which new tig welder?

[dime]

well which one would you choose? mostly looking at the HTP invertig 221 and the lincoln pt 225 any opinions? Im leaning towards the Htp and they will do lay a way for me too. Also if there is something else in that price range i should be looking at let me know. thanks

for anybody that doesn't know Htp isn't one of the china ones they are Italian made and get excellent reviews from what i can find.

 

[mike13u]

TA 185 hands down if those are the selections. If you try the inverter technology you wont want to go back. I have a Dynasty 200. Nothing but great things said about the TA185

 

[dime]

both of those are inverters. reading thermal arc reviews are what led me too the htp machines which i am only finding good reviews on too. Are there any others you think i should take a look at?

 

[Zeke]

I'm using an old TA 13OS and love the thing. I've never had it plugged into 230v yet as I do no more than 1/8th sheet and stock. I don't know about the others you suggested, but the 130S doesn't have some adjustments like background voltage. It's a set percentage.

So, depending on your needs and skills, buy what you can use.

 

[dime]

That reminds me, I should put a little about myself. I use a old giant airco tig most everyday Usualy all day at work. I have a 250 amp Hobart ironman 230 mig at home already and I don't feel like I need anything giant like that airco at home but don't want a toy. which is why I don't have any of those china eBay specials up there. 200-250 amps is all I really need or have power for. The Lincoln choice being a transformer is prolly all my sub panel can handle as far as a welder right now.

 

[t100]

PT225, you will love the power when you need it. parts are available everywhere.
HTP for home use, inverters are more efficient. HTP has a great reputation on their customer support.

 

[rsanter]

I have a miller 165 and like it
the inverter machines heat the metal faster than the old transformer machines

I have lincolins and like them
I do not have thermal arc or HTC but have heard good things about them

bob

 

[mike13u]

both of those are inverters. reading thermal arc reviews are what led me too the htp machines which i am only finding good reviews on too. Are there any others you think i should take a look at?

If Im not mistaken, a Lincoln Precision Tig isnt an Inverter machine its a transformer. Their inverter line is called Invertec. For what its worth, i would give up the few extra amps of the 225 transformer to have a 185 inverter.

 

[dime]

If Im not mistaken, a Lincoln Precision Tig isnt an Inverter machine its a transformer. Their inverter line is called Invertec. For what its worth, i would give up the few extra amps of the 225 transformer to have a 185 inverter.

right i meant the HTP invertig 220 and the thermal arc or both inverter machines. you are right about the lincoln which is what is kinda making me lean away from it. so going with the htp inverter machine would put me only losing a 10 amps or the thermal arc would be around 30 amps less or more. so you think go with one of the inverter machines for sure then?

 

[mike13u]

I would. I dont know about the HTP but I have heard the TA185 has comparable power to my Dynasty200. If thats the case, you will be hard pressed to find projects in your garage or small shop that require more than that.
I have heard good things on the net about HTP but just dont personally know anyone that has experience. The welding shop I use locally carries Thermal Arc and Miller. Both will back up there product. I would consider who is in your area that might be able to do authorized repairs even if you dont buy from them.
I'm sure your going to be fine with any of the above. My opinion. Go with the inverter technology.
Best of luck man. Let us know when you get it.

 

[dime]

Cool thanks, those too have the least votes on the poll but that's what I had thaught too. I'm open to other welders too so keep the opinions coming guys.

 

[kartracer55]

Thermadyne is a fantastic company to deal with. I've been using one of their plasma's for about 2 years now and it has performed flawlessly.

The Dynasty 200DX is in that machine range as well, however may be slightly out of your price range.

 

[dime]

Thermadyne is a fantastic company to deal with. I've been using one of their plasma's for about 2 years now and it has performed flawlessly.

The Dynasty 200DX is in that machine range as well, however may be slightly out of your price range.

Yeah, dynasty is a gonna be a little high for me by the time I get/build a cooler and water cooled torch and everything to set it up.

 

[sevt_chevelle]

I have the TA 185 and love it. Let a friend of mine test drive the TA today and more then likely his next tig will be a TA 185.
I've used the Miller Dynasty 200DX and didn't think it was worth the extra 1500 dollars.
I don't know a single person with a HTP machine, so I can't comment on the quality.

 

[dr_clyde]

For TIG welding, go for miller all the way. I have both both the Lincoln Invertec V300 Pro and a Miller Dynasty 200 DX. I have the Lincoln set up with an LN7 wire feeder for MIG, and my dynasty with a watercooler for TIG. Miller has always been a better manufacturer of TIG welders, IMHO.

No matter what, get an inverter. They are far more energy efficient, provide a more changeable and tailorable arc, especially on AC. They have the same or more amperage in a much smaller and more portable package, and most of them can run on multiple power inputs and phases.

You haven't really said what you are going to be welding, but nonetheless, I highly recommend the Miller Dynasty series. The ability to change frequencies, waveform shapes, and pulse settings are incredible useful. The primary reason I got a Dynasty is the portability. The thing only weighs 40 some pounds, and will run off of any input power I give it, so no matter where I need to weld, it will work. It may cost a bit more, but I think its highly worth the extra dough.

Also. Get a watercooler. That will make your life so much better.

 

[dime]

Definetly agree on the water cooler. I am Usualy doing automotive work with my welders at home. At work I weld mostly cast and steel precision machined parts. (I work at a machine shop)

 

[t100]

vid of HTP welder:

PT 185 doesnt have 110 outlet for water cooler and requires a special adapter for water cooled torch hookup, ~ $70

 

[DrkMtnDew]

if i could only say one word about the lincoln it would be 'awesome.'

