Miller Syncrowave 250 DX - School Me

[Farmall450]

Hi there. Just found my first water cooled TIG - a 2018 Syncrowave 250 DX w/ the Tigrunner base. It has the foot pedal, but not leads. The Miller literature advertises #300185 as their suggested kit, over $1k on their site but ~$613 from Cyberweld. Has anyone else found something comparable for less? The bare water cooled W-250/WP-20 torch kits I see online don't seem to have the "adapter" (pictured below) that the big kit has. Is this just the connector, and the torch kits assume you already have it?




Thanks!

 

[sqznby]

Congrats on the new to you welder, can't go wrong with a Syncrowave. Smooth machines for sure.
You could piece together everything you need. I'd look for a CK set up personally, they are very nice and have a decent selection of torches available. You could get standard lines also but make sure to get a sleeve for them, well, get a sleeve regardless haha.
That is called a dinse connector. If you have a local welding shop see if they can get you everything you need if you are not familiar with everything.

Not to troll but I have a set of Miller lines (new) I'd sell for a deal if you're interested PM me.

 

[Farmall450]

Congrats on the new to you welder, can't go wrong with a Syncrowave. Smooth machines for sure.
You could piece together everything you need. I'd look for a CK set up personally, they are very nice and have a decent selection of torches available. You could get standard lines also but make sure to get a sleeve for them, well, get a sleeve regardless haha.
That is called a dinse connector. If you have a local welding shop see if they can get you everything you need if you are not familiar with everything.

Not to troll but I have a set of Miller lines (new) I'd sell for a deal if you're interested PM me.

PM sent. I have extra machines and my EZ Tig to offload

 

[Firebrick43]

Its called a Dinse connector.

https://store.cyberweld.com/product...olid-50mm-dinse-195377?variant=42890383818979

 

[Farmall450]

Its called a Dinse connector.

https://store.cyberweld.com/product...olid-50mm-dinse-195377?variant=42890383818979

Thanks. New to this water cooled TIG world - makes enough sense now.

 

[dr_clyde]

You can just buy the torch adapter and use any torch you like.

Old Syncrowave machines used a bolt on lug and these newer machines use a DINSE twist lock style.

This allows you to disconnect the TIG torch and hook up a stick lead without breaking the loop with the coolant inside. On the bolt lug machines we’d just hook up both the TIG and stick leads together and just deal with having a live lead not in use.

CK makes the best torches and leads IMO.

 

[Sumboodie]

Had one for a while, traded a Ski-Doo 800 Summit for it. The Ski-Doo came from trading a truck.

Then traded the welder for a Grizzly LAR pistol and ammo.
Traded the pistol and $$ for a Polaris Ranger.

 

[Sweetcorn]

Great timing on this thread.

I just ordered a new CK worldwide water cooled torch yesterday.

Bakers Gas has the best prices going right now that I could find and I looked around quite a bit. Flex neck, 25 foot, water cooled 250 amp is $188.68 right now.

The ck dinse adapter is quite a bit cheaper than the miller one, FYI. Also available on Baker's site.

Congrats on the syncrowave. I love mine and it's hard to find someone who doesn't like them.

 

[Farmall450]

Great timing on this thread.

I just ordered a new CK worldwide water cooled torch yesterday.

Bakers Gas has the best prices going right now that I could find and I looked around quite a bit. Flex neck, 25 foot, water cooled 250 amp is $188.68 right now.

The ck dinse adapter is quite a bit cheaper than the miller one, FYI. Also available on Baker's site.

Congrats on the syncrowave. I love mine and it's hard to find someone who doesn't like them.

Wow, that's 1/3 the price of Miller (1/6 or 1/7 the price of list). Braided?

 

[Sweetcorn]

Wow, that's 1/3 the price of Miller (1/6 or 1/7 the price of list). Braided?

Yup

 

[Sweetcorn]

Took a pic for you for the routing of the cables to the adapter. The adapter in the pic is a "gas through" adapter. Some are, some aren't. Cover is off the adapter to show the routing.

I attached the torch to a Lincoln cool arc 40 cooling unit for the purpose of the picture. Whatever cooler or welder you tie in to will be plumbed like this.

The adapter then just plugs right into the the welder and you're all set.

It's easier to see it this way before its wrapped up with the cable protector and the machine is in the way.

