So Im in the market for a used Tig welder. I am looking at 3 tig welders. My mig is a Miller challenger 172 which runs on 220v Ive had for a decade and almost 20 years ago now I learned how to tig on both Lincolns and Millers at the local JC. Old idealarcs and square waves. I am looking at welding up some bumpers for my rock crawler and my friends and maybe Ill be making a spiral stair case in a few years. I will not be doing much aluminum if any at all. I think I will mostly be doing mild steel although this can always change. This will be in my home shop Im not looking at production and I dont think I will be moving the welder unless I move. Which welder should I get. If I get the 180 I would look into the newer ones with the digital read out. I have looking at craigslist and face book and 180s go for abound 800-1200 and I was pretty set on getting this, but then I looked and these were all the older ones without the digital readouts. Then I saw a few 210s and they go for 1500-2k the 1500 one doesnt have a tig torch which would mean Id be out another 150 or so. A 200 just popped up and its 1800 seems kind of high. But has low hours. I realize the 180 and 200 are transformers and 210 is inverter and is a little bit smaller still looks pretty big. Which welder should I get? Are these prices pretty high or decent? I dont mind doing a drive to get a better deal. Ive checked LA to Portland.
Miller Syncrowave 180 vs 200 vs 210
- Thread starter jocww
- Start date
$1800 is DEFINITELY too high for the 200.
And regarding the one without a torch,I try to never buy a machine missing accessories unless it is almost free. Adding torches etc add up real quick and good used stuff is never available cheap when you need it now.
His asking price was $950. He bought it to work on cars at home but soon after landed a job in a fabrication shop where the owner allowed him use of the facilities after hours. I was just lucky.
I later sold the welder and the cart is being modified on my thread over on tbn. I won’t bother addressing your thread over there [emoji41]
Hold out for a used 250. Those smaller machines **** at aluminum. I know you said you wont be doing much, but it's nice to have the capacity to do 1/4" plus. Otherwise you might as well buy an XMT or dialarc HF or even a maxstar.
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TTMotorsports
Well-known member
I have a 180 SD and it ***** on aluminum wish I had a better machine for that
Firebrick43
Well-known member
I have a 180sd and it’s been a good machine. All these machines don’t have enough amps/duty ratings for 1/4” aluminum but even the 250 at work can struggles if you are welding a lot of thick aluminum. I do mostly 1/4 stainless and 1/4 steel with my 180 with out any problems and use stick function for thicker metal
Check their power requirements. I know my Syncrowave 351 required a 100 amp circuit.
They really are power suckers.
I just reread your first post. I realized you have TIG experience which is good but the two projects you mentioned sound well suited for a 180+ MIG.
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If I was in your shoes, with the knowledge and experience I have now. I would....
Sell your 172, buy a 210 class compact mig with a spool gun. Then buy an AHP alpha tig or hold out for a used 250 transformer machine.
The projects listed are not ideally suited to tig, unless you just enjoy time under the hood.
Sell your 172, buy a 210 class compact mig with a spool gun. Then buy an AHP alpha tig or hold out for a used 250 transformer machine.
The projects listed are not ideally suited to tig, unless you just enjoy time under the hood.
ZRX61
Well-known member
I have a 200, does everything I ask of it (auto & aviation).
ClappedOutBport
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Not really. I've got a 330A/BP on a 60. It calls for a 125, but theoretically only needs a 100. CB has yet to blow. If I was doing arc gouging or something then I might try to remedy it.
I don't really understand the need for a fancy new machine for plain old steel, but I've never used one either. I don't see the advantages to one without the fancy features over an old transformer machine.
BD1
Well-known member
Investigate the 210 inverter. I think they have SD cards avaiable for it.
Please realize that a 60amp dedicated circuit is quite a bit for most home garages.
It isn't so much the features on the DC side, as it is the ability to transport, store and power. The more modern machines are more efficient in terms of power and space. This is coming from a guy that has a 250 syncrowave in his garage which is still a large machine, but about half the size and weight of a 330A/BP and more capable.....for me.
