View Full Version : Miller Synchrowave 300 TIG welder
Well, those of you that know me know that I've been wanting a tig welder for a while. It looks like I might be able to get a 1986 Miller Synchrowave 300 for under $1000. Does anyone here have any experience with the Synchrowave 300? It's for hooby use and its huge (700lbs), but it's less expensive than most 200AMP or less welders, and its AC/DC with HF, and a water cooled torch and foot control...
I have until tomorrow to give a yes/no answer so let me know what you think...
that sounds like a deal too good to pass up. Miller makes a quality product.
csaddict
10-02-2006, 02:17 PM
I have one at my shop. Its a great unit. No complaints. If you are using it at home realize its a rectifier and it sucks power like no tomorrow. We got ours at an auction for $100 with a trailer. I just bought a Thermal Arc Pro Wave 185 inverter. Its the best welder I have used to date.
I have one at my shop. Its a great unit. No complaints. If you are using it at home realize its a rectifier and it sucks power like no tomorrow. We got ours at an auction for $100 with a trailer. I just bought a Thermal Arc Pro Wave 185 inverter. Its the best welder I have used to date.
How much was the Thermal Arc... I'm gonna be using the welder probably 5hours/year tops... Just dicking around on random projects... Possibly some other people's downpipes... ;-)
Another question... they say it requires 140AMPs... Is that even if I'm welding at 50AMPs, or Does it use up the full load whenever it's welding?
ryan89crx
10-02-2006, 11:00 PM
almost $1000 for 5hrs of use?
just buy the HF tig for that...
goomer416
10-03-2006, 04:03 AM
or a lil mig welder.. a lot cheaper
Normworldhero
10-03-2006, 07:46 AM
We use a Synchrowave 250 in our shop, no issues.
or a lil mig welder.. a lot cheaper
Already have a Hobart Handler 135 mig, a Harbor Freight DC Tig (140amp), a Spot welder, a stick welder, a plasma cutter, a bridgeport, a lathe, and 2 precision grinding machines...
I want the AC/DC HF Tig so I have the ability to do Aluminum.
I guess I love collecting tools, and I love to grab them when I can get a good deal... My philosophy is that if I'm going to have to spend 200$ to pay someone to do a job job because I don't have the tool, I would rather spend 300$ to buy the tool, and learn to do the job myself. With this in mind, I have a car lift at home, welders, and tons of hand tools... I built my engine, turbo, and exhaust setup by myself in my spare time. It's agreat sense of accomplishment to do all of thisdespite having no mechanical training. Also, it saves a lot of money. I figure if I had paid someone to do it, I'd have about the same power, no satisfaction, and no tools, for about the same price.
What I need to know now is, if the Machine takes the full 138amps at 200V even when I'm welding at less than 150amps AC at 32V... If it always draws the full current, then I'm going to have electrical issues. If it only draws the full current when welding at full power (300amps) I should be fine, since I dont see myself welding 1/2" aluminum in a single pass. Any electricians/welders care to chime in? :-)
goomer416
10-03-2006, 01:34 PM
^^^ sounds like you've already made ur decision... good luck man :TU:
I'm going to see the machine tomorrow morning... I think we're going to be at the limit of the house's current capacity if I buy it... ;-)
ryan89crx
10-03-2006, 03:46 PM
i thought the HF machine didnt do aluminum...
:confused:
i thought the HF machine didnt do aluminum...
:confused:
Sorry, wasn't clear... AC/DC HF Tig is the Miller Syncrowave 300 I want to buy. HF Stands for High Frequency arc starting. It does aluminum. To do aluminum you need a Machine that is AC (Alternating Current) with High frequency to maintain the arc.
I believe the HF Machine you refer to is the Harbor Freight DC Tig. This machine cannot do aluminum.
Went to see the machine this morning... did not buy it :-(
csaddict
10-04-2006, 09:44 AM
My Prowave 185 was about $2k with an extra flexible torch and tax. You obviously won't run max amps unless you are tapping out the welder. We have our Syncro 300 on a 60 amp breaker and it never trips. Keep in mind I don't weld over 175 amps with it. My Thermal arc is rated at 26 amps full load I believe.
Rexinre
10-04-2006, 09:57 AM
Went to see the machine this morning... did not buy it :-(
Why???
Why???
The guy is selling 3 Synchowaves. 1 is 1988, and 2 are 1986.
Picture of the one he offered me was for the newer machine than the one he was willing to sell me. The one he was willing to sell had no power correction, and the newer machine was already sold, so I tried to snag the 3rd one for the same price, but he wanted 150$ more for it with no torch...
I told him I'd think about it...
The machines without power correction pull 120Amps at full power, wheras the one with correction pulls only 96Amps. My house has a 100AMP main breaker...
CSADDICT Thanks for the info!
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