Buy 200DX or hold out for the 210EX

I've been watching these welders for a year now and I'm about to make a purchase on the 200DX. I saw the 210EX is getting closer and was wondering if there is any real reason to hold out? Right now I use a Lincoln PT 225 at work and it works great for everything I/we need to get done. This unit is for a hobby/home use, it will mostly see automotive use. Sounds strange but one of the things I'm really looking for is portability, I have no garage and lug all my tools from the basement to outside when I'm doing work. It looks like teh 210 will be even smaller than the 200 and probably lighter too.

So with that I'm all ears.

Thanks

if going to be outside a lot i would go with the 200dx . but i like knobs better than all that touch pad stuff since wears out fast , plus the 200dx looks more durable than the 210ex . me myself i have the 250ex tig great welder

Curious how can you compare the 200DX to the 210ext, at the price difference you would be better of comparing to the 250ex even then it's a bit above. I have read it has some additional functions and know it's in another class but just curious on your comparing two totally different welders at a 60% price difference.

that's why i have the 250ex i like knobs have had a lot of welders and the ones i had with the touch pads did not last long and are expensive to replace . what is the price on the 210ext

Okay that's something to think about. I'll be almost exclusively outdoors.

As for the comparison, well I didn't even realize the price was that different.... That's a big difference, for such a difference I would be better off with more amps or a plasma cutter, plasma would actually make more sense for me. Thanks for pointing that out!

200 amps is plenty for me really. So it will boil down to the 200dx or for more money buying a PP205. Which probably means I'll get the 200DX.

think about the 250ex every one that use the welder likes it only problem need a cooler if you use the torch it comes with it , to me have had 3 tigs with out water cooled torches and sure like the water cooled torch since stays cool

what are going to be welding . I do aluminum plate a lot when welding plate aluminum i use a mig spool gun since is faster and works better than tigging

hey Finhead we was born on the same day lol September 26 me in 1954

I will mostly be welding on sheet metal and structural steel, probably the once in a blue moon stainless. I have some aluminum stuff that I'll weld up, such as manifolds, had to find cast bits, the occasional thermostat housing and such. I almost don't even need the the AC side of things but I'm thinking that one time I don't have it when I really need it I'll regret it.

At work I weld SS and some aluminum.

do you have any welders at the moment . if none most guys get a mig first since better for sheet metal . also depends on how thick aluminum you will ever weld if any . me myself have a welder separate for each thing i do but i ma a machine shop and don't have time switching leads and stuff . have you looked at the http://www.everlastgenerators.com/MTS-200S-3913-pd.html.

No, atm I've go zero weld ability. Sounds dumb but for some reason I never picked mig welding up well. Probably just didn't spend enough time on it. I also want HF starting.

If I don't go with the 200dx I'll end up getting the DC only 200. It's pretty damn cheap too.

I can't find a straight answer, does the Power I tig, DC only, work with the SSC foot pedal upgrade? In other words can it be made to NOT override the panel set point?

power i tig 200 is dc only not recommended for aluminum

Yeah, I know. I'm just kinda thinking out loud. If I decide to go with the least amount of investment and only go with steel I'd look at the I Tig 200 instead of the DX

I would at least get the 185 micro if you want cheaper, then you have the option of going AC if you want. If you have a Tig you will want to weld Aluminum at some point, if not like Rod said a mig is much easier for sheet metal and thin stainless. All I ever used at the bodyshop for 25+ years was a mig, that was for any sheet meatal and frame welding we ever did.

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Originally Posted by Rodsmachineshop

hey Finhead we was born on the same day lol September 26 me in 1954

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And same as my twin. :) You were born a little before though mine was 1972.

I weld on .040" SS a lot so that's not problem. every once and a while I do some .020, not too often.

I'm set on the 200DX, I read about the changes to the new models and that was a wrap. Going to order one up tomorrow from a local sales rep. Slightly less amps then to Precision tig I use a work but equal or better in every other way for half the price. Not too mention I could actually carry up and down stairs by myself.

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Originally Posted by burner

I weld on .040" SS a lot so that's not problem. every once and a while I do some .020, not too often.

I'm set on the 200DX, I read about the changes to the new models and that was a wrap. Going to order one up tomorrow from a local sales rep. Slightly less amps then to Precision tig I use a work but equal or better in every other way for half the price. Not too mention I could actually carry up and down stairs by myself.

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Keep in mind, the 200DX recent changes seem to be only available if ordered from Duncan in Canada. Double check with sales wen you place your order if you want the newer one.

I will most definitely be doing that. I was planning to ask for an order conformation first, just as I would ordering anything for work.

So I checked and there is a several week delay on the newer models coming state side. Total bummer! I'm ready for a welder.... I really wanted to use it to finish up an auto project. I'm going to look into getting one from Canada but I was told it would a few hundred more dollars to do so. They were nice enough to offer me a free finger amperage control torch if I pre-order and wait.

I'm going to look into some other models but I'm not wanting to go over budget.

Argh. I can't believe I finally commit to buying a welder for home and nothing I want is available. Can't get my hands on the new 200dx for at least 5 weeks unless I pay few hundred extra dollars to get one from Canada, last night I was that close to saying to hell with it ill bite the bullet and pay extra. Then I realized I might as well go the the 225lx for that money, it has more amps and the features I want, pedal works within the panel setting is the most important. But I was told that's out of stock too... Argh.