Fabricators Your Choice In Tig Welding Machines?

MT930 · 10-02-2009, 05:27 PM

I am looking at getting back to some precision welding and fabrication work (Stainless and aluminum) auto intercoolers and some aerospace type work and general custom to print. I have been fairly active in the mild steel and thick aluminum for awhile personal and some side work. In both Oxy-Acetylene and MIG type welding. I am very well equipped in that dept. I am looking at a new TIG outfit.

I have always been a big Miller fan, and I have several of their machines and have had great experiences with their customer service on small issues. I would lean toward either the Dynasty DX (Inverter Based) or the
Syncrowave 250 DX old fashion coil type.

I know Lincoln makes some good stuff however I have not owned any of their equipment what you are using for TIG welders. Give it to me straight. this machine would see 10-15 hours a week.

kycarguy 935 · 10-02-2009, 06:05 PM

I use a watercooled Lincoln TIG at school about 10-12 hours a week. I am not sure what model it is though. I am mostly welding aluminum.

I demo'd a Miller out at the Street Rod Nationals in Louisville, KY. in early August. It worked really nice also.

I don't own one yet and will need to figure out the same thing when the time comes.

Good luck

ClickClickBoom · ClickClickBoom's Garage

Whatever your local welding supply stocks, as long as its a major brand. Miller, Lincoln, ect. Get it and run a mile of bead. You will love it, the others will collect dust.
eric

Tim Hancock · 10-05-2009, 05:10 PM

I have about a 10yr old Miller aircooled Econotig that works fine for me, but newer stuff from all the big name brand makers is probably better. My Econotig works good enough for my occasional use, but the torch being aircooled, gets hot quick when welding continuous. It also struggles when trying to weld less than .025" thick steel, but I get by. If I were buying new, I would buy something that can be turned down low enough to weld thinner stuff when required.

BertPage · 10-05-2009, 05:30 PM

I have had a Dynasty for 8 years or so and have no complaints. It's espically good on aluminum.

Jim2 · Jim2's Garage

I've got two Dynastys and avoid them when doing aluminum. One is about 4 yrs old and the other 8yrs old.

I run a Aerowave on aluminum but I had excellent results with a couple Syncrowaves 250/351 I used to own. I'm not saying the Dynastys don't work, I just find they are fussy with fit-up gaps and I can't flow out an aluminum bead the way I sometimes want. Also difficult to get clean welds on cast aluminum. My Dynastys have a really focalized heat regardless of balance and frequency settings, but lots of shops seem to rely solely on a Dynasty which leads me to believe the newers ones must work a little better than the older ones I have.

Should I be trying a new one? I've been thinking about this.

MT930, Syncrowave if you have to meet a budget, Dynasty if portability is required.

TIG - Most guys I meet prefer Miller.

The inverters seem to work really good for DC tig, great arc stability on light materials and thin stainless. Good modulation down low, and paulse features work well. Certainly no complaints.

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

Not a tig welder but I love every miller Mig I have ever laid my hands on.

asphaltgambler · 10-06-2009, 06:38 AM

Miller - hands down on this one

MT930 · 10-06-2009, 07:24 AM

Thanks for the thoughts
I tried both Dynasty DX (Inverter Based) and the
Syncrowave 250 DX(Transformer based) this summer . I will not move it around much so the weight is not a factor. I think I liked the Syncrowave better. They are $5,500.00 new complete. Couple years old machines are going for $3000.00 with supplies thrown in. I can not justify a $5K tool in this economic climate. I am going to wait for a used one.

legion · 10-06-2009, 07:47 AM

Miller and Lincoln are good.

Avoid Hobart and other hardware-store brands.

Steve F · 10-06-2009, 08:16 AM

Good idea waiting for a used one. Be it not quite what you have in mind but,.... I bought a used one from the local junior college . It was a P&H machine (a really long German name) that probably wieghs about 1000 pounds and has 400 amp capability but at the same time very low settings as well. It came with a chiller and a foot pedal, I just had to but a 250 amp W/C wand and a regulator and was in business

It maybe old ( 1960's?) but it has all copper windings in it and is anolog, which means I can fix it

All for $175 before my torch and reg.

Cheers,Steve

mb911 · mb911's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by legion

Miller and Lincoln are good.

Avoid Hobart and other hardware-store brands.

Hobart has been owned by miller for years (ITW actuallY)

I get to use the latest and greatest and I prefer the new lincolns over the miller for TIGs. better boards internally means they last longer. they also tend to have a cleaner arc

Tim Hancock · 10-06-2009, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mb911

Hobart has been owned by miller for years (ITW actuallY)

I get to use the latest and greatest and I prefer the new lincolns over the miller for TIGs. better boards internally means they last longer. they also tend to have a cleaner arc

Pretty sure Ben's opinion on this subject is gold as he teaches welding and has much experience in aviation and automotive tig welding.

legion · 10-06-2009, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mb911

Hobart has been owned by miller for years (ITW actuallY)

I get to use the latest and greatest and I prefer the new lincolns over the miller for TIGs. better boards internally means they last longer. they also tend to have a cleaner arc

Didn't know that.

I presume that Hobart is Miller's "downmarket" brand with cheaper components and a lower price point.