[JTEK]

Hi All,
I searched the forum but couldn't find anything pertianing to my situation. Please delete if not allowed here.

I am thinking about buying a new Miller Dynasty 280dx as my first TIG(GTAW) welder. I have also considered the Synchrowave but would like to expand my operation to allow for mobility. The synchrowave 250 is quite heavy in my opinion this is why I am leaning towards the 280dx.
I am new to TIG welding and would like to know if this is a good machine to start out on? Will the controls be too much for a beginner to learn? Should I look for a cheaper machine? Just looking for advice. My budget is about $8,000.00 so this is within my range if I buy this from Cyberweld.com ( http://store.cyberweld.com/midy280ti901.html ) I will be buying the torch, pedal and accessories as a separte purchase.

[Farmwelding]

What kind of work do you plan on doing. Are you doing a lot of welding that may require pulse. If so is this pulse needed very frequent. If you are doing a lot of pulse work then the dyansty. If you are looking for a very portable machine, then the dyansty. You may want to watch some videos about the syncrowave because sometimes the arcs are very different on an inverter than a tranformer. Also the dyansty will have a smaller electrical footprint due to it being an inverter. So based on this I would go with the dynasty. If you are going to need a lot of control of your arc then it is a definite must for accuracy.But 8,000 dollars is a lot of cash. I mean if I was you and did not have any one controlling my money (wife,etc.) then I would pick up a dynasty 400 for the heck of it but I guess you really dont need that and if we all had a little more money wed buy a dyansty 700 and a pipeworx just to say we did and to weld with 700 amps on aluminum or 400 amps on Mig/Mag with 100% duty cycle.

[MosquitoMoto]

Yeah, as Farmer mentioned, some context would help. You mention expanding 'your operation' and that, together with what you are considering spending, seems to point to you being a commercial fabricator? Educated guess.

For portability, power efficiency and flexibility I'd be leaning towards the Dynasty 280 DX. I don't believe the controls would be too much for a beginner - you start out with the basics and just delve into the complex stuff as you get comfortable.

Good luck with this...either way it's a big purchase.

[exnailpounder]

They are both great welders but....the Syncrowave needs like a 50 amp or better breaker, it eats electricity like you wouldn't believe and it weighs a ton. I had a 200 and it had to go because of the power consumption. The Dynesty is alot more portable , doesn't need the amperage to run and won't put you in the poor house with electrical costs. I have an inverter now and IMO I won't say the inverter is a better welder than a transformer, it's different...in a good way.

[Skylineauto]

I have owned both machines and can say the Synchrowave is great solid unit to start out with and will give you room to grow. If your looking at something portable and depending on your requirements the 280 might not be the best choice. depending on what materials you're welding you may need the output buy might have to sacrifice the water cooled torch. The dynasty is better unit when it comes to doing aluminium. The menu is straight forward but there are things you can change that will affect your welding that might lead to a time consuming troubleshooting to figure out whats wrong. If youre doing a pile of mobile aluminium repair then go with the dynasty.

[LtBadd]

Welcome JTEK
As others have said some more information is needed, however since your looking at the TIG runner package then you'll also be buying a water cooled torch, and a air cooled torch for portable work (?) The Dynasty is defiantly the best TIG machine available at this time and would serve you well for many years

As far as the advanced controls, you don't have to use them until you've gotten the basics down.

Tell us more about your shop and the reason for the TIG machine purchase.

[JTEK]

Thanks for the quick replies. I will mainly be doing shop work on custom aluminun/steel hand rails. All of my work so far has been with the multimatic 200 on dc tig so the addition of welding on AC will be great. I am considering this machine for two reasons 1) this would increase my duty cycle(so more time welding and less time spent waiting and 2) this would also be another portable machine but I will have AC/DC capability and be able to weld with 110v power. My plan is to start with a water cooled CK Torch(benchwork) and then use my currrent torch that was included with the multimatic for my offsite welding repairs. With this new machine I plan to get into repairing friends aluminum boats as another source of income.
Plan so far:
Buy Tigrunner form Cyberweld
Buy the following from amazon.com or onther source.
CK Worldwide SLWHAT-35 Water Cooled Safe Loc, Black
CK 225HCLV Hose Cover 22' Leather w/ Velcro (3-3/4")
SSC Controls C810-1425 TIG Welding Foot Control Pedal, 14-Pin Plug, 25-ft Cable (is the wireless option from Miller worth the money???)
CK CK20-25SF FX Torch Pkg 250A 25' Flex. 3 pc SuperFlex
Thanks for the help

[Farmwelding]

Based on that information I would definitely go with the dynasty. The portability and the AC control will be exactly what you need for doing handrails. Well wish I had the balls to spend that kind of money on a machine. Good luck and happy welding hope this helped.

[Skylineauto]

Thanks for the quick replies. I will mainly be doing shop work on custom aluminun/steel hand rails. All of my work so far has been with the multimatic 200 on dc tig so the addition of welding on AC will be great. I am considering this machine for two reasons 1) this would increase my duty cycle(so more time welding and less time spent waiting and 2) this would also be another portable machine but I will have AC/DC capability and be able to weld with 110v power. My plan is to start with a water cooled CK Torch(benchwork) and then use my currrent torch that was included with the multimatic for my offsite welding repairs. With this new machine I plan to get into repairing friends aluminum boats as another source of income.

