Welding 3/8 aluminum with cost in mind

[Kebab]

First off I wanna say I had no idea what to title this thread with...

I'm looking for a machine to weld some fairly thick aluminum with. Up to 3/8 of an inch is probably as thick as I'll need to go. I priced out a Lincoln 260 mig with a push-pull gun. It's a little more than I'd like to spend right now. I started looking at higher amperage tig welders and I was wondering what would be the best bang for my buck. Going with an older machine, no bells or whistles... but cheaper, or going with a new machine? I already have a 175 square wave that works great for thin stuff, I just need something with a few more amps for the thick stuff... . The work is mostly on rectangular tube, going to be welded in position and there's a fair amount of welding to tie all the tubes together. Just looking for some opinions. Thanks!

[motolife313]

Syncrowave 250. It’s a 310 amp machine

[Kebab]

Syncrowave 250. It’s a 310 amp machine

There's a guy who's somewhat local selling an older syncrowave 250 with a liquid cooler for $3800. I can also get an Everlast 325ext with a cooler brand new for about the same price. Would you recommend the older machine in that case?

[MinnesotaDave]

That's grossly over priced.

My mid 90's syncrowave 350 with cooler cost $1800 including freight.

My Airco 300 was $225...

[John T]

There's a guy who's somewhat local selling an older syncrowave 250 with a liquid cooler for $3800. I can also get an Everlast 325ext with a cooler brand new for about the same price. Would you recommend the older machine in that case?

Hell For 3800 you can buy a HTP221

Ive seen used Syncro 250’s for 1500 bucks.




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[Louie1961]

I'd find a used Lincoln 256 or Millermatic 252 with a spoon gun. You don't necessarily need a push pull gun to MIG aluminum.

[Kebab]

I kinda forgot to mention that I'm in canada also... . Our maple syrup dollar isn't that great right now, so all those prices are CAD. However $3800 still does seem a little high

[Kebab]

For example the Everlast single phase 325ext on the American site shows $2799 USD... On the Canadian site in Canukbucks is $3700

[Bonzoo]

I'd find a used Lincoln 256 or Millermatic 252 with a spoon gun. You don't necessarily need a push pull gun to MIG aluminum.

Yup. I seldom wire up my TIG any more. Too easy to grab my spool and plus into my Mm200

[news]

FYI i have a syncrowave 250 at home and have welded 1/2" AL in my garage more than a few times. It will require a 100 amp breaker at the panel if you've got the machine cranked up. You will want to AR/helium mix when it gets that thick.

[WNY_TomB]

First off I wanna say I had no idea what to title this thread with...

I'm looking for a machine to weld some fairly thick aluminum with. Up to 3/8 of an inch is probably as thick as I'll need to go. I priced out a Lincoln 260 mig with a push-pull gun. It's a little more than I'd like to spend right now. I started looking at higher amperage tig welders and I was wondering what would be the best bang for my buck. Going with an older machine, no bells or whistles... but cheaper, or going with a new machine? I already have a 175 square wave that works great for thin stuff, I just need something with a few more amps for the thick stuff... . The work is mostly on rectangular tube, going to be welded in position and there's a fair amount of welding to tie all the tubes together. Just looking for some opinions. Thanks!

.
.
depends on amount of welding. obviously you can stick weld aluminum but most people know you need bigger rod for anything over 1/4" thick. 5/32 and 3/16" aluminum stick rod is harder to get usually special order.
.
for the same reason all aluminum welding requires relatively much much higher amps. if you use 1/8 stick rod usually weld starts are cold and its difficult to easily get a decent weld without some serious preheating. like if you Tig weld thick aluminum at 250 amps or more who could possibly think you can stick weld with a lot less than that in amps and not have lack of heat problems. and 1/8 aluminum stick rod is far too small to use anywhere near those amp levels.

[Kelvin]

Hell For 3800 you can buy a HTP221

...with a whopping 20% DC at 220A!

Better bring your weed burner!

[Munkul]

what's the thinnest aluminium you'll want to weld?

[motolife313]

There's a guy who's somewhat local selling an older syncrowave 250 with a liquid cooler for $3800. I can also get an Everlast 325ext with a cooler brand new for about the same price. Would you recommend the older machine in that case?

Older ones usually go for 1800+ with bottle and everything making it turn key. You will wanna stick with the known to last brands.

[motolife313]

Hell For 3800 you can buy a HTP221

Ive seen used Syncro 250’s for 1500 bucks.




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Those htp 221’s go for what 2400? Which is a inverter btw and inverters are known to brake much faster then a transformer

[John T]

Those htp 221’s go for what 2400? Which is a inverter btw and inverters are known to brake much faster then a transformer

Brilliant


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[motolife313]

Must not of did your homework john

[John T]

Must not of did your homework john

If you’re trying to somehow badmouth the HTP221
Good luck. It’s one of the most well respected tig welders out there.

Pick another battle, genius


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[Showdog75]

Must not of did your homework john

You didn't either, spell check?

[Showdog75]

I'd be looking at a miller dynasty 280dx. The inverter technology makes for much better results and ease of use. Any machine can crap out including the heavy power hungry transformer machines.

[motolife313]

John doesn’t seem like u know what your taking about 3800 is what a dynasty 200-210 goes for not a htp. And it’s a fact inverters will die long before a transformer. Look how many dynasty’s die. Just ask terry. Sorry John you are getting all defensive and feel this way. I’m just throwing out facts.

[motolife313]

I'd be looking at a miller dynasty 280dx. The inverter technology makes for much better results and ease of use. Any machine can crap out including the heavy power hungry transformer machines.

The inverter has a much higher break down rate

[Kelvin]

I'll never understand why people insist on trying to weld heavy aluminum with $35 Chinee inerter soldering irons...it's like trying to go into the gravel hauling business with a four-cylinder Chevy S-10.

Just because it can be done, doesn't mean you should try!

[motolife313]

You didn't either, spell check?

Thanks for letting me know. I’ll keep an eye on it

[Bonzoo]

...with a whopping 20% DC at 220A!

Better bring your weed burner!

My weed burner says Victor USA and the ability to pre-heat is an asset to EVERY welderator playing with thicker alumininimum....or a bigass chunk of cast .