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Looking For a Tig Welder...
Hi Guys! I think I'm looking for a tig welder to round out my arsenal. I currently have a miller 211 mig and a miller cst 280 stick welder so all I'm missing in my lineup is a tig. I'm mainly looking at a tig to be able to work with aluminum and stainless which I'm not currently able to do. This will be for hobby use and general fabrication including things like sheet fabrication (usually 16 gauge) and I plan on getting into tubing as well (stainless exhaust, chrome moly tubing, etc.). I'm looking at a miller dynasty 210 dx but before I spend this kind of coin, I wanted to get your opinions if I'm spending too much or if there's another unit I should be looking at. I don't mind spending more to get a buy once cry once type tool. This forum's advice pointed me towards the miller 211 and cst 280 and I've been very happy with both of those machines. Below is a link to the package I'm looking at purchasing ($6k ) Let me know if you need more information about my intended use. Thanks!
https://store.cyberweld.com/midy210dxcow1.html
I need to overthink how I'm going to overkill this project.
Miller 211 (transformer)
Miller CST 280
Miller xmt 350 cc/cv & 350 fieldpro
Miller Trailblazer 325 EFI 2019
Lincoln LN 25 & Miller 12 suitcases
Hypertherm 45XP
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Re: Looking For a Tig Welder...
A friend of mine has that exactly ..... simply loves it. Not kicking a pedal cable makes things easier. Good luck, I believe you'll like it too.
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Re: Looking For a Tig Welder...
I was going through the same process as you back in November... wanted a ac/dc tig inverter, looked into many brands and options etc. I ended up going with the Lincoln aspect 230 air cooled. It is a very well optioned machine quite similar to a dynasty 210 and cheaper, but either one red or blue are really nice machines. I paid $4780 CAD before tax which really was more than I wanted to spend but same mindset of buy once and cry once and not regretting it yet.
I have a watercooler so just need a watercooled torch and then i'll be fully set up.
Seeing you are from the USA you may wan't to look into Invertig from HTP. They have really good reviews and I was quite interested in them until I came across the Lincoln.
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Re: Looking For a Tig Welder...
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Re: Looking For a Tig Welder...
Since the Dynasty 210 also does stick, you could sell your CST 280 and put the cash towards the Dynasty if you don't need the amperage provided by the CST.
Current machine: Miller 211
Past machine(s): Hobart Handler 190
“The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants” - Thomas Jefferson
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Re: Looking For a Tig Welder...
if i could do it over AND had the coin my first choice would be dynasty 280dx . second choice invertig221, great machine but it doesnt quit have the 280 power, although a helium mix can easily be used
hypertherm powermax 30xp
fronius transpocket 180
fronius transsteel 2200
fronius iwave 230i water cooled
hobart handler 100
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Re: Looking For a Tig Welder...
I researched the ever-living H#$L out of this very topic; as I wanted to round out my arsenal of my XMT 304 / 12VS and 30 A spoolgun. Total diehard Miller fan, but for the price of a Dynasty 210 and the fact that I'm a beginner at AC TIG; I couldn't justify the expense.
As others have said - take a long look at the HTP Invertig 221. I just ordered their water cooler / single voltage machine, it should be arriving in Alaska by next week. There's a 5% off coupon through user 5th Street Fab on YouTube. They also covered $100 of the shipping cost. Nothing but positive things to say about their customer service.
I looked long and hard at Everlast. Their machines seem great; but the warranty issues - as well as their conduct here and on other forums scared me away.
Do you really know all of the work that goes into getting that fish onto your plate?
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Re: Looking For a Tig Welder...
If I was to buy a new TIG, right now I think it would be this one: https://www.weldingsuppliesfromioc.c...welder-k4340-1
Miller Multimatic 255
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Re: Looking For a Tig Welder...
That Htp package seem hard to beat given the amperage. 40%duty cycle at 300 amps isn't pretty nice.
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Re: Looking For a Tig Welder...
Originally Posted by
Louie1961
Wow, only 11 amp draw at 208 Volt !
Airco 250 ac/dc Heliwelder Square wave
Miller Synchrowave 180 sd
Miller Econo Twin HF
Lincoln 210 MP
Dayton 225 ac/dc
Victor torches
Snap-On YA-212
Lotos Cut60D
Primeweld 225 ac/dc
Primeweld mig180
Miller AEAD-200
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Re: Looking For a Tig Welder...
Originally Posted by
Louie1961
That is not a bad price especially if you can still upgrade to the 5 year warranty.
Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR"
MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
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Re: Looking For a Tig Welder...
Originally Posted by
Louie1961
Just curious,
What makes this your choice compared to the Miller $5,987.00 with wireless Foot pedal.
Comparable set up for the Lincoln: $5,799.00 wired Foot pedal.
