Miller Dynasty 300DX vs Synowave 250DX

[imported_hotrodwillys]

Hi I am new to the forum, I live in Connecticut and I build all types of hotrods, I've been using a Miller matic 35 and would like to step up to a tig welder,it will probably save me a ton of money in grinding discs (you know what I mean) I was all prepared to buy a Miller dynasty 300DX until someone recommended that I buy the synowave 250 DX , being that I dont know allot about tig welders I would really like to know the difference between the 2. What features does the 300dx have that the 250dx doesnt? Any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks Dave

[Blown S-10]

Welcome

if i had the choice, it would be the 300dx, hands down.

this question has been debated many times here. do a search, and your answer will be covered in depth.

[imported_hotrodwillys]

Here was another big concern that I had the reliablity of the dynasty and here is something I found on the internet and was wondering how true it is?
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CONS OF DYNASTY

The biggest disadvantage to any inverter based TIG is they are the most complicated ( electronically ) power supply in the welding world. First inverters are much more complicated than traditional rectifier machines. AC Tigs double this inverter complexity ! If a board or switching device goes after the warranty period you will most likely scrap the machine.

Synchrowave 250s are a mature product ( been around for a long time ) and are extremely reliable. They are simple and parts are inexpensive ( there are waaaay more Synchrowave 250s around than there will be Dynastys, so parts are more common )

[fun4now]

baisicly it is corect except for the parts being around, miller will get you what you need even if they have to pull it off the asembly line for you .
the inverters are more complex as they have more to offer in the way of arc controle and saving power for that you need more than just a transformer like the syncrowave systems. at the dyn300DX level i dont think you would trash the welder over a $1500.00 circuit board but that dosent mean you would be happy about it. the dynasty has been out for many years it is not as new as people would like you to think .they are well tested and have had time to work out the bugs. could just be that they are finaly afordable enough to make it to main stream.they do have lots to offer to the aluminum TIG'ers but are similer on steel.thouse that try them think they are the greatest thing scence penut butter and jelly in the same jar.(if you like PBJ that is )

[imported_hotrodwillys]

Thanks very much James you were very helpful. One more question if I might ask, I realize that they are both the same for steel and I have heard that the 300 is much better for aluminum but what actually what is the difference between them for aluminum? and how does the 250 do on aluminum?

[HAWK]

hotrodwillys,

It seems from looking at a schematic that inverters are really not that complicated. The main components are the input/rectifier bridge, power IGBT's, HF generator, polarity switching IGBTs, and a couple of driver boards. That is basically it.

Inverters have been around quite a while, but the development of getting everything correct took some time. They are reliable machines and their track record will eventually be proven overtime. I think bad memories of the first inverters with all their inherent problems leaves a bad shadow over inverter technology in general.

The power IGBTs and the PS IGBTs are expensive to replace, but will come down in time. It is like all newer technology: As time passes the components become less expensive. Availability is no problem as fun4now mentioned. Miller will get parts out in 2 days even if they have to pull them from the assembly line. All of my welders are now inverters. All my welders used to be transformer based machines. I've had some of them for 6 or 7 years without a hint of trouble. I take good care of my equipment, but it sees some rough transportation at times.

For me the capabilites outweigh the "what if" it breaks and what will it cost?

[Scott V]

hotrodwillys,

It seems from looking at a schematic that inverters are really not that complicated. The main components are the input/rectifier bridge, power IGBT's, HF generator, polarity switching IGBTs, and a couple of driver boards. That is basically it.

Inverters have been around quite a while, but the development of getting everything correct took some time. They are reliable machines and their track record will eventually be proven overtime. I think bad memories of the first inverters with all their inherent problems leaves a bad shadow over inverter technology in general.

