Plasma and Tig

[bradley59dzl]

I will be purchasing both in the next few months. They will be used on a weekly/monthly basis but hope to be using them daily. Just recently sold my Thermal Dynamics 150 due to it being 3 phase,bulky and more machine then I'd ever need. Would like to be able to cut continuous 1/2. What are your guys thoughts?

[Schrowang]

Look at lincoln electric, that's pretty much top of the line. Razor welding is the new guy on the block when it comes to tig machines, i ran one of their small machines at Fabtech this year. It had a few things i didn't like but the price was right. Their torches have a weird dial and a arc start/stop button. I prefer ones with a pedal, and you get what you pay for.

[SINNER]

Thermal Dynamics for the plasma and Miller for the TIG.

[9724VF350]

We've got a Thermal Dynamics 102 and it seems great, though I haven't run many other machines to compare to.

Local guy here has a comparably sized Hypertherm on a 4x4 table and cut consistency has a bit to be desired.

[bradley59dzl]

I kinda thought Miller on the tig myself. Are water-cooled torches a must? Any prefer Thermal or Hypertherm (those were my two choices since my thermal 150xl was a top notch machine) and why?

[bradley59dzl]

Originally Posted by Schrowang

Look at lincoln electric, that's pretty much top of the line. Razor welding is the new guy on the block when it comes to tig machines, i ran one of their small machines at Fabtech this year. It had a few things i didn't like but the price was right. Their torches have a weird dial and a arc start/stop button. I prefer ones with a pedal, and you get what you pay for.

I guess haven't really looked into Lincoln. The only one I have used was a Precision 225 and didn't care for it much.

[Schrowang]

Originally Posted by bradley59dzl

I kinda thought Miller on the tig myself. Are water-cooled torches a must? Any prefer Thermal or Hypertherm (those were my two choices since my thermal 150xl was a top notch machine) and why?

First off what are you using the tig for and how often. Water cooled may be overkill.

[srt cummins]

I bought the miller 625 extreme plasma and it works great I use it to cut junk metal from the oil field.

[jgsturbo]

Used thermal dynamics, ESAB (run!) and just got a hypertherm...

Hypertherm all the way if you want to spend $$$$ on a quality machine.

If not something like the longevity cut40D are the better cheap machines.

[kjpcummins]

For a tig take a look at htp 221 or one of their smaller units. More features, amps, better duty cycle and cheaper than and equal size miller.

[gammey4]

Originally Posted by kjpcummins

For a tig take a look at htp 221 or one of their smaller units. More features, amps, better duty cycle and cheaper than and equal size miller.

That htp 221 is a very nice machine. Don't forget about the thermal arc 185/186's. I've got a arcmaster 300 ac/dc, esab plasma, and a hobart handler mig. No complaints with any of them.

[SINNER]

For my home set up I have a Miller Syncrowave 350 with the Miller cooler and a Weldcraft water cooled torch. I will not weld with a air cooled torch anymore. Just get too hot. Don't cheap out on the hoses if you go water cooled. Get the flexible braided hoses not the stiff vinyl ones. One of the best welding machines I have ever used. I have a handful of Dynasty's I purchased for my crews to use in the field and while I appreciate their size the inverter machines can not hold up to a good transformer driven TIG.

I used to use Hypertherm plasma cutters but the last few I purchased (Powermax 45's and a 85.) had issues with the diagnostics reporting errors that did not exist. Lower air pressure and line voltage warnings that just were not accurate. Pretty sad to be dragging out a old Thermal Dynamics PAK3 to finish a job $8k worth of machines less than a year old failed to complete. The TD Cutmaster 82 is the nicest Plasma machine I have ever used.

[bradley59dzl]

Originally Posted by Schrowang

First off what are you using the tig for and how often. Water cooled may be overkill.

Dom tubing, 1/8-1/4 Alum. sheet. Hoping to be used weekly if not daily.

[bradley59dzl]

Originally Posted by jgsturbo

Used thermal dynamics, ESAB (run!) and just got a hypertherm...

Hypertherm all the way if you want to spend $$$$ on a quality machine.

If not something like the longevity cut40D are the better cheap machines.

Not to concerned with price due to what I sold my Thermal 150xl for. That was a 8k machine when bought new.

[RonA]

I've got a Hypertherm Powermax 45, Syncrowave 250, Lincoln 225 wire feed, and Lincoln SP175 wire feed. I like em all, but 250 is a bit on the light side for doing Aluminum. Thin is ok, but as you get over 1/8" thick , it starts really sucking up the heat. Water cooled torch is a must.

[Ghostman]

Originally Posted by bradley59dzl

Dom tubing, 1/8-1/4 Alum. sheet. Hoping to be used weekly if not daily.

I have a Miller Diversion 165. It's a decent "hobbyist" or garage TIG machine. I can weld 1/4" mild or stainless, but don't really want to try to weld any thicker than 1/8" aluminum or the torch gets really hot and you'll eventually overheat it. I wish mine was a water-cooled torch, and I wish I had gone with a bigger machine. It does weld good IMO though, and is small and handy. I can throw it in the bed of truck and take it to neighbors house if need be with ease.

[GOT-Torque]

My new Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 82 should be here tomorrow, can't wait to try it out. Rated at cutting 3/4".

[getblown5.9]

I want to teach myself/learn how to TIG weld, but I can't bring myself to spend almost $2k on a machine to practice with not knowing if I will get much use out of it.

[dixon700]

I have a hypertherm power max 45 and love it. Used thermal dynamics and an older hypertherm that were a little smaller and I prefer mine. Mine is under rated and works great. 1/2 anything is like a hot knife through butter. Only tig I've used was I think a synchro wave 175 lincoln. Maybe be wrong, but I liked the way it welded, but I never welded heavy aluminum.

[oldblue116]

Originally Posted by Ghostman

I have a Miller Diversion 165. It's a decent "hobbyist" or garage TIG machine. I can weld 1/4" mild or stainless, but don't really want to try to weld any thicker than 1/8" aluminum or the torch gets really hot and you'll eventually overheat it. I wish mine was a water-cooled torch, and I wish I had gone with a bigger machine. It does weld good IMO though, and is small and handy. I can throw it in the bed of truck and take it to neighbors house if need be with ease.

What did you pay for that machine?