Trying to choose between a Micro 185 and a 200DX

Let me start by saying that I am very much a beginning welder. I am torn as to which welder would be better for me. It will be getting used mainly for light automotive fabrication. I like the size and the simplicity of the micro 185. But I'm afraid that later on down the road, I will be wishing that I had the 200dx with all its adjustments. I will be mainly welding steel, with a little bit of aluminum tubing here and there. Pricewise they are pretty close once you add the foot pedal to the 185. I like that on the "new" 200dx's, the pedal won't override the panel. I've used a Miller Syncrowave-180 that we have at the machine shop and am used to the pedal's max amperage being controlled by the panel. But on the syncrowave, there are not very many adjustments and it hasn't stopped it from being used. See where I'm torn?? Any suggestions would be great. Thanks


Brian

200dx since has a good rating and more information on 200dx since a lot are using it on the site or could jump to a 250 eveyone that has a 250 tig likes them there a work horse and dependable

I really don't think I'll ever have a need for the 250 at all. And I'm on a "Mcbudget" so the 185 or 200 are about the max that I can afford and still buy a tank and consumables. Thanks for the quick reply :D. Thought that maybe I was the only guy on here right now

lol i am a night owl go with the 200 the 180 to small

Another thing that I'm wondering about is if I decide on the 200dx, how long would I have to wait for it to get to the states? I read on here that the "new" models were only in canada right now. I'd like to just walk into the South San Francisco address (if thats even ok) and pick it up from them. I work less than 3 miles from them.

Thanks again Rod!! I appreciate you answering my newb questions without making me feel stupid

If you could possibly need to do any stick welding, get the 200. If you need it to run on 115v, your only choice is the 185.

Since I just sold(traded actually) my AC TIG unit, I'm making the same choice except between 200DX and 225LX, since I find SMAW so bloody useful so often.

If you're in a hurry, I'd just order from Canuckistan. I've done that several times, and have not been disappointed. S/F....Ken M

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Originally Posted by Rodsmachineshop

lol i am a night owl go with the 200 the 180 to small

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Yeah, Rod has responded to me before when I thought *I* was the last one still on. ... and he is one hour ahead of me. He's a great resource though so if there is anyone you want on when you have a question, he is one person you want online.

hey asking is good

the ability to run on 110v is one of the features that I liked on the 185, as I could take it wherever I needed to and not worry about someone having 220 or not. I'm not in a super hurry at all, especially if I decide to go with the 200. I will have to save my lunch money for a little while longer:D if I want that one anyways!!

as far as stick welding. I've tried that a few times with the syncro-180 and I am not a fan at all:mad:. Maybe its just because of a lack of patience at the time, and no real ability:confused:. I just kept sticking the rod to the work piece. maybe thats why its called stick welding??hehe

just remember at 110 you don't get 180 amps , the 180 amp is at 220 volts thing also duel voltage welders i don't like i fried a duel voltage welder on a generator for power since it switch voltage and fried the welder . stick with a single voltage welder

If I was going to be using it on 110, it would probably just be helping a buddy weld up an exhaust or some sheetmetal. Not really thinking that I'd need the full 180 amps to do little stuff, right?

for exhaust and lite stuff 100 or under on amps . that why i bought the bigger i MiG everlast and use my smaller mig for lite stuff i like a mig for exhaust work if doing aluminum with tig 200 better plus if doing stainless 180 a little lite duty

Hmm that's something to think about also. Maybe getting a MIG 160 later down the road. But that's for another topic later I guess. For stainless then the 200 is a better unit also? So far I was thinking of doing my turbo downpiping and rest of the exhaust in 4" stainless tubing. I'm guessing the 185 would be ok with the tubing but if I got something later down the road that was thicker I'd be better off with the 200 then?

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Originally Posted by lucky13

Hmm that's something to think about also. Maybe getting a MIG 160 later down the road. But that's for another topic later I guess. For stainless then the 200 is a better unit also? So far I was thinking of doing my turbo downpiping and rest of the exhaust in 4" stainless tubing. I'm guessing the 185 would be ok with the tubing but if I got something later down the road that was thicker I'd be better off with the 200 then?

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I agree with Rod that the 200DX is the way to go--Once you factor in the pedal for the 185 it's really not worth spending the money on the smaller one (I know, easy for me to say since it's your money, lol)

You'll probably be happy with either, but likely happier in the long run with the 200DX.

Yeah I'm kinda leaning that way also. Though my wallet's thinking something differently! I guess I should ask when the newer units will be here. I don't really feel like paying the extra money to ship one in from canadia