Tig purchase help

[arcdawg]

So I am in the market for a used Tig welder. Ideally I would like a Lincoln SW255 or a Miller Synrowave 250, but I would also consider an older Linde or Hobart even an Esab if the price was right.

Here are a few questions. Do the older machines (transformers) draw more power then a say 5 year old transformer machine ? What should I look for when I go and look at a machine (besides welding with it ) What are the going prices for a good Tig ?

Thanks -

[snoeproe]

Prices can vary greatly depending on if you need to be able to weld aluminum or not. If you don't need AC high frequency (aluminum), you can get a DC only machine that will tig steel and stainless steels for a very reasonable price. Lift start or scratch start does just fine.
Once you include AC and high frequency requirements on a welding power source, the price goes up.

[usmcpop]

Looking at the Syncro 250 vs. the later 250DX, it looks like the newer model takes 3 Amps more @ 200A output (230v input, no power factor correction). Ideally these should be given a 100A breaker or thereabouts though we have ours on a 70.

We got our 1993 vintage Syncro for $850. last summer. It was bare-bones but in nice condition, having come from some community college.

[arcdawg]

850.00 is a score and a half.

How has it worked out for you ?

[usmcpop]

My son hasn't used it all that much this winter but it works well. He found a lightly-used cooler which is a rebadged Coolmate 3 for about $300. The foot pedal came from SSC Controls. We probably have around $1,600. in it. All the pieces-parts can add up really quickly.

We still need to rig up something to make it easy to swap from TIG to SMAW. We have the Dialarc, so it's not a priority.