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Aspect 230 ac/dc?
Anyone have one or used one? Been looking for a tig machine for a long time.. (been saving for a while more or less) Getting close to buying a square wave 200 new or slightly used.. I'm not a pro tig welder.. but would like to spend a pile of time learning, do a bit of stick and mig side jobs here and there so could possibly do some tig work (non structural) in the future.
I think the SW200 would do me just fine for mostly practicing for a while etc. But I'd rather buy once and cry once and maybe go to more of a professional machine, Is the aspect worth it at double the price?
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Re: Aspect 230 ac/dc?
Originally Posted by
nick121
Anyone have one or used one? Been looking for a tig machine for a long time.. (been saving for a while more or less) Getting close to buying a square wave 200 new or slightly used.. I'm not a pro tig welder.. but would like to spend a pile of time learning, do a bit of stick and mig side jobs here and there so could possibly do some tig work (non structural) in the future.
I think the SW200 would do me just fine for mostly practicing for a while etc. But I'd rather buy once and cry once and maybe go to more of a professional machine, Is the aspect worth it at double the price?
Want to save a pile of years? Go out & buy the best TIG machine on the market. It'll be a staggering price.
When I entered the TIG market, I didn't know a lot about TIG. I had grown up 20 miles from a top secret General Electric plant where they made components for jet engines. I've never understood whether they were protecting trade secrets, or military secrets. Nonetheless, nobody got in, no information got out.
My neighbor was an employee. He talked of "Heliarc welding" It was "secret".
I damned well wanted to know!
Now we call it TIG, helium is less a component.
When I first explored it at the age of 52, it was no longer secret. We had an internet, but I failed to adequately research. I sought advice from the manager of a local Airgas Store. He convinced me the Miller Diversion 180 was the perfect machine. Within a week, I understood how disappointing it was!
Since the Diversion 180, I have upgraded twice. I could have saved a fortune buying quality first.
My present welder is Miller Dynasty 280 DX. I would be surprised if there isn't something better now & I probably wouldn't choose that model now.
There is a lot of Chinese junk marketed to beginners at prices too good to believe. Be patient, research, ask, then buy.
An optimist is usually wrong, and when the unexpected happens is unprepared. A pessimist is usually right, when wrong, is delighted, and well prepared.
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Re: Aspect 230 ac/dc?
you need to decide what type TIG welding you want to do. all steel or Aluminum too.
Then do you want an inverter welder with advanced functions or simpler transformer
welder with basic functions. DC only or AC/DC welding. Is this going to be a Hobby welder or support your family. This will help you decide which type of welder to get.
The aspect and dynasty welders are in the category of support the family.
The syncrowave and squarewave units are just below that.
The diversion and china units are home hobby.
Then buy the best quality you can afford in you price range.
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Re: Aspect 230 ac/dc?
We have the European model Aspect 300 AC/DC in our shop. It's a great machine. It has every possible adjustment you could ever want, including assymetrical half wave adjustment like the big boy Miller Dynastys have.
It's made in Poland alongside Oerlikon machines, I've been led to believe. Certainly most of the Lincoln machines sold in Europe have been made in Poland.
I have no doubt that the US model 230 will be a great machine too A quick look at the info shows it has all of the features of the bigger 300.
It's a pretty simple machine to set up for a beginner, but obviously has a whole load of advanced features to use when you want them.
Another option (and IMO the option I would take) would be an Esab/Tweco Arcmaster 220. It's made in Germany by Lorch, with a few reduced features, for Esab. But the control interface is even simpler again, and personally, I just love using Lorch products.
The Lincoln SW200 is an incredibly cheap and basic machine in comparison to either of these. It's a hobby machine. The Aspect, Arcmaster and Dynasty are all professional grade machines.
Last edited by Munkul; 11-17-2020 at 06:51 AM.
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Re: Aspect 230 ac/dc?
I should have been more clear, I'm not supporting my family with this potential welder. I haven;t actually done a whole lot of tig welding, But wanting to get into it.
Do a fair bit of stick and some mig too.
I think the squarewave 200 would do me fine.. But I worry they cheaped out and cut some corners, Just read a few negative things.. maybe all bs for all I know. I don't want to look down on anyone's machine.
I can't really justify either purchase really but I'm young, don't have a family and can afford it right now lol.
I want ac/dc to do aluminum, And would like something in that 200 amp class for capability of up to 1/4" I'd kind of rather buy more than I need/want and not be wanting to upgrade a year or 2 down the road.
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Re: Aspect 230 ac/dc?
Willie B: I pulled the trigger on the aspect 230 ac/dc air cooled pack.
I was torn on it and the square wave 200. But in the end decided I'll spend more and get the more advanced machine. I had priced out miller dynasty but just couldn't afford the extra and the lincoln aspect seems to offer just as much.
Not in stock so hopefully get it next weekend.
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Re: Aspect 230 ac/dc?
Originally Posted by
nick121
Willie B: I pulled the trigger on the aspect 230 ac/dc air cooled pack.
I was torn on it and the square wave 200. But in the end decided I'll spend more and get the more advanced machine. I had priced out miller dynasty but just couldn't afford the extra and the lincoln aspect seems to offer just as much.
Not in stock so hopefully get it next weekend.
I chose Miller Dynasty because I felt at that time it was the best the market had to offer. I like Miller in that they support their product well. I've had very good experience with warranty, and for 35 year old machines, I can get information or parts.
Like other tools, development is ongoing, a company offers something revolutionary, soon another company offers something even better.
An optimist is usually wrong, and when the unexpected happens is unprepared. A pessimist is usually right, when wrong, is delighted, and well prepared.
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Re: Aspect 230 ac/dc?
Yeah, Hard to go wrong with a miller or Lincoln in my opinion, I have heard miller has better support. What welder did you have in between the diversion and 280?
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Re: Aspect 230 ac/dc?
Originally Posted by
nick121
Yeah, Hard to go wrong with a miller or Lincoln in my opinion, I have heard miller has better support. What welder did you have in between the diversion and 280?
Miller Dialarc 250HF For TIG. The only MIG I've ever owned was Millermatic 252, 2010 model. Before that I tried a bunch of MIG machines, was never impressed by anything Miller or Lincoln didn't make, The very cheap ones just didn't perform.
I've had several stick welders. These days it's a Lincoln 400-400, Circa 1969.
An optimist is usually wrong, and when the unexpected happens is unprepared. A pessimist is usually right, when wrong, is delighted, and well prepared.
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Re: Aspect 230 ac/dc?
Cool! We have a powermig 300 excellent machine . I do have a razorweld stick welder 170 amp.. it welds nice and easy to throw in the truck for quick repairs. I do like the looks of the htp stick welder though, 200 amps and pulsed stick mode! not in the books now though