 

[dime]

Most everybody is saying get an inverter machine, but the transformer Lincoln has the most votes.

 

[dime]

I'm interested in hearing from the guys that voted for htp. We have good things said about the ta and the Lincoln.

 

[royesses]

I'm interested in hearing from the guys that voted for htp. We have good things said about the ta and the Lincoln.

I had an invertig 200 from HTP. I had the cart, h2o cooled torch and cooler and also a hand control torch. It was a very smooth machine and was my favorite. Due to heart attacks I had to sell it. HTP was a pleasure to work with and supported the product 100%. The owner of the company would answer the phone and answer questions. Parts were no problem. I believe it was made by Stel Italy.
http://www.stelgroup.com/default.aspx?LAN=ENG#

 

[jetenginedoctor]

I'll add my 2 cents worth about HTP as well. . . .

I have an Invertig 201 with the water cooler package and 25 ft torch leads. I spent most of my time driving a Synchowave and was very happy with its performance, but couldn't afford to lose so much space in my garage at home, plus the cost of upgrading my utilities to support it. Instead, I decided I should try to buy a nice inverter based machine. I had originally set out to buy a Miller Dynasty 200DX having already owned a Millermatic 210 GMAW/FCAW machine. I was shocked at how much higher the Dynasty was (pricewise) versus the Synchrowave. I talked myself into justifying the price based on the portability aspect of the Dynasty, and went about looking for a deal. As it turns out, even the best price on the Dynasty is pretty damn high, especially considering this would be a non-commercial machine. I found a low hour used one from Redi-Arc (or one of the other welding rental places, I don't remember) and pulled the trigger.

Shortly after I "ordered" my Dynasty, I was informed that it had been rented out again, and that they could either return my money, wait for it to come back and ship it to me, or they would substitute another (older) machine. I decided it was best to just cancel the order. Sure glad I did.

One of my customer friends had shown me his HTP Invertig some time before that, and was delighted with how well it worked. He too was used to using the bigger Synchrowaves at work, and said he had zero regrets. So, I decided to investigate HTP, found that I could buy the entire setup cheaper than I could buy just the Dynasty power source, etc. Made my order, a few days later had a new machine, everything has been great.

Now, the reason I'm glad I didn't buy the Dynasty isn't just because of the difference in price. A gal I know who bought a Dynasty a year or so before I almost bought mine had it shoot craps just outside of its warranty. Miller wasn't very helpful in resolving the issue. The technician at my LWS has told me on a couple of occasions that I've asked that they have had a lot of problems with the Dynasty machines. Still, he recommends them over the other inverters (no doubt because that's what they sell. )

Anyway, I think the HTP stuff certainly deserves a close look. YMMV, but I'm very happy with mine.

BK

 

[dime]

Ya I started this thread a long time ago. I've had the Htp 221 for over a year now and it's been flawless, I'd recommend it to anybody with the same questions I had. Anyway I got the water cooled version and the gave me a hell of a deal. I had put it on lay a way at the old price plus they gave me a bunch of freebies plus when I was almost done paying even though the price had went up I got them to honor one if the 10 percent sales they run some times too.

 

[jetenginedoctor]

Yeah, I knew somebody was going to say something about digging this up, but I feel strongly enough about the issue that I felt like I might as well stop lurking and throw in my thoughts on the matter. I think the Thermal-Arc is a good machine, though it's maybe underpowered and support at the local level is non-existant (for me.)

BK

 

[dime]

Hey I don't mind. I should have posted a follow up for everybody after I got it. It is a good machine from a company that will support you. And it's not Chinese( which is important to me atleast), the power supply is Italian and everything else ( torch, pedal, water cooler or atleast the old style stainless one I have) is all USA stuff. You realy can't go wrong here.

 

[jetenginedoctor]

I guess that I'm a little disgusted by how much money both Miller and Lincoln spend on marketing, yet the quality of some of their equipment is no better than the imported stuff. I won't go so far as to say they're building junk, but I'd say that pretty much everything either one sells is vastly overpriced.

 

[dime]

I guess that I'm a little disgusted by how much money both Miller and Lincoln spend on marketing, yet the quality of some of their equipment is no better than the imported stuff. I won't go so far as to say they're building junk, but I'd say that pretty much everything either one sells is vastly overpriced.

I don't feel that strongly about it, I just want the best quality at the best price possible and not made in china. i don't have any problems with miller or Lincoln. I own a Hobart ironman 230 (same parent company as miller) a hypertherm powermax 65, a smith oxy propane outfit, my favorite hood is my Lincoln 3350, and ofcourse I have the HTP. All of this stuff is very good quality in my opinion.

 

[pault28]

Can't say a single bad thing about HTP's product or operation as a whole. I'm fortunate enough to be local to them. I really wanted to buy the 221 but price was a bit out of my price range. I took a class at HTP's shop and used the 221 and it was a really nice welder. For a DIY guy like myself, it was a lot of welder for the money, likely more than I would ever utilize. I ended up going with a miller diversion 165. Price point was what made up my mind. I got my diversion for 1250 delivered with no tax.

Looking back I should have saved up and gotten the HTP. I bought a SSMC foot pedal, htp flex hose, new 17 and 9 series torches. Heck after all that it put me within a few hundred of the 221...which came with the better pedal and flex hose already.

Hind sight is always 20/20. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy with my diversion 165, but would have LOvED to be able to get the 221. It is an EXCELLENT machine. Glad you're happy with yours. Jeff, the owner of HTP, bends over backwards with costumer service/support which goes a long way. I buy my bottles and all my consumables from them still. I'll likely end up with one of their plasmas one day.

 

[dime]

Well if anybody needs any info about it or pics of something specific let me know.