Starter Tig Setup?

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I've never Tig welded before and I'm looking for a decent starter machine to try out, won't be doing heavy fab or repairs, just something to do some light welding of mild, stainless and thin aluminum.  I have a Hobart 187 Mig & Stickmate LX AC/DC so I'm kind of leaning toward the Hobart EZ Tig, looks like the best price option for not busting the bank after the last 2 purchases.  Anyone have any opinions on what to go with?  I've searched and searched the local classifieds and there isn't anyone with a used Tig within a reasonable distance and I'm a little leary of either buying something used off Ebay or a Chinese machine......
Reply:If you can hold off on aluminum capabilities, you can use your stickmate in DC mode to try your hand at TIG pretty cheaply.  You'd need a torch, regulator, bottle of argon.  A number of discussions about using a stick machine for scratch start DC TIG have occurred recently.
Reply:Alum is the kicker. You really need more amps than that machine really puts out. It will do 1/8" alum, but only for very short periods. If you are serious about doing alum, you need to look at machines with at least 200 amps to have any real duty cycle doing 1/8". That puts you in the Syncrowave 200 class at about $2K new.If you can do without the capability to do alum, there are any number of nice machines taht will work. The Maxstar 150 would be one of the better ones, but you can get others that are less expensive, or as suggested do basic scratch start DC tig with what you have..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:i would go for used off of craigslist or local classifieds..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:If you have the amperage, I would suggest looking for a used Synchrowave.  As soon as I get my garage wired, that is what I will be doing.
Reply:Thanks for the ideas and recommendations guys, the Millers are deff. the Cadillac for sure and if i had the cash I'd buy one but just a little limited on that front right now. Let me clarify just a bit from my OP, I'm looking for something that will give me an idea of what it's like to use a Tig that is similar in operation to a Synchrowave or comparable machine, something that's not going to be super cheap that it has no resale value if I want to kick it to get a different/better setup but something around the $1k-$1500k range.  I was looking at the little Tig that HF sells and a couple of Chicoms like the Everlast's and Lotos but like i said I don't want to spend much on something that's junk to start and won't give me a good feel for Tig welding or what a real machine will do..... And as a side note is just me or is there not many used welders of any kind out there?, I've searched Craigslist for at least 2 areas around in every direction and a whole lot of nadda, maybe it's just b/c I live in a more remote area or there's allot of stuff out there that people don't want to part with.
Reply:Are you using a CL aggregator like crazedlist or Searchtempest? Using Searchtempest I can set the number of miles I'm willing to go, say 100 miles, as a search perameter. I usually use "welder" as the search topic, since many times people either list a generic description or a specific model and may not use "tig" or "GTAW". Then I just sort the list manually to see what's available. It lists closest to farthest, so I can just stop if it looks like it's too far out of the way.You might also want to go up to the left corner and add your location to your User CP so we know where you are at. Many times guys here search CL daily and may see something that might interest you. They can't pass it on if they have no idea where you are located however..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:then tell us where you are locatedyou can add this info by using --user CP-- top left of headeridealarc 250/250 ac-dc tigidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tig #2 used for sticklincoln sp100hh125dual arbor grinder polisher30 yrs of hand tools52 pitch blocks 6p-26prake gauge -pitch gaugeG&D prop repair 918-207-6938Hulbert,okla 74441
Reply:DSW, thank you!  I didn't know there were things to search Craigslist like that, awesome!prop, Thanks for the heads up on the location, just set it....
Reply:Ok, searched CL and found this, about 254 miles away but looks like a decent deal to me:http://nh.craigslist.org/tls/2546346474.html
Reply:#2, I would look further for a good used unit that has at least 200+ amps and a duty cycle of more than 20%.  The Dynasties and other do come up at a good price if you can be a little patient.  During the fall slowdown the prices do tend to come down a bit more and there will be more selection.  DSW and the others hit it dead on about low duty cycle.  I have en econo tig which is the same as the EZ from Hobart and it really sucks waiting for a jkoint to cool so the machine will weld it.  Thermal Arc, ESAB, Miller, and Lincoln are all other ways to approach this and support from all of those manufacturers is outstanding.  So look around and dont't sell yourself short if you can avoid it.   A 250-300 Amp unit will be better and the Miller 330A/Bp's are coming in about the price your gonna pay for a new Hobart and it has the duty cycle and amps. but it has to be fed and it is heavy so portability suffers.  Good luck and choose wisely so you dont end up like me with 10 different welders in my shop.  That takes up a good bit of room and clutters things if your not carefull.BobI'm spending my Kids inheritance, I dont like him that much anyway!!!!!!Enuff tools to do the job, enough sense to use em.Anybody got a spare set of kidneys?  Trade?