Ed Conley
http://www.screamingbroccoli.com/
MM252
MM211 (Sold)
Passport Plus & Spool gun
Lincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)
Klutch 120v Plasma cutter
SO 2020 bender
Beer in the fridge
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Re: Looking For a Tig Welder...
To be honest I hadn't seen the Miller you mention, but I still would get the Lincoln just because I am so in love with the front panel and they way the display and sequencer is set up. Seems easier to figure out than the Dynasty. Plus when I was looking at the at this versus the dynasty 210 DX CPS (closest equivalent features) the Lincoln is $946 cheaper, while delivering 20 more top end amps (just the cost of the power supplies without running gear, cooler, etc.)
Last edited by Louie1961; 03-02-2021 at 02:31 PM.
Miller Multimatic 255
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Re: Looking For a Tig Welder...
Originally Posted by
albrightree
Wow, only 11 amp draw at 208 Volt !
19 amps using 3-phase input power.
NPUT CURRENT
120/208/230/400/460/1/50/60:
34/33/31/18/16A
208/230/400/460/3/50/60:
19/17/10/9A
Ed Conley
http://www.screamingbroccoli.com/
MM252
MM211 (Sold)
Passport Plus & Spool gun
Lincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)
Klutch 120v Plasma cutter
SO 2020 bender
Beer in the fridge
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Re: Looking For a Tig Welder...
I have ran both a dynasty 350 and a 280dx professionally. As a hobbyist not sure the cost of the dynasty is worth it. I have a everlast 255ext at home and it's not quite a dynasty but it's a good machine. I wouldn't do it any different if I were to do it again. I also wouldn't buy less than 250 amps for any aluminum work.
Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk
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Re: Looking For a Tig Welder...
I wouldn't take an everlast even if it was free. Take that as you will.
Miller Multimatic 255
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Post Thanks / Like - 1 Likes, 0 Dislikes
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Re: Looking For a Tig Welder...
Odd way to describe input current.
What I found disappointing is that 3 phase doesn't seem to give it any more (output)amperage like the some other machines do.
Airco 250 ac/dc Heliwelder Square wave
Miller Synchrowave 180 sd
Miller Econo Twin HF
Lincoln 210 MP
Dayton 225 ac/dc
Victor torches
Snap-On YA-212
Lotos Cut60D
Primeweld 225 ac/dc
Primeweld mig180
Miller AEAD-200
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Re: Looking For a Tig Welder...
Originally Posted by
Louie1961
I wouldn't take an everlast even if it was free. Take that as you will.
Everlast sent a tig to Weld-O-Rama. Wes and I were welding with it and it died. End of story.
Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR"
MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
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Re: Looking For a Tig Welder...
Thanks for all the feedback guys! As I stated, this is for hobbyist/home use and shelling out $6k for something I plan to use on projects for fun is hard to justify. That being said, I try to only buy the best quality tools as I almost always end up being disappointed in budget/lower quality tools. Most people on here seem to be recommending a machine with more than 210 amps but the miller 210dx says it's capable of welding 1/4" aluminum. I don't know that I'll ever be welding AL thicker than 1/4" thus I was thinking I didn't need the higher amps. In case I'm missing something, what do you guys do from a hobbyist perspective that requires you to weld thicker than 1/4" aluminum? I also like the advantage of running the miller dynasty 210 dx on 110v or 220v vs. the 280 dx only being capable of 220v. $8,500 on the Miller 280dx would be almost too much to swallow but I'll do it if it makes sense.
Glad to hear about the HTP options (not sure how confident I am in everlast) I'm just curious how they truly stack up to the miller dynastys. I've never tig welded before but I know I'll eventually put any machine I buy through it's paces as I typically weld 3-4 days a week (even as a hobbyist). Do they HTPs offer the same level of quality machine? Same weld arc quality? Etc. To be honest I'm leaning towards miller purely based on reputation as I know they make good quality machines and I don't know enough yet to get into details of different settings/capabilities of one vs another. Thanks!
https://store.cyberweld.com/midy280dxcow1.html
I need to overthink how I'm going to overkill this project.
Miller 211 (transformer)
Miller CST 280
Miller xmt 350 cc/cv & 350 fieldpro
Miller Trailblazer 325 EFI 2019
Lincoln LN 25 & Miller 12 suitcases
Hypertherm 45XP
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Re: Looking For a Tig Welder...