 

[sqznby]

I love CK, and that is a steal.
Not a fan of the flexible heads rather have a flex lock. But, that's what's great about CK, you have so many options.
Farmall450, grab that for sure.

 

[86turbodsl]

I love my CK 300A small frame torch. Definitely get the superflex lines. You'll hate using it without.
Love my syncrowave 300 even if it is ancient, it has really nice arc.

 

[Farmall450]

I love CK, and that is a steal.
Not a fan of the flexible heads rather have a flex lock. But, that's what's great about CK, you have so many options.
Farmall450, grab that for sure.

I need the foot pedal, regulator, work and electrode leads, etc. I looks like there are some complete Miller kits on marketplace - man these accessories are big money!

I ended up with 5 of them, and will probably be selling 2-3.

 

[Farmall450]

Took a pic for you for the routing of the cables to the adapter. The adapter in the pic is a "gas through" adapter. Some are, some aren't. Cover is off the adapter to show the routing.

I attached the torch to a Lincoln cool arc 40 cooling unit for the purpose of the picture. Whatever cooler or welder you tie in to will be plumbed like this.

The adapter then just plugs right into the the welder and you're all set.

It's easier to see it this way before its wrapped up with the cable protector and the machine is in the way.

Thanks, that's about what I imagined. New to the water cooled world, but my "air/gas" cooled one gets smoking hot on AL.

 

[BigMike782]

Great timing on this thread.

I just ordered a new CK worldwide water cooled torch yesterday.

Bakers Gas has the best prices going right now that I could find and I looked around quite a bit. Flex neck, 25 foot, water cooled 250 amp is $188.68 right now.

The ck dinse adapter is quite a bit cheaper than the miller one, FYI. Also available on Baker's site.

Congrats on the syncrowave. I love mine and it's hard to find someone who doesn't like them.

Exactly which torch did you get?
I just looked up a FL2525SF and found it was 385.00

 

[Sweetcorn]

Exactly which torch did you get?
I just looked up a FL2525SF and found it was 385.00

https://bakersgas.com/products/ckworldwide-ck2xxsffx?variant=39335758626918

This one, 25 ft.

Not sure how long the sale will go, but it's a really good price.

 

[Farmall450]

https://bakersgas.com/products/ckworldwide-ck2xxsffx?variant=39335758626918

This one, 25 ft.

Not sure how long the sale will go, but it's a really good price.

The miller isn't TOO much more:

Weldcraft W-250 Braided Rubber TIG Torch Package

WP2025RM Formerly known as the WP-20 Series, the W-250 Series provides consistent torch performance designed for long-term, trouble-free service around-the-head water-cooling.

bakersgas.com

 

[Sweetcorn]

The miller isn't TOO much more:

Weldcraft W-250 Braided Rubber TIG Torch Package

WP2025RM Formerly known as the WP-20 Series, the W-250 Series provides consistent torch performance designed for long-term, trouble-free service around-the-head water-cooling.

bakersgas.com

I like the weldcraft stuff, but I've not had the greatest luck regarding durability with them. Don't get me wrong, they aren't bad at all and my experiences are most likely just my dumb luck. I still have a weldcraft on a syncrowave and its doing ok. CK stuff has been holding up really well though and I'm outfitting another machine, so I decided to go with CK again.

I'm sure you'll be happy with either.

Edited to add: that's not a flex neck in your link. I've really become used to those and probably wouldn't buy another without it.

 

[sqznby]

I need the foot pedal, regulator, work and electrode leads, etc. I looks like there are some complete Miller kits on marketplace - man these accessories are big money!

I ended up with 5 of them, and will probably be selling 2-3.

You are correct, they are pricey but it's a buy once cry once kinda deal haha.

Both torches are great and will definitely last.

Send me some info on them, may be interested in one.

Exactly which torch did you get?
I just looked up a FL2525SF and found it was 385.00

That is a Flex Lok not a Flex Head.

 

[BigMike782]

You are correct, they are pricey but it's a buy once cry once kinda deal haha.

Both torches are great and will definitely last.

Send me some info on them, may be interested in one.


That is a Flex Lok not a Flex Head.

I saw that. I keep looking at the Flex Loks but I just cannot justify the money for the amount of TIGing I do.

