I have these two in mind. I am leaning twords the Lincoln Precision TIG 185 for its pulsar feature. I have read that it is pretty nice to have and helps with creating a nice weld.

If there is and reason why I should not get this one please point that out. Is there something better out there for that price range? Is the 180 SD better in any way?

I am looking for peoples opinions on these two. I have read and searched so please don't tell me to....

Lincoln Precision TIG 185


Miller Syncrowave 180 SD

 

We have the Lincoln at work. Its definately a nice machine...for the price its feature are pretty good. It claims a broader range (-5 amps down low and +5 up top) over the Miller but I dont think thats ever really come into play in the past year of daily use. My biggest gripe is that damn amperage ****. I can be a pain in the ***** if you turn it to fast it freaks out...at least ours does (scratches head)

My MIG is a Miller and its build quality is way nicer than similar Lincolns...I havent been able to compare the TIGs side by side though. Im a bit of a Miller fan but the Lincoln hasnt let me down yet......oh and I never use the pulser either so its kind of wasted option IMO, at least for me.

 

I own the miller 180SD, and could not be happier with it, have had no issues, And you can turn the amp **** as fast as you want with no issues!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by k20 jon &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">....oh and I never use the pulser either so its kind of wasted option IMO, at least for me.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Why not use the pulser feature?

 

I have the Miller 180 sd. I've never used a pusler tig in my life. In fact I wouldn't even know what to do with it lol. I've had lincoln migs before though.I much prefer the quality of the Miller products.

 

Hate to say it, as I hate to hear it myself when I post up a thread with a question, but do a search. This exact question was asked not to long ago, maybe a month...and if I remember correctly, most voted for the blue machine, which is my opinion also. The big thing you will hear about is customer support...Lincoln=WORST EVER, Miller= BEST EVER, so you decide what you want to go through when/if something happens to your machine...
Kyle

 

My Lincoln TIG has NEVER given me and problems.. but then agian neither has my Miller MIG!

 

i've been researching for a entry level tig machine for over a year now. and still havn't bought one yet.

i narrow it down to the thermalarc pro-wave 185TSW. it's a inverter machine. all digital, small compact, adjustable preflow and postflow all in digital perameters. adjustable pulser.

the only thing it lacks from the Lincoln is the patented Microstart, but i really dont know if thats a needed feature. people have been tig welding for years without it.

for its price the lincoln precision tig 185 interface is poor. the **** controls are all number dials, no digital readouts.

i dont know much about the miller sd180. i just eliminated it because. it seems a little dated.




Modified by LamRacing at 2:18 PM 9/18/2005

 

Now I, on the other hand, had been leaning twords the 180SD because of the reliability and service that Miller provides. I don't know if I need the pulser feature. If there is anyone out there that has used it..... is it really worth it? Does it help your work at all? I know that you can do the same with your foot, but is it easier at all.

 

i never used the pulser before.

but i think it will be vaulable to use if want to keep material warpage to a minimum. but then again the heat pulsing could actualy be the cause for warpage haha. someone correct me, please.

 

So does anyone know about Thermaldyne and their customer service? It seems as though they have a pretty decent machine that is mentioned and shown above. Some feedback on this brand would be appreciated....

 

go with the miller.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by L-CON1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">go with the miller. </TD></TR></TABLE>

No backing support.... Please explain yourself as to why.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tepid1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

No backing support.... Please explain yourself as to why.</TD></TR></TABLE>
because i have always had good luck with miller. i have owned 6 and i have never had one fail on me.
i cant say anymore than this for i dont have any exp. with lincoln welders but you can read this.
https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1289004

 

I am really happy with the Miller I just bought.

I'm no expert yet, but I don't quite like the pulse feature yet. I'm still trying to perfect my own hand foot control. I am sure I'll like the pulser when I get better though.

I bought the machine I did because it is for myself and my business. We work with aluminum, so the dynasty 200DX has alot of extra features which come in handy for aluminum.

If I were just getting a garage machine I would get the 180sd.

 

Thanks for everyone replying with good info. It looks like you all really like Miller and the machines.... Still nobody with experience on the thermal arc????

 

i have used a friends thermal arc 185tsw before. and it was easy to use.

it was my first time with tig welding. and its the only tig welder i've ever used so i can't compare it to others on the market.

but there are a few guys on http://www.fab-forum.com and here on honda-tech that own it. so hopefully they will chime in.

 

I bought a 180SD about two months ago and could not be more happy with it. It is a very nice machine and even with no TIG experience I found it easy to use after some basic instruction from a local welder. This is by no means a "portable" welder, as its pretty big and heavy, but I got it with the runner package so its easy to roll around.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 2kjettaguy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I bought the machine I did because it is for myself and my business. We work with aluminum, so the dynasty 200DX <U></U>has alot of extra features which come in handy for aluminum.

If I were just getting a garage machine I would get the 180sd. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I've been to an open house at my local welding depot and I saw the Dynasty 200 DX being demonstrated. Bad a$$ machine!! But at $3000 it's not too far from reach. The pulsing feature works really well on stainless! I bought the 180SD back in June and it's great. I went with the Miller because of the reliability of their products. I also have (4) 250 migs over 10yrs and never had a problem with any of them. I bought a Lincoln PowerMig 300 3ys ago and it had to be reprogrammed once. I also didn't like the "touch-start" feature on the Lincoln. I use it primarily as a mig and ocasionally as a tig.

 

Thanks for the input guys. I really appreciate it.