The power IGBTs and the PS IGBTs are expensive to replace, but will come down in time. It is like all newer technology: As time passes the components become less expensive. Availability is no problem as fun4now mentioned. Miller will get parts out in 2 days even if they have to pull them from the assembly line. All of my welders are now inverters. All my welders used to be transformer based machines. I've had some of them for 6 or 7 years without a hint of trouble. I take good care of my equipment, but it sees some rough transportation at times.

For me the capabilites outweigh the "what if" it breaks and what will it cost?

I would agree with everything Hawk said, except I think prices for the boards are comming down now.

I could a get machine that will last longer then me. I can buy them off ebay, and suffer though all the things I hate about the new standard Rectifier machines. Or learn to live with all the wonderful features and arc qualitys of the inverters. I have none of the standard type machine any more but I do have six inverters in my little hobby shop.

It's all about arc quality and adjustments to it. There is no way the old tech stuff competes in that area. You can go though your whole life worrying about what might happen. I will let some else worry about that and enjoy the here and now!!!

[imported_hotrodwillys]

Man that's some collection of welders! I quess you could call me a worry wart of sorts but really I am more of an old fashion kindof guy but I really dont like buying many new tools because most of them are junk, I have lathes, bandsaws,milling machines etc. and I always look for the old cast iron tools that were built to last forever, I have a millermatic 35 that I think if you threw it off a building it would still work perfectly not that I abuse any of my tools I keep everything in tip top shape but now that I am going to be spending in the $5000.00 range I just want to make sure what I buy will give me years of trouble free operation, I love Miller and I wouldnt buy anything esle as matter of fact I just bought a 2050 plasma cutter actually my wife bought it for me for christmas sounds like I will have to go for the somewhat new technology of the Dynasty 300DX and break my usually pattern of trying to look for something explosion proof, thanks for all the feedback, if anyone esle has anything to add I would appreciate it very much, thanks Dave

[Scott V]

I seen more boards blown out of the little Miller wire-feeds then the Miller inverters. I would love to know the % of problems within three years with the Miller 175 wire-feed machine and the 200 dx. I know they sell a lot more wire feed units but I bet the 200 dx will hold it's own.

[HAWK]

ScottV,

Since higher frequency power IGBTs are already on the market the price of current technology is already dropping. The D200DX units really have had very problems at all. I had one go south due to PS IGBTs and driver boards, but that was one in thousands. They are good rock solid units. You will get a kick out the of the new 700 when it is available. I have not been able to test one, but have talked with some of those guys. It is awesome from what I am hearing!

[fun4now]

hotrodwillys

looks like the real experts steped in and took care of ya

congrats on the soon to be new dyn.300.

hummmm a 2050 plasma for x-mas now that girl is a keeper

[imported_hotrodwillys]

I want to thank everybody Mr. Hawk, Fun4now, and everyone esle that replied, the information was very helpful in my decision and I just read a few posts down (tig purchase) man that really spelled it out. and I will be going with the 300DX , I have a couple of friends that planted the seed in my head that basically the day after the warranty runs out my machine was going to burn up and cost me thousands to fix, but now that i have gotten some knowlegable feedback I realize that these machines arent quite as delicate as they made it sound,it's a very big investment for me to spend $5000.00 plus so I didnt want to make the wrong move. Thanks again everyone

p.s. fun4now my wife has a sister who's divorced are you looking?

[rb455ho]

Hotrod, I did not have a chance to chime in. Good decisionon the 300dx. You can rest assured when going with a MILLER. I have 6 miller machines and never have had a bit of trouble. If HAWK says go then go, he is the pro. Where does this sister in law live? I could use a plasma cutter and my birthday is in July, HA HA.

[imported_hotrodwillys]

If you are willing to chip in on my 300DX I'll get right back to you with a phone number.

[fun4now]

hotrodwillys

p.s. fun4now my wife has a sister who's divorced are you looking?

thank's but i just got married in Nov.2004 and found out we have another child on the way at the same time

Little girl this time been shooting a lot of skeet in the yard, figure ill start lettin every one know i got me a gun befor they even start lookin at my lil girl