details that may help with this process.Scenario: I have absolutely 0 experience outside of helping the guy who's been doing my aluminum welding for me. But what I do is work on, trade, repair, modify and rig boats at the coast. Lots of them are aluminum. I'd say a good 90% of the non-fiberglass mods involve AL(.053-~.250"). Anondized AL at that. There's also a little stainless to be worked with. Almost no carbon steel (it rusts away quickly here) except for fixtures around the work area. It's to the point that I just won't pay for, wait for, or be limited in experimentation by having someone else do my welding.. I gotta learn it. Got plans to attend the local CC welding class but that don't start till Jan24th. I'll be blind from researching if I don't get something else going.Concerning returns, hard to tell. How many $400 scrap pile small frames or how much experimentation/mod freedom does it take to justify buying and learning this process.? I'm thinkin it's go-time. PROS: I've got plenty of time to practice(off season) and cash enough to get a really decent start, I believe(keep it under $3Kish ready-to-weld? Not afraid of used if checked out). Already have most of my other tools already on hand, just a couple more to get(famous last words, eh?). Got the place, got a "sparky" friend who will wire me up. And I'm a hard-headed obsessive with no silly delusions that I'm just gonna pick this thing up and do it 'cause I bought a nice welder. But halfazzed gear chaps my hide and I like nice schtuff.SO... There's a new toy comin'. Resistance is futile at this point and I'm trying to avoid trippin over my tally-whacker or impulse buying. The local welding shop honcho already knows me by name and I ain't struck a spark. They sell the major brands and supplies, and he says I'd prolly be best off going with a Lincoln Precision TIG 225(K2535-2) for cost and ease of use($2600 out the door with tank and gas). Is it a sin to buy a non-inverter rig now-a-days.? For some reason he does not like the Syncrowaves or any Thermal Arc, both of which seem to fair well in e-opinion. The Miller rep says Diversion 180, but I have my questions about it's real life ability to handle occasional .250" in a noobs hands. I mostly see it referred to as a "beginner" machine, which I ain't even yet. But again, no sense buying what nobody else wants if ya can afford something mo'desireable to a wider market.I've read good things about Everlast and Riland, but know it's prolly a gamble and resale would suck. Partner-in-crime keeps pushin MIG w/spoolgun, but from what I've been able to gather so far it looks like that process won't do the real thin material and doesn't have the "potential" to be as neat in a proficient person's hands. ..I'm lookin for units to research and now I'm lookin to y'all.. It is what it is and no I won't wait.....long. This has been bothering me for years. So laugh, help'r stay'hell outta the way. What say you.?  Thanks..   d:^)  Schneeks..ESAB 161 LTSCommunicate & adapt, diggit.?ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
Reply:SundownIII here works on boat towers with tig and can probably tell you what he uses. I know he's posted up in the past that they were running Syncrowaves, I believe 250's, but he may be using other machines now.To me I'd look at a machine with a minimun of 200 amps. I'd also think hard about how portable the machine needs to be for what you will do. Will this all be yard work, where you can run a large transformer or big inverter with a long tig torch, or will you primarily have to go to the work and work at the dock where the portability of a smaller machine like the Dynasty 200dx would make more sense even at a lower max amp rating? Also will the need for 220v power for the larger machines, be an issue if you have to go to the work?Cost is going to be heavily keyed to type of machine (transformer vs inverter), Max amp rating, and portability. If anything I'd bet you'd probably want to budget at least $4-5K for a machine, especially if you need a portable one or a larger inverter. $3K would get you a nice Syncrowave 200 new with all the accesories like a longer torch and gas cyl, or a nice used Syncro 250 or possibly a used Dynasty 200.There are any number of alum boat guys here who can probably tell you what they are using, if you can give them an idea just what you plan to do.Also understand, aulm tig will require a fairly good bit of seat time. Most likely your instructor will start you out on