2 tigs to choose from

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I'm ready to buy a tig and have to decide between the lincoln invertec v205t  for $3300 or the precision tig 225 for $2000. is it worth the extra cash for the inverter unit over the transfomer. I dont tig but am ready to learn, and dont want to buy a welder and then wish i had upgraded latertony
Reply:Im not familiar with Lincoln's machines, but I bought a Miller Dynasty.  Inverter tig/stick machine.  I like the fact it'll run on ...voltage.  115 - 480, single or three phase, it's perfectly happy.  That and it probably weighs 300lbs less than my Hobart TR250.
Reply:Originally Posted by bobtail82I'm ready to buy a tig and have to decide between the lincoln invertec v205t  for $3300 or the precision tig 225 for $2000. is it worth the extra cash for the inverter unit over the transfomer. I dont tig but am ready to learn, and dont want to buy a welder and then wish i had upgraded latertony
Reply:I would suggest that you read over the features of both machines very carefuly and match them up to your application.....Shop? Portable? Hobby? The V-205T AC/DC- Portable.- Lower power draw.- 115V/230V Single phase Auto connect.- Higher price tag.The PrecisionTig 225- Not easily portable.- Higher power draw.- 208/230V OR 460/575V Single phase.- Lower Price allowing for more accessories - Water Cooled Torch & SMAW related.I have used the PT225 quite a bit on 1/8", 3/16", and 1/4" Aluminum (the 1/4" pretty much the limit) and I would greatly recommend that you consider a water cooled, flex head torch - you will not regret it.Later,Jason
Reply:The inverter type welder is still NOT RELIABLE and is fragile.The transformer welder is very reliable.The inverter has to needs water cooling. Make sure it is capable of having a water cooler hooked up to it. If you do not - you will be limited and the tungstens will not last as long and after just a couple inches of welding your glove and hand will get very hot and you will have to wait for the torch to cool down. There is a reason that so few of these machines are seen in professional shops where they need reliability. A lot of cables all over the place.Look inside a inverter welder. it looks like a computer. It is a computer.Then look inside of a transformer welder. NO circuitboards just big rugged components made to last.I love Miller machines, but i bought the XMT 304 inverter welder, and at one year one month it just quit. I took it to a major repair facility and found out ONE screw came loose from a curcuit board and ruined the components on the curcuit board. Miller did pay for the repair (very thankfull to Miller) and on the bill it listed other "upgrades" that it needed. i did not trust it any more, i lost 3 days on my job. A penelty clause i had on the contract made me eat the loss. I sold the machine right away and found out that Miller discontinued that machine.I welded 6 hours per day for 3 years with a Hobart 250 TIG transformer type welder. NO Problems vey smooth.I welded 8 years 6 hours per day with a Miller 250 syncrowave. No problems very smooth.Then i got a Miler 250 syncrowave for welding tubular chromoly aircraft engine mounts. it had a built in water cooler and fan on demand. i was in heaven.The Lincoln 250 syncrowave is also excellent. Cal Airmotive in Oakland, Ca has at least 5 or more of those machines.The inverter welders are still not proven. just my opinion. When i see them in the fabrication shops I will change my mind.You want the real lowdown....ask the driver that delivers welding supplies to all the shops. Believe me thay can tell you everything.Last edited by Donald Branscom; 04-14-2008 at 03:46 AM.
Reply:thanks for the replys.this is going to be shop based and reliability is a must. I was leaning towards the inverter but i think i may get the pt225 and spend the extra $ on the water cooled torchtony
Reply:Not so sure about not proven. Some machines may have less than industrial strength but I have a Powcon 300sm which has been flawless for many years and I got it from a rental fleet. Very nice to be able to use on single phase power. On 3 phase it is an animal. Ran air arc at high amps for weeks. Now it is on single phase and is my home machine. Having said that I bought a used Airco squarewave from Boeing when I wanted tig. About 20 cents on the dollar and is single phase to boot. Powcons seem to be the sweet spot for inverters; picked up a 200 sm for 300 bucks and it pushes my .023 wire.Airco 300 squarewaveMig welding center...Powcon sm300/LN 25Powcon sm200/PD lHypertherm PM 1100Miller AEAD 200LE W/LN25 FCand now another sm200 pd l combo.
Reply:I'm very happy with the little Thermal Arc 185 ACDC inverter TIG I have here.   It's a little under powered for some things, but it welds very nice and takes up very little space or power (weighs about 40 lbs, size about the same as a modern desk-top computer CPU, runs at max power on a 40-amp 240v breaker with amps to spare).   It cost alot less than the comparable Lincoln (V205T) or Miller (Dynasty 200DX) inverter tigs.   You may want to consider the Thermal Arc as an in-between choice (cost-wise) between the less expensive PT225 or Syncrowave200 transformer machines, and the more expensive red or blue inverters.   Airgas has the 185 Thermal Arc with an air-cooled torch, ready-to-weld package deal for about $2000.  Can't beat that!  Water cooling will cost more but is worth it if you intend to keep the machine in the shop and weld alot of aluminum with it.   Eventually, I'd like to upgrade my 185 to a Thermal Arc 300 for the shop and keep the 185 on the truck, with an air cooled torch for portable aluminum tig use.   I have an old Dialarc HF beast (250 amp ac/dc transformer tig) but the machine draws 100 amps and I don't have enough power to tig with it at it's max output.  It is a great stick welder though!MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:I own the Invertec 205. I put on a water cooled torch, and it works great. I have had it for over a year now, and I have run it hard when I have had the chance. No issues other than the fact that it is better than I am!!!And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:Well i decided to get the pt 225 from weldmart for $2010 deliverd. should be here fridaytony