Hawk

[Jack R]

Hi. I have been reading your posts for a while now and I would like your imput if you don't mind.

I need a tig right NOW. 99.9999 pecent steel usage. Nothing thicker than 1/4, mostly 120 wall chrome moly. I had decided on the ta185 but changed my mind solely based on your posts. Then the choice was dyn 200 or sync250. I decided to go with the sync250 due to the fact that all my work is steel and the 250 is time proven. If I am missing someting so far, please tell me.

Now the problem. I need the tig right now, but in the near future I will need a 22A wire feeder and a power source. I guess the Regency 250 is discontinued? The regency250 and the 22A would suit my needs fine.

So, how about the mxt350. How does it rate as a tig machine and a mig power source? My thoughts were that I could buy the 350 and tig set up NOW and buy the wire feeder later.

Shop welding only, portability in not an issue. I do not want a lesser tig just to gain a mig powersource.

What are your thoughts?

thanks

[HAWK]

JackR,

I had a really great response and the forum logged me out so let's try again.

Good questions and an interesting predicament at the same time! Excellent choice on the Syncrowave 250 DX. It will suit your needs without a strain on 1/4" steel. It will also do a fantastic job on aluminum. No, it won't have all the control of the Dynasty series on aluminum, but will produce an exceptional X-Ray quality weld regardless! Make sure you have a 100 amp supply circuit to fully handle the load should you need it.

The XMT 350 is a great machine! It was designed for the contractor needing mainly stick and MIG while having "Lift Arc" TIG available for carbon steel pipe welding in the field. It has an excellent arc in all three processes. TIG will have some limitations: No AC capability, no high frequency starts unless you add the HF-251 high freq arc starter at another $800 or so, no gas valve unless you use the HF-251 or add the optional field installed gas valve for TIG or use an air or water cooled torch with a built in gas valve, and a reduced duty cycle on 1 phase ( about 50% of the rated duty cycle on 3 phase ) unless you change out to the larger size power cable on the machine as recommended in the manual. I think it is a number 6 off the top. It may be an 8.

I do use my ALT 304 ( 400 amp "Autoline" ) brother and predecessor of the XMT 350 for TIG in a few cases: DC, 300-400 amp power range, "Lift Arc" with a water cooled torch. Otherwise the Dynasty 300DX gets the TIG work. An example of this type work is for deoxidized copper where 300 amps DC is not enough power. For a stick and MIG arc the ALT and XMT are untouchable!

Realistically speaking it is NOT possible to get a high quality full featured TIG/STICK unit with a MIG output. It requires 2 machines.

Get the Syncrowave 250DX as mentioned and evaluate your MIG needs as they arise. I don't know what you really need in a GMAW power source, but Miller has some really nice units! Tell me more about your MIG needs.

Bottom Line: 2 machines are necessary! Get the Syncrowave 250DX for TIG/Stick now. Possibly a voltage sensing feeder powered form the SMAW portion of the Syncro 250 is an option if you MIG is not critical???

[HAWK]

JackR,

The Regency 250 is a great CV power source and has been discontinued. There are a few used units around. Good choice. In that price range the MM251 all in one is a very nice Millermatic MIG with critical weld capabilities. I like the ALT or XMT with an Optima pulser pendant and a suitcase feeder. However, add that to a Sync 250 and the bank account may bust! Kick it around and tell me what you have to have in a MIG unit. Hope all this helps rather than confuses. Let me know.

[Scott V]

For a stick and MIG arc the ALT and XMT are untouchable!

That I will take issue with. This machine has way more slope setting for mig and I think it's arc is untouchable. I not saying the Alt is not a great machine in it's own right, but it is touchable.

[HAWK]

ScottV,

There are a few machines I have not used and this is one of them. My statement was made more toward Miller in general. Until I can personally compare the 2 machines side by side I can neither confirm nor deny. Have you welded with the ALT/XMT series enough to know the differences between them and your 350MPI? Adjustable slope is a great asset on a MIG machine. The ALT/XMT only has adjustable inductance which is nice, but not the same as slope. Is the slope adjustable on the 350 MPI?

I have spent numerous hours with the XMT /ALT series machines in many situations. I have also welded with most Miller machines new and old. There is where my comparison is referenced.

[HAWK]

ScottV,


Slope is an important aspect of a CV machine. However, to say a machine with greater slope is better than a machine with lesser slope is a bit hasty without evaluating all other factors based on collective performance.

[Jack R]

Thank You

Thanks Hawk, that is what I needed to know and I really appreciate the quick response.

I have always been loyal to blue. But, that kind of thinking landed me with the MM250, which has to be the biggest pile of poo Miller ever made. HaHa, just my luck.

In the past, I used a S-52E feeder with an old 3 phase power source. Building dirt race chassis. Later, the 3 phase power source was changed to the Regency 250. I was pleased with the performance of this set up. BUT, I don't have much else to compare it to.

I want a mig system at least this good. So I was thinking go with the Regency250 and the 22A. Let me ask you, How much better is the inverters for mig compared to this set up?

At any rate, since the Regency is discontinued, what powersource would you recommend? The funds are a serious issue, but, like all issues, we deal with them as best as we can. If there is a MAJOR difference in the arc quality between the transformer and the inverter, I will bite the bullet. Please give me both options, the transformer and the inverter.

I do have the MM250 right now. So I do not HAVE to buy the mig right now. The thing is, I just CANNOT weld as well with this thing as with the wire feeder. Very annoying. But, the mig can wait awhile.

I have used the MM251 and it is a sweet machine. I would and still may, buy one. But, the 22A would be better for me as I would mount it on a sliding "boom". Much better set up for my purposes.

