Buying a used Eastwood TIG 200?

admin

Looking at a used Eastwood TIG 200 AC/DC fully loaded on craiglist. To clarify: I've been searching up and down trying to find a decent deal on an old school welder. The seller seems to keep dropping the price, so was going to try and talk him down to $600 with bottle, helmet and filler rod included. From what I've heard, if these aren't DOA they work pretty damn good. Anything in particular I should look out for?"I fully know my place in life, and it's behind a welding helmet...." - Jesse JamesIG: @weldakota
Reply:I wouldn't touch it.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleI wouldn't touch it.
Reply:The helmet and rod aren't worth much. The tank maybe.They are MOSFET machines. I won't trough any welder or plasma that is MOSFET. They just don't last long. Eastwood also won't honor the warranty to anyone other than the original owner.I paid $600 from a local for the same welder, and plasma and cart. Plasma blew up a few days later and sold the Eastwood. If it breaks you are SOL. Spend a few more bucks for a machine with a warranty. If it was a quality machine where you can get service anywhere I would say go for it. But it it breaks you will be out $600I would spend $400 tops. I will sell when it welds it does a good job though.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Thanks for giving me a response besides the typical "It's not red or blue!". I guess as a last resort, I'll see how low I can talk him. "I fully know my place in life, and it's behind a welding helmet...." - Jesse JamesIG: @weldakota
Reply:Personally I like mine, no problems with it but I bought it new. I couldn't afford a red or blue Tig and I use it as a hobby welder. I agree, $400 to $450 would be tops used and un-tried. Otherwise buy new. No problems with the plasma cutter yet, as a matter of fact I need more metal to cut to see what it can and can't do.
Reply:Not RED or BLUE ?   Post here they may tell you what you want to hear. http://weldingweb.com/forumdisplay.p...-Manufacturers
Reply:Originally Posted by WeldakotaThanks for giving me a response besides the typical "It's not red or blue!". I guess as a last resort, I'll see how low I can talk him.
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleI am no pro but you will never see a Lincoln or miller at my place. Over priced when there are other options that work just as good and last as long and are half the price.I had 1 miller and I liked it. I didn't love it and I paid wayyyyy too much for it. Never again.
Reply:Might be over priced but they perform day in day out. Shop I was with had Lincolns, Big OLD Hobart's, and Millers , that were from the 50's and 60's still kickin. They switched over to MILLER 304's where they first came out to save on utility bills. The first generation 304 machines have not missed a beat. All they would do is blow them out now and then. The CST 280's, the MAXSTAR 200, and TRAILBLAZERS are still putting out and some really get abused. I have not seen anything but MILLER and LINCOLN on the job. When you use them to make money just ask yourself, do you feel lucky ? It's only money.
Reply:Originally Posted by INXS2Personally I like mine, no problems with it but I bought it new. I couldn't afford a red or blue Tig and I use it as a hobby welder. I agree, $400 to $450 would be tops used and un-tried. Otherwise buy new. No problems with the plasma cutter yet, as a matter of fact I need more metal to cut to see what it can and can't do.
Reply:Sadly I'm trying to sell an antique Airco Heliweld for something that doesn't make my meter spin like a Pinwheel in a hurricane. Problem is that it is jot a money maker for me yet so offshore it is. I'm trying to aim towards everlast or AHP as they have more features for a little more.Airco Heliweld II AC/DC HomeMade Wire FeederLincoln 255PLincoln HD130Everlast PP804x8 CNC TableWelding helps me build my hobbies and takes up time on the side.
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleI am no pro but you will never see a Lincoln or miller at my place. Over priced when there are other options that work just as good and last as long and are half the price.I had 1 miller and I liked it. I didn't love it and I paid wayyyyy too much for it. Never again.
Reply:For the price, i fel the AHP is a great unit. For 750 off amazon shipped to your door, comes with everything to start but the filler, helmet, gas, and gloves. Tig stick unit with HF start. I love mine. 110/220 too
Reply:Originally Posted by JKMotorsportsSadly I'm trying to sell an antique Airco Heliweld for something that doesn't make my meter spin like a Pinwheel in a hurricane. Problem is that it is jot a money maker for me yet so offshore it is. I'm trying to aim towards everlast or AHP as they have more features for a little more.
Reply:Lol funny how you think you know it all....Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleLol funny how you think you know it all....
Reply:Not you. The guy Pat.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Threads like this I typically try to stay away from.. Although there is a reason red and blue have been in business for so long. A reason that red or blue are the only machines you see on the pipeline or in most informed shops. Spend your money however you see fit.. Just don't buy something because it's cheaper
Reply:Funny this thread started. I was just in the same boat a few days ago. I was looking for a decent tig machine that wouldn't break the bank. Problem is you get what you pay for. I too was looking at an Eastwood but I was going to buy new. After reading and asking around I decided against it. There are a few drawbacks to one of these dv machines. One is that most are air cooler and can't be setup for water cooling. Another is that if you choose to run on 110v you're going to be severely limited on what you can weld. Forget about trying aluminum on 110v it's not going to work as you'll be limited to about 90 amps or so running 110v. I just bought a Miller Dialarc 250HF with water cooler, 250 amp water cooled torch, basically everything to plug and play for $1500 plus shipping. This machine is rated at 310 amps @ 40% duty cycle (which I will probably never use, but the ability to weld what I want without constantly over working my machine is well worth it). My problem with the smaller inverter type dv machines was that I was about to spend the same money I did on my Dialarc for a lesser capacity machine that couldn't do nearly as much as what  this older Dialarc can do. For instance I was thinking about buying a miller diversion 180. It's small, compact, 180 amps, ac/dc tig welder, but at 180 amps it only has a 10% duty cycle, you can only weld up to around 90 amps on 110v so it's limited there as well. You can't stick weld with it, and it's only air cooled. Just keep some of these things in mind when you do make a purchase. Sometimes it is better to hold off and save your money for something that will better suit your needs. Hope this helps.1973 Lincoln SA 200, Already replaced shunt coils, Idle board (SOLD)1984 Miller Dialarc 250HF, Miller water cooler, 250 AMP water cooled torch, you know the worx.