mild steel 1st because it's easier to see the puddle and learn to control the heat. Once you get thru all the positions in steel, you'll either move to stainless or alum. Note that thin material, especially alum is much more difficult to weld than say material 2x as thick. You can breeze thru 1/8", but have a nightmare with 1/16" let alone say 20 ga. Also anodized alum will require special techniques to weld and or prep which also can complicate the process, as will doing tubing in say the 6g position. Don't expect to walk into a part time class and be out doing alum welds on boats in the spring and be able to do a good job. I'd bet you need almost a minimum of 500hrs of seat time, if not more, to go from zero to being able to do thin wall alum tube in 6g and do an excelent job at it. Especially if you are hanging off the tower of a boat, 40 foot up, in harbor swells when trying to do it. For example: One of the guys in the last night class  at the tech school wanted to learn tig and move to alum. Even with his own machine at home practicing between classes, and years of experience with alum mig, he still only got thru 1/8" mild steel in flat and horizontal in the 10 week class. He still has to do thin steel and tube, as well as finishing vertical and overhead as well as mastering alum...I'm not trying to discourage you, just to make sure you have a reasonable expectation of how long it will take to get what most here would call pro quality welds with tig on alum. You are trying to go from zero to probably one of the most difficult skills to master well, and that will take lots and lots of practice time, as well as help from someone who can make sure you are learning the right way the 1st time thru.Good luck.Last edited by DSW; 12-18-2010 at 08:24 AM..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 DSWI'm not trying to discourage you, just to make sure you have a reasonable expectation of how long it will take to get what most here would call pro quality welds with tig on alum. You are trying to go from zero to probably one of the most difficult skills to master well, and that will take lots and lots of practice time, as well as help from someone who can make sure you are learning the right way the 1st time thru.Good luck.
Reply:So OK.. After spending the time since my first entry reading tons of old posts here, looks like a better plan may be to get a nice little MIG machine to fool with here at the house for now. And start 'rasslin the TIG after some instruction at the local CC. Which really was kindof the plan all along outside of gettin the MIG already as well. I still gotta get the TIG welder now, 'cause if I don't the money will slip away on other projects while I'm waitin and I'll be SOL for gettin one for a while. That's the big push (I got momma already prepped up for the schticker shock of the TIG as well)   Gotta strike while the iron's hot. It's go time, boyz.. ..Dynasty 200SX or Lincoln Precision TIG 225.?  Millermatic 211 on the MIG side.?  Needin a little kick in the arse here, fellas. I ain't "delicate" either, so feel free to gimme an e-thumpin if'n I need it. I know SundownIII's out there somewhere's just dyin to..  I still ain't goin nowhere..  d:^)  Schneeks..ESAB 161 LTSCommunicate & adapt, diggit.?ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
Reply:I can't say anything about the Lincoln having never used one. I've run the Dynasty's and they are nice machines. I'd probably take the Dynasty 200 myself and get the DX model rather than the basic SD. I'd rather spend the money up front for the options especially if I was looking to do alum later. As far as the mig, the MM211 is a nice machine for a starter mig. As far as used, You might check out these guys. I've picked up some stuff from them in the past and so have several other members here. You can find cheaper units on CL, but these guys usually have a good selection, even if it's priced a bit more.http://suttongarten.thomasnet-naviga...ing-equipment?.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:Size matters.  Buy used and go big.  Buying small stuff for professional work is a waste of money.Syncrowave 350Coolmate 3Millermatic 251Spoolmatic 30A
Reply:Originally Posted by Schneeky;449801 But what I do is work on, trade, repair, modify and rig boats at the coast. [BLots of them are aluminum[/B]. I'd say a good 90% of the non-fiberglass mods involve AL(.053-~.250"). Anondized AL at that. There's also a little stainless to be worked with.
