Help deciding on right TIG/plasma package to purchase

[sportbike]

Get the 200DX for the extra featuers and welding aluminum.
Also get a Power Ultra 205 combo unit for the ability to have IGBT plasma at low input current, and to be able to also use it on the bread and butter of your work, DC Tig.

If you run into a situation where you need to weld steel that is thicker than you have the heat for, switch the 200DX over and stick weld it.

I would buy both units, and put a small tig torch on the 200DX, like a wp-9. Only use this one for the low amp stuff, and even add in pulse if you need to have less heat.
Use the PU205 primarily setup for cutting.

If you have a bigger project, do your cutting, then swap out the PU205 with a WP26 torch. Grab the 200dx torch for the lite stuff, and pickup the PU205 for the heavier stuff.

Also, measure the actual voltage you have, If you have 240V, it will be a bit better than 220V. I have a 200DX and can confirm full load capability, on AC, with a 30A 240V circuit. I can also confirm that it will do so with a 100+ ft 10awg SOW extension cord.

I'd stick with the pedal that is supplied at first, and go from there if you feel it does not fit the bill. If you set teh current low, and use pulse, the pedal resolution woudl be quite high. I will note that you should read the manual for teh 200dx as well as some of the posts about pedal operation as it is a bit customized to this machine. I am not sure that any other pedals are available for it. If you are not stuck on how YOU think it should operate and instead, actually read the instructions (the file available online, not the included paper manual) and set it up, it works just fine.

You may also want to invest in a nice air drier for the plasma. Seems the cut quality and consumable life is improves with better quality air input.

John

[kenwhite]

...Also get a Power Ultra 205 combo unit for the ability to have IGBT plasma at low input current, and to be able to also use it on the bread and butter of your work, DC Tig...

...Use the PU205 primarily setup for cutting...

...If you have a bigger project, do your cutting, then swap out the PU205 with a WP26 torch. Grab the 200dx torch for the lite stuff, and pickup the PU205 for the heavier stuff...

...You may also want to invest in a nice air drier for the plasma. Seems the cut quality and consumable life is improves with better quality air input...

I don't have a DX, but I do have a PU205P.

If you are going to use it on 120V and primarily for plasma cutting, you would probably be better off getting a dedicated plasma cutter, which is what I am probably going to do since older CUT50D that I had cut better than my PU205P.

I do agree 100% that a good dryer is essential.

[brad3579]

I don't have a DX, but I do have a PU205P.

If you are going to use it on 120V and primarily for plasma cutting, you would probably be better off getting a dedicated plasma cutter, which is what I am probably going to do since older CUT50D that I had cut better than my PU205P.

I do agree 100% that a good dryer is essential.

This one works very well for me.

http://store.cyberweld.com/mogumplairfi.html

[kenwhite]

This one works very well for me.

http://store.cyberweld.com/mogumplairfi.html

Same one I use...

[zoama]

This one works very well for me.

http://store.cyberweld.com/mogumplairfi.html

I agree thats a great filter, but the price is too high at cyberweld especially for the unit only.
It's better to buy the kit with 3 filters for less money (around $75 shipped) http://www.automotivetoolsonline.com...it_p_9419.html a penny saved is a penny earned.

Note, the only difference between the m45, m60 and m100 kits is the inlet/outlet size whitch can be bushed to any size you need for about a dollar.

[kenwhite]

I agree thats a great filter, but the price is too high at cyberweld especially for the unit only.
It's better to buy the kit with 3 filters for less money (around $75 shipped) http://www.automotivetoolsonline.com...it_p_9419.html a penny saved is a penny earned.

Note, the only difference between the m45, m60 and m100 kits is the inlet/outlet size whitch can be bushed to any size you need for about a dollar.

Got mine here: http://www.tooltopia.com/motorguard-m45.aspx

Lots of good deals...