Reply:Ask Steve and Doug. They both helped me out a lot as well as the many other knowledgable folks here before I made my decision and bought Willie B's (member here) Dialarc.1973 Lincoln SA 200, Already replaced shunt coils, Idle board (SOLD)1984 Miller Dialarc 250HF, Miller water cooler, 250 AMP water cooled torch, you know the worx.
Reply:Not true. You can add a water cooler to it. And I did .100-.125 aluminum with mine and my longevity 200sx (same machine but igbt) without issues on 110v. That's pretty much all I weld.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:I had no problems with my Eastwood TIG200 AC/DC.  Only thing that sucks is the power cable and perhaps the footpedal because it is too light and moves around all over the place.  The power cable will deteriorate no matter what.  Other than that, it is a great hobbyist machine that can certainly do some serious damage in the hands of a skilled TIG weldor.  I sold mine for $375 or $400 here at welding web late last year when I was in the midst of getting my HTP Invertig221 ordered up.  I would definitely order up HTPs one superflex hose kit w/CK torch that they offer for the Eastwood TIG200.  It is still aircooled, but a superflex and CK torch are lightyears beyond what comes with the machine.  If you send a message to the Ebay store, they can pretty much configure any torch to any freakin' machine out there----I would not doubt that they can make the whole darn thing into a water cooled setup!  But yea, 200A is nothing to sneeze at, and mine easily went about 4min or so at 180A+ before I made it buckle at the knees due to the duty cycle. 1st on WeldingWeb to have a scrolling sig! HTP Invertig 400HTP Invertig 221HTP ProPulse 300HTP ProPulse 200 x2HTP ProPulse 220MTSHTP Inverarc 200TLP HTP Microcut 875SC
Reply:[QUOTE=Weldakota;3927791]That's scary for me too. I know the new inverters, cheap Chinese crap or not, will draw much less than an old transformer. I'm looking at Eastwood because they've been around for years and years, and haven't heard a single bad thing about their customer service.I see your point here, but let's not turn my thread into a flame war. im not trying to start anything, but when somebody talks about overpriced like were stupid for buying proven quality,i take offence, and to act like he knows it all every post he chimes into even though he says hes not an expert, buy what fits your need and if its a bad decision lesson learned, I try to help people any time I can, I would always push to buy USA sometimes money is an issue I understand but you almost don't ever lose on a quality product at resale time, and I am not knocking Stewie, its just like buying 4 Yugos when you can buy a Cadillac, and I sure don't know it all but after 25+ yrs. in the U.A. iv'e delt with a lot of welders and weldors, and my offer still stands anybody has a chicom welder I would still like to try it. I know Stewie wont let me even though hes only 2mi away, have a nice day
Reply:The only thing that turned me off the eastwood unit was that more than a few reviews i read had the macine or the accessories included DOA.Originally Posted by That Guy ThereThreads like this I typically try to stay away from.. Although there is a reason red and blue have been in business for so long. A reason that red or blue are the only machines you see on the pipeline or in most informed shops. Spend your money however you see fit.. Just don't buy something because it's cheaper
Reply:Dakota, save your money and search clist, I purchased my welder and plasma cutter there for smoking deals. You don't need to spend 8 grand on a new welder. Get a good used one for less than 2 grand from clist.
Reply:Hold on to your money and just keep browsing the classifieds here. That's what I did and I'm very glad I did. I picked up my machine yesterday from the freight terminal and got it unloaded and in the garage. Can't wait to get it fired up and start burning rod. This thing is in PRISTINE condition as well. For a 1984 Miller Dialarc 250HF I couldn't be happier with my $1500 purchase. 1973 Lincoln SA 200, Already replaced shunt coils, Idle board (SOLD)1984 Miller Dialarc 250HF, Miller water cooler, 250 AMP water cooled torch, you know the worx.
Reply:Check it out bub. http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...e-tig-255-1000This would be perfect and for a great price.1973 Lincoln SA 200, Already replaced shunt coils, Idle board (SOLD)1984 Miller Dialarc 250HF, Miller water cooler, 250 AMP water cooled torch, you know the worx.
Reply:Originally Posted by TuscanyCheck it out bub. http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...e-tig-255-1000This would be perfect and for a great price.
Reply:Welcome. Let me know how it works out.1973 Lincoln SA 200, Already replaced shunt coils, Idle board (SOLD)1984 Miller Dialarc 250HF, Miller water cooler, 250 AMP water cooled torch, you know the worx.
Reply:The GTAW power sources from any company are all air cooled. The torches used on them can be either air or liquid cooled. You have to have a separate unit for the cooler. So if you want to make the EASTWOOD TIG 200 water-cooled. You can order a water cooled torch with a flow-through DINSE 25 male connector. Simple as that.HF 98233 Stick/TigHF  95136 PlasmaEastwood TIG200Eastwood MIG250Damn, I cut it twice already and it's still too short!
Reply:Originally Posted by tigmaniacThe GTAW power sources from any company are all air cooled. The torches used on them can be either air or liquid cooled. You have to have a separate unit for the cooler. So if you want to make the EASTWOOD TIG 200 water-cooled. You can order a water cooled torch with a flow-through DINSE 25 male connector. Simple as that.