Buying a used tig welder...dont know how to tig to test

makgreens · Wed May 28, 2014 12:18 pm

I'm looking at buying a tig from a guy next week but he doesnt know if it works other than turns on because he cant weld. I also cannot tig weld yet so I'm not sure about how to go about testing it to see if it works correctly. Here is the link to the posting
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/tls/4490101099.html

Should I attempt to look at the welder and test it, if I can figure out how, or should I just go with a Miller Divesion 180? I'm wanting to learn to tig but I dont want to have to buy another machine!

Also, this machine will be for a very small fab shop so I'd consider it hobby use.
Thanks for the time

Superiorwelding · Wed May 28, 2014 2:03 pm

makgreens wrote:I'm looking at buying a tig from a guy next week but he doesnt know if it works other than turns on because he cant weld. I also cannot tig weld yet so I'm not sure about how to go about testing it to see if it works correctly. Here is the link to the posting
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/tls/4490101099.html

Should I attempt to look at the welder and test it, if I can figure out how, or should I just go with a Miller Divesion 180? I'm wanting to learn to tig but I dont want to have to buy another machine!

Also, this machine will be for a very small fab shop so I'd consider it hobby use.
Thanks for the time

My opinion is it is a good deal. For a few more pennies over the Diversion you will get a lot more features. For a test if you have no idea how to tig weld try watching Jody's videos and get a general idea. I would set it at 10 amps and 200 amps and mash the pedal for a while and see if it arcs on both AC and DC. Maybe others will have a better idea for you.
-Jonathan

AKweldshop · Wed May 28, 2014 3:04 pm

That machine is way over priced.
Look on eBay, and some online welding suppliers.

Check pricing.

If your unable to test that machine, be ready for, well, difficulty.

makgreens · Wed May 28, 2014 4:21 pm

I emailed Jody and he suggested going with the Diversion because if something happens to it then it is still under warranty.

AKweldshop · Wed May 28, 2014 4:34 pm

Well,
Those Diversions are cheap machines.... No extra features, 10% duty cycle at full output, and no 7018....

You've got to be careful buying used miller inverters, if you cant fully test them, and make sure their functional....

Those machines aren't cheap to fix...

BTW,
What all kinds of welding are you going to be doing???

~John

makgreens · Wed May 28, 2014 4:44 pm

AKweldshop wrote:Well,
Those Diversions are cheap machines.... No extra features, 10% duty cycle at full output, and no 7018....

You've got to be careful buying used miller inverters, if you cant fully test them, and make sure their functional....

Those machines aren't cheap to fix...

BTW,
What all kinds of welding are you going to be doing???

~John

basically auto body, building bike parts, handlebars, frames and art

Is the entry level dynasty worth the 3k? Icould probably get it but would cut out all the money I have for a plasma as well

AKweldshop · Wed May 28, 2014 4:49 pm

makgreens wrote:
AKweldshop wrote:Well,
Those Diversions are cheap machines.... No extra features, 10% duty cycle at full output, and no 7018....

You've got to be careful buying used miller inverters, if you cant fully test them, and make sure their functional....

Those machines aren't cheap to fix...

BTW,
What all kinds of welding are you going to be doing???

~John

basically auto body, building bike parts, handlebars, frames and art

Is the entry level dynasty worth the 3k? Icould probably get it but would cut out all the money I have for a plasma as well

http://anchorage.craigslist.org/tls/4488694179.html
Here's a good buy on a tig machine.
Would fit your bill nicely....

Here's dynasty's on eBay....
The second one down would be a good buy....
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sacat=0 ... 200&_frs=1

Wes917 · Wed May 28, 2014 6:37 pm

If this isn't a manufacturing environment I'd go with a htp. I own a htp and used a dynasty for more than a year nonstop 8-10 hours a day. You have to remember that 3k for a dynasty will get you a machine only, you still need torch, cables, flow meters etc. The htp comes ready to run, welds great and has many of the same features, so in an application like yours is what I'd suggest.

http://www.usaweld.com/TIG-WELDER-Inver ... 12.5-1.htm

makgreens · Thu May 29, 2014 1:24 pm

i ended up stumbling on this and got it

http://www.ebay.com/itm/291157115473?ss ... 1497.l2649

AKweldshop · Thu May 29, 2014 1:39 pm

Wow!!
Good buy....

Sure beats that SD on CL...

Let us know how it works for you...

~John

TxBigRed · Thu May 29, 2014 1:40 pm

Now you need to find a foot pedal...

Antorcha · Thu May 29, 2014 1:44 pm

Craigslist is more murkin exceptionalism. 'Tards. Buy on eBay or a trade-in at a miller dealer and use PayPal-card so you have some backup in the case of a lying scumbag pawning bolechit(like Craigslist losers-users)

makgreens · Thu May 29, 2014 11:03 pm

TxBigRed wrote:Now you need to find a foot pedal...

it comes with this... RMS-14 Remote On/Off Control

still need a pedal?

AKweldshop · Fri May 30, 2014 12:03 am

makgreens wrote:
TxBigRed wrote:Now you need to find a foot pedal...

it comes with this... RMS-14 Remote On/Off Control

still need a pedal?

Watch a handful of Jody's tig video's...
http://welding-tv.com/category/tig-welding/

He talks about the different uses of each....

~John

makgreens · Fri May 30, 2014 8:26 am

Will this pedal work or should I look for an OEM?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/RFCS-14-Foot-Co ... 2eafebacda

TxBigRed · Fri May 30, 2014 11:10 am

According to their description it will work. You can ask a question on the eBay listing. I bet they respond promptly.

AKweldshop · Fri May 30, 2014 1:44 pm

makgreens wrote:Will this pedal work or should I look for an OEM?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/RFCS-14-Foot-Co ... 2eafebacda

That is the right pedal for your machine.
One of the best welding supply company's.

Can't go wrong, unless you can find a used one for less.

John

dynasty200sd · Sun Jun 01, 2014 4:28 am

http://www.millerwelds.com/om/o2240q_mil.pdf

Above is the manual that is listed for the serial number provided in the listing. Now,
the first order of business is to contact Miller Electric to verify that it is not listed as stolen. (i.e., when I registered my 200SD, it had you add the serial number in case of the machine being stolen.

Another thing, print up a manual and bring it with you when checking over the machine. But, ahead of them go through the manual to see how to use the machine (as in bring up the various menus, check the amount of arcs it's made, weld time, etc) Then, under troubleshooting make sure the machine is not showing any trouble codes.

As for not knowing how to tig weld, to test the machine you just need to be able to strike the arc onto a piece of metal around 1/4 inch to check both polarities when using a foot pedal, then try different AC frequencies, AC balance, different AC wave shapes, etc.. Basically, go through all the features of the machine by going through the manual to see that everything checks out.

Lastly, the manual for that serial number has a date of 2007-4. A machine 7 years old for that price is a little high even with the used accessories that are included (I'm assuming they are used coming from a former Honda plant) As for the Dynasty vs Diversion; if the Dynasty checks out it will serve you better having a better duty cycle, additional features. etc..