Which Tig Welder should I buy ?

[SteelArt]

Ok I have decided to upgrade my current Miller Dia Arc CY50 AC/DC Tig to a newer model with pulse.

Just thought I would if anyone could suggest a good model to by.

Only real rule I have is that I do not buy Chinese ...

The two leading options at the moment are:

Miller Dynasty 200 DX

Kemppi MaterTig 2300 ACX Pulse Panel

Any comments ?

[shanfab]

single or 3 Phase ? .
Miller make some great machines . havn't used their pulse modles alot , but I used a 350A syncrowave for 10 years and it proved a very reliable and simple welder .
I'm not a big believer in using pulse while tig welding . I wouldn't spend alot extra to get it as a feature . ( just my 2c )

Good luck
\

[SteelArt]

I have single and three phase so don't care either way.

Why no pulse while tig ? I would have though that being able to vary the pulse from the old square wave days would have meant you could get a more concerntrated arc and better control penertration / oxide break up ?

[bru21]

mate I love my unitig 200. For the small sum of only $1698 it goes hard - they are cheaper now too. Come have a play if you like. I was looking at 5k machines and couldn't see the point in spending more.

https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Produ ... kCode=W174

cheers bru

[rowenb]

I like my kemppi 2300 mls but i did pay nearly $5000 for it. Been told the miller dynasty is very good but like bru21 said the unitigs do a nice ally weld but i like quality not just in the weld but in the machine and hand set as well. I hate cheap nasty torches that get red hot when ally welding and have to be replaced more often because of it. Lincoln is always worth a look as well.

[Harb]

I have had Millers , Lincons etc etc ( still got most of them)..... my newest welder is a Cebora Art 352

They are italian built, and not really the cheapest brand..... mine is the second biggest they make and came in at about $16k....but you get what you pay for....

Its 100% duty cycle at 310 amps !!

Its just the best TIG I have ever used, and after about an hour or 2 I got used to the Binzel hand amptrol and remote control torch , and would never go back to a foot pedal again....... although you can if you prefer to.
You get full control of the welder all at the torch....just fantastic.
Comes complete with water cooling and synergic setup, so even if you have some weird metal to weld, it will program itself for a perfect weld each time.
It has so many Pulse setups that I am sure you could weld a banana to gum tree....... so if you like really pretty looking welds , Pulse is the go, and although you can get a similar look using the pedal....pulse makes is sooooooo easy to do, and welding really thin material is a breeze.

cant speak highly enough about these welders, truly makes welding a pleasure

http://www.cebora.it/ing/indexp.htm

[SteelArt]

mate I love my unitig 200. For the small sum of only $1698 it goes hard - they are cheaper now too. Come have a play if you like. I was looking at 5k machines and couldn't see the point in spending more.

https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Produ ... kCode=W174

cheers bru

Wow they are cheap ... didn't see a cooler option but I did see some of the welding you were pimping on your buggy before you changes tracks, something to consider.

[brendo4b]

Hey guys im pretty new to tig welding and i bought a cheap ac/dc boswell tig welder off ebay just wondering if anyone has heard of these and if they are any good just for simple stuff around home like intercooler piping and basic stuff and if anyone around the penrith area i would supply some beers if you want to come round and show me how to operate it properly cheers guys

[SteelArt]

I have had Millers , Lincons etc etc ( still got most of them)..... my newest welder is a Cebora Art 352

They are italian built, and not really the cheapest brand..... mine is the second biggest they make and came in at about $16k....but you get what you pay for....

Its 100% duty cycle at 310 amps !!

Its just the best TIG I have ever used, and after about an hour or 2 I got used to the Binzel hand amptrol and remote control torch , and would never go back to a foot pedal again....... although you can if you prefer to.
You get full control of the welder all at the torch....just fantastic.
Comes complete with water cooling and synergic setup, so even if you have some weird metal to weld, it will program itself for a perfect weld each time.
It has so many Pulse setups that I am sure you could weld a banana to gum tree....... so if you like really pretty looking welds , Pulse is the go, and although you can get a similar look using the pedal....pulse makes is sooooooo easy to do, and welding really thin material is a breeze.

cant speak highly enough about these welders, truly makes welding a pleasure

http://www.cebora.it/ing/indexp.htm

Harb,
What can I say, you are a man after my own heart, big ass shed (must be finished by now) top of the range tools in every department and now a Tig welder which cost more than my Bridgeport CNC Mill.