Originally Posted by
WeldCrazyDude
Thanks for all the feedback guys! As I stated, this is for hobbyist/home use and shelling out $6k for something I plan to use on projects for fun is hard to justify. That being said, I try to only buy the best quality tools as I almost always end up being disappointed in budget/lower quality tools. Most people on here seem to be recommending a machine with more than 210 amps but the miller 210dx says it's capable of welding 1/4" aluminum. I don't know that I'll ever be welding AL thicker than 1/4" thus I was thinking I didn't need the higher amps. In case I'm missing something, what do you guys do from a hobbyist perspective that requires you to weld thicker than 1/4" aluminum? I also like the advantage of running the miller dynasty 210 dx on 110v or 220v vs. the 280 dx only being capable of 220v. $8,500 on the Miller 280dx would be almost too much to swallow but I'll do it if it makes sense.
Glad to hear about the HTP options (not sure how confident I am in everlast) I'm just curious how they truly stack up to the miller dynastys. I've never tig welded before but I know I'll eventually put any machine I buy through it's paces as I typically weld 3-4 days a week (even as a hobbyist). Do they HTPs offer the same level of quality machine? Same weld arc quality? Etc. To be honest I'm leaning towards miller purely based on reputation as I know they make good quality machines and I don't know enough yet to get into details of different settings/capabilities of one vs another. Thanks!
https://store.cyberweld.com/midy280dxcow1.html
Absolutely yes the Dynasty210DX can weld 1/4" alum in small cross sections, and that is with 100% argon and ER4943 wire. If you have thicker cross sections or even block thicknesses welding with ER5356 then preheat and use an Argon/Helium mix. I have done it many time with my Dynasty200DX. I shocked my regional Miller rep when I welded 1/2" plates with my 200DX on 115 volts/15 volt input. He said it could not be done but I did(with ER4943 and pure helium with a root pass on DCEN they cover weave with AC in the advanced waveform still running pure Helium. Nice arc start on DC or AC even with pure welding grade helium.)
Now to be honest you need some mad skills and experience to make the Dynasty put out full potential, but on 230 volts alum welding is easy. The downfall is the aircooled torch that I use a WeldTec Rocker torch with on max amps. All of the steel work really could be done on 115volts and 20 amp circuit. I welded for years in my garage on a 115 volt/15 amp circuit. You can even weld almost all sheet thickness alum on 115 volts. I did and still do on site welding.
Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR"
MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
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Re: Looking For a Tig Welder...
You can't go wrong with the HTP or the Miller unit. I just happen to like the Lincoln unit a little better. As a hobbyist I would start out air cooled, and not pay for the water cooler, running gear, etc. Those can always be added later.
Miller Multimatic 255
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Re: Looking For a Tig Welder...
Originally Posted by
Louie1961
You can't go wrong with the HTP or the Miller unit. I just happen to like the Lincoln unit a little better. As a hobbyist I would start out air cooled, and not pay for the water cooler, running gear, etc. Those can always be added later.
When ThermalArc stopped building their tigs in Japan and the 400GTSW went bye-bye, I had my eyes on the Aspect375. The specs were good and the 5 year warranty upgrade really make my ROI soar. My dealer assured me they would back the warranty when I toasted them. But then my Miller guy made me an offer on Dynastys I could not refuse.
Go for the Aspect! I like the HTP as well, but I just can't get used to the Euro panels. Not sure I can dial them down for micro work like my Dynastys. I do a lot of restoration work for an engraver which means un-engraving and filling holes and dents. Lots of detail.
Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR"
MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
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Re: Looking For a Tig Welder...
Originally Posted by
WeldCrazyDude
Thanks for all the feedback guys! As I stated, this is for hobbyist/home use and shelling out $6k for something I plan to use on projects for fun is hard to justify. That being said, I try to only buy the best quality tools as I almost always end up being disappointed in budget/lower quality tools. Most people on here seem to be recommending a machine with more than 210 amps but the miller 210dx says it's capable of welding 1/4" aluminum. I don't know that I'll ever be welding AL thicker than 1/4" thus I was thinking I didn't need the higher amps. In case I'm missing something, what do you guys do from a hobbyist perspective that requires you to weld thicker than 1/4" aluminum? I also like the advantage of running the miller dynasty 210 dx on 110v or 220v vs. the 280 dx only being capable of 220v. $8,500 on the Miller 280dx would be almost too much to swallow but I'll do it if it makes sense.
Glad to hear about the HTP options (not sure how confident I am in everlast) I'm just curious how they truly stack up to the miller dynastys. I've never tig welded before but I know I'll eventually put any machine I buy through it's paces as I typically weld 3-4 days a week (even as a hobbyist). Do they HTPs offer the same level of quality machine? Same weld arc quality? Etc. To be honest I'm leaning towards miller purely based on reputation as I know they make good quality machines and I don't know enough yet to get into details of different settings/capabilities of one vs another. Thanks!
https://store.cyberweld.com/midy280dxcow1.html
You will find plenty of great feedback from others not only here but on other forums as well. Miller is the "gold standard" but HTP is a better value for the money IMO. You can come on down and try out my HTP TIGs, just bring your own scrap and pay for an argon refill.