Miller Syncrowave 200

[syndrome_34]

So I am thinking about purchasing my first TIG welder and I found a guy who has a Miller Syncrowave 200 for sale locally. It is less than a year old and has the runner kit, argon tank, an air-cooled torch, and 5lbs of ss filler and 10 lbs of aluminum filler. I can't get him to budge off of $2000 for everything. Is this a good price? Would you recommend a different welder?

 

[TheGrooveking]

Not that I've been watching the price on these used, but before handing over $2K I'd at least check what they've been going for on ebay.

TheGrooveking

 

[syndrome_34]

I looked on ebay and with shipping and everything I am looking at roughly $2700 new. That is without the filler.

 

[impulse922]

a sync 250 with water cooler/tanks/torch and a mask just went for $2k here.

also saw a sync 200 go for 1200 just the machine

look into an everlast 250ex inverter.. for the same price new, with a water cooler and 5 year warranty.

edit// might have come off the wrong way. Yes that is a reasonable price he is asking, but its not really a deal, if you know what i mean.

 

[syndrome_34]

I completely understand. I know I am not stealing it by any means, but I have wanted a TIG for a while now and it saves me some cash from having to buy new.

 

[ZRX61]

I don't think I paid that much for mine when it was new....

 

[syndrome_34]

They list on the miller website for $2788 with runner package and I found them on ebay for around 2300 + shipping.

 

[jpilgrim]

I love my Dynasty 200DX. Totally different beast and more money than a syncrowave, but inverters are sure nice!!

I paid 3K for a kit like this:

 

[dr_clyde]

for that setup, i wouldn't pay over $1200, if that. its not an exceptionally rare machine, and its outdated technology, and its used. You can get a 350 for that money, watercooled. i would pass, personally. Its not completely outrageous, but its on the high side.

 

[syndrome_34]

for that setup, i wouldn't pay over $1200, if that. its not an exceptionally rare machine, and its outdated technology, and its used. You can get a 350 for that money, watercooled. i would pass, personally. Its not completely outrageous, but its on the high side.

I am a novice, so I am not exactly what outdated technology you are talking about. I am in northern Illinois and I have not found any better deals. I am slightly addicted to ebay and craigslist. Should I be looking elsewhere? If you can find me a nice watercooled 350 for $2000 I'll send you $100, no ****.

 

[Steve from Socal]

As noted the offer is no great deal. Now; a Syncrowave 200 is on the small side if you plan on welding thicker material over .200" In the same output I would look for a Dynasty 200 also mentioned above. There are a few things you may want to consider when selecting a welder. Do you have the electric service for the welder in question, do you really want an air cooled torch and what do plan to do with the welder.

Transformer welders like Syncrowaves are cheaper to buy than inverter welders like a Dynasty, the transformer machines need higher current that means more costly wiring and higher electric demand at idle and when welding. The inverter welders have several advantages but cost more up front. A rough rule of thumb is an amp per .001" of material thickness so a 200 amp welder is really marginal above 3/16" thickness. Air cooled torches get hot when used constantly at high power and, they are bulkier than water cooled torches. I would strongly suggest a water cooled torch unless you need to do portable work. I would also suggest you consider a Syncrowave 250 as a transformer machine. Look in the usual places, welders pop up regularly but the deals also go quickly so you have to be diligent.

I had a Dynasty 200 and now have a Dynasty 300 and wouldn't consider getting a transformer machine after these. A Syncrowave is a fine welder but, they are high power consumers and don't have the control features of the inverter machines, they take up a lot more space too.

If you only want something to learn on I strongly suggest you find a trade school or community college with a welding program. You will develop the proper technique and learn the fundamentals that make a good weld good. You will also gain insight on what you want in a welder for home. Learning to weld is like learning to drive, it is possible to teach yourself but an experienced guide makes it safer and instills the correct habits from the start.

Steve

 

[syndrome_34]

I was taught how to TIG weld while I was in the Marine Corps, but I am definately looking into taking classes at the community college to really learn the details. I think the inverters look great, but I am struggling with the higher cost. Portability is not a huge deal at the moment, since any welding we do in the fields is done by our giant dinosaur gas-powered stick welder.

I will definately be getting a watercooler. I have a connection that can supply me with the cooler and torches for a very good price.

We are looking to get the welder to support our classic car restoration hobby. We need something that can weld aluminum and for detail work. I do like the savings in electricity, but I am again concerned with how long it would take me to recoup the higher initial cost with electricity savings. Thanks for all the great inputs!