At that $$$ though I am gunna have to just live with Tig Envy.

Thanks for the input guys, whatever I get will be water / fluid cooled as I like welding alloy and getting a stuffed hot torch isn't an option.

One a high note if anyone wants a Miller Dial Arc with water cooler etc I will have one up for sale soon, just going to get it serviced and inspected first so I can sell it with a clean bill of health.

[Harb]

No worries mate......

Hey what sort of bridgeport do you have ?

what sort of Cad , Cad programming are you using?

I am still learning about CNC Programming....G Code etc........

I have a couple of J head Bridgports both manual operation and a Interact mk2 CNC mill..... gota love those bridgeports.....

Hope you find a tig that suits mate........ there sure is a lot to choose from these days.

[SteelArt]

No worries mate......

Hey what sort of bridgeport do you have ?

what sort of Cad , Cad programming are you using?

I am still learning about CNC Programming....G Code etc........

I have a couple of J head Bridgports both manual operation and a Interact mk2 CNC mill..... gota love those bridgeports.....

Hope you find a tig that suits mate........ there sure is a lot to choose from these days.

I have a token CNC it is an EZ-Trak



The best thing about the EZ Trak is the learn mode where I can mill a part and it watched then you can save it and it does it again on its own any time you want. Also makes milling easy stuff even easier with PCD programes etc on the screen.

[Harb]

Nice........ I was thinking about going down that same path and then the interact came along.....doing an ezy trak conversion that is
looks like a good setup..... I might still do that conversion as a mater of it being an interesting project.......might have to rack your brain when I do.

harb

[SteelArt]

Nice........ I was thinking about going down that same path and then the interact came along.....doing an ezy trak conversion that is
looks like a good setup..... I might still do that conversion as a mater of it being an interesting project.......might have to rack your brain when I do.

harb

No probs I got all the manuals, software and training stuff with it as well.

I think with what is out there now there are some better solutions. I am using a few software applications to feed my Torchamate and although only 2D it is much easier to use if you can just draw and cut.

The EZ-Trak does take inputs but it is limited to something stupid like 300kb

[Harb]

now thats interesting...you have a torchmate.....

what do you think of it...I was wondering about getting one.

which one did you get and did you import it yourself?

[SteelArt]

now thats interesting...you have a torchmate.....

what do you think of it...I was wondering about getting one.

which one did you get and did you import it yourself?

I have a Torchmate 1 in theory. But I have it on a 2500 x 1500 table with Linear Rails with the water table seperated from the main rig and a Height control on the Z axis, running a Cutmaster 20 with interface board.

I have found it to be very cool.

I sort of imported it ..... if that is what you call bringing it back in my suitcase.

If you do get one get the Height Control and upsize the gear racks. I also wouldn't waste your time with the cam bearings .. then again looking at you other toys I very much doubt you were going to, linear rails all the way .....

[bru21]

mate I love my unitig 200. For the small sum of only $1698 it goes hard - they are cheaper now too. Come have a play if you like. I was looking at 5k machines and couldn't see the point in spending more.

https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Produ ... kCode=W174

cheers bru

Wow they are cheap ... didn't see a cooler option but I did see some of the welding you were pimping on your buggy before you changes tracks, something to consider.

I went to see some serious alloy rotormoulds being fabbed from 700kg castings. 8m long molds. Used unitig 300 odd with unitig seperate cooler.
Welds looked nice to

[SteelArt]

Coming to the end of the FY I needed to spend some $$$ to stop KRUDD getting to much of it so have decided to upgrade my Tig to a Pulse Unit.

Well new tig is ordered and it is a nice shade of orange ....

Old Tig for sale - http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/sutra1898175.php#1898175

[Harb]

Went the Kempi eh

should be a good machine, which model did you decide on?

[benji.]

where did you buy from mate ????

[awill4x4]

Yep good choice, here's mine.
I'd like to get the water cooler at some stage though and the foot pedal is nice to use as well. (My mate has both these options)
Regards Andrew.

[awill4x4]

I have had Millers , Lincons etc etc ( still got most of them)..... my newest welder is a Cebora Art 352

Harb, I looked through your link but couldn't find info on your particular machine. There was a single phase unit that looked similar (Tri Star Mig 1635/M) but reading the literature it's a multi function Mig/Tig but Tig is in DC only so no AC welding for Aluminium.
Regards Andrew.