 

[Farmall450]

Turns out they all have less than 200 hours (not sure what a good reference frame is, but that's about 2% of their life (5 years) assuming 40 hour weeks).

I can't seem to find what the first values at startup mean. I was speculating 231 volts (input) read, but it doesn't seem to fluctuate.

 

[Sweetcorn]

Turns out they all have less than 200 hours (not sure what a good reference frame is, but that's about 2% of their life (5 years) assuming 40 hour weeks).

I can't seem to find what the first values at startup mean. I was speculating 231 volts (input) read, but it doesn't seem to fluctuate.

Wow, that's impressively low hours.

Do you still have any extra machine you're looking to sell? Please P.M. me with some details if you do.

 

[sqznby]

Holy smokes, I agree super low hours.

 

[Farmall450]

The sad thing is the taxpayers probably paid full list for these. If that was really $10k (before leads even), on average that was ~$61/hour of use.

I'm glad the college got a grant (and there are grants for CTE), but it's sad to think of the high schools, other colleges, etc that could probably get 20 more years out of these.

 

[Farmall450]

Great timing on this thread.

I just ordered a new CK worldwide water cooled torch yesterday.

Bakers Gas has the best prices going right now that I could find and I looked around quite a bit. Flex neck, 25 foot, water cooled 250 amp is $188.68 right now.

The ck dinse adapter is quite a bit cheaper than the miller one, FYI. Also available on Baker's site.

Congrats on the syncrowave. I love mine and it's hard to find someone who doesn't like them.

I ended up ordering this kit. Seems like the best deal, and I wasn't ready to give up the flex head (my Hobart EZ Tig 165 has the miller flex) even if it will eventually leak.

 

[pamike]

SweetCorn, I have a Synchowave 250 in PA I would sell. Also, for cheaper footpedal controls check out SSC brand. Part #SSC-C8101425. That should be a good number.

 

[Farmall450]

I put the CK kit Sweetcorn linked on tonight and it seems nice. Weldcraft zippered sleep and a few cable ties and it should be ready to go. Hoping to install the gas saver kit next and fill her up with coolant.

I'm assuming the Miller coolant is pre-mixed, i.e. you don't dilute it with water?

 

[Sweetcorn]

I put the CK kit Sweetcorn linked on tonight and it seems nice. Weldcraft zippered sleep and a few cable ties and it should be ready to go. Hoping to install the gas saver kit next and fill her up with coolant.

I'm assuming the Miller coolant is pre-mixed, i.e. you don't dilute it with water?

Glad you like it so far!

You are correct about the coolant.

 

[Farmall450]

Glad you like it so far!

You are correct about the coolant.

Which is crazy given the price of it!

 

[Sweetcorn]

Which is crazy given the price of it!

Yup, it feels like a rip off. Lincoln doesn't treat people any better, though. Not sure there's any comfort to be found in that, lol.

 

[BigMike782]

I use generic ethylene glycol that runs 25-30.00 a gallon.
For home shop use I can see no benefit in using Miller or Lincon coolant.

 

[Farmall450]

I use generic ethylene glycol that runs 25-30.00 a gallon.
For home shop use I can see no benefit in using Miller or Lincon coolant.

Yeah, my dad says at his work they just use car stuff. I have 4 gallons of the good stuff, so I can feed at least one of them.

 

[BigMike782]

Yeah, my dad says at his work they just use car stuff. I have 4 gallons of the good stuff, so I can feed at least one of them.

I was told to never use automotive antifreeze as it has silicates and those can clog the very small passages of a TIG torch.

 

[Farmall450]

I was told to never use automotive antifreeze as it has silicates and those can clog the very small passages of a TIG torch.

I added some distilled water and let it run 10 min today like they say. Then I used it to pump out as much as it could (most of it). Need to grab a small pump or something to get the last little bit out, or just bite the bullet and add coolant.

Cleaned all the filters; nothing really in 'em other than some tiny scum.

 

[dogdog]

There was some thread on the miller forum to used non silicate base coolants. Means definitely no green ones. Some mention to use RV coolant. I think the VW coolants doesn’t have silicate as well.

 

[Farmall450]

Bought and installed the pulser kit. Not too bad of a job, cleaned it out while I had the cover off.

 

[Sweetcorn]

I use the pulser more than I don't. You'll like it.

 

[sqznby]

Once you get it dialed, you'll never want to weld without it haha.