does anyone have experiences in either welders?

im a noob when it comes to this stuff.

any recommendations on either or pros and cons?

 

Can't go wrong with either one.

Only pros & cons is the color. Red or Blue...Lol

 

i figured they were both really good units.

however im concerned about power. since this will be a home application, which will use more power when in use? or does that stuff even matter ? lol

 

i like the linclon but the miller is really nice too.

 

I just bought the lincoln 225, 2 weeks ago, and am very pleased!! I like the "extras" that lincoln offers over the sync 200, such as the AC "auto balance", which actually seems to work quite well, especially as I am brand new to TIG, and it has made welding aluminum quite easy. Other small things like small storage compartments, etc are handy. Also, my Lincoln dealer got me a little "why lincoln is better" literature, which seemed to make good sense to me (things like brass body gas valves instead of plastic, etc.) Really, though they are both good welders, and my decision was made because the local Miller dealer was more expensive for the sync 200, and not as nice for me to deal with, and didnt want to answer questions and just slammed anything but his product. My Lincoln dealer is a short walk away, and much more helpful. The miller guy had too much of an attitude.
Do yourself a favour and get a full set of cups, collets, collet bodies and tungstens right away, along with filler rods. I also bought a gas lens kit, and it really made a difference.

 

thanks for your input. i really like the lincoln as well.

 

also the 225 draws less then the sync

 

Oh yeah, the Lincoln came with a plug and wall socket as well, so you can wire it in right away. You have to buy those for the miller. Also, I'm running mine on a standard 40 amp breaker, and havent popped it yet, but I also havent maxed out the amps on the welder yet (no thick aluminum welding so far)

 

Jason,

For a home application an inverter type tig will draw a lot less amps at the wall than a conventional unit. I got my Thermal Arc 185 in the other day and not only am I impressed with the carry around size of it but I am running it right off of the dryer plug It's the same price if not a bit cheaper than the Sync and 225 as well.

 

i love my sync 200, but that is a lack if info, and im too lazy to think why

 

You can't go wrong with either one, but if your local weld shop supports lincoln, get that. If they support miller, get that.

 

x2 i really like mine, hasnt let me down yet... i got it just cuase its blue, i dont like red

 

its kind of a sick deal. there really good friends of mine and are letting me pick it up for nothing and paying them when i can. but hoping to get in alot of practice and maybe starting to help local guys get there car off the ground. and pay them that way...

god knows cali needs some love with the import car count. lol

but all in all its for home use and for my personal stuff.

 

The power of blue! haha. I love my Sync 200, she even has a name In combination with the Coolmate (water cooled torch adapter kit), its the perfect welder for anything I have to do... cages, endtanks, piping, exhausts, manifolds, brackets, etc etc. Miller always has more "cool stuff " available for it too, wether its from them or aftermarket.

 

I remember being in the same boat as you awhile back. I ended up getting the sync, due to better duty cycle and a few of the other minute features which appealed to me.

 

can you explain? sorry for all the questions its either gonna be red or blue. i just want to make sure so i dont regret getting one or the other.

p.s isnt the duty cycle more for long periods of weld time like over 4 minutes straight?

if so i doubt ill be on the pedal for that long.

i think ive researched that both welders have the same after market options? or does miller have better ones?

 

its not "continuous" welding.. its just welding for ~4 min total. i was making a BBQ grill and i was running 1/4" beads on the vertical bars to finish it up and the fans kicked in and the machine stopped working for a good 6min for the first time ever. on the contrary, i made a full exhaust on my S2000 and it only kicked the fans on for a few min while i was finishing welding up the exhaust. i just let it cool down instead of continuing and having it MAKE me stop while it cools down.

i love my sync200... its no 45lb portobox, but i dont plan on taking it out of my garage any time soon.

 

i know this is a little off topic what water cooled torch kits are u guys using for the synco 200?

 

Build your own....its very easy and way cheaper.


I'll put together a DIY instruction for a home made cooler that works fantastic and will likely cost you less than $200.

 

^ pics?

 

I'll get some shortly.

 

Love to see a homebrew water cooer myself!

 

I got a sync 250 from a friend of mine. He replaced that with a dynasty 350. I am just starting to tig, but i find it easier to weld with the inverter machine opposed to my transformer machine. Although it is alot easier to start an arc with the transformer machine.

 

thanks for all your input guys! i really appreciate it.

as for the welder, im picking up the lincoln, since the local guys are supporting them.

as for water cooler, how would i be able to make one? im sure i can figure it out once i have the basics of what the torch asks for ie: pressures tank size pump, hose and fittings line etc, but id love to see some home made ones to get an idea,

id be more then glad to post a diy thread on it too when i build mine to help htr get into fabrication.

pick up the 225 lincoln on thurs.

as for as torches go, i would like to get a water cooled one off the bat but need an idea how things work. any help would be greatly appreciated.

ck ww seem to be the nice ones, anything typical i should pick up while i purchase it?

ie gas lens, cups etc.

ill be building alot of aluminum and ss work if that helps.

thanks again for all the input and help.

 

anyone?