Just checked my manual on the 280 DX and online and it doesn't use 120V for an input voltage. The 210 DX does. Based on what you have described for aluminum work have you considered a Mig set up?

[cj737]

The 280 doesn't run on 120. With the budget you have expressed, you can not go wrong with the Dynasty. If you do need the ability to run on 120, then you'll have to drop to the Dynasty 210DX. Same features, less heat and duty than the 280.

[JTEK]

The 280 doesn't run on 120. With the budget you have expressed, you can not go wrong with the Dynasty. If you do need the ability to run on 120, then you'll have to drop to the Dynasty 210DX. Same features, less heat and duty than the 280.

Thank you for pointing that out. I was mistaken by looking at the 210 while posting. I have not considered a MIG set up for my work. Being somewhat new to welding, its hard to make the right choice when purchasing a new welder. I am not familiar with MIG welding aluminum. Is this easier and cheaper than TIG welding al?

[JTEK]

Thanks for all the help so far. My local welding supply isn't much help as they still order over the phone and are not online. I have been reviewing other threads and a new question popped into my head. For starters I'm not particular to one brand or another the infamous Red/Blue discussion can be found elsewhere . But I think it would be unfair if Lincoln Electric Aspect 375 wasn't compared for the sake of information for new or beginner welders who are unsure what to purchase. What are your thoughts on the Miller Dynasty 280 DX vs Lincoln Electric Aspect 375?? The Lincoln in my opinion has a much fairer price with similar capabilities. I've included the link to Lincoln's view albeit a biased one. http://www.lincolnelectric.com/assets/g ... mc1554.pdf
All of your help is much appreciated.

[cj737]

Thank you for pointing that out. I was mistaken by looking at the 210 while posting. I have not considered a MIG set up for my work. Being somewhat new to welding, its hard to make the right choice when purchasing a new welder. I am not familiar with MIG welding aluminum. Is this easier and cheaper than TIG welding al?

MIG welding aluminum is much easier than TIG welding aluminum. Both have their advantages, both have their disadvantages. To say "pick one" wold entirely depend upon what you would primarily use the machine for.

It is my opinion that if you are seriously undertaking welding as a hobbyist, light trade, full time, then your best choice is to buy the best machine you can afford the first time. Some might argue this, but my experience has been you can outgrow a machine faster than you can afford a new one. Sure, you can sell the other, but you lose money immediately.

I have a Dynasty 200 (older model) and would love to have the 280. When mine dies (its 12 years old and still kicking) I will get the 280. But I also have a MIG machine, a spool gun, and a multiprocess box. So, if I were you, I'd buy the 280 then add a MIG box later. Cheaper to do, and easier to manage.

The Dynasty is a helluva TIG and its an outstanding Stick box (seldom discussed). So if you need Stick capabilities, you'll be hard pressed to beat that box. And its portable. you just need 220v and up. It should have all your immediate requirements covered.

[Skylineauto]

Thanks for all the help so far. My local welding supply isn't much help as they still order over the phone and are not online. I have been reviewing other threads and a new question popped into my head. For starters I'm not particular to one brand or another the infamous Red/Blue discussion can be found elsewhere . But I think it would be unfair if Lincoln Electric Aspect 375 wasn't compared for the sake of information for new or beginner welders who are unsure what to purchase. What are your thoughts on the Miller Dynasty 280 DX vs Lincoln Electric Aspect 375?? The Lincoln in my opinion has a much fairer price with similar capabilities. I've included the link to Lincoln's view albeit a biased one. http://www.lincolnelectric.com/assets/g ... mc1554.pdf
All of your help is much appreciated.

When I was in the market for a new machine the Lincoln area sales guy came by my shop to talk about their welders. Bottom line is he said go with the Miller over the Aspect. He said Miller makes a better machine. Also with the aspect you only get 240 amps of welding at 40% duty cycle unless you're hooked into 3 phase power.

I know from reading that doing hand rails you're looking at most of your time will be spent making the joints look good. So you can spend more time tig welding the joints and less time finishing them, or you can spend less time mig welding the joints and more time making them look good. For pure speed of welding nothing beets a mig welder. Even with aluminum you can get the welding procedure just right and start knocking out awesome welds with minimal clean up.

[JTEK]

Again you guys have been a big help. You have helped sway my decision to the Dynasty 280DX, once I get the machine set up I will post pictures(My garage is currently having the electrical service upgraded to circuit breakers instead of fuses...finally ). I hope this thread will provide benefit to others who may fall in a similar situation. I know I will be spending quite a bit of money for this machine but as cj737 explained I want to have a machine that I can grow into, even if it means coughing up a bit more cash at the beginning. Skylineauto thanks for your input on the duty cycle on 1 phase power that will definitely make a big difference in production speed and yes as you mentioned it is the look of the weld that the customer is after, which is why I chose TIG.

[cj737]

I don't know where you live, but I buy my machines from www.weldingsuppliesfromioc.com (Indiana Oxygen). Prices are as good as anywhere, rebates are yours, and delivery is super prompt. Their Customer Service is pretty darn good too if you have any issues.