Okay, I have made my final choice of welders narrowed down to the Miller Syncrowave 200 and the Thermal Arc TA185sw, but it seems as if the Thermal Arc is the better machine (smaller,more features), but I also know that the Miller is very reliable, and has cheaper parts for it, so I just want to know if the TA185sw has any reliability issues, or if it would be on par with the miller, because I dont mind spending more to buy the machine, if it isn't going to cost me more in the long run, and I just want a reliable machine that will last a long time. Thanks guys.

 

I have the thermal arc and I love it , I have had it for over a year now with many hours on it , small and portable dosent use as much power as a syncrowave, I got mine when they used to be about 1750 , now they are almost 2500

 

Yeah, it just seems to be the more capible and logical unit, I just didn't want to get into something that has expensive parts link Lincoln, or isn't reliable.

 

I have had my ta185 for about 7 months now and I love it. It has alot of cool features , its small takes less amps to run. I also got mine when they were only 1750 and not 2500.

 

They are $2500 now? DANG! Spending the extra for the Miller Dynasty 200 might be worth it now if you want to go inverter.

I bought my 185TSW for $1650 new with torch and regulator and it was WELL worth the purchase over the miller syncrowave. That was back in March of 2006. But if the price has gone up that much, I don't know if it would be worth it over the syncrowave for just the hobbiest and anybody looking to do a lot of welding should probably look at a bigger machine.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by B18C1CYA &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have the thermal arc and I love it , I have had it for over a year now with many hours on it , small and portable dosent use as much power as a syncrowave, I got mine when they used to be about 1750 , now they are almost 2500 </TD></TR></TABLE>

ill second that mine has a ton of hrs on it and works beautiful. inverter unit is the way to go . snyc 200 wont compare. i also got it when it was 1750 though now they are more.

 

thats stupid the price jumped so much.

 

yes I agree , but I would still buy it over the syncro 200

 

Thanks guys, I think the TA is my welder

 

I've had the TA185 for a little over a year, and I've done enough welding to go through one large sized argon tank (I can't recall the exact size; I'll have to look, but it's roughly 4.5 ft. tall). Anyway, I don't have any compliants. If I had to chose again, I'd still buy the TA.

I will say the flex head torch I bought was one of the best upgrades.

 

117 which torch do you get Im trying to find a interchangable head torch

 

anyone know where the best price is? I found a site that had them for like 1865 shipped, but I cant find it for my life now.

 

The 185 was'nt available in europe until recently. I've had an older TA tig for nearly 3 years and not a single issue. once in a while I blow the dust out of it with the airline but thats it as far as maintanence

Lee

 

thats what i like to hear

 

Well I think if found one but it is labled as the FIREPOWER, so I am not 100% sure if it is the same one.

http://www.asedeals.com/firepower_tig.html

 

looks the same , maybe it is a older nme for it and the site has not had any updating in a long time ???

 

I'd have to reccomend the Dynasty 200DX. Pretty much the same as my Maxstar only a little bigger, and it can do a lot more (weld alum ).

Just when it comes down to the complexity of the inverter's, I'd rather have a Miller. They're warranty is excellent at 3 years no questions asked.

Also, I don't think the Thermal arc will work with 120V input. Where as the Dynasty can weld up to 150amps all day long on a 15amp breaker (I've tested this with my maxstar).

 

just a lil out of my price range, but that does look like a great machine though.

 

Thats why I got the maxstar...lol.

 

The Maxstar doesn't compare to the Thermal Arc. The thermal arc has a 3 year warranty too.

 

i had a Ta185 since february. back when it cost 16xx. and it was stilled called pro-wave. now its arc-master i believe.

and a few months ago the AC function stoped working(i do alot of aluminum welding), and thankfully got it repaired all under warranty.

it took 2 weeks for the guys to get it back to me, but everything has been fine since. they replaced the board and some other parts. i didnt have to pay a dime of it.

you can read more of it here.

http://www.hobartwelders.com/m...21388

i dont have any regrets of its purchase.

 

The A/C wave shaping is sweet also on it , with a full featured pulser

 

your a no-talent fucktard, your opinion means nothing

 

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I bought a CK90 flex head torch from http://www.tigdepot.com. It's a small air cooled torch, so you can't use it for thick material, but I've used it up to 3/16" steel material. The torch did get hot after a bit, though.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BB6-213 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">anyone know where the best price is? I found a site that had them for like 1865 shipped, but I cant find it for my life now.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I bought mine from IOC for around $1600, but it looks like they're not carrying it anymore.