Thermal arc pro-wave 185TSW ??

[fun4now]

my welding suply guy is realy pushing this. i been saving for the dyn200DX but thinking can only afford the syncrowave 180. was talking to my dealer about it and he said he just had a demo from thermal arc. he said he was real impressed and thought i should consider this unit as it has a hier duty cycle than the syncro 180 and 5 more amps on the top side. anyone used thermal arc.
here is the stats on it

The new PRO-WAVE 185TSW from Thermal Arc® handles just about any TIG welding job while generating True-Square wave AC/DC output with full range capability from 185 amps down to 5 amps.
Weighing less than 42 lbs., the PRO-WAVE 185TSW packs outstanding value and performance into a highly portable, surprisingly compact design. Standard features include Current Sloper, Current Pulser and variable frequency, wave balance control, and Lift or HF assisted starting. The 185TSW also has a digital AMP/volt meter, gas solenoid valve and remote control capabilities. Thermal Arc backs the 185TSW with a three-year warranty.

The PRO-WAVE 185TSW incorporates new Voltage Reduction Device (VRD), technology designed to prevent accidental electric shock. It reduces the Open Circuit Voltage (OCV) when the power supply is not in use, but does not hinder performance.

All functions and controls are easily set through pushbutton switches on the front panel. Each function is marked by a symbol and lighted LED that clearly marks which function is being adjusted.

The 185TSW yields welds with superior purity and exceptionally clean appearance, as well as x-ray quality welds on all metals. Precise wave shaping allows the operator to control the cleaning, penetration, and heat input of any aluminum application. The 185TSW is a member of Thermal Arc’s complete family of “next generation” inverter power supplies for STICK (SMAW), TIG (GTAW), MIG (GMAW) and multi-process applications.

FEATURES:

Smart Logic -Eliminates damage if machine is accidentially installed to the improper voltage. Push-Buton Control Panel - Easy Access to all functiones and controls. True Square Wave AC Output - Provides AC Tig wave-shaping to control weld control. Pulse Mode(Standard) - Fully adjustable pulse parameters for precise control of weld shape. Tig Modes(Slope-Repeat and Spot)-Control over the Start and Weld Crater repeatable weld cycle. Remote Receptacle - Allows remote devices to be conected for controlling amperage and output contactor. Warning Code Circuitry - Alerts operator of power supply abnormalities. VRD Inside- VRD stands for Voltage Reduction Device , it reduces the OCV when the power supply is not in use.Eliminates the need for add on voltage reducers and has no effect on arc starting.

Output Range 5-185 amps DC and 10-185 amps AC.

Duty Cycle 40% at 180 amps Stick

Duty Cycle 30% at 180 amps Tig

Dimensions : 14"x 7" x 16.5"

Weight 40 lbs.

Tig Package: 12.5 air cooled tig torch, and accessory kit, Work Clamp with 10' cable,Stick electrode holder with 13' cable, Argon Regulator, Gas Hose and Remote Foot Control.

Dimensions : 14"x 7" x 16.5" Weight 40 lbs


it looks real good on paper and dealer said it ran well for him with a good setup sheet

should i go for it or the syncrowave 180

any thoughts welcome
thanks

[Paul Seaman]

I think this is the ford vs. chevy debate. I have used several brands other than miller with different features and claims but I still believe that the miller is the premium and others are putting up numbers to make themselves look better than miller, why? because miller is where the other companies want to be- in the lead of the industry!!

Peace,

[fun4now]

dynasty wanbee

well it looks to me like a dynasty 185 without the 120V option. im shoure the dynasty 200 would walk all over it but at $1800.00 for the thermal arc with tig and stick pacage VS $2700.00 for the dynasty. the $1800.00 is hard enouth to spare for a hobbiest on a disability check.i have always preferd chevy to ford but we all know thats a debate for the ages.i have no reason to dislike fords only used a few company ford trucks with no real problems. i was just looking for any thought on reliability or if its just a dime store throwaway???

