Advice on what to buy & availability / shipping times

[ncsugrad2006]

lol, cool.. Well maybe I'll end up with water cooler sooner then.

[Rodsmachineshop]

this is what mine looks like but i use 5 gallons of distilled water instead of a small washer bottle ,what cool my 5 gallon containers i get from goodson tool that grinding fluid is clear like a washer bottle and thick plastic the pump runs about 30 psi just checked the specks

[ncsugrad2006]

Looks good.. Just sent an email over to sales about the 200DX, so we will see.

Seems there are a lot of good reviews on that welder (and the usual China bashing) but that looks to be my best option in this price range!

[KSmith]

I have been looking at the specs, comparing to my needs, and the 200DX seems right for me. I have just finished a welding cart, all ready with a tray for a 200DX. I also like the consistently good reviews on the unit. When I read your first post, I immediately thought the 200DX would be the right one for you.

[jakeru]

For 200 amps @ 60% duty cycle inverter TIG machine, there is no reason to get a water cooled torch setup. Good for larger machines, but it's a misfit, IMO, on a 200 amp @ 60% duty cycle inverter TIG machine.

Instead, you can get a real nice aircooled torch setup that is reasonably "nimble" and won't overheat. It's not even that expensive. A CK Worldwide Trimline 210 torch, with the flex neck and the "superflex" cable is the ticket. It's rated 200 amps AC or DC @ 100% duty cycle, which is more than enough for a 200 amp @ 60% duty cycle machine, even welding heavy aluminum continuously. (Which is pretty much how I've used mine.) The watercooled setup is just extra cost, extra hassle (changing / maintaining the coolant), makes your welding setup less portable, and can cause expensive damage if you run the machine without turning on the cooler. (Easy to do.) For a machine 200 amps and less, aircooled is the way to go, IMO. If you want to use the small consumables, you can with "stubby" collets and collet body setup.

But you could always just try out the factory aircooled torch that comes with the 200DX first, and see how you like it. Then, you can always upgrade the torch later. You may need to special order the Trimline 210, and you'll need to adapter to make it fit as well. Combined, they might run you around $150.

I think the 200DX is a really good fit for your needs. To weld the thicker end of the material range you are interested in doing, (depending how large the pieces are), you may need to pre-heat them (with a big propane "weed burner") or get some Helium gas to mix in with your argon. (Either of those can be later add-ons / upgrades for your overall welding setup as well.)

[redbeard]

If you have a a water tap and a place to run a drain, you can use a water cooled torch for a few bucks worth of fittings and hose. Just crack the faucet so you don't over pressure it and most importantly, don't forget to turn it on.

[Rodsmachineshop]

I have a friend that just use his shop water but has 2 filters before it go through the torch , back in the old days that's what we had for are helio arc welders to cool the torch talk about dinosaur welders . here is what i am using for a cooler works good. some day i will put all the cooling stuff in a case and maby add a fan since have 2 or 3 blower fans at the shop

[ncsugrad2006]

For 200 amps @ 60% duty cycle inverter TIG machine, there is no reason to get a water cooled torch setup. Good for larger machines, but it's a misfit, IMO, on a 200 amp @ 60% duty cycle inverter TIG machine.

Instead, you can get a real nice aircooled torch setup that is reasonably "nimble" and won't overheat. It's not even that expensive. A CK Worldwide Trimline 210 torch, with the flex neck and the "superflex" cable is the ticket. It's rated 200 amps AC or DC @ 100% duty cycle, which is more than enough for a 200 amp @ 60% duty cycle machine, even welding heavy aluminum continuously. (Which is pretty much how I've used mine.) The watercooled setup is just extra cost, extra hassle (changing / maintaining the coolant), makes your welding setup less portable, and can cause expensive damage if you run the machine without turning on the cooler. (Easy to do.) For a machine 200 amps and less, aircooled is the way to go, IMO. If you want to use the small consumables, you can with "stubby" collets and collet body setup.

But you could always just try out the factory aircooled torch that comes with the 200DX first, and see how you like it. Then, you can always upgrade the torch later. You may need to special order the Trimline 210, and you'll need to adapter to make it fit as well. Combined, they might run you around $150.

I think the 200DX is a really good fit for your needs. To weld the thicker end of the material range you are interested in doing, (depending how large the pieces are), you may need to pre-heat them (with a big propane "weed burner") or get some Helium gas to mix in with your argon. (Either of those can be later add-ons / upgrades for your overall welding setup as well.)

I believe that is what I will do--start with the included torch and change from there if needed. I sent an email to their sales people/person last night so we will see what they say.

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. Keep them coming if you have them!