[AFeral]

Yep good choice, here's mine.
I'd like to get the water cooler at some stage though and the foot pedal is nice to use as well. (My mate has both these options)
Regards Andrew.

I have the same TIG at home and another for work, awsome machine.
You will enjoy, takes a while to get your head around the settings after that great.

[Harb]

I have had Millers , Lincons etc etc ( still got most of them)..... my newest welder is a Cebora Art 352

Harb, I looked through your link but couldn't find info on your particular machine. There was a single phase unit that looked similar (Tri Star Mig 1635/M) but reading the literature it's a multi function Mig/Tig but Tig is in DC only so no AC welding for Aluminium.
Regards Andrew.

yeah they sure make better welders than websites !!!

its all up in the top left corner......

press "in the catalog".....then the drop down menu and pick TIG.....

then AC/DC..... then look down the list for ART 352.......

Mine is a 3 Phase 330 amp machine TIG only.

There is also some download cats that have more info.....

cheers

[Harb]

Yep good choice, here's mine.
I'd like to get the water cooler at some stage though and the foot pedal is nice to use as well. (My mate has both these options)
Regards Andrew.

I have the same TIG at home and another for work, awsome machine.
You will enjoy, takes a while to get your head around the settings after that great.

Yeah you get used to the layers of menu's pretty quick....gotta love synergy, when you are in a hurry...its great...
My Mig is the same basically as far as the menu's are concerned..... layers and layers..
There is a LCD screen under the rubber flap on the power source...although you can go into full manual mode if you are old school...

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[awill4x4]

Harb, a couple of questions if I may.
I've downloaded the tech literature as I'm a real welding geek and I just can't resist seeing what features manufacturers put in their machines.
What AC Hertz frequency does the machine go up to? As an example my Kemppi goes up to around 250 Hz from memory and my mates Miller Dynasty 350 goes up to 400 Hz.
Also maximum pulse frequency in DC? Again the Kemppi 250-300 pulses per second (pps) and my mates Dynasty 5000 pps (it really howls on that setting).
I've used and tried a lot of Tigs and my mates Dynasty 350 is the best machine I've ever used, it beat a 450 amp mega buck Fronius (we were lent to see how it went) hands down in our opinion.
It's so good he's thinking of getting their biggest beast the the 700 amp version.
Regards Andrew.

[Harb]

I'm at work tonight andrew, but I will go and see what the maximums are soon as I get home and report back..........

[Harb]

Pulse Freq is goes to 500hz In DC from mem......

[Harb]

from the specs the ac is from 50 to 100hz, which is what I use it at

One thing it can do which I believe is different to most welders is to chose different mixed waveforms.... half sine half square or any combination of either or both......really changes the stability of the arc and penetration..........

I was really keen on the dynasty as well, but I demo'd them both at the same time and could not pick them apart on aluminium which is what I do mostly, and the Miller was dearer and had a 6 week wait to get one over here, and they offered me the cebora for 2 grand off, so it was only 14k..... so I signed up

[SteelArt]

Yep good choice, here's mine.
I'd like to get the water cooler at some stage though and the foot pedal is nice to use as well. (My mate has both these options)
Regards Andrew.

Sweet good to hear a welding geek like yourself picked the same welder I ended up settling on. I went with the water cooler and foot control got a better deal up front than what I would have gotten later.

[awill4x4]

Sweet good to hear a welding geek like yourself picked the same welder I ended up settling on. I went with the water cooler and foot control got a better deal up front than what I would have gotten later.

You're in for quite a steep but very interesting learning curve SteelArt. Coming from an older transformer machine the array of options particularly in the various AC waveforms will seem confusing at 1st. but once you get your head around what a particular function does, it really opens your eyes as to just how good the inverter welders are.
Don't get me wrong, you'll max out your amps every now and then and wish for the sheer grunt of your old machine but on smaller sections it will blow the transformer machines out of the water.
For me the most important functions in AC welding are the AC hertz frequency and the AC balance. By changing these 2 settings you radically change what you can weld and its appearance.
If you want any pointers please ask, I'm only too happy to let you know some of the settings I use.
Regards Andrew.