Buy syncrowave 200?

[Tractorguy24]

Alright, im still looking for a tig. I found a miller syncrowave 200 for sale for $1300 Canadian. Air cooled torch and no bottle. Seems like the syncrowave has quite a few bells n whistles? What do you guys think of the price? Any input is appreciated!

 

[RNeumann]

I’m going off memory but that machine is Miller’s transformer machine. $1300c is an OK price. Read the manual a lot of Miller machines will tell
You the hours but I don’t know if that one does. If I recall that machine can take a spool gun too.
I shied away from it because I couldn’t move it without a crane or two people. But if that isn’t on your needs list give it a try- you won’t lose money at that price.

Verify it has the foot pedal- that’s a few hundred bucks.

 

[Tractorguy24]

Thanks for your reply, rneumann.
Yea it does have the foot pedal. The manual tells how to check the hours, but even if I knew them, it wouldn't tell me anything. I know how much hours on a tractor is a lot and what isn't, but I have no idea on a welder
And the weight doesn't matter. Im sure my old two fifty twin stick welder is a bit heavier:laughing:

 

[MinnesotaDaveChalmers]

The syncrowave 200 should be transformer based.
The syncrowave 210 is the inverter model (of questionable quality) that also runs a spool gun.

 

[Big Barn]

The price is good for "our" area. I paid $1750 CDN for mine. 13 hours with foot pedal, torch, cables and a small bottle of argon.



Sold it a couple of months later for $2250CDN when I found a bigger machine.

 

[Tractorguy24]

Thanks for your reply Dave!
So you're saying the quality of the 200 is not questionable (it is a transformer)?
This is probably a stupid question, but Why would you need a spool gun on a big? For Welding aluminium fast?

 

[Tractorguy24]

The price is good for "our" area. I paid $1750 CDN for mine. 13 hours with foot pedal, torch, cables and a small bottle of argon.

View attachment 559168

Sold it a couple of months later for $2250CDN when I found a bigger machine.

What did you do to it to make it worth so much more? let it live in your shop for awhile?
I know what you mean by the prices in our area
Ill probably keep the two fifty twin for heavy stick welding, so I don't need enormous amounts of power.

 

[Big Barn]

What did you do to it to make it worth so much more? let it live in your shop for awhile?
I know what you mean by the prices in our area

By "our area" I mean British Columbia. I built the cart for it but the buyer didn't need it so I kept it. He was happy to find such a low hour machine, still under warranty.

 

[RNeumann]

Thanks for your reply Dave!
So you're saying the quality of the 200 is not questionable (it is a transformer)?
This is probably a stupid question, but Why would you need a spool gun on a big? For Welding aluminium fast?

It’s just a MIG option. Aluminum or other metals would work with the spool gun. Miller, IMO, was making and marketing the machine as a high end homeowner/entry level commercial model that could do “everything.” That’s why they probably made the spool gun an option. Lincoln and others also make multiprocess machines.

 

[Big Barn]

Don't despair. There ARE deals to be had occasionally. I watch Used Victoria/Vancouver and set alerts for Kijiji BC.

Here's my $850CDN ($570 USD) 351 S'Wave after "cleaning it up".

 

[Tractorguy24]

Here in the Oknanagan area stuff is even more expensive.
This tig welder is one of 4 which were on the market in the past half year. Not more. And I do have alerts for Kijiji and a bunch of other pages.

 

[Tractorguy24]

Here, I’ll buy your 351 for $900. That sounds like a good deal for both of us right? I get a good deal and you made $50:laughing:

 

[Big Barn]

Here, I’ll buy your 351 for $900. That sounds like a good deal for both of us right? I get a good deal and you made $50:laughing:

Thanks for the offer. I'll get back to you on that....

Being in the Okanagan you have better access than me to all the Alberta oil sands goodies for sale.

 

[3Lfarms]

If it’s low hours, say under 100 and it’s has the tigrunner wheel kit, then I’d say it’s a good deal for $1300 Canadian. IIRC, if you push the dig button when you turn it on, it will display how many hours it has. The manual will tell you for sure.

I have one, and while it is power hungry, it welds very well. It will need a 50 amp outlet, and even then can pop the breaker when run wide open. They are also pretty bulletproof. You don’t see many problems with them like some of the other syncrowave machines. Don’t expect to tig 1/4” aluminum with it.

 

[Tractorguy24]

I thought I read somewhere that it did 1/4 aluminum and steel

 

[3Lfarms]

Small pieces of 1/4”, yes. Large plates, no.

 

[Tractorguy24]

Because of duty cycle or why only small pieces?

 

[Tractorguy24]

And for the breaker, I plan on putting in a 50 or 60 amp anyway...

 

[MinnesotaDaveChalmers]

I thought I read somewhere that it did 1/4 aluminum and steel

If the piece isn't small, it's easy to use 230-250 amps on heavy aluminum.

Aluminum transfers heat away quickly.

Plus I just like having lots of power for a quick puddle - I'm impatient

 

[3Lfarms]

I’ve never hit the duty cycle limit. It has popped my 60 amp breaker a couple of times with the amperage set to 200a a/c.