Welding Tips and Tricks

Jody,

I see you using a wide variety of machines in your videos for TIG and stick and I was wondering if you just had to pick one that you were going to use day in - day out, what would you use?

I own and operate a small commercial diving company in Alabama and am looking for a stick/TIG unit for our shop. I have kind of settled in on the Miller Dynasty 280DX but am accepting all ideas before making the purchase. I really don't want to look back and wish I had gone another way. Everything we use now is gen based and I have one AC225 buzz box. I have no time on an inverter and want a machine I can work Al with as well as having a good stick function. I am most comfortable with stick and it is also what we use for u/w welds so it is kind of my go to unless I need to work aluminum.

Any tips from admin would be appreciated! Got a thread going on in the forum too (where the dynasty idea came from).

Thanks,

Don

I think you have the right idea. Buy once, cry once. It's a business purchase and it will be making you money reliably long after the initial sticker shock has been forgotten. Remember, Jody gets paid to promote these machines and make all these instructional videos. I'll be surprised if he is willing to flat out state his #1 choice of machine... that's like biting the hand that feeds you. Plus what works best for him may not be best for you. You can't go wrong with a dynasty. There is also great tech support when it comes to dialing in the machine for a specific weld or project. You won't get that with any of the imports....

soutthpaw wrote:I think you have the right idea. Buy once, cry once. It's a business purchase and it will be making you money reliably long after the initial sticker shock has been forgotten. Remember, Jody gets paid to promote these machines and make all these instructional videos. I'll be surprised if he is willing to flat out state his #1 choice of machine... that's like biting the hand that feeds you. Plus what works best for him may not be best for you. You can't go wrong with a dynasty. There is also great tech support when it comes to dialing in the machine for a specific weld or project. You won't get that with any of the imports....

The Dynasty kind of a recurring theme I find on here. It is hard to look past the Everlast which will perform the job for about half the price but I have no local rep and I think it has proprietary connectors. I have an Airgas and Wesco right up the road and both stock Miller equip.

As far as my original question is concerned, I knew it was loaded when I asked it. Who knows, could have been an answer he could answer. Either way, your comment about what works best for him may not work for me. I feel like the machine is the machine and cant really make you any better or worse as a welder (well, it could probably make you worse!). The machine is merely a tool in the hands of the craftsman, kind of like a hammer. A hammer is a hammer if it is in the hand of a master blacksmith or a 10 year old trying to make a tree fort.

I just want a machine that wont break on me and do what it is supposed to do so I can continue doing what I need to do. I also like that Made in USA sticker!

Blue Diver,

First know that, as far as I know, what Jody does, teaching, reviews etc, comes from his own pocket. He is not sponsored by major manufacturers to promote just one brand like a few other shows. While he might be sent machines to test and give a honest evaluation he always gives his honest answer no matter the machine. Go back through past videos, he has used about all of the major brands and has shared what he likes and what he dislikes, no matter the color of machine. This allows him to be free I you will to speak his mind and not get sucked into promoting a product he does not like. If you recall, Jody closes out many weekly videos telling us that he only sells and promotes products he feels work and are worth the investment. With that said, I believe the best answer to your question of what is the one machine he (or any of us) would use day in and day out actually has no specific answer. You are correct, what works extremely well for you might not work at all for me. The Dynasty is a very good machine and I have used the 200 and 350 in a previous life but there are other machines out there that might be better. When choosing a machine I would literally make a list of everything you know for a fact you WILL be doing and a list of what you MIGHT do and purchase a machine that best fits. A Everlast might be the best thing since sliced bread for what you plan to do and maybe you will not use it hard everyday but if you are doing production it might not be the best fit. I you have production and very thick alum down the road than maybe a Dynasty 700 would be best. There is no clear answer. If there was we would all be using the same machine.

My opinion.
-Jonathan

Jonathon,

I appreciate the thought out reply. I get what you are saying about different strokes for different folks. I guess I'm looking for ideas on what the everyday fabricators want to use. I don't want to find out after I bought a machine that the machine I bought tends to have some circuitry problem after 100 hours or so and needs to be replaced, or the stick/TIG button stops working after so many pushes, etc.

I'm really only familiar with old transformer machines (have a buzz box manufactured in the early 70's, works like a charm) and have heard stories about new inverters and the amount of required maintenance and repair. I just want to go into this new equip armed with as much knowledge as possible.

I ask Jody and the people of this site because all of you seem to be a source I can trust because none of you are trying to sell me on something (except maybe a TIG finger, haha which I have 2 of). It is just your honest opinion on what works best in the field.

We are not a fab shop but I'd rather buy fab shop quality that will be around for the life of my company rather than a cheaper version that may or may not last. I know the old adage, you get what you pay for but I have also found that just because its expensive doesn't necessarily mean its better.

Again,

Thanks

I'll add two cent to this discussion...

I've never had the opportunity to use the Dynasty, but I've used a lot of blue and red machines. In the class you're looking (production shop quality), I can favorably compare the blue Synchrowave 250DX and red PrecisionTig 375. I agree with Jonathan about the technical support for blue being better, but (BIG "but" here), you must also consider service locally. We had a cooler begin leaking at the pump seal (brand intentionally omitted). It was under warranty, so we sent it out rather than fix it in-house. I had my personal air-cooled torch on that machine for FOUR WEEKS waiting on a simple repair.

