Laser welder vs. TIG welder

[Fabworks]

I would recommend the Miller 350p if you decide to go the MIG route. I bought a 350p before Miller offered the 350p aluminum version, which cannot weld steel (according to Miller). I just added the push-pull gun to weld aluminum and still have the option to weld steel. I use the 350p when welding greater than 3/16" material. I recommend you get the 25' push-pull gun.

I would recommend the Dynasty 400 if you go the TIG route. Running the 400 on 3 phase increases the rated output by 25% ( 200amps vs 250amps at 100% duty cycle ). The Dynasty 400 is an incredible machine when it comes welding aluminum. I would recommend getting the wireless foot pedal as well. I thought that the wireless foot pedal was a waste of money.... till I got one, one less cord to get tangled. Welding aluminum takes a lot of amps so it is imperative that you get a machine with enough power.

 

[martin_05]

Thanks for all the input.

I got creative and struck an interesting bargain with our customer. We are going to weld-up the prototypes out of mild steel using the equipment we have. We feel we can explore form and function using this approach. Once past that phase, if they place the big order, we can then more than justify spending $10K+ on a machine and even consider buying two machines and bringing in people to help.

I was struggling with the idea of spending a bunch of cash without a guarantee of enough profit on the job to justify it. I do want to invest on dedicated machines (which makes complete sense). I think it's better this way. If the contract comes in, we go for it. If not, we made some money prototyping and we are done.

 

[Anthony Howe]

I have both a Dynasty 400 and the 350P and I never use the tig for aluminum because the 350P is nothing less than amazing. I'd even say it's the easiest welding machine out of the seven or so I own. Doesn't matter that much if the aluminum is even clean, it will weld it. Go for the 350P would be my advice.

 

[martin_05]

I have both a Dynasty 400 and the 350P and I never use the tig for aluminum because the 350P is nothing less than amazing. I'd even say it's the easiest welding machine out of the seven or so I own. Doesn't matter that much if the aluminum is even clean, it will weld it. Go for the 350P would be my advice.

Thanks for the feedback. Still waiting for our customer to make a decision. Material prices seems to have some spooked and in a wait-and-see mode waiting for prices to drop significantly. Can't blame them, I guess, if you don't need something immediately it might make sense to wait.

 

[Strostkovy]

Another vote for a 350P with a push pull gun. People think we TIG weld our stuff.

 

[Anthony Howe]

"As it stands right now I am heavily leaning towards buying a Miller Multimatic 220"
I owned one of these first crop and the chip went bad after not that much use. The wire feed in it was a POS made of chintzy plastic parts. The good thing about it was it made very good welds. It is the only Miller machine that has gone turkey on me on the six or so I've owned over the years.