[Wheat]

fun4now,

Thet love it over there on the Hobart Forum. Type in a search Thermal Arc 185. Never heard a bad report about the machine. If you can score one at a good demo price, with the three year warranty. It's hard to go wrong. If it had the "go anywhere" 120v option like the Dynasty. I wouldn't be still saving for the Dynasty. Test drive that baby. It's your money. They love it her on this site also. http://www.fab-forum.com/default.asp

[arcdawg]

i have always gone for transformer machines and especially BLUE but i was really impressed with the t.a. 185 little bit more of a learning curve though !!


give it a try compared to the 180syncro

let us know

dawg

[GTA/SPEC]

I was very impressed with the ProWave 185TSW. It has excellent arc charactoristics and a better AC bottom end than my Dynasty 300 DX. SanRex, in Japan is the manufacturer who private labels the unit for Thermal Arc. They make a 200 amp, 120/240 version, but its only avaliable in Japan. too bad.

[JohnV]

fun4now...I just bought a TA185 myself. I have not gotten it yet so I cannot comment on ther performance yet, but some of the guys on the hobart discussion board rave about it. I will tell you that www.aaaweldingsupply.com just sold me mine for $1650 Shipped. That is with the torch/accessory package.

John

[fun4now]

thanks

thanks guys . my dealer said he could get me out the door at $1750.00 and will work with me after houres till i get it figured out (first time tig'er)so ill spend the extra $100 for local help

[lramberson]

Good price but MADE IN JAPAN, how do you say service in Japaneese?..
I am sticking with my Blue & the ability to have my questions answered on this forum.

[JohnV]

Originally posted by lramberson
Good price but MADE IN JAPAN, how do you say service in Japaneese?..
I am sticking with my Blue & the ability to have my questions answered on this forum.

MADE IN JAPAN = Never needing service

PS...just because you dont have a "blue" machine does not mean you wont get answers here or on the Hobart board. There are a number of us "maroon" owners that answer questions about these darn jap machines

John

[Glenn B]

Talking about service,
Call a service center that does not sell welders,ask them how many they service and if they think they are built well. They usually know what machines work well & what are heaps of smelly excrement. My local service guy does not speak too highly of maroon.

[fun4now]

service

my dealer will do any sevice i need on all my stuff miller matic, spectrum plasma and soon thermal arc.i would have preferd the dynasty but as a hobbiest just playing not makeing $$$ with it its a little hard to save up the $2800.00.My dealer would not have sujestid it if he couldnt service it so that is not that big of a problem if it is solid to start with i shouldnt need repairs but if i do he will be there for me and ill be at the front of the fix-it list as i bought it there
my dealer is top drawer for shoure.

[GTA/SPEC]

Call a service center that does not sell welders,ask them how many they service and if they think they are built well. They usually know what machines work well & what are heaps of smelly excrement. My local service guy does not speak too highly of maroon.

Thermal Arc has been buying private labeled machines from several companys. SanRex is the supplier for any of the tig/stick inverters. They used to get those units from Italy, but that didnt work. SanRex has a local repair house in NY and has always satisfied my customers.

Thermal Arc also purchased the old Hobart assembly lines, in troy ohio. These units were unchanged from Hobarts original design.

I would not buy any of the Italian tig units or generators, or Malaysian wire feeders.

As far as the SanRex units go, your tech probably hasnt ever seen one.

[HAWK]

The TA 185 ( I believe GTA/SPEC is correct on their (TA) marketing it in the states)is an okay unit. I honestly prefer the Dynasty 200DX over the TA 185. It is an all around heavier duty unit. I highly recommend spending the extra $700 or so. In the long run you will be much happier and regret won't be in your vocabulary! Parts will also be easier to come by. My warranty experiences with Thermal Arc have been less than satisfactory. Everybody has an opinion and that's mine.

Once you get into using these machines side by side it is more than just a Ford versus Chevy thing. I hope you will hang on for the Dynasty. I use a 200 and a 300 for nearly all my TIG work. They are a bit pricey, but worth it. I as well as GTA/SPEC and others on this forum rely on premium quality equipment,consumables, etc for income. I chose a couple of Dynastys and have never had a regret. I did have on service warranty issue with my 200. It was handled promptly, professionaaly and hassle free. The little 200DX is running strong almost everyday.... enough rambling. Everybody must decide for thierselves.

[fun4now]

choice

the dynasty would be my choice but the short version is im on a disability income and dont even know what im going to do with it. mostly just play to keep my sanity.as it is it looks like another 2 months befor i can aford the thermal arc 185 however if there are problems with the machein i will wait as i can't aford to have to start saving agin for a dynasty after spending on a thermal to find it to be trash?