Reply:You have a business- talk to your accountant on what makes the most sense in purchasing new equipment.unless you find a smokin' deal buying new is just a better route.Sure you save a couple bucks but you only get to write off the value you spent anyway- buy more write off moreEd Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Schneeky,Seeing your post brought back memories.I used to run the Norfolk,VA office for Carolina Yachts (Atlee Rd, Wrightsville Beach) when we were dealers for Bertram Yachts (late 80's-early 90's).Pipewelders used to have a facility in Southport.  They did some of our fab work for awhile.  Eddie Keith (Quality Welders) also did quite a bit of our tower work.  Think he's still in the area, but not involved with marine fabrication.  His dad ran a larger company that built the SS tankers for over the road rigs.For the most bang for the buck, I'd recommend looking at the used Miller Syncrowave market.  The Sync 250 or, if you've got the power to run it, a Sync 350 (125A input power) a Sync 350.  Both these machines have been around for awhile and are proven long term workhorses.  I've owned three (3) Syncrowave 250's since 1977 and they've all proven to be reliable and great welders.  Only reason I kept moving up was to get some of the newer "bells and whistles" (pulse, digital displays, etc).  Sold my first Sync to a buddy who's still "making money" with her.When you start talking anodized aluminum, you're talking a minimum of a 250A machine.  You don't need the full 250A, but you do need a machine which will produce about 200A with a decent duty cycle.  That's where the Sync 250 comes in.  It's actually a 310A (max output) machine that will do 200A consistently.I use a Dynasty 200 for some minor repairs and most of my SS work, but it just doesn't have the ba11s, to do bump welding on a consistent basis.  Great machine, that's paid for itself several times over, but still doesn't replace the Sync.If money was "no object", I'd say go for the Dynasty 350 DX.  That would be the machine I will eventually upgrade to, but I haven't yet been able to justify the cost.  Even if I bought a Dynasty 350, I'd still keep the Dynasty 200 (portable work) and the Sync 250 (reliability).I wouldn't be at all scared of a good, clean 3-5 year old Syncrowave.  They're transformer based, and have proven themselves to be great welders and totally reliable.  I probably would not recommend the used market for an inverter.  Warranty is worth a lot, and the used machines bring dang near new price.Remember that when dealing with aluminum, you're also talking about a water cooled torch setup.  I don't know anyone doing serious aluminum work with an air cooled torch.Quality aluminum welds have been produced for many years before the inverters became the fad.  They do provide some nice alternatives but still do not replace or take the place of experience.  In other words, an experienced tigger can produce better welds with a transformer machine, than a newbie can with an inverter.Bottom line, if you're looking to go tig, I'd be looking at the Syncrowave 250/350's or the Lincoln 275/375 machines.As far as mig, the smallest machine you should be looking at would be a 250A machine with a spoolgun.  The Miller MM 350P is the cat's meow for aluminum mig, but has a price to go along with it.  With a little "smart shopping" you can put together a setup that comes close in capability at a much lower cost.  (XMT 304 CC/CV, good wirefeeder, spoolgun, WC 24 controller, and an Optima pulser).I use my pulsed mig setup mostly for the heavier stuff (motor mounts, engine beds, etc) and use the tig for everything else.None of the equipment you need to do serious aluminum work is "cheap" but the returns can be pretty high.  Marine fab commands some of the higher shop rates.  You will also need to gain the experience, but you need good equipment to get that experience.You won't find any of the "cheap" chinese junk in my shop.  To me it's just "false economy".  The life cycle costs are yet to be determined.  I need machines to work for me and when they don't I need to be able to pick up the phone and get parts.  I can still get parts (and local service) on every dang welder in my shop, and some of them are over 20 years old.  In summary, I guess I'd rather have a dose of clap than a chicom welder.  At least I know I can get a shot and get rid of it.PS.  Just for info, there have been a couple good threads on "welding anodized aluminum" on both this site and on Millerwelds.com.Good luck in your pursuits.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:Thanks much for taking the time on the helpful replies fellas.. I'm very appreciative of anyone who can stand to read my gyrations while I'm tryin to figure a thing out. I promise I'll calm down after a brief spat of obsessing.. Always do.. Got distracted earlier in the evening by a mess of fresh Specs, some blackened AJ and a pile'o'onionpups. Had ta give these big honkin scrimps they've been draggin in here lately a break.. Now back to it.. DSW- I'll check'em out.. n20junkie- Bring enough gun, eh.? Seems to be a recurring theme in lots of things. Point taken.. The "pro" part is yet to be determined. Broccoli1- I'm the accountant and I don't think I get write-offs just yet..  