Would you sell off the transformer machine now that an inverter rules the roost?

Trboatworks · Dec 11, 2022

I have had a white case Hobart Tigwave 250 the shop for years but bought a new inverter box which now sees all the work.
What would you do- hold onto the Tigwave as backup?

Am I missing something where the transformer machine will be the better choice for some process?

I have to say I love the Tigwave- it is a great machine.
I bought it from an outfit in NY which had done one contract welding up handles for metro cars way back when and then it sat unused.
I paid too dollar for it for its nice shape and might not find another in this condition so easily.

But…
I am pulling in another tuna tower in anodized this winter where the Tigwave is out of its depth.
All the sundry light stainless and aluminum work is now done on the inverter as well so the Tigwave sits.

What to do- thanks for all the memories but you are done and send the Hobart down the road?
Keep it for the day the inverter box tosses a board in the middle of a job..
Shop is crowded space is at a premium.

Ries · Dec 11, 2022

I still have one transformer machine, but have been using and loving inverters for over 20 years now. If I had to have only one welder, it would be an inverter. Interestingly enough, in 40 years of welding, and a dozen or more machines, the only circuit board failure was on my transformer tig machine. And it, too, required an expensive replacement board.

Trboatworks · Dec 11, 2022

Ries I forgot- have one of the Miller Maxstar 160’s in the shop as well.
I bought it to take out to the docks but it really never gets used.
It has a damaged board- it lost hi frequency start but still runs.
I got that before the Hobart and maybe should haul it out to see if it’s good to go.
That could serve as a backup for light work.

I paid sort of a lot for the Hobart- maybe $1500 with a cooler and heavy torch.
I would want to get something back out of it
It might be that the Hobart could do anodized now that I am up to speed on the material ?
Not sure but the inverter box sure delivers..
The Tigwave really is a sweetheart though- nothing quite like that machine humming along when it shoulders down to lay a big bead.

Damn the boat work anyways.
Back from when we used to be boaters...
Our lovely old Rhodes.

Peter from Holland · Dec 11, 2022

If you are making money welding a back-up machine is a good thing to have. Inverter or otherwise
Peter

Milland · Dec 11, 2022

Trboatworks said:
Damn the boat work anyways.
Back from when we used to be boaters...
Our lovely old Rhodes.

View attachment 381359

Dang, that's a pretty composition - almost painterly...

Trboatworks · Dec 11, 2022

Milland said:
Dang, that's a pretty composition - almost painterly...

A pro photographer was on the creek that day and sent that along to us.
The old Rhodes is a pretty and seakindly boat like all of his designs.
Now she sits on the hard, languishing…

dkmc · Dec 11, 2022

In 2018 I bought an AHP 200 amp inverter. It works SO much better than the 1973 Airco Heliwelder ever has. Still have the Airco. Did same with MIG machine. Who would want the old ones?? Old transformer machines are all over CL and market place, they sit there for months at tapering prices till the seller gives up.

Milland · Dec 11, 2022

Trboatworks said:
The old Rhodes is a pretty and seakindly boat like all of his designs.
Now she sits on the hard, languishing…

View attachment 381361

The "Like" was for the original post, the updated one with the poor boat on stands warrants a "Sad"...

Trboatworks · Dec 11, 2022

Milland said:
The "Like" was for the original post, the updated one with the poor boat on stands warrants a "Sad"...

yep

I spend a bit of most days weeping for the 'halcyon days' gone…

I need a nice sailing trip to stir the blood.
Is anyone up for a nice friendly invasion of Greenland?

jccaclimber · Dec 12, 2022

1. If you want to know if it can handle a material, weld up a few samples.
2. Does it have value as redundancy for your other equipment? Would you actually use it? As an loosely similar example, I finally got rid of a lot of my undergrad lab work not because I hadn't used it in years, but because the rare time I need to re-learn something from my distant past I can do so faster with online references than from my own work, which means not only do I not use it, but it isn't the best tool available to me for the task.
3. So you have some money in it. You also have some value out of it. If you want it gone and it's taking space you need for different money making tools/work then it's a cost, not an asset. I guess the question is, if you didn't have one, and your buddy was giving it away for free, would you make the space for it?
4 Assuming you still want it gone, if you can get some money when removing that cost great, but if not, you make it sound like it doesn't owe you anything at this point. Sort of like the 1990 CNC when it's time comes. It cost a lot of money, hopefully it made more, but when the time comes it goes cheap or to the scrapper.

fish123 · Dec 12, 2022

I will keep the ancient Lincoln idealarc TIG 300/300 for heavy work.
Would like an inverter TIG for light work on Al, Ti, Stainless & mild steel. Not production work, just random jobs.
No idea what to look at.

mikeylikesit · Dec 12, 2022

fish123 said:
No idea what to look at.

how fat is your wallet. do you want to drop $800 or $8k ?