 

[sberry]

The Dynasty really shines with small intricate work. The adjustable freq makes a big difference on really light material.

 

[Skyline]

I bought an old Syncrowave 250 for $1,000, and ended up selling it a few days later on eBay for $1,600. That included a water cooled torch set-up. I only sold it as I found out that I really did not have the wiring to run it properly. That thing needed a 90 amp circuit to run at full power, (not counting the cooler). I bought an inverter based MIG instead. Three years later, I still hoping to get a nice inverter TIG machine like a Dynasty. And as mentioned, it's not just the power consumption that makes these Dynasty welders different, there's a lot of other features.

 

[syndrome_34]

After spending way too much time reading other forums and watching youtube videos, I believe you guys are right about the inverters. It will save me from having to run heavier wires in the shop and the features seem great. I guess I will have to be patient and keep my eyes peeled for a Dynasty 200DX! Thanks again everyone, great stuff!

 

[Merkava_4]

jpilgrim,

Thanks for posting that picture.

 

[syndrome_34]

I have been looking around and was curious what you guys thought about the Lincoln Precision TIG 225 or even the 275? They seem to have similiar capabilities and are a little easier on the wallet. Plus it is red and will match our stick and mig...that's huge!

 

[Steve from Socal]

I know a guy that was a repair tech for Airgas and he was not real keen on Lincoln inverter welders or Esab for that matter. He likes Miller and Thermal Arc. He was factory schooled in both blue and red welders and though the components in Miller welders were of higher quality. I personally have had blue welders for years. Any inverter machine could have some very expensive repair parts but, even transformer machines have capacitors that fail over time. These capacitors are proprietary and ****** expensive.

The electrical return is really dependent on how much and how often you use the welder, more use returns faster payback. In light use it could be years before it covers the upfront cost. The features however pay dividends from day one. From simple quality of life issues like no roaring fan all the time to tailoring the cleaning/penetration% to exactly what you want. You will become a better welder in less time and have options to assist with problem materials. The aspects of the arc you can control are amazing and unless you find and old Aircrafter or other hybrid welder they are not available from standard transformer machines. Look on Craigs List in a few hundred mile radius of your location. I bought both my Dynasty's off CL and had one shipped and still came out WAY ahead of buying new or local.

Steve

 

[syndrome_34]

It seems as if Miller has a lot better customer service in case it does break down. That is what I have been reading so far...

 

[Dave Maxwell]

Have a question on the stick welding part of this machine. What does the number mean in the amp window that shows up for a couple seconds after you stop stick welding. It's usually a small number.
Thank you I'm advance

 

[duwem]

Another vote for a Dynasty 200DX. Can't beat the size, features and weight. Just got a used Coolate 3 and torch for mine I'm one part away from using.

 

[Monkey Milk]

Another vote for a Dynasty 200DX. Can't beat the size, features and weight. Just got a used Coolate 3 and torch for mine I'm one part away from using.

I say I don't trust the inverter tech yet, I read too much stories of repair cost starting at $1500 for the miller. I like the tech just don't trust it at moment. I'll stick to my syncowave 250 for now.


duwem,

I recently had to rebuild 2 coolmate3's. If yours has the foggy filter lens or disintegrated filler cap seal LMK. I got a source other then miller.

 

[William Payne]

Holy thread resurrection batman. Inverters can do amazing things but there is nothing bad about the transformer machines if you can run them. Some of the best welds I have seen have been from transformers. Inverters have a lot of great options on them, also they are more friendly when it comes to power usage. But they are new so you generally have to pay more then you would for an equivalent transformer machine. As has been said though, transformer machines need power. I have seen big transformer machines require more power on one circuit then supplied to an entire house, my syncrowave 351 is a really good example of that.

 

[dr_clyde]

I don't understand why people insist that inverters are "new". They have been around for over a decade.

I own inverter welders. Have for almost 10 years, never had a problem. Miller Dynasty and a Lincoln invertec, both I bought used and both were somewhat old when I bought them. The invertec I bought from the local community college, so you know it was exposed to a hard life.

FWIW, transformers can be expensive to repair as well, so that argument doesn't hold much water.

Welders I have had problems with include a Syncrowave 350 LX, a Syncrowave 351, a Hobart Tigwave 350, and a Miller A/BP 330. The polarity selector switch alone on a 351 is like $1800.

 

[larry_g]

Have a question on the stick welding part of this machine. What does the number mean in the amp window that shows up for a couple seconds after you stop stick welding. It's usually a small number.
Thank you I'm advance

Dave

I suggest that you start a new thread, your question is lost here.

lg
no neat sig line