Welding Tips and Tricks

I'm looking to purchase my first welder for at home/side jobs. I currently weld for work and use a watercooled miller syncrowave 250.

reason i am asking about this welder is because my uncle has one in his shop barely used that he said he would sell me. I'd like to start taking on side jobs and building back racks for trucks and similar sized projects.

would like peoples input on this machine. also another thing to keep in mind is that I want it to be portable so i can throw it in the truck and travel to work with it if needed.

before he offered this up to me I was looking at the everlast machines power tig200dx to be exact

I've never used one, but going by name recognition alone (Thermal Arc, Tweco, Victor) I'd say jump on it, if the price is right!

Edit: I just noticed input voltage is 208/230, which changes your portability options.

The Everlast 200 DX is now offered in DV, for dual voltage.

There were some issues with AC arc, jumpy amperage change with the pedal. (Several members here own them) search should find you more info on the known issues. If you can try it out and verify everything works, it's a good machine of the price if right
Wouldn't a DV MIG be better for what you want to do?
I have a 250EX Everlast now that I'm reviewing, The machine itself is nice, just a couple accessory issues. I think you have more control options with the 186 than the DX. The EX series is going to give you those "extra" features if you need them

The Thermal Arc 186 is a great machine. I haven't been to active on forum lately been busy but thought I would answer your concerns. I have one and use it to weld 4130 chromoly .028 to .120 wall regularly and some .25 wall. Use it on aluminum 3003 and 6061. You can weld soda cans with it so does great on really thin stuff too. Just make sure to turn hotstart down. Plus repaired blown 4 wheeler motor blocks and other aluminum and magnesium cases. Some of the casings had some pretty thick spots. It also does a good for stainless also. Have used it on 304 and 316. Never had issue with this so called pedal problem I know 3 other people using same machine and never had issues. Maybe it did exist when they first came out never seen it. My only problem with machine is the torch. Its a club and cable is really stiff so I replaced it with a CK 9 and 17 torch and added a quick disconnect for gas. I have been contemplating adding a CK timeline 26 cause I pushed the 17 hard a few times. Also it doesn't come with gas lens so upgrade the torch and torch parts and you will be good to go.

I bought one with the thumb controls. Haven't had any issues. I've tiged SS aluminum and steel and burnt up over 50 # of sticks.

The torch is a monster, But I have one I modified the plug to work on my older Thermal Arc LM300. As it has both a button and thumb control amperage it gives me multiple control options with that welder.. I'd like to cut the rubber casing off the cables and replace with a fabric one to make the torch cables more flexible. Esp in the cold.

These are my solutions to the club (torch) and stiff cables. I did not like idea of constantly using a wrench to tighten the gas connection so that was reason for quick disconnect. I modified orginal torch with quick disconnect too. The ground cable was to short for my needs to so have another one of those too.

Give you an idea on size difference 26 Thermal Arc , 17 CK, 9 CK Quick disconnect gas Close up up disconnect. This could be mounted to front of machine and prolly will be after warranty up

thanks for the input, he said 1000$ and that is has been hardly used. I would probably go with a smaller ck torch similar to the one I have at work.

Another question I have is can you hook up a water cooler to the 186? I know you can with the everlast

d.smith wrote:thanks for the input, he said 1000$ and that is has been hardly used. I would probably go with a smaller ck torch similar to the one I have at work.

Another question I have is can you hook up a water cooler to the 186? I know you can with the everlast

You can pretty much fab or hook up a water cooled setup to anything. You'll need to buy a external cooler (htp makes some decent affordable units, Miller has them as well) or fab your own. You'll also need a torch, #20 is what you'd want.

I have zero complaints. Awesome machine! Very stable arc. No pedal issues. Here are a couple of pictures of welds that machine can produce. I have a ck9 flex with a 7 gas lens for everything. Thanks John.