Ries · Dec 13, 2022

Depends on, to quote Clint Eastwood, how lucky you feel.
Cheap chinese, with no parts availability, could last a week or a decade.
HTP, with one dealer in the US, medium price, medium quality.
Miller, Lincoln, or ESAB, industrial quality industrial prices.

I probably have $20 k worth of welders in the shop now, down from my peak days, but they are all Millers. Minimum downtime, over the last 35 years, oldest one bought new in 88.
To me, worth paying for.
But a new Miller inverter tig is not cheap.
If I could only have one machine in my shop, it would be a Dynasty 400. $16k or so discount price online these days.
Shoulda boght one when they were only ten.

fish123 · Dec 13, 2022

Around $2-4k. Hoping I can use the existing gas regulator, suspect the old torch and hose connections are incompatible w/ new TIG inverter welder

Strostkovy · Dec 13, 2022

Keep money around instead of a welder. You can get welders very quickly, typically. Our supplier rents equipment as ours is being repaired as well.

cyanidekid · Dec 13, 2022

fish123 said:
Around $2-4k. Hoping I can use the existing gas regulator, suspect the old torch and hose connections are incompatible w/ new TIG inverter welder

no, gas fittings are the same for the last 50 years or so on "inert" gases. CGA 580 for the tank valve, 9/16-18 for the low pressure side.
(new fittings are cheap and gas leaks are expensive), however a regulator is a safety device, and they deteriorate with age, so consider a quality one like a Miller brand well worth it (id say even more than their welders). one other brand in the "low-mid" range in welders is Everlast.

ok, so back to the original thread! Tr, space costs money. don't hang on to bulky old stuff unless its really worth it (I should take my own advice,lol!)
a BIG factor is your electric bill. running that old unit will suck juice and possibly ding you with a demand charge that will hurt all year even if you don't use it again. I know from experience. one hour of running a heater cost me 2000+
you do absolutely want a backup, but that can be the 160, I have a 161 for travel and backup as well. get the HF fixed, get rid of the scrap pile, and don't look back. its paid for. its like a 30 year old kid still living in your basement. kick 'em out.

tylersteez · Dec 13, 2022

The old transformer welders almost never fail and leave you stranded compared to modern inverter welders. With that said, my main welders are all inverters and they've all been reliable and enjoyable to use. I still have the old buzzbox miller just incase. If you're not hurting for cash or space then just put it in the dusty corner of your shop

Strostkovy · Dec 13, 2022

cyanidekid said:
a regulator is a safety device, and they deteriorate with age, so consider a quality one like a Miller brand well worth it (id say even more than their welders). one other brand in the "low-mid" range in welders is Everlast.

I'm so tired of our miller regulators. Whining, buzzing, sticking, drifting, etc. We keep having to send them out for warranty. All purchased in the last two years. Absolutely sucks when you completely lose gas flow for a few seconds randomly during welds (verified by having someone watch the gauge).

cyanidekid · Dec 13, 2022

Strostkovy said:
I'm so tired of our miller regulators. Whining, buzzing, sticking, drifting, etc. We keep having to send them out for warranty. All purchased in the last two years. Absolutely sucks when you completely lose gas flow for a few seconds randomly during welds (verified by having someone watch the gauge).

haven't had any problems with mine. sorry to hear that. I did get mine on closeout for 60% off, there might have been a problem, luckily not on these.

Are yours Miller/Smith Equipment "premium flowmeter regulator" 32-30-580?

Strostkovy · Dec 13, 2022

cyanidekid said:
haven't had any problems with mine. sorry to hear that. I did get mine on closeout for 60% off, there might have been a problem, luckily not on these.

Are yours Miller/Smith Equipment "premium flowmeter regulator" 32-30-580?

Miller compressed gas regulator 22-80-580

Would you sell off the transformer machine now that an inverter rules the roost?

Diamond

Diamond

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Diamond

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Diamond

Hot Rolled

Cast Iron

Plastic

Diamond

Cast Iron

Stainless

Titanium

Aluminum

Stainless

Titanium

Stainless

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