ClappedOutBport
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All fair points. The 330 is stationary, and takes up a considerable amount of real estate.
sberry
Banned
I have a 300 synch. I don't want to use it. I have a 210 spooly if I have to do something alum but got no real interest in fussing with alloy unless its something in my way and gonna stop me.
Taking the others off carts was good, I got a good out of the way spot for it, on wheels, I got the power, its now useful as a cart.
I am going to agree with this.. The China machines have really hit a stride and get better/cheaper all the time, way more features. Only reason I got a big ole monster is I got one, I got it at a real price of 1 or 200$, I had to fix it cost another 100, happened to come with full manuals, I suspect someone else had a problem. I used it to build some stuff for a couple years, it now makes a great cart for a couple others.
Taking the others off carts was good, I got a good out of the way spot for it, on wheels, I got the power, its now useful as a cart.
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I believe I only have a 60 amp circuit, but since I dont really plan on doing alumnium much less thick aluminium Im not to worried on the draw. Regarding Mig. I dont like mig when it comes to bumpers or cages. Ive always used tig to make sure i get good penetration and i like the look of my dimes.
sberry
Banned
I am an expert with mig, joint design and hot operation I tend to use it when I can. I got melt thru and full pen down to an art if it matters. Mechanical properties with common mig wire are very good, aproaching 7018, maybe better considering storage opions.
Pic 2 and 3 the same plate. I was looking for a better pic of the back where I intentionally left lack of fusion to demo the setup of 1/4 plate, Sq ****, no bevel. Single pass, with a bit more diligence and practice can refine it, this was quick.
It's got some undercut on the face, it was never intended to pic for a forum, was kind of a whiz bang deal to show splicing a flat bar or plate. When done right can zing it flush with a grinder making it homogenous.
Pic 2 and 3 the same plate. I was looking for a better pic of the back where I intentionally left lack of fusion to demo the setup of 1/4 plate, Sq ****, no bevel. Single pass, with a bit more diligence and practice can refine it, this was quick.
It's got some undercut on the face, it was never intended to pic for a forum, was kind of a whiz bang deal to show splicing a flat bar or plate. When done right can zing it flush with a grinder making it homogenous.
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isb cornbinder
Well-known member
I have a MILLER 180SD. It does really well on .125" aluminium, forget welding .250" aluminium.
I wish it had the pulse option. I have had this welder for nearly 30 years. There are better options from MILLER in 2020.
I wish it had the pulse option. I have had this welder for nearly 30 years. There are better options from MILLER in 2020.
hoston23
Well-known member
hey i dont know where your located but i have a gently used syncowave 350 liquid cooled unit for sale. comes with several tubes of rods and several extra shields. set up for 2 bottles.
TimeWarpF100
Well-known member
My entire garage is on a 60 amp breaker running 120' plus from house to shop!
I have AC heat always on and no issues running my Lincoln Square Wave 275.
Only time I have a issue is if I have lights on then the Air Compressor or Steam Cleaner is turned on.
I have 800 amps avail at street but just a hassle to do. Hopefully I can some day get 400 of the avail 800 amps to the house then to shop.
Running on 60 amp breaker for 9 yrs now.
sberry
Banned
You been making it on 60,,, what would you do with 400?
after a bunch of negotiating got the 180 for 1150 with cart but no tank. i need to figure out how to get my 300 helium tank filled. I read somewhere I can get it filled at an HVAC place instead of a welding shop, for much cheaper. Is this true?
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Ohmthis
Well-known member
I’m in the HVAC trade. I’ve never even heard of someone getting it at a supply house. We get nitrogen regularly though. Maybe someone misinformed you. Also, I know helium lets you burn hotter vs argon, is there another reason why you’d want to use it? I see no reason to waste money trying to get an extra 10 amps or so out of the machine. If that is the case I’m afraid you got the wrong machine.
