Following Aweaver's lead...???

[Henro]

Hi,

Well if you were expecting a report on the climax of my welder buying saga...I guess that will come next week

I know I must be setting a record for indecisiveness...

The merry-go-round has taken me past everything from stick buzz boxes to the Dynasty 200 DX. I would like to buy the Dynasty 200 DX but I just can't justify the cost. It looks like the Dynasty 200 DX would cost $1,000 more than a Thermal Arc Prowave 185 TSW when the extra pieces needed to make a "ready to weld" package are added to the DX's base cost.

So here's my (final??) question:

Is there something specific about the Dynasty 200 DX that that makes it worth 60% more than the Prowave 185 TSW???

Minimum current on the Dynasty is 1 amp VS 5 amps on the Prowave. Maximum current is 200 on the Dynasty VS 185 on the Prowave.

I think most other features are pretty much equal. I could be wrong though, as I am a greenhorn and might miss something that is important even if it were staring me in the face!

Miller has the name and is the one I would like to have if the prices were closer. I know the questions about the Trermal Arc and longevity. I am willing to take that risk.

I guess I should sign this

60% price difference just seems to be too much...

[deere_x475guy]

One thing to consider that I know of. Call the number for tech support for the Thermal arc. Then call Miller tech support. See if you actually get through to anyone. I tried Thermaldyne when I was considering their Cutmaster 38 and could not get a live person to speak to. I did this 3 times over 3 different days and different times of the day. Same thing each time. After being on hold for ever I finally got a message saying to leave voice mail and allow up to 48 hours for a response.

As far as the technical end and what you need to have to Tig weld I have no idea. Others will help you there I am sure.

Good Luck

Bob

[Ed in Ga]

Bill,
I was in the same situation as you. Never welded, unsure about the differences in each brand etc. Like Aaron I bought the T/A Prowave 185 and have no regrets. The unit has taken my stupid mistakes without complaint. Once used a few times, the touch pad controls and graphic display are easy to set up. In the future I hope to be able to utilize the machine's full capabilities.

As far as the price difference , that is your decision. Blue, red, yellow or mauve colors matter little to me.

Their customer service was excellent when I called (they all are when you are buying something) but have had no reason to contact tech support so I can't comment on Bob's complaint.

Ed

[Henro]

One thing to consider that I know of. Call the number for tech support for the Thermal arc. Then call Miller tech support. See if you actually get through to anyone.

deere_x475guy and all.

Interestingly, yesterday I did call Thermal Arc and was connected to a technician. We spoke until I felt guilty for keeping him on the line so long...maybe I just got lucky.

Also, I did not call tech support, but rather the customer service number, and spoke first with a girl who transferred me to the tech department when she could not answer my questions.

I don't feel the need to caller Miller because I already know the answer as to their being here for the present and the future...

Do feel better though since I did get a live person yesterday at Thermal Arc who was willing, and able, to answer speific, and technical, questions about their products.

Thanks for that advice. Maybe I should call a second time and see if I get the same result.

I KNOW with Miller I would get a satisfactory response.

I could pay the extra for the miller product, but before I do that I will need to know that I am getting something that is worth 60 percent more in cost. A thousand dollars still means a lot to my pocket book [and to my wife too...]

[deere_x475guy]

I am going to try and call one more time right now. I will let you know if I get through.

Well...what do you know. I did get through and the guy I talked to was very knowledgeable. He didn't have to look anything up or put me on hold to answer any of my questions.

Genuie cut was 3/8" and max cut is 1/2". Not bad...


Bob

[Scott V]

Hey Bob,don't start that again.

[deere_x475guy]

HAHA...Scott...nope I have made up my mind. I just want to be fair. Also I found the 800 number last week for them. I decided I was going to also upgrade my welder. So my MM175, cart and Miller welding helmet LXi is for sale. Once I sell it I will be going to the MM210 or the MM251.

Bob

[Franz]

Now come on Bob, lets be fair to Thermal, I finally got the top secret number to actually speak to a human, after a month of "press 1 if you'd like to hold on to the illusion we give a ****".
Oh sure, I had to pay for the call, but then THERMAL is BANKRUPT, and not just in the dollar department. Yup, there is one guy there who knows something about the machines, and he will FAX you the information.
Did I ever mention Thermal has seen the last of my dollars they will ever see? Really, I'm not hostile, just tired because so many people have been calling to ask to BORROW one of my generators since the ice storm hit, and the brilliant "management" of Rochester Gas & Electric has demonstrated the value of all their MBAs and satellite directed trucks. Gee, it was a good utility before they replaced people with computers and contractors.

[Scott V]

Franz,just loan them a Thermal-arc generator,that will teach them!

[kf1128]

i recently went through the same dilemma and settled on the dynasty for the following reasons:

1. ability to run it off of any input power. in my opinion, only being able to run off of 220 seriously limited the real portability of the unit. if portablility wasn't an issue, i would have gotten a syncrowave.
2. miller seems to be in pretty good financial shape. while i doubt that thermal arc is going to go under any time soon, in my experience, when a company is in bankruptcy one of the first things they tend to cut back on is service.
3.the miller is manufactured in the united states(i'm not positive, but i've understand that the thermal arc may be manufactured in europe)

[Henro]

1. ability to run it off of any input power. in my opinion, only being able to run off of 220 seriously limited the real portability of the unit...

THanks for comments, kf1128.

I don't expect to have the need to hook up to anything above 220, so I did not consider the higher input voltage capability very important in my case. Now if I expected to use the welder in an industrial plant, the would be different. All the steel plants I have worked in had either 120 or 440 everywhere, but 220 was rare to find.

...if portablility wasn't an issue, i would have gotten a syncrowave.

I had considered the Syncrowave 180SD but it lacks some of the features of the inverters, and also has a much higher input current draw...

[kf1128]

for me, the ability to run off of 120 was the major factor. you can pretty much find a suitable outlet anywhere. i can actually weld in my livingroom(when my wifes not home ). but seriously, that does make it really convenient for site work.