Reply:although still an import, Eastwood does back their products very good. Eastwood has their 200amp tig package on sale for $749.99http://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-s-a...00-welder.htmlEastwood's TIG 200 AC/DC WelderOnly $899.99 Now Only $749.99New Professional TIG Welder Features at a DIY PriceEastwood- engineered 200-amp TIG Welder offers affordable, professional quality TIG welding on aluminum, stainless or steel and precise welding of thinner-gauge materials up to ¼” thick. Operates on either 110VAC or 220VAC circuits for complete portability. Backed by Eastwood’s no-hassle 3-year warranty. Try it for 30 days, and if you’re not satisfied, simply return it.    10-200-amp AC/DC inverter-based power supply    1/4” thick welding capacity    High-frequency start for precise arc control    Square-wave inverter for accurate aluminum welding    ”WP-17”-Type torch accepts commonly available cups and collets, up to 1/8” electrodes    Includes regulator, ground cable and clamp, foot pedal, torch and 110v-to220v adapter plug    Duty Cycle 45% at 150 amps    Instruction manualLast edited by brucer; 08-16-2011 at 05:14 PM.tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:Originally Posted by number2onmyshoeOk, searched CL and found this, about 254 miles away but looks like a decent deal to me:http://nh.craigslist.org/tls/2546346474.html
Reply:Yeah I did a little research on that machine and see it's in the 800 pound range, I have the power in the shop to run it but not the back to move it around   I think I'll keep searching, 250 miles is a tad bit out of a reasonable range to go for a machine when I can have a newer one shipped to me....  The big trick is going to be finding something used around so I might save for a newer unit or go to my local Airgas and let my buddy that works there that I have my eye out for a tig, jeesh why do I have to live in the middle of nowhere? lol
Reply:Originally Posted by weregeekIf you can hold off on aluminum capabilities, you can use your stickmate in DC mode to try your hand at TIG pretty cheaply.  You'd need a torch, regulator, bottle of argon.  A number of discussions about using a stick machine for scratch start DC TIG have occurred recently.
Reply:I have the power in the shop to run it but not the back to move it around
Reply:Originally Posted by Rbeckett  I have en econo tig which is the same as the EZ from Hobart and it really sucks waiting for a jkoint to cool so the machine will weld it.
Reply:Originally Posted by farmallWho needs to use their back? Use brain instead. Once it's past "manual lift" it doesn't matter much how FAR past manual lift it goes...
Reply:"Oh, sit right back and you'll hear a tale" I don't want to start a huge mess here and product names won't be mentioned so as not to ruffle any feathers....... So I did some researching and looked at a certain green colored foreign made machine's website and thought to myself "allot of features for a decent price", then I saw the "make an offer" button so I just had to do it, couldn't help myself.  Well turns out after much email bantering and bickering (and kinda feeling insulted by the salesman a couple times, who by the way after doing some web searching seems to go by 2 different names), said un-named company will only give about a $50 discount from listed price, but will offer some "free" accessories to sweeten the deal (accessories which are listed as being included with the little green gremlin).  But wait, if you order immediately, as in 30 seconds ago, we'll ship it to you in 1 month when they come in for only $xxxx.xx, but wait, another email, "we're awesome, you won't find anything comparable at our price".  Hmmm,  is this thing a freaking ginsu being sold by Billy Mays or something?  Wow, if these things are so awesome you wouldn't be telling me I needed to order it 2 years ago because I won't be able to even find anything used that compares to their product for the price.  To make a long story short I just didn't feel right about the whole thing from about the 2nd email sales pitch I recieved, kind of like being pressured at a used car lot, idk.....  But anyway I have a point I am getting to here, I stopped by one our local Haun Welding branch offices and inquired about a used TIG, they were just closing for the day but the fellow at the counter was able to get back into the company wide inventory and told me they had quite a few used Millers and Lincolns sitting in their main office.  He asked what more specifically what i was looking for and agreed a Miller syncro 200 would be suitable for what I want, I of course asked him how many arms and how many legs, to which he replied "looks like around $1500 but if you get ahold of someone in sales they can probably get you a better deal".  So at this point I'm looking at picking up a syncro 200, complete with torches and leads with various amounts of factory warranty depending on exact age, I emailed the sales rep for the area but he's on vacation so hopefully within another week or 2 I'll have some better ideas on what they have for what prices.  I think there may be a blue (not green) machine in my garage soon!!!!
Reply:Glad to hear the last paragraph in the above post.  You should be happy with that decision.
Reply:You won't be disappointed with the Syncro 200.With the name brand there is a great chance you machine will actually work. All too often, we have heard about DOAs or early demises from many of the chicom units (I aint saying names).