I'd suggest you check with your local suppliers as to who the local servicer is for the machines you're looking at, how fast they turn around repairs, and whether a loaner is quickly available if your machine is down, and whether that loaner service will continue to be available after your warranty period.

Get reviews on service from any fab shops in your area willing to share. What processes they use is immaterial, just service reviews by brand, and you'll learn whether that Dynasty is a good choice for your area.

For that matter, I wouldn't count green out... They are great about replacing equipment that quits, rather than fix it. Compare that turnaround time to the information you learn about service time from you local red and blue providers.

Muddying the waters...

Steve S

How soon are you planning to buy? It sure looks like Lincoln has the Dynasty in it's crosshairs for TIG machines. The ESAB 281i looks to be a real nice machine too.
You can't go wrong with a Miller or Airco branded 330ABP usually found for $500 or less.

For a more direct answer, I highly recommend a machine from Miller or Lincoln like the Dynasty 280,350 or Lincolns new Aspect 375 (which I want). Both brands have great machines with good support and great reviews. The inverter will save you money in power consumption over traditional transformers and are much smaller. I recommend a machine that will handle multiple voltage inputs. You might not need that now but one day you might. My best advise is this, get a machine you can grow into. Personal example; I bought a Miller Diversion 180 3 years ago. At the time it was all I could afford and that was my driving force. I needed a machine to weld alum, the MVP because I do portable TIG welding and it does not draw much amperage. Now I constantly run into projects that I should not attempt because of the limited amperage. I also wish I could change the frequency, balance, etc but I can't. I can't grow into the machine rather I have grown out of it. A machine like the Lincoln Aspect 375 (watch Jody's latest videos) allows you to easily TIG weld and when you need the advanced features they are there.

Personally, and in my opinion, I wouldn't purchase a Everlast, Longevity or other "off" brand machines if you are wanting a production based machine. Not saying they are junk and I have no direct experience with them but I would go with the machines that have proved themselves time and time again.

If you want a more direct answer, buy the Lincoln Aspect 375. If you don't like it I will buy it at a very discounted price
-Jonathan

Also, I have heard from a very reliable resource that ESAB's new/newer TIG machines are a force to be reckoned with.
-Jonathan

Superiorwelding wrote:If you want a more direct answer, buy the Lincoln Aspect 375. If you don't like it I will buy it at a very discounted price
-Jonathan

Touche' salesman! Haha... I did watch the video on it and it peaked my interest, especially if it is is the price range of a lesser amperage machine. I want to make a purchase as soon as I find the right machine at the right deal. I have an account with Red-D-Arc and have the ability to lease a machine on short terms if something comes up that I really need the machine. Salvage, etc... Plus they are right down the road. This is kind of what we have done in the past as well as beg, borrow and sub out when we need to. I have a lot of other things I have to get in the meantime. I am trying to build a a mini fab shop in our shop to accommodate our needs and it is a tough challenge. I want good equipment but need to watch the $$$'s also so I am trying to strategically place my funds in what I feel is the best bang for the buck at the moment.

I assume red-d-arc is nationwide? They are a part of Airgas.

Yes, Red-D-Arc is nation wide and I have both rented from them (Miller Pro Heat 35) and purchased from them (Lincoln DC600). I poked other members here to jump in so you can get a broader opinion. Can't wait to see what you ultimately purchase.
-Jonathan

Superiorwelding wrote:Yes, Red-D-Arc is nation wide and I have both rented from them (Miller Pro Heat 35) and purchased from them (Lincoln DC600). I poked other members here to jump in so you can get a broader opinion. Can't wait to see what you ultimately purchase.
-Jonathan

Cool.... thanks. Dd you purchase new or used? I talked with a salesman about their used equipment but I live in a shipyard town and have worked at yards and seen the abuse they get. I would luck into a huge lemon, probably. They have a EX360 multi-process used for $1000. I have really had to work to stay my hand.... I just need the ability for TIG aluminum which it doesn't carry.

We bought two re-ferbished DC600's. They were not my first choice. I wanted S500's but purchasing had other ideas. I got two complete DC600's with LF-74 wire feeders at the price of one S500 package. I fought the idea but.... Funny thing is I was told later that they wished they had listened to my suggestion and they regreted the big beasts after they found out they couldn't do all the advanced things (I think I had told them that in the beginning ) Anyway, they have been great machines. We had a few issues and had to send them out for repair under warranty. You will have that though.

As for them not having a AC machine, that might not be entirely true. It will depend on what is in stock at the time. You might have to wait a very long time or order elsewhere in the country. Ask them to check other inventory.
-Jonathan

I hadn't thought about using the nationwide availibility of red-d-arc. Found a Dynasty 300dx right off the bat, some invertec 350's all around the $2500 range. I did that in just a couple of minutes but will go through more thoroughly later. Are there any other equipment companies that I may not know of that I should check out? I think Sun-Belt and United both only rent arcgens.

The used idea is looking better and better with the warranties and selection. For the price I can get more bang out of the prospective buck. I just have to settle in on the machine first, or list of machines that fit the applications.

I haven't really stated my intended uses so maybe this will help everyone trying to help me:

Steel: Max: 3/4"
Min: 11 ga.

Alum: Max: 1/2"
Min: 11 ga.

SS: Nothing thick, all thin

All positions, some pipe, some plate. Outside of fab work for our company, I moonlight as a welder at the local marinas fixing odds and ends for boaters. A tack there, a braze here, etc. We have no use for low end on the company side but have a lot of use for the low end and advanced functions at these marinas. Trying to get the best of both worlds.