Yeah, I know, ya can't hire good help.. Thanks for the heads up on the Anondized. I'll definitely check into it. Might make a big difference and that could be key.. SundownIII- Hard ta go wrong with a Bertram from what I hear. I don't do much with larger rigs, but some of my friends do. And they get all "glassey-eyed" over a Bertram.  Pipewelders, eh.? Eddie Keith sounds familiar, but I don't know him. But point in fact, one of their ex-guys is the one tossed the gas on this little fire.. A one Tim Ehling (Tims Towers). Good friend, but I don't think he likes the idea of me tigging. Could be 'cause I'm such a regular customer. Then again, he's been doing me pretty good for the most part and his work is excellent. But he does "sting" me now and then. Plus, I just have too many boat mods & ideas rattlin 'round in this ol noodle to hafta wait on someone else to do them.. So here we go. Gotta start somewhere. ..My own searching got me to looking at the Syncs. Then when I went to my LWS, he was really down on'em even tho he's a Miller dealer. Everything I've seen on the web about them has been positive. So I was a bit cornfused. I read tons about them being great gear if portability isn't an issue and it seems they can be had at a relatively decent deal compared to newer inverters. Might be an issue with residential power capabilities. I'll check with my friend who's an electrical contractor and see what he says before persuing for sure. Will the Syncs get down to levels needed for the real thin jon boat material (.050, .070, etc.).?  My only other concern may be space, I've got a tiny little shop and about 43" x 2.5' of area set aside for future gear.Mentioning the 350A, I noticed that Tim runs a Dynasty 350DX sittin on top of his 200DX.. Which is gettin pretty dusty. Then again he's doing a lot of "bigger" work than I currently have plans to undertake in the near future. Most of my mess is little widgets and mods to make fishing/gigging more enjoyable. Right now I can't say that working t'wards T Tops is of much interest. Mainly giggin/fishin gadgets and the occasional trailer I beam/fender crack. Got an idea for a side mounted folding jon boat console I've been wantin to try but dread to pitch, yadda yadda. And of course the ever-constant jon boat repairs. Nothing on which anyones personal safety depends and prolly the vast majority is one-off stuff. No production. I spend a lot of time making nice things, "nicer". So it's bits and pieces here and there for the most part on that front. As the plan stands right now, welding will not be my main operation, but part of it that I've wanted to get into for a long time and all the pieces just recently fell into place to allow that to get started. Then again it's hard ta tell what might happen when I start gettin into it. With that information, would you still recommend the same units.? Unfortunately, money is an object (and an objectionable one at that), so I'm kindof sortof limited to mid $3K's, mebbe $4k on a heckova deal, ready to weld with the necessary goodies. That said, I may have another angle to check into that could play into this favorably. So we're still ressearchin in the meantime.Point taken on the Chicom.. I will admit to eyeballing the Everlast PowerPro256. Homer over on welding tips & tricks seems to like his. I dunno. Bet resale would suck. Then again, if I flaked, I could easily lose as much on a new big brand machine as the Everlast costs. Still tho', I like "nice gear" no matter what I'm doing and I don't know what the deal is with the service.   Hadn't thought/didn't know what the scoop was on air vs. water cooled torches. With the above information does that still apply.? I'm not sure what's entailed in "serious aluminum work", so I'm not sure if that's the direction I'm headed. What I described sounds more like sideline but things can and will change. Better to have it and not need it...  And also on that "experienced tigger" front, Tim's runnin that Dynasty 350DX, and with all those adjustments I've read about, I've not once in the 4-5 years I've known him seen him fiddle with those settings. He always just cuts it on and goes to welding (after a few phone calls and fooling around on his PC )...Anyways fellas, apologies for the stream of long posts. But I'm kindof "typing/thinking out loud" while I'm workin this out. Made more difficult by ignorance and A.D.D. Just gimme an e-thumpin if I get off on some total BS. Keep'em comin..    d:^)  Schneeks..ESAB 161 LTSCommunicate & adapt, diggit.?ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
