TIG Welder Recommendations

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Hello. I am a part of a small group working on some advanced robot control algorithms and liquid fueled rocket engines, among many other fun things. We have a cheap HF stick welder that has gotten us by (sorta barely). We are working on some new aluminum frame parts and want to start TIG welding.We have a budget of around $1000 do buy a whole TIG system. I am hoping we can do it. The thickest material we would need would be 1/8" Al. and down to much thinner Al sheet. We would primarily be welding 1/16" wall stock. We don't need a high power system, and frankly, we can probably only get a 70A breaker out to the shop for the welder. We also would only be using it maybe 10hr a week.I have looked into a hobart eZ-Tig 165i, but I am not sure. Any ideas? American or Chinese? I don't really need the power of a nice miller..., but I wouldn't mind it Thanks--EricLast edited by ericsims; 01-28-2016 at 12:55 AM.
Reply:For that low of a budget, you might end up looking at a cheap inverter based import. For thinner material, especially aluminum, the adjust-ability of an inverter should help. I would go with a Miller, for a lot more money. An old Miller 330abp is a simple beast that is loved by many, but it is sine wave only and they are giant and can weigh over 1,000 lbs with the bottle, cooler, and welder. It should do 1/8" aluminum on a 50-75 amp breaker, but requires 104 amps for full output, which you won't need. An older miller syncrowave would at least give you square wave, which gives you a more focused arc for aluminum.The inverters are also small and compact, with smaller power requirements, but there is no free lunch.........you can have small, very capable and reliable, or inexpensive, but good luck on getting all three in one package. Some people have been lucky with the imports, and others have had nothing but problems.Miller 330abpMiller 211 inverter, M150 spool gunMiller 135Miller 375 Extreme plasmaCNC plasma table (build in progress)Femi 120abs portable band sawMany other toolsToo little garage spaceNot enough money
Reply:Id say I will catch he!! over recommending an Everlast machine, but ive had my 200dx for 4 yrs now and I use it almost everyday. It has NEVER given me any trouble. Its a stick/tig machine AC/DC, with very good duty cycles. For no more than you're going to be using it, I think a new imported inverter machine will work fine. Alot of people have negative things to say about Everlast, and I researched for several months before I bought mine because I was super skeptical them as well. This machine has turned out to be one of the best dollar for dollar purchases for my shop. I paid $990 shipped to my door, now the accessories are not the worlds best, but with the money I saved compared to the other brands available, I used some of that money to upgrade the torch, remote amperage control, and ground clamp. Ive probably got around $1200 in this setup now. I believe Everlast has upgraded some of there accessories since I purchased mine back in '12. They also have a 5 yr warranty which is nice. Btw this is coming from someone who is pretty die hard MURICA. I would've like to of had a miller or lincoln, but I could buy almost 3 of these machines for what  miller or lincoln wanted for something that was equivalent. I rolled the dice and so far its worked for me.
Reply:Thanks for the info everyone. The Everlast 200DX seems like a really nice machine for the price. Anyone else have experience with it?Thanks again,--Eric
Reply:Originally Posted by ericsimsHello. I am a part of a small group working on some advanced robot control algorithms and liquid fueled rocket engines, among many other fun things. We have a cheap HF stick welder that has gotten us by (sorta barely). We are working on some new aluminum frame parts and want to start TIG welding.We have a budget of around $1000 do buy a whole TIG system. I am hoping we can do it. The thickest material we would need would be 1/8" Al. and down to much thinner Al sheet. We would primarily be welding 1/16" wall stock. We don't need a high power system, and frankly, we can probably only get a 70A breaker out to the shop for the welder. We also would only be using it maybe 10hr a week.I have looked into a hobart eZ-Tig 165i, but I am not sure. Any ideas? American or Chinese? I don't really need the power of a nice miller..., but I wouldn't mind it Thanks--Eric
Reply:I would suggest you also look into the AHP 200x or Everlast 185. I think both of those fall under your budget and leave room for a bottle of argon and consumables. I have an AHP machine,  and it has been great for me and many others.  Here is a good long read if you've got an hour or two to read through this: http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...e-used-own-one!It sounds like for what you are doing the adjustability of an inverter would be benificial, but $1000 isn't going to get you a Dynasty 200dx. Sent from my S4 using Tapatalk1988 Big 50 Diesel CC/CV1982 Weldanpower 225/2101968 SAE 300 motor generatorMaxstar 200SD2015 AHP 200x"The trouble with our Liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so." - Ronald Reagan
Reply:it may just be me but   "advanced robot control algorithms and liquid fueled rocket engines," and cheap equipment i wouldn't think would go together.  being a limited budget is it worth risking the funds on potentially inferior equipment?   i have personally spent more money trying to save money than i would like to admit, unless what your doing is just a fun distraction i would hold off until the budget allowed a machine that i can purchase and have serviced locally.
