Multimatic 200 Tig Kit - Seems very overpriced, alternate suggestions?

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Hey there, brand new on the forum.I recently acquired a Miller Multimatic 200.I would love to get the TIG kit for it so I can fool around with TIG on steel but the kit they sell is awful pricey compared to what you seem to get in it.Can anyone give me some ideas on what to get instead of the kit? I have done a bit of stick and MIG, but I am a total TIG newbie. There seems to be a bewildering amount of choices in torches/electrodes/caps/nipples/gas lenses/controls etc.Can anyone give me a suggestion on a good torch to get?Cheers!
Reply:In the same boat.  I'd like to see what the alternatives are too.  Hope someone chimes in.
Reply:For torches I'd look at the CK torches. Less expensive and a higher duty cycle compared to the Miller ones. For a pedal, I'd look at the SSC pedal. A lot of guys here like them and they are less than the stock Miller units. For a flowmeter, I'd probably look at the HTP ones. Price sounds good and quite a few guys who have gotten them have liked them..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:Never could understand why you buy a three function machine and have to pay extra to get the third function...From the desk of Kevin CaronTrying to be the best me I can!www.kevincaron.comAHP Alpha Tig 200x MillerMatic 251Miller Syncrowave 200
Reply:My guess is that they figure the vast majority of  guys will want the machine for mig/stick, so for cost reasons the tig parts are extra. It's probably simpler and easier for them to make the machine a 3 function machine vs offering just a mig stick version as well as a 3 function machine.I'm sure the bean counters have crunched all the numbers and come up with what they feel is the best choice between what people are willing to pay for extra vs what comes stock..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:One thing to keep in mind is that the TIG contractor kit is all top quality Miller/Weldcraft components, problem is it's 6-pin.You can buy the same Weldcraft LS17 torch without the plastic box and regulator/gauges for $350: http://store.cyberweld.com/wetigtolsmu2.htmlMaybe someone more knowledgable can chime in, but I assume you could use a standard air cooled torch like this one for $90: http://store.cyberweld.com/db150ampairt.html if you had a foot pedal for the remote.For an alternative to the $200+ Miller pedal: http://www.ebay.com/itm/261308445329...84.m1423.l2649I am assuming you can just switch your regulator and gauges to a different bottle if you need to.  The plastic case is pretty much dumb and cheap anyway, for the money you save, buy a pelican case or something.Me, I just bought the Tig Contractor kit for my Multimatic.  I got it early enough that I got the free little Arcstation table with it, which I love btw.
Reply:Interesting stuff. Thank you. Is the connector an oddball on the Multimatic? Or is it standard?
Reply:Originally Posted by EgmonsterInteresting stuff. Thank you. Is the connector an oddball on the Multimatic? Or is it standard?