portable (suitcase) welders that can weld aluminum

[berkshire]

I have some work coming up that will require me to buy a carry on type welder for shipboard work on small commercial vessels.
Most of the work will be stainless, however I expect to get asked to plug small screw holes in aluminum masts.
I am looking at a Miller dynasty 200DX, however in my search I have discovered several Australian marketed machines that claim to be better and about half the price.
I suspect that these actually come out of China but have no way of knowing.
Any way the question is are these inverter type machines as good as the top name US brands? Or are they a heap of trouble to be stayed away from?
B.E.

 

[keviwal]

Hi,

I,m based in the UK and have used thermadyne products which we find are brilliant to be honest.
I did a quick a quick google search and came up with

http://www.thermadyne.com/cigweld/content/view/84.

They do all sorts of inverter type products.
If i can help any further please do let me know

Kind regards,

Keviwal

 

[Adalius]

I have a Dynasty 200 DX and it's been exceptionally reliable for the work I do with it. Miller can be a bit pricey but I've had a really good experience with their machines. Lincoln's used to be problematic but the newer ones that I've gotten my hands on seem to be on par with Miller in terms of quality and dependability.

I can't really comment on too many other brands as I don't have much experience with them, but I can tell you that for doing a mixture of SMAW/GTAW work the Dynasty line is pretty damn nice. I did have some problems trying to extend it for use on some weldments that were putting it right on the cusp of its duty cycle, but once I backed off a little she runs as advertised.

 

[Mr168]

If reliability and serviceability are a concern, stick with the major brands.

The big plus about the Dynasty units is the ability to run on 120v. If you don't need that capability, look at the Thermal Arc TA-185's (or larger if additional amperage is needed). Great little units, many of the same features. If you do go Dynasty and don't need the pulse feature, don't discount the SD models.

 

[AidanMc]

I may not be a real welder or weld engineer and I'm just out of school. However, for my senior project last year we built an FSAE car (Half scale F1 car) and used a Miller Dynasty 200 exclusively. It was the DX model though we didn't use the pulse feature for anything I can think of. It was a great machine, we had it set up for 120v most of the year but swapped over to 240v at the end. It was nice to have the options though. I personally welded from 0.035-0.250 with it. Might've even welded thicker, I can't quite remember now. I would definitely recommend that machine to anyone interested in it.

Aidan McAllister
Metallurgical Engineer
Automotive Enthusiast

 

[berkshire]

Thanks for the replies,
I do need the 115/240 volt capability. The pulse feature, although nice is not essential I have used pulse machines and can get bye without it.
The main features required are to be able to lug it aboard a boat without breaking my back, then being able to lay a decent bead without having breakers popping off.
Serviceability is the main concern and the ability to do AC welding. One brand I was looking at was a company called Everlast however their name may be a misnomer and the machines they sell are 208/240volt single phase AC/DC machines with pulse and slope features available.
I found the Thermal Arc 185 TSW which has all the bells and whistles I need and more and a 35 lb carry on weight however it seems to be even more costly than the Miller.
I will check out the Miller SD models.
B.E.

 

[Adalius]

As far as the weight goes, the Dynasty, with its shoulder strap, is ultra portable. I've lugged it to the roof of a 15 story building (stupid broken elevator) and my portly frame didn't collapse and die.

 

[berkshire]

keviwal (Specifier/Regul)
I followed your link which brought me back to the Thermal Arc welders.
All,
well I think I am going to go with the Dynasty 200 DX, everyone I have talked to says that this is an awesome welder, and that the 110 volt feature is the, must have, item the others do not have.
B.E.

 

[vesselfab]

yep that machine is nice.

but if you are going to be doing much welding at a time, the Tig Runner with water cooler and a foot pedal is sure nice. and extra 100 lbs but that is what they build 2 wheeled dollys for isn't it?

and remember....just because it makes strange noises....doesn't mean there is something wrong with it

 

[berkshire]

vesselfab (Mechanical)
That's the whole point, most of this work will be repairing hand rails where the max weld length will be about 3". Also only about half of the marinas around here have 220/240 on the dock, most of the time it is a 115volt twist-lock connector. This would mean moving the boat to a dock where I can get 220/240 shore power
And lugging a 100lb welder up a set of dock steps onto a 90 foot sport-fisherman is not my idea of fun.
If I was going to do that, I would have bought an Econotig.
B.E.

 

[vesselfab]

sorry....did not know you were speaking of little sport fishers.

I was thinging (being on the gulf coast) of small commercial boats like crew boats and work boats or tugs in the 100 - 150 foot range

many have 220 aboard and some 480 with 3 auxillary generators

I guess that little machine will do fine. They even have a smaller one now

 

[berkshire]

vesselfab (Mechanical)
That's OK
Most of the commercial sport fishers around here are 60 to 90 feet with a couple of 105 footers. Most of them have 115 volt generators for the lights and galley.
There will also be work on small private yachts, although I have worked on private yachts up to 300 feet long. most of the yachts around here are in the 30 to 60 foot range.
The whole point of this is to be able to do a job at the customers home dock, without taking it to the yard.
When you say a smaller welder, are you talking about the Maxstar?
B.E.

 

[vesselfab]

I was thinking about the diversity 165
but it is 220v input sorry

yep in your case, the dynasty is the way to go

Have Tungten Will Travel

 

[berkshire]

vesselfab (Mechanical)
I think you meant the Diversion 165. I have looked at that and was a little insulted by it. But it would do the job, it's not as light as the dynasty, it weighs 50lbs bare compared to 35lbs.
I got an offering today from the other company (Brand x) for a clone of the Diversion for $900 retail, with a five year warranty, it is a pity that one does not,have, 110volt capability I would have jumped on it.
B.E.