Miller 150s or Thermal Arc?

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Okay so I've narrowed it down to the two welders. Both are dual voltage stick machines which is good. Both are really portable which is good.
The miller is 899, the Thermal Arc is 749. Both are DC machines.

Now, the thermal arc can weld up to 1/8 rod AND haslift start tig, comes with all the hoses, lines, and a victor regulator. It also has an unconditional 3 year warranty provided you don't drop it off a roof or run it over or anything like that. Also has thermal overload protection, so if it starts to overheat it shuts down. 30% duty cycle at 100 amps, 80% at 60. Not the heaviest duty machine but the guy at the welding supply swears they are beating these machines far beyond that without major failure. So far hes steered me right but ..... ?

The Miller is at least US made, but of imported components. I know millers reputation and that is the biggest selling point since the thermal arc has more features at a lower price point. I am not sure about the duty cycle on the 150s.

This is what I am looking at for a small somewhat all purpose welder. The price is about what I wouldbe willing to pay but really not much more than that. If they were DC-AC welders I would probably be alot more sure and would be able to do more with them but a small stick only machine is just fine by me. And if I can get a tig with it even better, right ? (No, I've never tigged before but If I have it I can, right? )

 

[sberry]

They are both good, don't worry about duty cycle, your guy is steering you straight. These things are near revolutionary, you will be really impressed at what they do from a 120v circuit. Have no fear with either machine, I have a 150S, it has just about retired my engine drives. If I was a 1 stick unit shop I would really have the little inverter on my short list.

 

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Ok good to hear. I think I will go with the other one with the TIG. Anybody else have an opinion ?

 

[jhn9840]

If the price is right for you the Tig would be very hard to pass on.

jhn9840
John

 

[buening]

I assume you are looking at the Thermal Arc 181i? If so it is 220v ONLY, but I've read they may come out with a 110/220v version sometime in June this year. Everyone has their own opinion, but from what I've read the 181i welds just as well as the Millers and Lincolns in their class. Keep in mind it is only DC Tig, and cannot tig weld aluminum. You should be able to weld aluminum with the mig spool though. Curious where you found it for $750? Welders Supply has it for $799 with free shipping and a free welding helmet.

 

[thejon2524]

Thermal arc 161s is a great unit. I ordered mine with the tig package over the holidays from cyberweld.com for $500, but now i thinks its at around $650, $770 now with the tig package. For a small portable unit i could not ask for more.

 

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I believe it's the thermal arc 161. It dual voltage with the tig. The welding supply by me has three left, and he's telling me the price on this package is going up with the next order, somwhere north of 850 or so. No free stuff though. Do I need AC in order to stick weld aluminum? I've done it with the DC before with no problems if I remember correctly. Good to hear about the performance of the TA machines next to Miller and Lincoln. Heh, do I really need to get another machine.....? Is that a stupid question ? ! YES. Oh wait , duh, I just can't use the tig on aluminum. Ehh, that's okay, I don't see myself welding aluminum that much anway, and I can always just stagger the spots.

 

[buening]

Keep in mind I don't believe Thermal Arc still makes the 161s. If you look at their website, they only advertise the 181s and the 252s. I believe the 161s was a previous model. Since you can get the 181s (better and more powerful machine) for $800 shipped with a free helmet from weldersupply.com, I wouldn't waste my time with the 161s.

http://www.weldersupply.com/productdetails.asp?cat=Search+Welding+Supplies+Equipment&ID=0&pID=538

Edit: Weldersupply has the 161s as well. It doesn't have the digital displays like the 181s. It also does not have MIG like the 181s, just tig and stick

 

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Thanks for posting that link. The other difference with that machine, the 181s, is that it isnt a dual voltage machine. That is the main thing that I like about it besides the tig. If they offered a 3in1 machine that I could run on both I would probably jump on it. I've been reconsidering this purchase to begin with though. I used my big miller the other day and remembered that it can do anything if I have the right attachments. I forget what model it is but it was north of 5G when bought. DC only. Its a220 only power source, and its HEAVY! I also have to run the cord from the basement, or rather the leads since I don't have a long enough cord to do it yet. Otherwise, this machine is great. Now I am considering finding an AC machine so I can tig aluminum.

 

[buening]

Supposedly they are updating the 181i to dual voltage in a few months. You might give Thermal Arc a call and ask about this. If you could wait a few months and get the dual voltage 3-in-1, you'd be set! Keep in mind these machines don't come with the Tig torch, pedal, etc. Plan on another $400ish for the torch and pedal. Be prepared to shell out the money for an AC/DC tig machine, unless you like risking it with a generic Chinese model like this one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/LTAC2000-LO...60979746904?pt=BI_Welders&hash=item3cc39ae858

 

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Actually, the 161s does come with the tig torch, regulator and the hoses. Makes it more worthwhile unless the dual voltage 3 in one really is coming out soon.

 

[sberry]

I don't care about tig but the dual voltage is revolutionary. 120 v welding was never any good untill these inverters came. It is super handy and then some, it's the only thing I use the Max for.