Reply:Schneeky,You can dial a Sync 250 down to 3A.  I've used mine for a lot of thin stainless over the years.With a little shopping, you should be able to find a nice, clean Sync 250 DX for under 3K, complete with cooler, torch, and a remote.  As far as remotes, I'd start with a foot pedal.  You'll need a torch mounted on/off button if you get into bump welding anodized aluminum, but that can come later.By buying a used machine, you have an excellent probability of getting most of your money back if you decide to sell it.  With the cooler under the power supply, the Sync 250 is about 2'w x 4'deep x 5' tall.If size/power available is a real problem (the Sync 250 really needs 100A) then I'd recommend the new Dynasty 200 DX (not the SD).  Lacks the high end and duty cycle of the Sync, but is a fantastic welder.  I use mine more than the Sync.  You can get a full setup (power supply, cooler, torch, work lead, pedal) for about 4K.For the work you're describing the tig is the way to go.  The Dynasty 200 may be all the machine you need, but don't plan on doing a lot of 1/4" aluminum with it.You'll find that a 20 series (rated at 250A) water cooled torch is a lot more maneuverable and pleasant to use than a 17 series (150A) air cooled torch.  About the only time I ever use an air cooled torch (9 series-125A rated) is for portable, lo amp, stainless repairs.Keep in mind that while tig welding is the "most versatile" of the welding processes, it's also the most difficult to master.  Good tiggers can make things look easy, but realize, that that skill was only acquired after thousands of hours of arc time.  It's not something that you're going to be "good at" after a month or so of practice.  It takes real committment, something many of our new welders just don't seem to understand.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:Originally Posted by SundownIIIKeep in mind that while tig welding is the "most versatile" of the welding processes, it's also the most difficult to master.  Good tiggers can make things look easy, but realize, that that skill was only acquired after thousands of hours of arc time.  It's not something that you're going to be "good at" after a month or so of practice.  It takes real committment, something many of our new welders just don't seem to understand.
Reply:Couple articles for youhttp://www.millerwelds.com/resources...or-Fabricator/http://www.millerwelds.com/resources...ters-aluminum/http://www.millerwelds.com/resources...tips-beginner/Miller Student Packagehttp://www.millerwelds.com/resources/tools/#trainingEd Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Thanks Broccoli1.. I'll check'em out fer sure.. Yer in the movie industry.?     d:^)  Schneeks..ESAB 161 LTSCommunicate & adapt, diggit.?ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
Reply:Hopefully, some of you guys can help me thru the learning curve a bit. Might be worth a some R&R at the Southport Bed & Boathouse, a little time in a nice flounder giggin rig and a fish fry'r'two for somebody, eh.?  You serious ? I'm no Sundown but I can hold my own with loominum and stainless and I like catching fish almost as much as I like eatin it   I'm a few miles south of you but me and the miss's would travel for sum good fishin/eatin and hospitality. I have a Dynasty200dx and can travel. Got room for five dogs ? Well at least two of our special needs poochs
Reply:Well, I am serious.. Don't know if I can accomodate any K9's, tho'.. The first few times we tried that it didn't turn out too well for the house, and I got to do a lot of carpet cleaning. So you can guess how that affected our pet policy.. The "special needs" human (blood pressure) trumps the pooches every time. We'd be glad ta have you and the Mrs, tho'.. Although right now's kindofa crappy time of year for giggin less'n yer an Eskimo. But the Specs-n-Reds are chewin when the water thaws a bit and I've got a buncha Grunt from a coupla weeks ago in the freezer.. Good munchies..I'm after anodized AL help in particular. Or anything that gets me headed in that direction.     d:^)  Schneeks..ESAB 161 LTSCommunicate & adapt, diggit.?ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
Reply:There's a couple links in this thread on bump welding anodized alum. I haven't had the chance to go over them for a while but they should help point you in the right direction.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=42942You might also do a search on "bump welding" and use SundownIII's name as the perameters. A bunch of threads popped up but I don't have time to browse thru them to pull out more than the one above I remember best..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:.. No problem, DSW.. And Thanks. I'll do the search.. I might be a noob in welding, but I've been around PC's for a long time now and I ain't that lazy..  Already read some on that topic and it's very interesting. Takes a while to get used to the anagrams and absorb the info...As a side, I talked with Tim yesterday evening and he's conceded that I ain't gonna quit till I've at least givin this an honest shot, so he's said he'll help me out. That's gotta help.. Got the Miller "Student Pack" of manuals and reference material enroute.   d:^)  Schneeks..ESAB 161 LTSCommunicate & adapt, diggit.?ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
