I just bought a Miller synchrowave 180 SD to play around with.
I don't know much about TIG welders. I was told this is a good unit but I have no frame of reference. What would be a good torch to replace the foot operated one with? I don't like the foot switch, not enough control. Also what would be a good set up regarding cup sizes, what sizes are the most used?
Lots of Q's sorry.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by The new Spaceballs &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I just bought a Miller synchrowave 180 SD to play around with.
I don't know much about TIG welders. I was told this is a good unit but I have no frame of reference. What would be a good torch to replace the foot operated one with? I don't like the foot switch, not enough control. Also what would be a good set up regarding cup sizes, what sizes are the most used?
Lots of Q's sorry.</TD></TR></TABLE>


the miller syncrowave is a nice welder i got one myself so far ive had many uses for it and put it to use everyday, the foot ocntrol i thikn is great, some people tried the finger control adn dontl ike it. i use a 3/32nd tungsten since i weld thicker metals all the time and use a #7 cup. get a miller tig calculator and use that to figure out what you need.

 

i own a 180sd... and i recently went to welding school and played with ALL the lincoln stuff. I'd still buy the 180sd anyday.

the foot control works fine... its a matter of practice, if you really need it though like for welding a cage up they make a fingertip control... frankly i htink its harder to use though.

 

Thats the one I was looking at to get, but Im really not liking the 40% Duty cycle.

Rich

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SJcivic &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> but Im really not liking the 40% Duty cycle.

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elaborate please...

 

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

elaborate please...</TD></TR></TABLE>

A duty cycle is how long the welder can be on in a 10 minute increment. 40% means is can be on for 4 of 10 minutes.

I personally have never welded longer than 4 minutes in a single pass. I also think you get way more control w/ a foot pedal, tigging requires too much upper body activity to have to worry about your arc setting. It's much easier to use the foot pedal. I've noticed when learning it works better to place the middle of your foot over the pivot point of the pedal. Hope this helps.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Bishop4G &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">A duty cycle is how long the welder can be on in a 10 minute increment. 40% means is can be on for 4 of 10 minutes.
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got it , didnt know the time frame used , thanks.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Bishop4G &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I also think you get way more control w/ a foot pedal</TD></TR></TABLE>

me too , the finger control is something I'd like to try for some firewall plates and hardcore under the dash stuff , but normally on half the cages I do I spend most of my time working the pedal with my knee....upside down...unable to see....

 

heheh the 40% dutycyle is bullshit though, unless yoru doing production work or a lot of really high amperage stuff.

the lincolns at school were 40% as well... and i'd sit there, line up two huge stacks of coupons and weld for like 45 minutes straight. Never a problem.

my miller at home... I welded up a whole full-race style manifold before the fan even kicked on.

also any welder thats not totally cheesy has an overheat protection circuit anyways... its its too hot it won't let you weld anymore.

 

When I was debating what welder to get, it was down to the miller 180 and the new lincoln precision tig 185. I went with the 185 because I got it for cheaper then the miller, through an amazing deal, and I think its great. But if I had to pay full price for it, I probably would have went with the 180.

and ya, the duty cycles don't mean much, unless you're pushing the limit of what the machine can do. I really don't see myself ever going past 150 amps, so I don't really worry about the duty cycle. besides, who can weld even 4 out of 10 minutes straight? I spend 90% of my time fitting and measuring!

 

Duty cycle is the sheer reason I bought a Miller 251 over the 210...

If they extra 20% duty cycle saves time for me in one instance, then Im happy.

Rich