Also, I do NOT have 3 phase.

Just recenly started my own little business, and so far, I have been able to get by with the MM250. However, I now have a new client, and all his stuff will be tig. So now you can see the problem. Thanks to your advice, I now know I really need 2 machines. Mig can wait, Tig right now.

About the dyn 200 vs sync250. I lean to the sync because I believe it will be going strong long after I will. Not so sure about the inverter. However, I don't want to stay in the dark ages if the inverter is that much better. What are your thoughts on this?

One advantage of the inverter I see talked about is energy savings. Obviously, this is a good thing, especially for the little guy who has to buget carefully. Would you happen to have any real numbers on the savings? For example, use the sync for onw hour and it costs "x" amount, How much savings per hour using the dyn? Sorry if this question puts you "on the spot".There is no way one can actually expect you to know this. After all, We just weld what we have to and pay the bill when it arrives. I was just curious if you happen to have any numbers on it. Please don't waste time looking it up if you don't have the number "on your head".

Once again, Thank You for your help. You are a big part of what makes this forum so great. Thanks

[Scott V]

ScottV,


Slope is an important aspect of a CV machine. However, to say a machine with greater slope is better than a machine with lesser slope is a bit hasty without evaluating all other factors based on collective performance.

That's true, but by using machines like my MK 2000a with it's adjustable slope you can get a very good feel for what it does for you. That machine was setup for learning what you can do to a mig arc. Not a easy thing to do. I said more slope settings not more slope.

The esab has different slope settings for different type materials or processes. The low end is fantastic.
It's the short-arc one that has me wondering how anything can weld better. It also has inductance and also a 19 pin for the feeder and a fourteen pin for the foot control or other pendent you might want to hook up. I also like the idea of the pulse can be added to the feeder with a dual schedule/ meter option included for $550.50

The downfall of the esab is it weighs in at over 100 pounds and is just not light enough for a lot of guys.

The last picture is of a esab (non inverter) that just might have a better arc the then the Mpi with .035 solid wire. The esab rep thinks so and my friend thinks there pretty close. He has welded with almost all of them. Including the new passport. I have not welded with the XMT or the the non inverter esab but I just tried the new 173/203 tap esab machines. Those really weld nice too.

[HAWK]

JackR,

I'll be gald to give you the info. I am headed out the door this AM here and can give you some hard answers this evening. I don't have to look it up. I am already running late today.

[fun4now]

miller power calculator

this might help till HAWK can get back to you.miller has a calculator to help you figure your power caust.

http://www.millerwelds.com/education/savings/savingscalculator.html

good luck and sorry to here of your trubles with the MM250

i think Scott V is our local miller hater LOL

[Scott V]

I think it might be the fact that when somebody says something, I just don't swallow everything they say hook, line and sinker. I like to dive in and ask questions and why this is best. It just seems Jack has figured it out that by asking questions and not just taking somebodys word for it. Miller should be the one that was sorry for the MM -250. That machine really gave Miller a black eye. The people that were the most pissed are the ones that traded in their MM 200 machines and tried to spary-arc with the new and improved unit. I almost got hooked on a MM-250 when they first came out but my friend at the welding store put the brakes on that deal.

If you think thats hate fine, but I would rather be aware of what is out, and think for myself.

[HAWK]

JackR,

I am later getting back than expected. Hope the power calculator fun4now posted a link to is helpful. Are the inverteres better? The TIG inverters such as the Dynasty offer a real advantage when welding on AC due to the advanced arc that does not require continuous high frequency and is very much adjustable where the standard transformer squarewave machines are not as adjustable.

If you are doing 1/4" mild steel, the Sync 250DX is a much better choice over the Dynasty 200DX. If you were to jump up to the Dynasty 300DX the machine would handle your work easily as well as be a power miser. However, there is a financial burden here probably not worth undertaking

If you have the 100 amp circuit available for the Syncrowave 250, go that way. It is less money than the Dyn 300 and will do the job with ease. Also it is very reliable. No it is not the latest technology, but will not leave you in the dark ages either.

Inverters are kind of like a diesel engine. They have more of a specialized application (Aluminum and magnesium), but will work well with mild steel and SS also. However, they cost more up front and will have to be driven (used) for many hours to recoup (miles per gallon) or energy costs.

Buy the Syncro 250DX now. If AC welding is a primary focus down the road and a Dynasty is needed, then look that way then. By hte way the Sync 250 does a great job on aluminum and has for many years before the Dynasty came along. The Dynasty inverters have some extra features that are really nice for AC welding.

Hope this helps.

[Jack R]

Thanks

Thanks Hawk. I am going to go with the sync 250.

What do you recommend for the mig power source to go with the 22A??
Or do you recommend this feeder at all? It will tax the buget to buy both right now, but I may be able to get a better over all deal if I go ahead and buy both.

Thanks again for taking time for my questions. It is really nice to be able to come to this site and speak with you. Nice to be able to get the answers without alot of sales BS. Thanks,

Jack

[HAWK]

JackR,

I like the 22A feeder. It is a nice unit for everyday use! As for what machine I need some help. Exactly what are you wanting in a power source? Keep me straight here: 3 phase is not an option and you do not want an all in one like the Millermatic Series such as a 251X. That really does not leave a lot of options in the new equipment line. I really like the ALT 304 and XMT 350 MIG output. It is very sweet! The Invision is a heck of a machine also as the pulser is built in. Remember you will cut your duty cycle in half from the 3 phase ratings on 1 phase input power on the ALT and XMT as previously mentioned. Of course changing the input cord on the XMT 350 will cure that problem, but draw some big amps. Shoot me an email at [email protected] and I'll get you a phone number. It appears this is a conversation type decision.