Reply:Schneeky,If Tim worked for Pipewelders, he's going to be your best resource for bump welding anodized aluminum.It's not that difficult to learn, but requires a lot of practice to get the timing down.  One on one with a guy who knows the process can really speed up the learning process.As I said before, the Dynasty 200 is a great welder, but it's a little light (amps and duty cycle) for a steady diet of bump welding.  Couple weeks ago, I was welding a 1/4" anodized plate (radar pad) to an arch.  Had tacked the plate in several places, and then went to "weld it up".  Finished the front weld (about 14") and started on the back.  Halfway thru, the Dynasty 200 shut down.  Had to power down and wait about 15 min before I could finish the job.  Job was "offsite", so I didn't have the option of using the Sync.Bump welding anodized is generally done at between 180 and 205 A.  At that output, the duty cycle on the Dynasty 200 is not that great.Ask Tim if he remembers Edison Irving from his days at Pipewelders.  I think when Tim was there, Ed was running the Cape May, NJ facility for Pipewelders.  He's the son of the owner and the one who taught me the bump welding technique.  He's out of the welding business now, runs a company called Strataglas, but his shop is still right up the street from Pipewelders on SR84 in Ft. Lauderdale.The Dynasty 200 will do "most" of the projects you described, but bottom line, aluminum likes amps.  The old saying is, "You can't use amps you didn't buy".Another option you may wish to explore is trying to find a nice, clean Dynasty 300 DX.  That machine will do "everything" you describe and probably fit into your budget.  I wouldn't mind having one myself.  My buddy has one, which I've used from time to time.  He also bought my older (early 90's vintage) Sync 250 from me and uses that as his "shop machine/backup".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:Good info.. Didn't even know there was a 300.. Thought they went straight to 350.. I'll be checkin into that. I wanna be sure I have "enough gun" and a proper setup so I ain't fightin ignorance and poor machine selection. ..Being in the biz I'm in, it pains me greatly to pay retail or buy new anything(and it ain't outta bein cheap, I'll pay for proper gear. I won't pay for gear snobbery). But OTOH, I don't know this gear like I know boats/motors so I'm incapable of evaluating it myself. And I don't know how the poitics of the LWS work should I get the gear from another source. That said, I'm still checkin into refurbs. I know it ain't for everybody, some folks won't buy a used truck either. I've never had new and can't see the value in it (Schneek-o-nomics prevails) Anyone dealt with places like Red-D-Arc.? Any recommendations for reputable used/refurb dealers.?  ..Tim's from Ft Lauderdale, so I'm sure he knows those guys.. I'm s'posed to go over there tomorrow with the jon, so we'll find out about that.. ..He told me that the pulse function and "all those funky controls" were "beyond him". I've never seen him touch the controls on his unit in the 5 years he's been doing lots of jobs for me no matter what thickness of Al he was welding. Just grabs the torch and a rod and has at it. Makes a curious kindof fella wonder 'bout the true value of the bells & whistles. Then again, mebbe the cat's just that talented.. Or hard-headed..     d:^)  Schneeks..ESAB 161 LTSCommunicate & adapt, diggit.?ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
Reply:Originally Posted by Schneeky I know it ain't for everybody, some folks won't buy a used truck either. I've never had new and can't see the value in it
Reply:Originally Posted by Broccoli1Section 179
Reply:Better do it this this next year.people that pay you gonna have to 1099 you.Look that one upEd Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Broc obviously doesn't understand how things work on the waterfront.Never met a waterman yet that "made any real money".Cash is KING.The Dynasty 300 was the predecessor to the Dynasty 350.  Miller has not made the machine in about 3 years but there are some nice used ones out there.If Tim's doing mostly bump welding with his Dynasty 350, he's probably not using a lot of the "bells and whistles" the inverters provide.  He's probably got his cycles cranked up to about 80 (little tighter arc than the Sync) but other than that he's probably set up close to what you get with a Syncrowave.  Where the high speed pulsing really comes into play is when you're working with thin SS.Cranking the hz (cycles) up will also allow him to focus his arc and get more penetration in aluminum than he could with a transformer machine at the same amp setting.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:You know nobody has mentioned that Miller has the XMT 350 MPA, pulsed which sounds like it may be the ideal machine to get you started doing aluminum.Last edited by pistolnoon; 12-22-2010 at 04:17 AM.Originally Posted by pistolnoonYou know nobody has mentioned that Miller has the XMT 350 MPA, pulsed which sounds like it may be the ideal machine to get you started doing aluminum.
