Good home tig machine?

admin

We have plenty of machines at work I can use to tig, but i want to pick one up for the garage at home. primarily welding automotive related stuff so nothing to big. I dont want a big overkill machine though, definitely single phase. Im used to tig welding on a miller abp 330. I like it too, its oldschool, simple, and reliable. Is there a little brother ac/dc machine with HF similar? What do you guys use/recommend for home applications
Reply:220 or 110? Budget?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:Cheap, you can't beat the machine you are used to using. A nice 330 or equivalent rebadged machine, will probably run you $600-900. An old Dialarc HF would also work and run about the same money. A newer machine like a Syncrowave 180 or 200 would set you back used $1000-1500 used. That's assuming you want an AC/DC tig. Other units would be the TA 185 and Lincolns Precision tig.DC tig, you could get away with and DC capable power source and run a basic scratch start rig. If you can find one for the right price, a Maxstar 150 would be an good choice.I have a Syncrowave 200 at home and think it's an excellent starter and home hobby machine. Big enough to do just about anything the hobbyist needs in both AC and DC, will run on a 50 amp 230v breaker, and not too huge. Price used is not to bad. The older bigger machines like the 330 are a better option if you need to keep costs down. You'll have to run  a bigger service line to the machine, and the are big and heavy, but can be picked up inexpensively fairly frequently.Last edited by DSW; 08-21-2012 at 11:15 PM..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:As has been said above, I think the 200/225 miller and lincoln are great home machines. At school Ive welded on a huge old miller, and its really nice, but my precision tig has done me well for two years of home/hobby use. Sometimes on big aluminum projects a water cooled torch would really be nice, but I just upgraded to a bit higher rated CK torch and it seems to help. Its a big plus for me that they can run off residential power. I paid about 2K for mine new.
Reply:You need to post up your location.   Put it in your name by the user CP.  There aren't many bigger than the 330, so going smaller should be easy.  There are innumerable options.  What's your budget and will you need a machine with Al/Mg capability, or can you take those infrequent jobs to work with you?  What metal thicknesses are you looking to weld at home?TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:My budget id like to go no more than 1000, but if its totally necessary i will. I want ac/dc. aluminum is a must. I have a small mig (miller 140 piss welder) at home too, so Im not concerned about wire feed. Id like, but dont need the amps for stick capability as well, as once in awhile I might weld do something larger, and i enjoy stick. But if theres a good machine out there that cant handle such big work, i can get it done elsewhere..not worried about that.Im in florida now, but ill be moving up to CT, which is where the garage is. Im willing to travel for the right deal too.I can swing 220 no problem.Thickness will range from gauge to probly 1/4 max. Like i said its alot of motorcycle and automotive stuff. Home projects. I was thinking maybe a smaller amp'd tig machine, thats a really nice machine, and picking up maybe an idealarc lincoln, for my larger, structual projects, if any.As far as the 330, i do enjoy it, I can fit it in the garage, Id rather not. something alittle smaller would be better.That should be alittle more detail to help.Last edited by j440; 08-22-2012 at 06:15 PM.
Reply:Saw this yesterday looking for something else. They are in NC I believe. Syncrowave 180- $1000. I have no idea on condition or anything else. Price seems about right. Machine is a bit light on amps to do 1/4" alum. 1/8" alum would be what I'd rate that machine for, but 3/16" might be doable with the right prep with the machine maxed out for short welds.https://www.blacksmithsdepot.com/pag...ave_180SD.xml/.No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Check this outhttp://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...41#post1517541TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Though its not my home machine, I run a Lincoln 175 Square Wave, and I really like it.  Its about 7.5 years old now, got it on a trade for a dirt bike I had about $1250 sunk into.  Wouldn't mind have a 250 or so though.-AaronJet 17.5" Drill Press1942 South Bend 16x84 Lathe1980s Miller 320A / BP --- 2013 Power Mig 2562012 Jet 7x12 Horizontal BandsawVictor O/A Setup
Reply:So, i have been finding TONS of miller dialarcs for sale. One comes with foot pedal, hoses, watercooled torch and no cooler, for 600obo. Another i found for 500 doesnt say exactly what it comes with. Both are white face.Now my question is, from research i found its a good machine, it would be plenty for what i would use it for. however ive read that its power hungry. Some say it can run on a 50amp breaker with 6g wire. Some say 75amp breaker for full duty cycle. I don't want to rack up the electric bill to high either. Whats the word with these machines? I also read its a transformer machine which is why it sucks up so much power, but is that only when its turned up hot and im welding or will it suck up the same at idle?
