Welder Selection ?

[Z28ricer]

Hi guys, I'm looking to get a TIG welder soon, and would like some help on deciding which to actually get.

Initially I was looking at the Miller 150STH package, since it seems to be loaded with features, offered at a reasonable price, and has fingertip control for the amperage which I believe will be best for what I intend to use it for. The main downside being it only does DC and although the ability to do aluminum is not *necessary* for me, I very much would like to be able to as I do have some uses for it.

This led me to look at the econotig and Hobart Tigmate, which dont seem to be loaded with the features of the 150STH, but have the ability to do a/c. Am I worrying too much over this "lift arc" feature ? Since this is the main one that has me intrigued about the 150STH.

I've also seen mention around here of the Thermal Arc 185TSW and havent heard of them before, but what mention of it I did see what quite supporting. How is their quality, is this going to be some hard to get parts for nightmare or would this be a good idea ?

The main things i'll be using this for is welding subframe connectors in cars, and some body panel welding again in cars. Nothing too thick, however I believe the fingertip control on the torch would be a good idea since a lot of time I am going to end up out of position and upside down / sideways while welding.

I'm trying not to spend too big of a chunk of change, but would like to make sure I get something I wont be disappointed with and want to upgrade shortly after.

Also anyone have any useful links on some tig and mig tips, tricks, or general instructions, or perhaps someone suggest some good books to buy ?

[deafwelding]

Hi, my suggest that you should try several brand to test it
Miller 150 sth come with package and cost around $1300.00. But if you chose Dynasty 200 Series that have ac/dc it cost $2800.00 not inclue package you pay for only machine if you want package are all option

[Sundown]

I have a Maxstar 150 STL (full tig/Stick kit) for over a year now and found it to be a great tig welder. Lift arc is no problem at all and works quite well, a few days ago I ordered a STH package (should arrive on theJuly 6th) because is wanted the pulse capability and like the HF start. I don't like the finger remote but as you say its good when you are in different positions and can't use the foot control. I think the only drawback is aluminum but then looking back it hasn't been a problem for me. BTW, the cheapest price for the STH package I can find is $1,344.76 from BRWelders, thats about to go up with the Miller price increase of about 5% about the 8th of July. I think the TA185 is a good machine but I decided aginst it as I'm not happy with the service center that takes care of them here, I like the Maxstar package (115V is nice when you need it) you could have better luck with TA service where you are I guess.

[Planet X]

Lift arc has its purpose, but it is way down on my choice of starting a tig arc ( because most of my tig work is bench work in the shop).

I made the mistake of getting a dc only tig , had to buy another machine down the rode, because welding aluminum is so **** cool , but the best aluminum welds need an AC/DC tig machine

You know reading through this thread again some other opinions of mine have come up and of which I think I'll spew forth...

1) pulse tig for steel welding, nope don't even use it for aluminum
2) adusting the range of 'balance', yepper there are some uses for that whistle.
3) # 2 means the T/A 185 , has the advantage over the Precision tig mentioned.
4) If your choice of machine can use a remote (ie plug for foot pedal or thumb switch) its a good thing, some dont use or need it, but it works for me.
5) always buy as much amps as you can afford
6) DC only machines have their places, namely used as less expensive maintence welders, not ideal for an all around shop fabricating tool, but you can buy more DC only amps than ac/dc amps for the same $ something to ponder.

Summary: 1) tig with lots of amp output 2) foot pedal or other to control current on the fly (besides technique). 3) AC/DC of = power to DC only machine can do more.

[axehind]

Hopefully I wont get booted for saying this but, I hear HTP has a good tig welder for a good price. Take a look and compare...

axehind

[speedycheater]

IMHO, by far the best TIG welder in this catagory is the Lincoln TIG185. It has pulsing, AC/DC, adjustable HF, adjustable post-flow, etc. It isn't that much more expensive either. Only downside is that it uses more power and is not portable.

[asad]

Originally Posted by speedycheater

IMHO, by far the best TIG welder in this catagory is the Lincoln TIG185. It has pulsing, AC/DC, adjustable HF, adjustable post-flow, etc. It isn't that much more expensive either. Only downside is that it uses more power and is not portable.

The Thermal Arc 185 has everything the Lincoln PT185 has, and then some (a better pulser, adjustable frequency and likely a wider wave balance adjustment range) as well as being lighter and consuming less power. And there have been complaints about the fragility of the Lincoln torch -- the T/A comes with a nice CK torch.

