Need some thoughts?

admin

Hey guys! I got a question for the experienced tig welders.My youngest son graduates HS this spring and he wants a tig welder for graduation. Well I've been scouring the forums and now I am just more confused than when I started.   My son plans on going to welding school after HS grad. I would like to get him a welder that would be with him for awhile and one he would be able to "grow" his welding with. He wants to do aluminum/stainless repair/fab. Such as hand rails, aluminum boat repair, parts repair, etc...(to start off with)  I have been looking at the Lincoln Precision Tig 225 and the Miller Syncrowave 200 Runner and also the Lincoln Square Wave TIG 175 and I have probably overlooked other machines that fall into this range..so any suggestions will be added to the list of possibles. Being a single dad for the last 7 years, these are at the very top of my budget so I have to stay within this class of welders, please keep this in mind.What are your thoughts on these machines and what makes one better for the immediate situation and for future use?
Reply:Nice graduation present.Top of the line would be Millers Dynasty 200dx, but I'm betting it's out of the price range you have in mind.I have the Syncro 200. I thought about getting the Dynasty, but couldn't justify the extra cost at that time to learn on. I don't really think I gave up too much by going with the Syncrowave except a few of the higher end advanced functions that many never will use, and the portability of the Dynasty that I really didn't need in a home shop. It's a very nice machine for the money and about the "minimum" I usually suggest people look at if they want a machine to do alum. You can save a few bucks if you don't get the "runner" package however. When I bought mine the only difference in the "runner" package vs the basic set up was the wheel kit and about $200. I figured I could build a better cart for way less than $200 and where I planned to put the machine, it really didn't need wheels anyways.Prior to this year, I'd have suggested the TA 185. It's discontinued now and replaced with the TA 186 I believe. It's still too new to have a lot of feed back, but the reputation of the TA units has been pretty good in the past. One advantage over the Syncrowave is that like the dynasty it's a smaller sized inverter based unit and they tend to use a bit less power. In general the power savings isn't that big a deal for the hobbyist, but the reduced amp draw will often allow the unit to be run say from a 30 amp 230v dryer line at full power where the Syncrowave needs a 50 amp 230v power supply to do the same thing.Lincoln makes a nice machine as well, but I'm not as familiar with them as the Millers.Personally I'd avoid any of the cheap imports myself. There have been too many QC issues and problems with customer service after the sale for my taste..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:might also check the used market then you can get into the 250 amp class on the same budget newMiller Xmt 350Lincoln Ln-25Ahp 200xSmith Gas Mixer AR/HTig is my Kung FuThrowing down dimes and weaving aboutInstagram http://instagram.com/[email protected]
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWNice graduation present.Top of the line would be Millers Dynasty 200dx, but I'm betting it's out of the price range you have in mind.I have the Syncro 200. I thought about getting the Dynasty, but couldn't justify the extra cost at that time to learn on. I don't really think I gave up too much by going with the Syncrowave except a few of the higher end advanced functions that many never will use, and the portability of the Dynasty that I really didn't need in a home shop. It's a very nice machine for the money and about the "minimum" I usually suggest people look at if they want a machine to do alum. You can save a few bucks if you don't get the "runner" package however. When I bought mine the only difference in the "runner" package vs the basic set up was the wheel kit and about $200. I figured I could build a better cart for way less than $200 and where I planned to put the machine, it really didn't need wheels anyways.Prior to this year, I'd have suggested the TA 185. It's discontinued now and replaced with the TA 186 I believe. It's still too new to have a lot of feed back, but the reputation of the TA units has been pretty good in the past. One advantage over the Syncrowave is that like the dynasty it's a smaller sized inverter based unit and they tend to use a bit less power. In general the power savings isn't that big a deal for the hobbyist, but the reduced amp draw will often allow the unit to be run say from a 30 amp 230v dryer line at full power where the Syncrowave needs a 50 amp 230v power supply to do the same thing.Lincoln makes a nice machine as well, but I'm not as familiar with them as the Millers.Personally I'd avoid any of the cheap imports myself. There have been too many QC issues and problems with customer service after the sale for my taste.
Reply:Sounds like your son will be using this tig in a professional manner. Investing in professional equipment would be a good idea. I know a Dynasty200DX is a stretch financially but the ROI is justified. If push comes to shove you could sell it and upgrade. Just yesterday I took it up the street to a customer, plugged into 115volts, welded 6 joints on a high pressure manifold. charged $100 for an hour's(did not charge the $100 travel charge)work. A few times a year I am called out to restaurants to repair SS countertops, bar fixtures, and various alum parts. This kind of work would compliment his small engine repair biz. Look up FusionKing on this forum and the MillerWelds forum. He make bank with his 200DX.I would be more than happy to have your son over and teach him how to operate my Dynasty200DX and put some hours on it. At that point you both may be a little more informed.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:How about giving him a "gift certificate" so to speak in the amount of whatever you want to spend so that he could also kick in some of his own money to get a higher end machine if that is what he really wants?