Tig welder help

[Blake Foster]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

Like most things these questions are budget dependent.... there are great machines that can do everything and there are budget machines that can "TIG" weld....

I run a Miller Dynasty 200 DX and it does everything.... and has been trouble free. IT can do more than I can do or need to do. But when you buy this stuff - you want to buy the best one you can because they hold their value and you don't know what welding you're going to want to do going forward.

We have the same unit, Super nice and adjustable, but with all the add on's I think it was about 7000.00 we now only use Miller (like most) cart water cooler. regulator, torch, some consumables, etc too much for a guy at home. we also have a syncrowave 180 that is about 12 years old now and it has not cost us a dime it is MORE than enough machine for a guy at home, but still probably 4000 with a water cooler .
I would buy a miller Diversion 180 #907 627 about 1600.00 can run off 110v

[MoparCar]

The Everlast 210EXT gets good reviews and has nearly all the features of the Miller Dynasty 200DX for $1500-1800. As Greg mentioned it probably would be fine for home shop use/duty cycle. I've considered this strongly. They used to do a 5-year warranty if bought direct from them and not through a reseller. They negotiate pricing if you call them. A lot of the online welding supply houses now carry the conversion fittings and items to easily run any of the major torches etc. like CK and others. Again I don't have a TIG just what I've researched.

I see several transformer Sychrowaves or Lincoln Powertigs on Craig's here in Denver area almost weekly. I'll go for a digital unit, but the transformers can be bought very reasonable used and as Blake said, last forever.

Wes

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by Blake Foster

We have the same unit, Super nice and adjustable, but with all the add on's I think it was about 7000.00 we now only use Miller (like most) cart water cooler. regulator, torch, some consumables, etc too much for a guy at home. we also have a syncrowave 180 that is about 12 years old now and it has not cost us a dime it is MORE than enough machine for a guy at home, but still probably 4000 with a water cooler .
I would buy a miller Diversion 180 #907 627 about 1600.00 can run off 110v

Good post buddy!


I agree --- mine runs a cooler -- cart -- leather jacketed hoses... multiple torches... multiple fill materials all in TIG fill containers... WIFI foot controller... and half a dozen different auto darkening helments... including the new Miller Goggles.

It' s like buying a milling machine or a lathe... the pain has only just begun...

[Blake Foster]

[

It' s like buying a milling machine or a lathe... the pain has only just begun... [/QUOTE]

LOL TELL ME ABOUT IT. you end up spending as much on tooling as the machine cost, and I'm looking at buying another one

[Ketzer]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

... including the new Miller Goggles.

Have you used them much GW?
I also have a set, they seem slow to darken regardless of what I set the delay at. It's quick, no doubt, but I'm still getting a flash that I don't seem to get with my Miller or Jackson helmet...

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by Ketzer

Have you used them much GW?
I also have a set, they seem slow to darken regardless of what I set the delay at. It's quick, no doubt, but I'm still getting a flash that I don't seem to get with my Miller or Jackson helmet...

I have not! Just bought them at SEMA and since I need bifocals -- I needed to get glasses for them. Just had my new eye exam this week. So now I have a new prescription.

Getting any kind of flash would bother the heck out of me!

[Ketzer]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

I have not! Just bought them at SEMA and since I need bifocals -- I needed to get glasses for them. Just had my new eye exam this week. So now I have a new prescription.

Getting any kind of flash would bother the heck out of me!

Oh sheet.

Now you are going to be looking for yours to flash because I said something. Deepest apologies GW !!!

I haven't contacted Miller because I was waiting for some outside feedback from other users (in case it was just me being too critical) but nobody has used theirs yet...

EDIT>>> Just went out and tried to do a short vid of the flash... now they seem to darken just fine. Go figure?!?
Also GW, I only had them put my lower scrip (Im bifocal also) in the whole lens of the cheaters since it is all close work and I didn't want to chase the sweet spot of vision while I was welding.

[Jay Hilliard]

Miller Diversion 180 is a nice home machine, but the HTP Invertig 221 is a lot more welder (its actually on par with Dynasty 200 as far as features, etc) for just a bit more $$ than the diversion and a lot cheaper than the Miller Dynasty.

[GregWeld]

Good post Jay!


I said this a few posts back --- it's not the TIG machine that does the welding - it's the operator. A guy that can weld - will be able to weld with damn near anything.

It's a budget and "use" thing. In actual fact - the TIG, used at home, gets very few actual hours per year. Buy the one you can and learn to use it WELL.... If this is something you love to do and want to improve your machine - then you cross that bridge when you come to it.

Having said all of that.... a machine does have qualities that will help you do a better weld in various situations. Pulse - arc shape - stability of the arc etc. But these are things most likely used by welders that do this stuff for a living. If you weld for a couple hours every 6 weeks... you really aren't ever going to be that good at it. You'll be able to weld "fine" - and you'll be able to stick some metal together... but you're not going to lay perfect stacks of dimes going up and down and around. That's the welders hands not the machine.