Reply:I wouldn't worry much about the power bill unless you are welding all day, every day.  In the case of a transformer machine like a Dialarc HF or Syncrowave, there's this issue of POWER vs. CURRENT.  It takes power to weld no matter what the unit.  However, the units that are not power factor corrected require high amperage even though it may not register on a regular watthour meter.You can get some useful range on either unit with a 50A breaker though 60A is more comfortable.  We have our Syncrowave 250 on a 70A breaker with a water cooler.  I think it tripped the breaker once but that may have been on a cold startup and who knows what it was set at.  We probably haven't welded much over 200A out, but it can do that all day long."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:thanks for the reply, helpful info. like i said in earlier posts, im not going to be welding 1/2 plate or anything.. mostly 1/8 - 3/16 if anything. probably alot of pipe. so i feel like its a good sized machine to tackle what ill be doing...because when the larger products to come in it can handle it, where as if i went with a small machine, say a like a syncrowave 185 or something similar id be some what limited to... and the 185 SUPPOSEDLY, where i have read people say it almost draws the same as the dialarc. your answer pretty much confirms it as well.i will probably go check one of these out, if it checks out ill try it... worst case it goes back up for sale and i try a different machine
Reply:330A/BP or rebranded version.  Only non portable TIG SMAW home machine u will ever need.  Can be had for as little as $100.   I just scrapped one to get my $150 cuz no one wanted to buy it.    Yet if I had a $150 pretty chicom inverter I could have sold it 10 times overTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:whats it take to run one? i honestly dont know what ours is running on at the shop, but that service is so big its not comparable to home. Isnt the 330 3 phase? Or is it optional like some of the others i have seen. i have seen them all over the place. are the rebranded as good as the miller itself?
Reply:The 330 is single phase ONLY  and very efficient for its output. Also about the most powerful single phase machine you can get.   It needs 100 amps to go full bore but many on this forum run them in medium range settin on 50 amp circuits with no issues.   Amp for amp they are more efficient than a DialArc at same output.    Probably because the transformers are solid copper wire on a 330 and solid aluminum on a dialarc.  I have now gutted one of each so I know this as fact.    The rebranded one ARE Miller 330's with a different faceplate.  Miller. And goldstar logo can be found on various parts inside along with miller part numbers attached to parts or "miller" stamped into the actual casings (for example the capacitors).  Anyone who tells u otherwise it talking out their a$$.   Being that I just gutted a complete Airco branded version.          The best part is u can usually pick up the rebranded ones for cheaper than a Miller Faceplate machine.Last edited by soutthpaw; 09-05-2012 at 07:45 PM.Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Econotig? - I found one on ebay for $850, i think if you looked around you might be able to do a little better. 165A ac/dc stick/tighttp://www.ebay.com/itm/Miller-Elect...item4abb9a0099Miller Dynasty 300 DXMiller CST280Miller Maxstar 150 STH
Reply:two 330 a/bp's ,one with cooler and tig torch sold on ebay this am for $500 total. local pickup in dayton ohio.miller thunderbolt 250vlincoln square wave tig 175 prolincoln idealarc mig sp250everlast tig 210EXTeverlast power plasma 50chicago electric (hf) 130 tig/90 arcchicago electric 90 amp flux wire3 sets oxy/acet
Reply:I had a Sync 180 SD that was OK, but lacked enough butt to do much in the way of al without a ton of preheat.   I replaced it with a 250 that's wonderful.  I'd yet to max it out with my projects and am forever pleased at how smooth it welds.  I paid $1100 for mine and its a 1996 machine.   Complete runner.
Reply:1/4" aluminum is 200 amps at teh bare minimum. My little 180 sd can do small sections of it but not well. SOme of the machines you are looking at are not a/c machines so be careful. I would say that 250 amps would be the minimum that I would buy after using my 180 am macine.
Reply:I run my 175 on a 30 amp breaker, have run it full tilt doing 33 1.5 inch long welds on .250 inch thick material.  About an hour of welding, stopping every few minutes to reposition three of the pieces I was welding (three 1.5" long welds on each piece).-AaronJet 17.5" Drill Press1942 South Bend 16x84 Lathe1980s Miller 320A / BP --- 2013 Power Mig 2562012 Jet 7x12 Horizontal BandsawVictor O/A Setup
Reply:Originally Posted by soutthpawThe 330 is single phase ONLY  and very efficient for its output. Also about the most powerful single phase machine you can get.   It needs 100 amps to go full bore but many on this forum run them in medium range settin on 50 amp circuits with no issues.   Amp for amp they are more efficient than a DialArc at same output.    Probably because the transformers are solid copper wire on a 330 and solid aluminum on a dialarc.  I have now gutted one of each so I know this as fact.    The rebranded one ARE Miller 330's with a different faceplate.  Miller. And goldstar logo can be found on various parts inside along with miller part numbers attached to parts or "miller" stamped into the actual casings (for example the capacitors).  Anyone who tells u otherwise it talking out their a$$.   Being that I just gutted a complete Airco branded version.          The best part is u can usually pick up the rebranded ones for cheaper than a Miller Faceplate machine.
Reply:Its the way to go.   For example a 250 Dialarc draws 92 amps at full rated load duty cycle the 330 draws 97amps andd is pumping out and extra 150ish extra welding amps...  Be sure to get a pedal too those stupid plug ends are expensive.    I just paid $23 for the 3 prong.   If u want to build a pedal, I have 3 of the rotary resistors .   I was thinking a bicycle duralieur gear, piece of bike chain a return spring and a microswitch would be the basic components to making a nice pedalTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:the few i found come with pedals but i do remember looking for pedals for the machine we have at work. if iirc only one pedal fits that machine.. but, if i end up with one and doesnt have a pedal i would definitely be interested in building one. i like projects like that.
Reply:If you dont need AC, the Maxstars from Miller are great. You can run off of any voltage, and really portable for the inevatable side job. They take up as much space as a purse, and are very durable.