115V Inverter Welding Machines 1

[CW3]

Has anybody had any actual experience welding with the inverter-type machines (Lincoln Invertec-V205 or Miller Dynasty 200SD)? I'm wanting to buy but wanted to make sure they actually do have the capability to make good-looking TIG welds on aluminum, carbon, stainless, chrome-moly, etc. I like the 115V power input, but have never welded with a 115V machine before. Anybody have any insight here?

Thanks!!
CW3

 

[unclesyd]

We used these machines(approx 20) in an industrial setting and I never heard any complaints from the welders as long as you stayed in their power range.
The welders like them for the porability and our grounding requirements.

One problem did arise in a machine that was sent for repair and the bill was $51.00 less than a new machine and the case wasn't even cleaned.

 

[CW3]

Everything I TIG is lightweight (0.125&quot; or<)so I'm sure the 1-110A range for 115/120V input will be OK. I was also wondering about the &quot;high-frequency&quot;, &quot;squarewave arc&quot;, &quot;lift-arc&quot; start characteristics. Being more accustomed to TIG with an old 3-Ph machine with a high-freq. unit and all. It just looks too good for their not to be some sacrifices, but Miller and Lincoln are both reputable. If the only sacrifice is $$$$, then I can live with that.

Thanks for the input..................

 

[CWIC]

I own a Thermal Arc 130 peewee (inverter which runs off 110 volts). It is one of the best GTAW power souces I have ever used, very smooth arc compared to that of the old transformer machines I grew up with. Very stable at low current settings. My 130 amp machine is perfect for the stuff I tinker with in the garage (sheet, wire, thin wall tubing, etc.) I also hooked up a helium bottle and now can weld thin aluminum with my DC machine.

The larger machines are just as smooth, but I recommend spending the extra money and purchasing a machine with a higher output than a machine which runs off 110/220. The power output is very limited on 110 primary, but they work great with 220. Many have autolink (or equivelant) which don't require manually switching taps to compensate for changes in line power.

An aerospace company I worked for back in the early 90's got rid of all the old Miller, Airco and Lincoln power supplies and replaced them with Miller inverters. Gas manifolds were piped throughout the shop, no more pushing around 1000lb power supplies and bottles. You could simply pick up and go where you were needed!

 

[CW3]

CWIC, thanks. I was hoping to hear just what you said and not that they were just &quot;tolerable&quot; at best. I know I saw a lot of inverter machines in use years ago in my overseas assignments, I just never really paid attention to them then. I'm pretty much sold, just have to decide now which one. I'm leaning towards the Miller Dynasty 200. Anybody with thoughts on the Miller vs. Lincoln issue as it relates to my case?

Thanks again all!!

CW

 

[CWIC]

CW3:
Speaking for myself, I prefer the &quot;Blue&quot; machines over the &quot;red&quot; ones.

One of my clients recently instructed me to help select and purchase several pieces of GMAW/FCAW machines. While this equipment is used for structural welding, the owner insists on buying Blue.

The truth is whichever machine you decide upon, it is the driver and not the machine that makes the difference.

 

[kekoakeakane]

I have a Dynasty 200DX and it does everything that it claims. Very adjustable, smooth arc, positive starts and portable to boot. BTW, I would spend the extra money and get the DX over the SD. If you're doing light gage stuff, the pulsing capabilities are good to have. Although it can run on 115V, it comes with a 10/4 cord without a plug so you can hook it up to whatever you have available. This means it'll put out the full 175 amps if you need it to.

 

[CW3]

Well......I haven't heard a discouraging word as of yet on the portable inverter machines. Looks like I just need to go get it so I can move on to the next stage in complimenting my arsenal of &quot;stuff&quot; that makes it possible for a guy like me to verify that my &quot;excessive compulsive&quot; tinkering disorder is alive and well. Now that I will have the tool for &quot;joining&quot; just about any kind of metal, I'll need a tool that allows me to un-join (cut) just about any kind of metal........hmmmmm.....what's the plasma arc world got out there now that would compliment the Dynasty 200DX ???

Thanks,

CW3

 

[kekoakeakane]

A Cutmate 375 works well for me. It's even the same color. It will quality cut 3/16&quot;, and sever cut 1/2&quot;. You just need to make sure you have a very dry clean source of air. You will burn through tips very quickly if you have moisture in your air. Not too mention that it reduces the thickness you can cut.

 

[hansonbrest]

nobody mentioned Kemppi inverters yet ???

I am surprised , i own 6 Kemppi machines ;

PS 3500 , 350 Amp multifunction , Mig,Tig,Stick,Air Arc gouging.

PS 5000 , 500 Amp (multifunction as above)(both 10 year old machines)

New ACDC 1600 , 160 Amp AC/DC HF pulse tig (and MMAW)
Dont know if you guys have seen them around.....but it is simply the best pulse tig i have used , the results i get in stainless are __orgasmic__ ....
( and this is also a single phase machine btw 110/230 V.)

(by the way , i run all of the above off the back of a truck mounted Genset..without any problems , they have about 5 levels of protection)

Also just about to upgrade to a multifunction Kemppi Pro 520 in January, which is the latest 500 A digital synergic pulse machine with bells and whistles that i will probably need a month to learn !