Reply:Schneeky,Lived the life.  Yea, you may say so.Was running a 45' crab boat for a local waterman when I was 6 years old.  We were pulling about 300 pots a day.  Back then I wasn't strong enough to pull many pots, so I ran the boat.  He paid me $5 a day.  If we had a good week, he often threw in another $10 on Friday's.  Good money for a kid back in 1953.Started running a buyboat for a local waterman in 1956 when I was 9.  Boat was 65' long, powered by a single 12-71 Detroit Diesel.  Made the Friday night run from Hampton, VA to Baltimore, Md. (about 125 miles), hauling oysters for the Saturday Seafood Market.  Did that for three years til the owner was killed in an auto accident and the family sold the boat.  That paid "really good money".  I got $100 per trip and ran from early Sept til the end of December.  Biggest problem we faced was fog and ice, which the Chesapeake Bay is known for in the winter months.  We did have some "sophisticated electronics though".  A Raytheon RDF (radio direction finder), a Sonar flasher, and a tow behind knot meter.  I laugh today when I see these guys who can't leave the dock in clear weather unless their GPS and Radar are working perfectly.I also did new boat deliveries for Bertram Yachts from 1975 til 1989.  Did primarily their NE deliveries (NY, NJ, Conn, MA).  The southern delivery captains were good, but they didn't like the cold weather.  I've been thru Southport more times than I care to count in the last 30+ years.  I prefer (going south) coming in at Masonboro, down the Cape Fear, and jump back out at Southport.  If you've got a boat with "good legs" you can run straight to Fernadino, FL.  (never was a big fan of going round Hatteras or running the slough).The XMT 350 MPa and the MM350P have been mentioned.  Great aluminum, production wirefeed machines, but not what you need for the work you described.I catch all the spot, croker, and trout I want right off the pier in front of my house.  Fall brings the Rockfish (striped bass).  Pier is on the Rappahannock and we look out on the river and the Chesapeake Bay off to the right.  We're right at the mouth of the river as it empties into the bay.Are the green shrimp still running or has the water gotten too cold?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:Picked up 150#s last week and distributed it amongst our freezer & friends. They're still hittin, but it's a little spotty.. Mixed sizes. Ya get real bruisers (~12ct) to bait scrimps in the mix.. Royce (Potters Seafood) has a new baby with Miz April this year so he's distracted and doesn't get out much as the old man did. Kindof frustrating, but I understand. We're covered, tho'. So life is good. Some of my guys that rent boat storage space here in season are up in yer neck'o'the woods chasin them Stripers now.I lived in the NOVA/DC area for a bit, and have spent some time trippin and stumblin around "The Rapp", Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers. Good times. Had a friend who ran the print shop over at Patuxent(sp?) down around St. Mary's Cty. Had some great times there as well. But now I'm an official USL here and we love it.. Tired and occasionally tedious as it may be. ..Still wafflin around tryin to figure out how I might could manage a bigger xformer unit that seems to be more readily available on the used market. Got that cat at the Charlotte Red-D-Arc lookin for somethin. Still tempted by that PT225 package deal at the LWS that I'm sure I'd end up replacing some of the "packaged goods" with proper schtuff. I'm gettin a little anxious to mess with this and tryin hard not ta get "prematurely froggy"..  Haven't been to bed earlier than 2AM this last coupla weeks researchin.  d:^)  Schneeks..ESAB 161 LTSCommunicate & adapt, diggit.?ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