Reply:Where are you located, and are you teachable?I can give some recommendations but location is key.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:I dont know about, "some advanced robot control algorithms" but liquid rocket fuel is used in outer space to adjust position and orbit. Usually in short bursts.  Solid rocket fuel is whats used to get to outer space. Liquid rocket fuel is lit before launch but again; solid fuel is what gets the space shuttle off the ground.My suggestion: get two HF welders and parallel them but for some reason I dont believe you.Last edited by Insaneride; 01-28-2016 at 06:39 PM.
Reply:Thanks again for all the info. The AHP 220x also seems like a great deal. I just wonder how long it would hold up. We have a project that we are working on that requires some Al tubing joints, so I would really like to get the TIG welder in the next month or so.@shovelon , we are located in CT.And I don't really want to get into a discussion about all the work we do, I would rather stick to the welding. But, since I mentioned it to begin with and you have asked... We work on liquid rocket fueled engines, not spacecraft. We stick to data acquisition and static tests of the engines. And liquid is quite commonly used for the 1st stage of many rockets... Everything from the Saturn V to Falcon 9...--Eric
Reply:+1 for ahp alpha tig, best bang for your buck, love the machine. If you do with the ahp alpha tig make sure to get the 2016 model with the better frequency
Reply:Yeah, I really like the capability of the 2016 alphatig, especially considering its remarkably low price tag. Plus, I keep hearing good things about AHP.
Reply:Keep in mind the AHP had a low end 20 amp output on A.C. I'd you are doing really thin aluminum you want a machine that can get down to 5 amps AC.  It's going to cost you more to get that capability.  Is this a school research setting?  I'd be really concerned about liquid fuel tanks coming from a low budget business that has no certified welders for the process being used.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:Originally Posted by ericsimsThanks again for all the info. The AHP 220x also seems like a great deal. I just wonder how long it would hold up. We have a project that we are working on that requires some Al tubing joints, so I would really like to get the TIG welder in the next month or so.@shovelon , we are located in CT.And I don't really want to get into a discussion about all the work we do, I would rather stick to the welding. But, since I mentioned it to begin with and you have asked... We work on liquid rocket fueled engines, not spacecraft. We stick to data acquisition and static tests of the engines. And liquid is quite commonly used for the 1st stage of many rockets... Everything from the Saturn V to Falcon 9...--Eric
Reply:One thing to remember in total cost is a bottle of gas and other consumables.  You could easily spend another few hundred dollars.
Reply:Yeah, it might be worth considering allocating some more money for this tool. Furthermore, we already own a bottle and will go ahead and open an account with one of the shops. Also, our project is just for research and experimentation.
Reply:Originally Posted by ericsimsYeah, it might be worth considering allocating some more money for this tool. Furthermore, we already own a bottle and will go ahead and open an account with one of the shops. Also, our project is just for research and experimentation.
Reply:Right off the bat, factor around $300 for a 125 cuft bottle in most markets.  That leaves you with $700 to buy an air-cooled setup for welding aluminum about 2hrs per day (spreading those 10 hrs into 5 days, roughly).At 10hrs of welding per week, you're looking at roughly 3 argon refills every two weeks.  Budget $30-125 for each refill if you haven't already. Recipe for disaster.What you really need is a water-cooled setup if you plan to do any kind of continuous welding at amperages higher than about 125A AC.  The standard 17-torch that most new sub-$1000 TIG welders come with will quickly become too hot to hold if you will weld a lot in one continuous session.  Even 1/8" aluminum will require an initial starting current of about 150-200A depending on joint configuration and a variety of other factors.  Say goodbye to that one-piece argon/power cable at the torch end.  It will develop cracks from the heat of the air-cooled torch transferring it down into the fitting and eventually the hose material, if you're not mindful about it.Water-cooled setup.  Done.  Oh and more money for argon.   I totally agree with shovelon about up'ing the budget.  It really sounds like you need a serious machine for what you want to do.  Miller 210DX water-cooled would be the ideal setup.  Followed by the HTP 221 as a close second.  Last edited by Oscar; 01-30-2016 at 03:55 PM. 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:Originally Posted by Oscar  Miller 210DX water-cooled would be the ideal setup.  Followed by the HTP 221 as a close second.
Reply:I am in Mass..I could weld some stuff for you to get you started........... zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:For a little more money you could get a Miller Maxstar 150 STL or a Lincoln Square Wave TIG 200.
Reply:Used transformer machines are another great optionSent from mobile.  Not responsible for TyposTiger 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:there are most likely better machines but for all around welding i like the Hobart tigmate.we have one at work i use all the time for steel stainless, aluminium, and cast iron.but thats just my honest opinion.shooting the $#!t is a lot more fun when you use hollow points (a lot more splatter)