I am based in Australia , the machines are made in Finland.
You guys have got me curious now , how common are they in the States ?

Also wondering if you have seen Fronius machines &quot;up there&quot;.they are german made , and just recently bought into the Aussie market, so i am interested in their reliability.
They are very similar to kemppi in technology level , but about 30 % more expensive.
And speaking of comparisons ,Millar and Lincoln are pretty common for workshops here , but neither of them have decent multifunction lightweight inverter machines that i have seen.....closest thing was the Lincoln powerWave 450....but they fell over like dogs , there was alot of warranty issues with them , and the way lincoln responded was...not the best for their reputation... (


any thoughts to share guys ???

 

[pipewelder1999]

I have a Thermal Arc Dragster 80 that I bough off Ebay. I made some tig welds with it that can be viewed at

http://www.weldinginspectionsvcs.com/Dragster80Pics.htm

. The machine is VERY stable at low amperage but at max output the duty cycle is weak. O course what do you expect out of something that you can fit in your lunch box. Really!

Have a nice day

Gerald Austin
Iuka, Mississippi

http://www.weldinginspectionsvcs.com

 

[hansonbrest]

Okay , i am told that Kemppi inverters are sold in the USA under the name PowerCon.......now , has anyone heard of them ?? ?

 

[CW3]

I haven't heard of either, however, my first experience with inverter machines was actually in Australia some years ago. I worked several power plant projects (Kwinana, Sydney, Port Adelaide)and noticed that the welders carried their machines around with them. At the time I thought it odd but didn't really pay it much attention.......hmmmmmmm.....small world. I know that to be in use in the industrial world, they have to be good or they wouldn't be out there. As for me.......the Dynasty 200DX wins. I've decided to purchase one with the contractor's kit (foot control). I see they sell them on e-bay for about $2850.00. Normally I'd purchase something like that from my local distributor, but these offer free shipping and if I purchase this way, I avoid the 8.25% Texas state sales tax as well. Anybody have any experience, pros, or cons about buying one this way...????

Thanks guys!!

CW3

 

[CW3]

Here's another issue that I wrestle with in my sleep. OK, now I know it's not a real world issue, but how about this........in all my past TIG welding endeavors, I have always just gone over to the bench grinder and sharpened my tungsten without any thought to it. One day I discover it's desirable to sharpen the tungsten longways (along the length)instead of just rotating the tungsten on the wheel's outer circumference. OK, no problem.....even been in shops with dedicated bench grinders. Now I see these high-dollar tungsten grinders with diamond wheels, etc. They do an excellent job. I even see a small hand-held unit for about $195. I can't believe that somebody hasn't come up with a $50 machine that does a good job, quick and painlessly. Look at the fishing tackle market.....hook sharpeners for $3....I know it involves a machine that turns the abrasive on 1 axis and the tungsten on another axis, but c'mon...where's technology where it's needed??? That's all.

CW3

 

[hansonbrest]

I agree

Or how about a wheel that you can fit to an angle grinder for those of us who are mobile and dont want to carry &quot;another&quot; power tool .....

I am told that a masonry cutting disc is not bad,.but not perfect either.

someone bring it on !!!!

 

[pipewelder1999]

Powcon was one of the 1st mfgs of inverter power supplies I ever used. The 1st was in 1983 and the company was in Tempe Arizona. At that time the navy had bought a few and we used them welding on subs. The models we had (300ST) had a capacitor discharge start and remote hand controls. The size of these allowed us to bring them inside the sub as opposed to leaving them topside and running a welding lead, ground, gas hose, and remote cable 300-400 ft.

These worked on 220, 440 and some other voltage I believe and could be set up for 3 phase or single phase power.

Powcon was associated with Cyclomatic at one time.

Have a good day



Gerald Austin
Iuka, Mississippi

http://www.weldinginspectionsvcs.com

 

[Kamikaze]

Powcon as you are reffering to was one of the originals of inverters. it was designed to boost the power for Mining blasts originally, it then brached out into the welding institute, very good and stable machines, sorry I live in the far north and am told they are no longer marketed under the powcon name POWCON stood for POWER Converter.
just a peice of insite, Thermal Dynamics make a very small ac/dc inverter but pricy <lunchkit size>

 

[hansonbrest]

yes Kamikaze , i have seen the Thermal dynamics units here , but they have very low duty cycles , i think the AC/DC one is about 25 % @ 300 Amps on 3 Phase.

To their credit , they were sold very cheaply here , and kept getting cheaper , now , the biggest welding supply chain in Australia (BOC Gases),sold out of their stock in a &quot;fire sale&quot; and i dont think they stock them on the shelf anymore.

I actually found a link for the new lincoln inverters (Power Wave 455) ,these new models look like a great machine ,and favourable because of their 3 year warranty , but at $15,000 AUD , i found the Kemppi 5000 still more attractive at $11,500 AUD for the same functions.

Just love the new technology coming through , we really have it easy these days , can you imagine having to do our work using the machines they had 40 years ago ??

we are very lucky.

 

[Leo01]

Just a little bit of trivia. You can still get Powcon , Cyclomatic, etc,etc at Arc Products in San Diego. They have rebuilt POWCON units and parts for quite a lot of other brands of older equipment. They are at(

http://WWW_ARCPRODUCTS_COM)