Asad

[Rhett]

Synnchrowave 180SD is also a good choice. A new model with built in pulser is supposed to be out in a few months, though this is not a vital feature in my opinion and add on pc-300 modules can still be found. Lincoln does have a built-in pulser, but it is fairly rudimentary.

[Planet X]

Originally Posted by Rhett

Synnchrowave 180SD is also a good choice. A new model with built in pulser is supposed to be out in a few months, though this is not a vital feature in my opinion and add on pc-300 modules can still be found. Lincoln does have a built-in pulser, but it is fairly rudimentary.

I agree pulse is not that big a deal, but I wonder IF it was the 180sd that had the pulse and not the PT185, would it be "rudimentary" than?

I agree that pulse is not a big deal, but I wonder which machine is really the "rudimentary" one. One with the pulse or the one without it?

[Brand X]

Originally Posted by asad

The Thermal Arc 185 has everything the Lincoln PT185 has, and then some (a better pulser, adjustable frequency and likely a wider wave balance adjustment range) as well as being lighter and consuming less power. And there have been complaints about the fragility of the Lincoln torch -- the T/A comes with a nice CK torch.

Asad

I agree and think the Thermal should be into the same category of the Dynasty 200 or the one above it!!!!

[Planet X]

Originally Posted by Brand X

I agree and think the Thermal should be into the same category of the Dynasty 200 or the one above it!!!!

Oh, thats abit of a stretch , considering its limited amperage

[Brand X]

Originally Posted by Planet X

Oh, thats abit of a stretch , considering its limited amperage

I was talking arc quality and now that you bring it up, it is better then the 250/275 machines by a long shot!!

[Planet X]

Originally Posted by Brand X

I was talking arc quality and now that you bring it up, it is better then the 250/275 machines by a long shot!!

Haha, ok maybe so, but there is more to welding than a pretty arc...where are the welds?


Ever wonder how many people buy that t/a 185, because of what they read here, and how many got it just because it was within their credit limits, and they could impress there friends with welding consumerism?

Reminds me of that thread over on SFT about 'shop sayings', and in this case it might go something like " The welds would look better, but I'm still tweaking my frequency & twiddling my balance knob"

You know in my case, if I ever get good enough to actually blame the arc quality for my crappy welds, and IF Lincoln ever decides to compete with Miller & Thermal arc for the 300 amp inverter tigs ...who knows, maybe

[Rhett]

Originally Posted by Planet X

I agree pulse is not that big a deal, but I wonder IF it was the 180sd that had the pulse and not the PT185, would it be "rudimentary" than?

I agree that pulse is not a big deal, but I wonder which machine is really the "rudimentary" one. One with the pulse or the one without it?

The Lincoln machine's pulse capability only allows you to change the pulses per second, while the PC-300 pulser for the Synchrowave 180 allows you to control pulses per sec, peak amperage, background amperage, and % on. The base Lincoln is more advanced than the Syncrowave because it includes some pulse function, however a Syncrowave with PC-300 has more capability than the Lincoln. In my opinion, if pulsing is to be really worthwhile, you need to have more adjustment than Lincoln provides. Of course, a nice inverter such as the Dynasty will provide more control than any of the transformer based machines, though I agree that many of these controls are more of a distraction to less experienced people.

[Planet X]

Originally Posted by Rhett

The Lincoln machine's pulse capability only allows you to change the pulses per second, while the PC-300 pulser for the Synchrowave 180 allows you to control pulses per sec, peak amperage, background amperage, and % on. The base Lincoln is more advanced than the Syncrowave because it includes some pulse function, however a Syncrowave with PC-300 has more capability than the Lincoln. In my opinion, if pulsing is to be really worthwhile, you need to have more adjustment than Lincoln provides. Of course, a nice inverter such as the Dynasty will provide more control than any of the transformer based machines, though I agree that many of these controls are more of a distraction to less experienced people.

I read some threads over on 'ask andy' about the pc-300, and some were pretty irked, made for good reading
Miller must not have been able to sell that unit for profit, and I wonder how close the additional cost came to giving people a reason to just swing for a Syncro 250?
Machines like the T/a 185, are what the inverter market needs, some healthy competition on the price/performance end, well good for us consumers anyway