Any one have a Lincoln Square wave 200 TIG?

[rick-l]

It is on sale this week (10%) and seems like the most bang for the buck to learn on.

I'm suspicious of all the U-Tube reviews because I think they are mostly paid (or they got it free) for a good opinion.

[MT930]

That is going to be the best value going on a US Made entry level TIG machine.

It should hold value when you want more features.

The Miller Diversion 180 120-240V lacks the power and is $700 More. I have been a Miller guy but Lincoln makes solid machines.

Lincoln Square wave 200 is a better value.

[MT930]

20 amps is a big deal when doing AC aluminum. You'll need it on aluminum .180-.250

[Jim2]

I ran a Lincoln squarewave 185 at my home a number of years ago, no complaints. Think it was a 10 amp bottom end which is the most you'd want, those old miller econotig machines were 20 amp bottom which was too hot for thin material.

Like mt930 says a few extra amps will be needed for aluminum, add more preheat with a torch and you can stretch the 200 amp ac a bit farther.

People seem to get wound up with bigger is better or features. That squarewave 200 would likely suffice for most any automotive project in a home shop.

[Tom '74 911]

I have a Miller EconoTIG that a friend gave me and Jim2 is correct, the bottom end is still pretty hot to be useful on really thin stuff; at least with my limited skills. I bought a another Miller machine, a Dynasty 200DX I think, and its low end is great... but it was not cheap!

I'm not familiar with Lincolns, but if sheetmetal and car stuff is on your to do list, I'd definitely look into the specs for the low end on the machine.

[MT930]

Originally Posted by Tom '74 911

I have a Miller EconoTIG that a friend gave me and Jim2 is correct, the bottom end is still pretty hot to be useful on really thin stuff; at least with my limited skills. I bought a another Miller machine, a Dynasty 200DX I think, and its low end is great... but it was not cheap!

I'm not familiar with Lincolns, but if sheetmetal and car stuff is on your to do list, I'd definitely look into the specs for the low end on the machine.

All true statements here I have a DX 200 with a water cooled torch it's fantastic low to high range excellence. You can weld razor blades with it. However your talking a bout $6,500.00+ for that set up. I use mine for side income and teaching.

Hobby TIG machines should be under $1,500 in my opinion. The offshore brands that it competes with the higher end machines are more. The support is a crap shoot if you have trouble with it.

Lincoln and Miller are both very service oriented if you have trouble. You don't need all the features until you have the fundamentals. Good Tig welding takes some time to learn.

A simple machine early makes things easier.

[rick-l]

How big a deal is the low end amperage going to be for me. Will I be able to start up on 22 ga steel without burning a big hole?

Most of the videos where this is an issue they are welding box cutter blades together.

[Tom '74 911]

W/my EconoTIG, it's near impossible for me to weld sheetmetal. As mentioned earlier in the thread, I think the low end is 20amps. W/my Dynasty 200DX, the low end is 1-5amps I think and it's much easier for a hack like me to not make a complete mess of it.

The specs on Lincoln's site say the low end for the Square Wave 200 is 10amps. I don't think I'd want a low end any higher than that for welding 22GA, but take my comments w/a grain of salt because I'm no expert! When I was looking for a better machine than the EconoTIG, I was zeroing in on machines that had a 5-10amp low end. I lucked out and had a friend getting rid of the 200DX, which is more machine than I need, but it sure is nice to use.

I think in the Square Wave 200 price range, 10amps is as low as the machines go. If you jump up to the next level, the Precision TIG 225 goes down to 5amps.

Hopefully MT930 will comment on if 10amps is low enough...

[MT930]

10 Amps should be low enough to do the thin stuff. On really thin stuff you can back it with a piece of copper or use a smaller dia tungsten or move faster. It will take some practice no doubt.

There are not alot of mid range options.


The Miller Dynasty DX 280 with a small water cooled torch and wire less foot control is the versatility standard that all are measured. It will do anything you need.

$7000.00 Is a pretty big investment

Miller Dynasty 280 DX Complete With Foot Control 951468

[Jim2]

Agree, 10 amps should be ok. I too looked it up, but also noticed the Lincoln doesn't have user adjustable post flow. It's programmed for 10 seconds at 10 amps then ramps up to 17 seconds at 200 amps. Welding steel with a peak of 175 amps and 3/32 tungsten I typically have my post flow set around six seconds, though you'd need a little more with a 1/8" tungsten and associated current, or when doing stainless or titanium.

It's not uncommon when doing tig to frequently start and stop when tacking or reorienting yourself. Beware the argon will be flowing a good amount more than needed.

[cmccuist]

This is an old thread, but maybe someone can weigh in. I just bought a Square Wave 275. The guy was basically giving it away as the PC board was bad. The repair shop I took it to said it's about a $500 repair.

This unit has an adjustable post flow feature (also controls the cooling, if installed). That really surprised me as that was one of the complaints about the Square Wave - no adjustability on the argon post flow timing! I think I can get this repaired and have a really great, reliable machine for many years.

There are companies where you send your board to them and they troubleshoot and repair it. Anyone have any experience with this type of repair?

[MT930]

I would think the manufacturer’s would just replace the board. I am not aware of anyone that would trouble shoot the board. Warranty maybe nonexistent.

Someone else may know.

[devodave]

Originally Posted by MT930

I would think the manufacturer’s would just replace the board. I am not aware of anyone that would trouble shoot the board. Warranty maybe nonexistent.

Someone else may know.

Depends on how old the machine is. Had an ancient IdealArc 300 that parts were no longer available for. I successfully replaced resistors and a relay on the post timer board. They were thru-hole components which helped. Big thing there is figuring out what had failed.

[cmccuist]

The unit is pretty old. I'm going to try this place:

https://www.innovatcorp.com/

[colingreene]

Yes, i have one its been absolutely excellent. I highly recommend it.
Welds aluminum and steel just fine, If you start doing big aluminum you will maybe have to pre heat or stand on the pedal, cause I have run it out of power on aluminum. though to be honest, its not something that happens often for me.

[cmccuist]

I've read great reviews of the Square Wave. It weighs over 300 lbs. There's probably $100 in copper in there. It has some adjustablilty, but no pulse. Regardless, it'll be more machine than I'll ever need.