I'm ready to buy a tig welder, now what?

[mik32176]

I have a millermatic 250 welder, and a miller spectrum 650 plasma cutter. and now its time to get a tig welder. and I dont know a thing about tig welding. I need some advise on the model thats right for me. I want one that can weld aluminum and steel, plus any metal I might come across. I dont want to buy somthing i will have to upgrade 6 monthes down the road. I have done that to many times. Im looking at spending between 2000 and 2500 dollars. I looked at the miller dynasty but It looks like a toy? then I looked at the sycrowave 250 and that seemed ok but I think I would have to get that thing hard wired into my panel? thoughts?

[miljnor]

Whats you max thickness (aluminum since that will be the most wattage)???

And as far as upgrading as long as you buy a high enough amperage and a softstart version. everything else That I have ever used can be added later without replacemnt.

I use a 255 lincoln squarewave w/softstart. It can do up to 300amps and you can weld pretty much anything a leather glove held at a close distance can take.

If your welding some metals (TI) you will have to get either a vac chamber (best method) or a couple of gas shields with extra bottle to isolate the material from outside air (preventing contamination, this also works well on stainless)

[mxtras]

What about the Synchrowave 180?

I have heard a lot about the inverter machines like the Dynasty but have never used one. They are small and durable and can perform against the bigger machines.

The 250 is an awesome machine, but you will pay more than your budget - around $4,000. Not sure of the price of the 180 but it's a sweet machine also. I seem to recall hearing that they were going to discontinue the 180, though - not sure if that's true or not so you may want do your homework.

The 250 works for me. I use it mainly for aluminum and it performs flawlessly.

Scott

Scott

[mik32176]

and mxtras you right I meant the syncrawave 200. Ive looked at so many there all blending in. what is soft start? and what about squarwave and high frequency? is this important?

[miljnor]

Sqarewave is usually how most welders work these days (I hear its cheaper to manufacture) But basicaly a computer generated A/C wave (only realy matters for A/C welding- Ie thinner aluminum).

High frequence is what makes the welder start its own arc (and in A/C welding Keeping it going) this is a must IMO.

Never used a synchrowave but if someone that does production (ie Mstras?) recomends it, then I would guess its a winner.

And as far as thickness you can weld 3/8" AL with A/c and the weld is much nicer looking so again, High freq. is a must. Besides if any of you have used a scratch start and switched to a high freq start you no how *****en it is!

[Corvus corax]

The Dynasty is FAR from being a toy. Having used every Miller from the 180 SD to the Aerowave, I can tell you the Dynastys are far and away the best welder Miller makes for the money. It may seem at first glance that you aren't getting all that much for your dollars in terms of material, but the old technology machines are just that- old technology- with all the attendant problems still attached. The Dynasty runs without continuous high frequency- a HUGE advantage when welding Aluminum, and prevents high frequency interference problems with surrounding electronics. The DC arc performance is superb, as good as the best engine driven pipe welding machines I've sampled, and absolutely silent- no ripple to speak of. Absolute arc stability in AC and DC modes, the ability to run 99% AC squarewave balance, less than HALF the energy usage due to a more efficient power supply- the Dynasty are the ONLY choice that seems to make any sense from a functionality standpoint, and the 200SD or DX fits your price range.

Buy the 200 SD- you will seldom use the pulser or programming features of the DX, and spend the extra money on a good WATERCOOLED torch setup. You will never regret having bought the Dynasty. I know I haven't. Plus, having an easily moveable power supply means should a repair come up in the future, not having to lug a 400lb easily dented box to the repair shop. Despite being physically small, the Dynasty is a jewel- easily my favorite tool in the shop, and more than worthy of wearing the Miller badge.

[mxtras]

Good insight from a Dynasty owner!

I can not comment on the inverter machines but I have yet to find someone whom owns one that wishes they had made a different decision.

You may want to jump over to the Miller or Hobart forum and take a look around. The hobart forum (you will see me over there, too) is full of posts and threads about the inverter machines (do a search) and most of the folks over there are generous with their experience.

Scott

[MisterB]

I recently purchased an HTP Invertig 200 with water cooled torch. So far I'm really happy with it. I'v got a long way to go to master tig welding, but for aluminum theres no other real alternative if you like good looking welds.
I did alot of reading on tig welders before buying one, and learned inverter machines are better because you dont need a forklift or arnold shwarzenegger to move it, and you can also control the ac frequency (you arent stuck at 60 hz like with a transformer machine), which allows you much better arc control, and from what I'v learned from what little tig welding I'v done, arc control is a really important thing.
Also remember ac output is required to weld aluminum, there are alot of dc only machines available, so make sure yours has ac ability.
I'v never used a Miller or Lincoln or any other brand than my HTP, but it seems like a well built and full featured machine to me.

[dsmdude]

For 3/8" aluminum you'll need at least a 200 amp machine. If you plan on doing alot of aluminum work get a big amperage machine and a watercooled torch. You'll want something with a higher duty cycle to prevent it from going into protection mode. With TIG you'll spend alot more time with the torch on than a MIG welder so go overkill on the amperage rating and duty cycle because you'll need it. I personally have a Lincoln Squarewave 355 with 250 amp water cooled torch. Bought it used on ebay for $1400. I don't think I will ever really need to upgrade it but if I ever do I'd definatly consider one of the new inverter machines. A freind of mine switched from a syncrowave 250 to one of the new inverters and swears he would never go back to one of the old machines.

Some features I would seriously consider (most new machines come standard with these) are gas preflow/post flow adjustablility, high frequency arc, water cooler for water cooled torch, pulser

Don't worry about the wiring. It recomends that you should hard wire it but it can easily be wired with a normal 220 plug. I know very little about wiring but the basic diagrams in the owners manual made it a breeze.

Don't forget to save some money to get the machine "rigged". The amount of money you spend on gas, tank, running gear, regulator, filler rod, tungsten, gas cups, collets, stainless brushes, etc, etc can get pretty expensive. With your budjet you may want to consider a used machine.

good luck!

[SND]

I have a Thermal Arc gtsw 185. Very nice machine. Good price. I looked at the miller and lincolns and the prices were just crazy. For more amperage they have the Thermal arc 300. Quite a jump in price but still much more affordable than the other brands.

If you need to do heavy aluminium use a spool gun.

[mik32176]

So I guess the inverter technology is the way to go. thanks for the help. mike

[tallwelder]

This post is in hopes You have not purchased a machine yet. Read the post from Corvus Corax again, why? Because I have been welding for over 30 years, 99% is tig, His post was accurate...very accurate, so accurate I recommend You read it another time. Hope You get my drift?