need a machine for a max of 1/4" to 3/8" alum tig

[dl.]

Hi guys,Thanks, I appreciate all of the knowledge on this board!

I am looking to buy a inverter tig for some occasional welding. I will be using it for car customization and restoration. I have been trying to find my wildest project, and the most demanding thing I could come up with would be welding some 1/4" to 3/8" aluminum. It would be a tube to a open flange, so I could access both sides of the weld joint. I have been looking at all of the brands Miller Dynasty 200dx, lincoln 205, Thermal Arc 185 or ?, also HTP 201.
Price is a huge factor for me, but I don't want to regret my purchase either.
Will all of these machines be able to do this? Will I be working them to their limit?
I was liking the HTP because I could get a whole liquid cooled set-up for less than air cooled Miller or Lincoln.
Thanks again for your input.

[hankj]

Welcome aboard.

If you plan on a steady diet of .375 aluminum, you'd better think 400-amp class machines. Aluminum needs lot of heat, as it heat sinks very effectively. My T/A 185 is rated at 3/16.

Hank

[Synchroman]

Welcome aboard.

If you plan on a steady diet of .375 aluminum, you'd better think 400-amp class machines. Aluminum needs lot of heat, as it heat sinks very effectively. My T/A 185 is rated at 3/16.

Hank

Yes, you will be needing quite a bit of current for 3/8" material...at least 350 to 400 amps.

[Samurai Dave]

If you don't mind making several passes to build-up the bead on 3/8", then a Dynasty 200DX should be fine.

However, as stated earlier, for single-pass beads you really need to crank-up the amps for thick aluminum.

[fun4now]

with proper prep and pre heat you could get by with the 200amp welder, but it will get old fast. you would be better off looking at some thing in the 300 and up range. nothing against the Dyn 200 DX its a great welder as is the TA-185, but 3/8" is just not its thing.

[weldngod]

What ya need is what I just got today check this

[kcstott]

I have to agree
My sycro wave can do alot of aluminum but it will only do so much and 1/4 to 3/8 requires preheat or a syncro 350.
Aluminum is not cheep to weld at least from the machine cost point of view.
kerry

[dl.]

What ya need is what I just got today check this

Will they let me trade in my house and trucks on that thing??lol

Actually, I don't think I'd be doing too many things with 3/8", that would be occasional. I probably do have a couple projects that I'd be doing with 1/4"
Also, the 3/8" stuff is an open ended flange, so I will be welding the inside and the outside of it.

[weldngod]

just warm it up with torch first.

[FusionKing]

If you are looking at "list" price on Miller and Lincoln then you need to go back and price more.
The contractor kit isn't all that good of a price so that makes miller seem high.
Several internet sellers make better deals. I looked very hard at the HTP and was "sold" on it more than once but finally decided for an Italian machine it was not worth as much money as they wanted so I went with AMERICAN and am glad I did. I really cannot imagine using anything else now...it would be a step back except for maybe the Lincoln.
As far as welding 3/8ths thick aluminum it depends on how big or the mass of the piece is. For instance a piece of say 3/8ths x 2" isn't a big deal at all to weld. I have welded well over 1/2" thick castings daily with mine. (skegs and other outdrive castings) 200 amps is actually a lot of power. If your flange is open and really only a half inch wider around the hole you have more than enuff juice to overheat the part.
If you are trying to weld in the middle of a 4 ft square piece it would be tough but if you are talking about a flange like an intake it will handle it easily.
I use a dynasty 200 DX daily for whatever anybody sends me. It paid for itself in less than a month. Only once did I opt to use my 400+ amp machine in the last few months that I've owned the Dynasty. I would put it up against anything in it's class.
I also have been watching just how much amperage I do use and most of the time a 185 would do me fine. If your wildest project is 3/8ths then get it. If you end up needing more power you can sell a Dynasty or any of the machines you mentioned very fast on e-bay or Craiglist extremely easy.