Miller TIG, Which one?

[lumberjack]

The problem is that model requires 3 phase.

I didn't look further, but I also wanted pulsability in AC and DC, and being a full inverter system was a big plus (40-50lbs instead of 190-210lbs). Full inverter models also can generally deal with a wider variety of input voltages and 1 or 3 phase without any end user thought aside from plugging it in.

 

[sawinredneck]

No worries Carl, I just happened across it and thought of you.

 

[cutitup]

Carl, pulse is overated. It's somewhat useful for a beginner but once you learn how to read your arc you are better of without using it. However, square wave is good stuff! Also the inverters they now sell are good machines but don't have as "buttery" an arc the 'ol rectifiers. Don't misunderstand me the inverters are OK but - particulary on tiny stuff - the arc isn't as "soft". And as far as useful welding amperage goes don't compare a mig/wire machine to a tig machine. Tig (or GTAW more properly) uses a MUCH greater amperage load. And as I've said before don't worry about needing 3 phase most all of them are 220. I'm in the boonies too and have the same problem as you.
Oh and doing tiny stuff with a hand control is a PITA! Stick to the foot control. If you find it won't work when working on something you can always scratch start.
Have you thought about buying used?

 

[woodworkingboy]

Some welding shops around here never got into tig, but my neighbor's place does about anything, and they get stainless fabrication work constantly, from a big plant in town that makes dairy products. I was helping them on one fun job welding ladders inside big milk vats. If you get into it, Carl, dropping your name off at places that are in the food industry, can maybe bring you a lot of stainless work.

 

[lumberjack]

Thanks, Andy .

Cutitup, what's your name? The way I saw it there's no reason NOT to get a pulse option, it's just another range of adjust ability. I figured it's nothing you can't control with the foot/finger remote.

The Dynasty DX does advanced square wave (near right angles with flat tops), your soft squarewave (buttery arc with excellent control, radiused corners with a slight arch in the top. The traditional sine, and Triangular wave for thinner aluminum. Also, the frequency is adjustable between 20-250hz and the balance is adjustable from 30-99%. The pulse option obviously lets you set the initial/background/final amperage, and each slope time individually.

I'd figure the gas choice alone would cause TIG to use more amps, compared to MIG.

You do realize I already have a welder on the way? (Post 3 The DX Model.

Thanks for your offer to help after I get it. I'll guarantee I'll be bugging you with questions till your fingers bleed.

 

[cutitup]

Name's Tom, Carl. When you get your machine and start playing with it and you have questions feel free to ask. Good luck with it. I have to get back to work - I guess that's a good 'problem' to have these days.

 

[JIML]

I have used both the dynasty and syncrowave. I do like the arc better on the syncrowave machine. I never use my pulser on mine.

 

[Al Smith]

I wouldn't worry too much about three phase stuff .A rotary phase converter is very efficient and relatively inexpensive to make .

Used three phase equipment normally goes pretty cheap if a person wanted to go that route . Most people have the misconceived idea it's some sort of hocus pokus magical electrical stuff .---that's where you can save some money . Don't tell them any different .

 

[lumberjack]

The power unit got here today, the torch and remotes get here Friday.

Stopped by Nex Air to get prices on tanks and filler, shouldn't be too terrible. Decided I'm not going to lease a tank, gonna start with a single 100cf tank that weighs 15lbs more than the welder and provides about 4 hours of weld time.


A lease on a 391cf tank is $86.25 per year, $75 to refill the tank. The 107cf tank costs $180 up front, $22.32 to refill. I'd have to go through 13 391cf tanks a year (or 48 107cf tanks) to break even on the lease if change outs are free. That'd be about 250 hours worth of welding.

 

[JIML]

I think my argon tanks are 80cf. I get quite a bit of time out of them, I own them. I have an extra so If I run out on a weekend im not dead in the water. I usually run 10-15cfh with a gas lense...

 

[Dave Shepard]

How often do you have to have your personal tanks inspected, how much, and will they fill them while you wait? My tanks are $45 each, per year. I don't know what the refills are, haven't had to do it in a long time.

 

[cutitup]

We are a very high volume user so we use liquid argon tanks. So I cannot give you an idea what the HP cylinders cost. However even if I could it would be meaningless. The @#%$# gas companies make it up as they go along. Years back I was buying gas for my side biz from the same vendor as my employer. My employer was buying each HP cylinder for $30. They charged me $90!! When I called them about it they said "Sorry, your a low volume user....." In short they charge whatever they can get away with. It's quite a racket they have. Name me another biz they gets all the raw material, in unlimited quanities, for free!

 

[JIML]

How often do you have to have your personal tanks inspected, how much, and will they fill them while you wait? My tanks are $45 each, per year. I don't know what the refills are, haven't had to do it in a long time.

I bought the cylinders but I still just swap them with a full cylinder when they get empty.

 

[Al Smith]

Along the same lines it seems most if not all of the acetelene is owned by one or two German companies . My goodness the price is outragious these days .--and yes the price is per volume of usage . I pay the highest of course .

Are far as inert gas,you used to be able to have an oxegon bottle converted for a pretty reasonable price . Of course you would have to own the bottle in the first place .

 

[DTW902]

How often do you have to have your personal tanks inspected, how much, and will they fill them while you wait? My tanks are $45 each, per year. I don't know what the refills are, haven't had to do it in a long time.

The test dates are stamped in your bottles, they will not fill them if they are out of date. If you own your own and they go out on inspection, they will send them in and get them tested. But you foot the bill for the inspection. I can't remember the cost it's been awhile since I had to get a set sent in.

 

[lumberjack]

Here you just swap them; you own the bottle you currently have.

 

[Frans]

http://www.gianttechplasmacutter.com/page/page/5406657.htm

 

[cutitup]

Most places, yes, you just swap them. As a interesting aside check out some of the dates of the hydro tests on the cylinders. I often see dates from the 20's and 30's! Even sometimes the teen's!!

 

[lumberjack]

I don't want a Chineese knockoff.

There's nothing overly "wrong" with them, but I want "more".

 

[Frans]

I hear ya LJ. This company apparently assembles them in Mil. or some state and stands behind them all the way.
On a four wheel site, lots of people have said good things about the product.

I was thinking of it, just because it does alot. But then again, like a Boy Scout knife, it does alot but does it do any one thing well?

 

[lumberjack]

Yeah I know the guy through Pirate.

I also feel the same way about it's swiss armyness, and in general I refuse to buy a brand that's main selling point is its cheap price.

I pick up the torches tomorrow after class from the FedEx terminal. Swing by and pick up a gas cylinder and some filler, and I'm set to make sparks.

Gotta swap axles on the one ton first though.

 

[woodworkingboy]

You're not taking the advice on getting the auto darkening helmet?

 

[Frans]

You're not taking the advice on getting the auto darkening helmet?

I am not a welder but I have heard mixed reviews on those. Some say they are good for amateurs, that they darken so quickly when you don't want them to.

 

[sotc]

theres no reason not to get an auto dim. its faster in production welding.

 

[MasterBlaster]

I think crane operators (when staring directly at the sun) outta use em. Sometimes sunglasses just don't cut it.