Reply:I'll also agree with the comments on the Syncro 200. I've been very happy with mine, and the Syncro 250's the tech school uses stand up quite well to the abuse the day kids put them thru. I think that's a very wise choice. Even if you pay $1500 for one ( on the higher end of the used market for these), you can still easily sell it in 2 or 3 years for at least $1000-1200 with no problems ( lower end of the market right now).No big surprise about the import you looked at. That's one of the biggest complaints many here have about those companies. Their busness dealings tend to be "shady" at best. The used car salesman and infomercial references are very appt analogies. Lots of smoke and  mirrors to try and get a quick sale on an inferior product. If you are one of the unlucky ones to get a bad machine... suddenly you find them imposible to reach, the replacement machine is "on it's way" ( just like the check is in the mail...), and when you complain you get painted as the bad guy by them... ( he waited too long to return it and his waranty expired, he opened up the machine and messed it up, we promised to send him a new one just as soon as our next batch arrives at the dock, we sent him new parts ( even if they didn't fit his machine)..... )Last edited by DSW; 08-27-2011 at 09:15 AM..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:I've done allot of research, once I start getting into about more than $750 it is a major purchase/investment for me and I want something quality that is going to last and not have a huge depreciation.  I'm not saying the imported products I've looked at are bad machines but after reading things like springs in foot pedals that need to be tweaked and other small issues kind of turned me off along with the pressured sales pitch.  Gosh darn, if I'm spending that kind of money on something I want it to be right and operational with little hassle and more than promises to back it up, it's actually kind of too bad because if you look at the features offered on the surface they seem like a decent buy.  Ok, I'm going to stop now, this has all been hashed to death in a hundred other threads, just wanted to add my viewpoint, I'll keep you updated on what transpires on my search for an entry into tig welding....
Reply:Originally Posted by number2onmyshoeOk, searched CL and found this, about 254 miles away but looks like a decent deal to me:http://nh.craigslist.org/tls/2546346474.html
Reply:I'm passing on that one that I posted the CL link for zap, a little too far away for me and a little too big also, heading tommorow to price some both used and new stuff at a couple different places so wish me luck.......Hi 2' (ha get it :-)I just bought a gently used syncro 180 for a $1000.I totally enjoy having DC stick over my old AC buzz box but I have yet been able to a make a weld that I can post for anything but comic relief.Maybe we could make learn to TIG thread full of brave people to show some of their first beauties.I had hopes that switching to electrode negative and then the next night of using argon instead of CO2 would give me a fighting chance but I need a good dose of turbocad6's tenacity now.  It is still really fun though and the miller welder is a great tool.  Seat time ...Miller Syncrowave 180SDLincoln WeldPak 100 with gasHandheld Milwaukee BandsawO/A Cutting Torch
Reply:Originally Posted by number2onmyshoeI'm passing on that one that I posted the CL link for zap, a little too far away for me and a little too big also, heading tommorow to price some both used and new stuff at a couple different places so wish me luck.......
Reply:Hey Number2onmyshoe,Check this outhttp://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=60020This is my ad, just posted today. Its a complete turnkey TIG welding setup for beginners, its almost in your price range, im sure we could work something out. Your only a few hours away from me too. contact me via email or text message if you want to talk about it.
Reply:Originally Posted by BHereHi 2' (ha get it :-)I just bought a gently used syncro 180 for a $1000.I totally enjoy having DC stick over my old AC buzz box but I have yet been able to a make a weld that I can post for anything but comic relief.Maybe we could make learn to TIG thread full of brave people to show some of their first beauties.I had hopes that switching to electrode negative and then the next night of using argon instead of CO2 would give me a fighting chance but I need a good dose of turbocad6's tenacity now.  It is still really fun though and the miller welder is a great tool.  Seat time ...
Reply:Around here we don't have a Craig'sList for North Bay but kijiji.ca has really taken off.  Most people know about it locally and think of it before stuff like classified ads or whatnot.I had an all Ontario search for TIG sent to me everyday from kijiji and it was only a few day before a guy in London (read 6 hours of very fast hours of driving away) posted.  I agreed not to dicker with the price and he agree to *deliver* it!  As an out of work trucker he though running up to North Bay just a pleasant walk in the park.  I did give him extra for the gas.  All in all it was nice to meet the guy and we've emailed a few times.There's your happy story for the day.I'll steel my nerve and post my stunningly humbling attempts to figure out how to TIG weld.  It will be a public service to make some laugh, most think "well at least I'm better than that guy" while others will shout NOOB through a bullhorn.  Zap says the metal succumbs in the end but it's kick'n my *** all over the place so far.At least the 180 is also a wonderful stick welder (after only every having a loud AC tombstone) and I really like have the DC side.Miller Syncrowave 180SDLincoln WeldPak 100 with gasHandheld Milwaukee BandsawO/A Cutting Torch