Talk:Vote to Buy a TIG Welder

Alternative Machines

There are a couple alternative machines to consider, in terms of features and potential easier ease-of-use:

• Syncrowave 350
• Dynasty 280

These machines provide more capability and features, but at a higher price.

The question is whether to stick with the 210 (my proposed suggestion on the page) with an eye towards getting another, more fully-featured machine when we 'outgrow' this one, or spend the additional $$$ to buy a machine that will be all things to all people.

7/9/15 Update: Per Fitter Dave's email of 7/8/15 6:28pm, he suggested the following machines:

• Lincoln Precision TIG 225 Ready Pack
• Lincoln Precision TIG 275 (without Ready Pack to stay within price rage)
• Lincoln Aspect 375 AC/DC TIG Welder Ready-Pak

7/16/15 Update: Todd sent an email to the list with another machine:

In case I can't make the meeting I'll throw in my $0.02 here. Get an HTP Invertig 221 with water cooling which retails for $3k but we can probably get it for less. We could also get the air cooled version for $500 less but the water cooling, which I have on mine, is awesome allowing for more amperage through smaller tungsten and very fast cool down for rapid changes which is great for novices prone to fouling tips.

http://www.usaweld.com/TIG-WELDER-Invertig-221-Welder-p/70221-12.5-1.htm

This machine has significant advantages over the more expensive Miller Dynasty 200 or the Lincoln Invertec V205. It has a duty cycle of 100% at 145 amps and it has excellent features such as low and high speed DC pulse, adjustable AC frequency, adjustable AC balance and independent AC amperage control of the positive and negative wave and a settings memory which we could set up for a variety of common materials.

The company is located in Elk Grove Village and has an excellent reputation for service and support - Google search on them and you will turn up a lot of positives and next to nothing bad. I went out there to buy my machine from them and ended up getting a lightly used demo unit for a significant discount, even if you go new you can probably get a discount if you pick it up and aren't taking advantage of the free shipping. Their prices are good on consumables and options like the flex neck torch. Jeff the company owner will give a free demonstration and offers reasonable priced training sessions. And if we tell Jeff about PS1 I expect he'll offer us a deal.

The HTP machines have a good reputation for reliability but if anything does go wrong having excellent service and support locally will minimize both cost and turn around time. My machine is nearly 15 years old and the only service I've done on it was to deal with minor leaks on gas and water lines and in each case they talked me through fixing it myself over the phone.

--Ron

Ease of Use

One key aspect of whatever machine we get should have an interface that, to the furthest extent possible, be easy to use for all folks, regardless of experience. The 210 model I proposed has a simple interface that hides a number of critical welding parameters that are available via the menu button. Users would have to be cognisant that the setting may have been changed by a previous user and their welding experience may be worse (or, hey, better!) than they were expecting, with no clear explanation as to why.
The DX models of the Miller equipment have more info available at a glance, as opposed to rolling through a series of menus. This may be very beneficial to all as it would be that much more clear what the machine is currently configured for.