Eastwood TIG 200 AC/DC Welder until PLC Center fixes Syncrowave 180SD circuit boards

[Mike22590]

I'm thinking about getting one of these until PLC Center attempts to repair my Syncrowave 180SD circuit boards again. They've had them for a month. This welder looks good on paper. I haven't had a tig welder for the last 4 or 5 months and it's way past time to get an interim replacement. Anyone have experience with this model? It is AC/DC. Thanks!!!

[aametalmaster]

Same as the Alpha 200 and the Copley Norstar 200 just a different color. My buddy called me at 11pm last night to ask me about them. All I know is the foot peddle isn't included and the price varies 150 bucks depending on the color/brandname. I tried to talk my friend into a Diversion 165 but he said its too much money. We shall wait and see how good his $650 Alpha really is I guess...Bob

[Mike22590]

It doesn't look too bad to me. I need an A/C tig welder now since my Syncrowave 180SD has been down since April or so. Not a bad price if it lives until I can get my Syncrowave fixed or sell it for parts. My PLC Center repaired circuit boards have a 3yr warranty. I may sell them when I get them back, whenever that is and sell the board-less machine. Here's a link: http://www.eastwood.com/tig-welders-...show_reviews=1

[OscarJr]

I had one and mine worked just fine for almost 2 years before I sold it. Foot pedal sucks but nothing much can be done about that. Alphatig200 is a better deal with adjustable frequency for AC welding.

[Mike22590]

I had one and mine worked just fine for almost 2 years before I sold it. Foot pedal sucks but nothing much can be done about that. Alphatig200 is a better deal with adjustable frequency for AC welding.

Yeah....my non-working 1999 Syncrowave 180SD is pretty bare bones. Set the amps, open the gas valve and step on the pedal and go. Nothing adjustable per se' on it. I need something inexpensive until the Syncrowave gets repaired. It does AC and DC tig so it should do what I need it to do. Thanks for the info.

[ryanjones2150]

There are a few guys that use Eastwood equipment in the circle of rag tag racing guys I know. First of all, racing is stupid, second Eastwood sponsors a lot of racing stuff, third....I can't think of a third. <br />
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I understand that Eastwood warranties its stuff, no problem, which good because you have a decent chance of that machine not working right out of the box. Decent chance as in slightly more than if you got a machine from your LWS. Just like anything else, it's subject to failure, but I'm sure the quality control isn't as good as the more expensive machines. Those that I know that had DOA machines got it replaced right away by Eastwood. But it's just a hassle with return shipping and waiting for another one and hoping it works, yada yada yada....what about looking for a used something else nearby you could get? Or borrow a machine? But who knows, you might get it and love it and even give it an affectionate name.

[iongar]

maybe buy a lincoln squarewave as a replacement? not much more then buying am Eastwood and will come with good warranty. Then sell your syncrowave when it is fixed.

[duaneb55]

Personally I'd just spend the money on new boards for the 180 SD before I would on a low end temporary machine. But then, based on the ad photos you can weld barefoot with it so . . .

[H80N]

Here is an entertaining review... unintentional smoke and all.........

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rH24wQR4zdo

[OscarJr]

Yea, no doubt there is always a chance you will get a DOA unit with it being a mass-produced design. If it is DOA, you don't pay for return shipping, Eastwood covers it within the first 30 days. After that it is at their discretion. My eastwood plasma cutter gave out all of a sudden 11mo after I bought it. I called in, did everything the tech asked me to, spoke to them politely and then called in to report the results. Never once making a demand for anything, and the guy was nice enough to send out a pre-paid call-tag for it, and UPS/Fedex picked it up, and I had a new plasma cutter in about a week and a half for nothing more than the cost of me buying a cardboard box and some packing materials. But if you call in with a rude demeanor demanding this that and the other, I don't blame them if they make someone ship it back to them at the customer's expense.

On that Youtube video, let's see. Wrong connections up to 14:30? Check. Workpiece not grounded until 16:20? Check. Just barely realizing 7" tungstens don't fit on a torch with a medium back-cap? Check. Oh yea that guy knows what he's doing, LOL.

[duaneb55]

Here is an entertaining review... unintentional smoke and all.........

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rH24wQR4zdo

GOOD GRIEF!!! I could hardly stay awake listening to him and he wants me to watch his other videos? Did he ever read the manual to familiarize himself with the control features?

Loved the smoke but hey, "Nice bag".

[H80N]

GOOD GRIEF!!! I could hardly stay awake listening to him and he wants me to watch his other videos? Did he ever read the manual to familiarize himself with the control features?

Loved the smoke but hey, "Nice bag".

Smoke and chinese welders seem to hang out together.....

Another one.............

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWl7D52Qc3M

[duaneb55]

I have to admit, the smoke escaped from my '81 MM200 when one of its 30+ year old output capacitors gave it up after a hard day's work running almost maxed out.

30+ years of service from the MM200 and a lone cap overheats. And he got maybe 30 minutes? But "Nice bag".

[griff01]

Here is an entertaining review... unintentional smoke and all.........

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rH24wQR4zdo

I had to leave at 1:43. Couldn't stand listening to this guy!

Griff

[Mike22590]

Personally I'd just spend the money on new boards for the 180 SD before I would on a low end temporary machine. But then, based on the ad photos you can weld barefoot with it so . . .

LOL!!! I'm into my PLC Center "repaired" boards $482 and counting. New boards are $1200. $1682 is a lot to spend not knowing if the boards ARE the problem. I'm seriously considering the Alphatig200DX. Not too thrilled with PLC Center at all. My 1999 Syncrowave 180SD is in great condition minus circuit boards but I think there are more featured tig welders out there. About had it with Miller. I used Lincoln years ago. If I can find a Lincoln in the 7 - $800 range, I'd consider it for sure. I need a tig welder now.....cheap will do as long as it lasts for a few months. My Miller has been dead for 4 or 5 months. The Alphatig200DX has way more features than my Miller 180SD. Time for a change. I appreciate all the info.