in the market for a TIG

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I'm in the market for a TIG machine for light production and repair/hobby welding. Primarily will be used for Alum. and Steel 1/4" and thinner with the occasional 3/8 or maybe 1/2" from time to time. I'm looking to stay below or about the $3000 mark set up. I've been looking at the Miller Dynasty 200 & 280, Lincoln Precison 225 and Invertec 205, and the ESAB 281i. Can anyone say one of these machines are a better value than the next, or suggestion something else that I've overlooked. I would prefer hi-freq and of course AC/DC as well as 220v single phase input, although having the option of 110v on a light machine would be handy occasionally. I'm very open to suggestions on machines as well as where to get the best bang for the dollar as far as purchase place.
Reply:I think a Dialarc HF would handle any of that but it weighs 500 lbs and doesn't have any fancy features like the new inverter machines.GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:Love my syncro 250.
Reply:I'm in Nebraska and actually gave some thought to a syncrowave due to the cost but at the moment it would be housed in my garage within a wood working shop thus the inverter basis footprint would be nice, as would a pulser feature. Not real sure of what kind of shipping costs would be incurred from MI to NE but with the right pricing I would give it some heavy thought. msg me when you have an idea of pricing, I would like to get something on order or in possession within the month.
Reply:You forgot the HTP221i.  Of the ones you've listed, the ESAB281 is the most powerful for the price. If you've got the space and input power, a transformer is your better bet for the money.  Steve 7A749 is a trusted seller.   Can't go wrong there.  One note on portability and inverters.  Once you look at what you really have to haul around to do a job elsewhere, the seemingly portable Tig's just ain't that portable.   The few times I wanted to help out a friend, it was easier to bring the project here.  If you're planning on a healthy aluminum diet, you're gonna need to go water cooled.  Not gonna do any big aluminum jobs using 110V on the machine, the output just isn't there.  Gotta lug a tank with you.  My point is that the portability factor shouldn't influence you that much in the real world.
Reply:Thanks. That's kind of the info I was looking for, I didn't actually think of bottle, whip, consumables, etc in portability I guess but the smaller footprint is an asset right now too. I do some price comparison on a few machines as well as see what Steve has and see where the dollars fall vs size.
Reply:Consider getting shipping quotes on uship.com.    can get some pretty good pricingTiger 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:i got my PT275 repaired under warranty took 3 guys to put it in my trailer,the wiring and breakers cost me an extra $1000 and that is with me doing the electrical work myself. Heavy gague copper wire is expensive!It's a nice welder, but unless you are going to put it less than a few feet away from a circuit breaker box figgure in a few hundred more at least in hook up costs. for that reason alone I would get an inverter next time. i have a little 160sx longevity back up, love how easy it is to take, very portable
Reply:Have a look at the Thermal Arc 186. It's a 200A inverter with all the bells for under 2 grand. I bought one of these Two yearsago, and haven't fired up the old Miller since. This thing is compact and feature rich! Pulse, variable freq, AC balance you name it. My welds are MUCH nicer looking. It's a dream to weld with. I've stick welded with it and it's like melting butter! Nice machine fora reasonable price. I added a water cooler and mini torch to it. Holy f--k! Its a dream to weld with.
Reply:You can ship heavy stuff via fastenal as well. Was going to have an engine shipped cross country and they said a pickup from a nearby store from Massachusetts was going to be 150. Cheap, considering the motor was 3-400 lbs and big.
Reply:Yes, if size and power are a real concern, inverters can't be beat. I have the advantage of a two-car garage with my electrical panel right there, so the Sync was no trouble. Just put in a 100-a breaker with 6 ga cord into the panel a few feet a away. Do try to bear in mind with portability though that there are no super easy answers if you want to hit the thicker stuff.