Miller dynasty 280DX ? for folks at Miller.

[Jakedaawg]

So, I just bought a 280 dx. I really enjoy it. By all accounts my practice at welding aluminum is coming along rather well.

My question is really for the folks at miller. I believe the package I bought is considered a tigrunner package. Came with cart, cooler, wireless footpedal, etc....

Why, for the 7-8K I spent, does it not come with a flex head torch? Don't most people in the real world require one?

I will be useing mine to repair pontoon boats. I have been practicing out of positon welding of aluminum. A flex head will help a great deal.

I guess I just think that if someone is willing to spend the money I spent then raise the price a 100 bucks or whatever and make it come standard with the flex head. If someone is gonna lay down the $'s a few hundred isn't gonna stop them. I may be wrong but a flex head will work in the standard position and also work in various other angles. Just supply the flex head the first time.

Also, maybe make the site a little easier to figure out what I need to buy to end up with a flex head torch. Part numbers and such for the head, handle and whatever. I believe that cables I have will already suffice.

Just saying...no offense intended.

[ryanjones2150]

Call and tell them. This is probably why I like to call and make my purchases anyway. But you have a valid point. <br />
<br />
Consider this...where do the upgrades stop? $100 for a flex head, why not $200 for a flex lock? And how about another $80 for a gas lense kit? They should probably go ahead and up the price another $50 and include a couple of packs of tungsten and $40 for a torch lead sleeve. <br />
<br />
Most of the time the standard torch suits my needs, but I also have never repaired an aluminum pontoon. I have flex heads on all my machines, even the scratch start ones. But most of the time the heads are pretty much in then standard position. <br />
<br />
Last machine I got, I immediately put a flex head on it and made the one that came with it my backup....and it came into use a few weeks ago when I just about melted down my torch....you know how it goes, get busy and want to push through and finish the job....until the torch gets so hot that it blows a hole in the side and starts leaking argon...made me mad.

[H80N]

Call and tell them. This is probably why I like to call and make my purchases anyway. But you have a valid point. <br />
<br />
Consider this...where do the upgrades stop? $100 for a flex head, why not $200 for a flex lock? And how about another $80 for a gas lense kit? They should probably go ahead and up the price another $50 and include a couple of packs of tungsten and $40 for a torch lead sleeve. <br />
<br />
Most of the time the standard torch suits my needs, but I also have never repaired an aluminum pontoon. I have flex heads on all my machines, even the scratch start ones. But most of the time the heads are pretty much in then standard position. <br />
<br />
Last machine I got, I immediately put a flex head on it and made the one that came with it my backup....and it came into use a few weeks ago when I just about melted down my torch....you know how it goes, get busy and want to push through and finish the job....until the torch gets so hot that it blows a hole in the side and starts leaking argon...made me mad.

FWIW...... I don't like flex heads..

but do have torches of various styles.... on the shelf.....

[Jayare123]

Flex heads are nice but not everyone prefers them over a standard. A skilled operator can make all the same welds with a standard torch. I've done a lot of stainless sheet work and at my old job they had options, either standard or flex your preference. I used flex when I started but after I worked there for a while I switched to standard because even tho flex heads are handy they break after being bent so many times. Also a standard torch won't flex if you use the cup to press a seam together while tacking, which is a technique I used a lot. Yeah they could be an option when ordering a package but if mine had come with a flex the first thing I'd have done is change it out for a standard stiff body.

[FusionKing]

When we got our 280, we got the torch with the interchangeable heads. As well as the flex head torch. We could seldom, if ever, stand using a fixed head torch.
We do jobs everyday that you would have to bend a standard torch to work. If you want the best weld possible.
We constantly have to change the angle. It would simply never be cost effective to use a standard torch especially when you're paying someone to do it.
The standard torch that came with the machine, has never been, or ever will, see any use in our shop.

[Miller Welders]

Jakedaawg We appreciate your feedback on this and will share your comments with our team.

Thank you.