Need advice on a new welder...

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Hey Everyone,Well, last night my Thermal Arc 190 GTS tig started acting up..  I hadn't used it in a while but now I'm starting to weld together parts for my new airplane (Wag Aero Super Sport Trainer).  So, I'm going to see whats wrong with the machine, but I've wanted to upgrade anyways (would like to have a machine with AC).  Originally I had planned on getting a Lincoln Precision Tig 225, but now I'm really leaning towards a Miller Dynasty 200dx.  I normally keep my welders at work where I have lots of power available, but I do like the ability to take the machine home to use in the garage (only 120 in the garage right now).  Even if I ran 220 out to my garage, to keep cost low, I wouldn't be able to put in more than 50 amp service, but would rather keep it around 30 amps.  When running wide open, how many amps does a precision tig draw vs a dynasty?  More importantly though, I am really interested in the advanced features the dynasty has.  How many of you dynasty owners play with the wave form when welding aluminum?  Do you normally use the square wave, or do you prefer some of the other waves available?  I guess I really like the idea of having a lot of control over the arc, but is it really necessary?  Is the water cooled torch really that big of a plus if I go with a dynasty?  So, what do all of you think?  I can't buy one today, but I can plan and save and pick one up sometime soon hopefully..Thanks,DanielEsab TradeMaster TorchSmith AW1A Airline TorchLincoln AC/DC 225/125Millermatic 252 w/ Spoolmatic 15aThermal Arc 190 GTSSpeedGlas 9100v
Reply:I just bought a Dynasty200 earlier this year.  I'm still learning to work with it.  I haven't spent much time working with the pulse options or the waveform variations.  But using it as a standard, foot pedal controlled TIG welder, it does a very nice job with Aluminum.  Do you need a water cooled torch?  No.  But at over 150 amps it sure is nice.  If you're welding anything made from aluminum over 1/8" thick, or large pieces of aluminum that dissipate heat rapidly, the higher amps are needed and the water cooled torch is a big plus.  The water cooled torch is bulkier, and takes some adjustment to get comfortable with it.  I went overboard and ordered a 300amp watercooled torch, so the collets and other pieces would be directly interchangeable with my 150 amp air cooled torch.  This cuts down on the number of pieces I have to have on hand, but is a definitely tradeoff in terms of torch weight and ease of use.  Still, I've adapted to it.I have my Dynasty wired to 220V single phase on a 30 amp breaker.  It runs flat out, without any problems.For whatever it's worth, I do a fair amount of stick welding with my Dynasty too.  It runs 5/32" E7018 with no problems.  It welds OK with E6010 rods too.  I would say I like the arc character of my Lincoln 300D better, but the Dynasty is a good stick machine too.Benson's Mobile Welding - Dayton, OH metro area - AWS Certified Welding Inspector
Reply:Thanks!I figured I would be fine with an air cooled torch for most of the aircraft construction.  But I'll probably get the complete package that has the water cooled torch setup with it.  How easy is it to switch between your air cooled torch and your water cooled torch?  Maybe it would be benificial to have both (aircraft fuselages can have some really tight areas)..  I do like that the dynasty can run on less power and still give me all the output I'll need.  And having a portable stick welder is pretty handy to have around too...Esab TradeMaster TorchSmith AW1A Airline TorchLincoln AC/DC 225/125Millermatic 252 w/ Spoolmatic 15aThermal Arc 190 GTSSpeedGlas 9100v
Reply:have you looked into a ta185?  i believe it will run  on 30 amps.
Reply:Originally Posted by A_DAB_will_do  The water cooled torch is bulkier, and takes some adjustment to get comfortable with it.  I went overboard and ordered a 300amp watercooled torch, so the collets and other pieces would be directly interchangeable with my 150 amp air cooled torch.  This cuts down on the number of pieces I have to have on hand, but is a definitely tradeoff in terms of torch weight and ease of use.  Still, I've adapted to it.
Reply:With my Dynasty 200 I have Weldcraft water cooled torches. One torch to be more correct, and it is a bendable neck type. I have three torch heads that you just unscrew one and screw on another.The torches are WP-17, WP-9, and WP-24.The 17 is fairly large. The 9 is small. The 24 is tiny. I use the 9 most of the time. Put a short cap on it ind it is really small...........pgDynasty 200 DX_set up to run on 3 phaseCoolmate 3MM 251 w/ Spoolmatic 30AHTP 625 Micro Cut Plasma CutterVictor O/A RigBridgeport Mill_3 phase10 inch South Bend Lathe_3 phaseQuincy 325 2 Stg. Air Compressor_3 phase
Reply:Thanks everyone.  I took a look at both the dynasty 200dx and the Thermal Arc 185 the other day at my LWS.  I like both of them a lot!!  The TA185 looks like a great machine for the money, but I think I'm going to try to save up a little bit more for the dynasty 200dx (I think having the ability to weld off of 110v is worth the extra money for me).  I described what my 190 gts is doing and they think it might just be the torch (it will only weld for a short bit, then when I try to use it again the HF stops working and I can't lift start an arc either, the thermal protection light isn't coming on or anything).  Anyone ever had a problem like this with their tig?Esab TradeMaster TorchSmith AW1A Airline TorchLincoln AC/DC 225/125Millermatic 252 w/ Spoolmatic 15aThermal Arc 190 GTSSpeedGlas 9100v