Is this a good tig for a rookie

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Hey guys i want to upgrade my tig welder. Ill manly be using it for stainless steel it has a foot control which is a feature id love to have. Can you tell me if it looks good? the thickest stainless ill be welding will generally be 2mm.https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/W174ThanksLast edited by nerdstar; 12-17-2011 at 03:26 AM.
Reply:this is it Attached Images
Reply:I take it you're in Australia?I'm not familiar with that brand at all.  Not all, but MOST of the Chinese TIG welders are made very poorly.  They either show up broken or stop working after a short time. There's also nowhere to service them.  You only need a DC tig for stainless.  The AC will give you the option to move to aluminum when needed.  At least here, the reliable brands with good support are Miller, Lincoln, Thermal Arc, ESAB and HTP.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:thanks Drf225 i know id love to buy a miller, lincoln, esab etc but there just isnt any in australia. and if you buy one retail they'll easily charge 3 times as much as they do in the states. Infact i quite jealous at have absolutely EVERYTHING is soooo cheap in America. Shoe computer tools etc...Is there any tig machines for around the $1500-$2000 mark you can suggest in America that are good? Cheers
Reply:Ive been looking at this one, What would this go for in america?http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/LINCOLN-E...item20bf9cb1eb
Reply:The Thermal Arc 185 or 200 runs 2400-2800 US$ on eBay.  They may ship internationally.  A miller Dynasty is gonna cost you $1000 more.  If you know your only gonna use it for DC ever, Miller makes a Maxstar and TA a 161.  I believe they both have a foot pedal option (only on certain miller units).  They're durable and generally can be had for 500-1000 on eBay, new and used.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:look at Cigweld if your in Australia, they are the same machines as Thermal Arc. something like this maybe http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/CIGWELD-I...item19cbafdce5 or look at the cigweld transmig 175i mig/dc-tig/stick/spoolgun..Last edited by brucer; 12-17-2011 at 04:19 PM.tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:thanks guys i may have to start saving my pennies, I have a cigweld 170hf thats what i wanna upgrade from. Cigweld dont really have an in between model from rookie to professional. The cigweld 175i is touch start tig. Attached Images
Reply:A Uni Mig is probably the same or marginally better than Cig Weld , fine for at home.Cant put an Amptroller on the Cig?Your spending 2K and not going much bigger.....PS they run fine on a 10 amp 3 pin  A good guess is better than a bad measurement
Reply:thanks mate, yea cant put a foot control which sucks so i jerry rigged and push button to become a foot button. Cant control the amps but at least you have more freedom is hand positioning.You can see the foot switch in the bottom right of the pic ( $25 from jaycar )Do you have a tig? if so what do you have? Attached Images
Reply:Ive got an Essetti 160 and some where an Essetti 150Lincoln PT 185Trans Tig 300A good guess is better than a bad measurement
Reply:Australia is not the US. Take Holden, they are not as well supported in the US as they are in Australia and the reverse can be said for Chrysler or Chev. Unimig is a common brand and well supported locally.Also, the people who write that chinese welders cannot be fixed is full of crap. I know of at least one place in western Sydney who fix them, have been in business for 10+ years and they have a shopfront.If you REALLY want quality, look at Kemppi and ESAB. But $ is often the limiting factor.
Reply:[QUOTE=Llundberg;587660Also, the people who write that chinese welders cannot be fixed is full of crap. I know of at least one place in western Sydney who fix them, have been in business for 10+ years and they have a shopfront.[/QUOTE]Very true.Thing is the Chinese will build you anything you want , at any level of quality  YOU specify.Seems the US importers are not importing what they could.. mind you I have never tried what Im talking about....ie the US imported welders.I see also Longevity is in Oz these days.We have very cheap imported Chinese brands here on Ebay . Impressive specs per $ on paper, never tried one as I use my welders for buisness and have had them for years (decades even) . My most used welder is a SAF 320 BL Mig I have no idea when it was built 60s 70s ?? I also have the 340 verson , my Grand kids will be using them., the Transtig 300  (CIG) would be an 80s model.All Aussie built all bullet proof.They dont have the bells and whistles the new ones have and guess what? unless your welding for NASA you do not need them .Formal education and seat time is the key EssettiLincolnMiller FroniousWIAUnimigTranstigLiqiud ArcSAFKemppiCIGAll makes you can rely on , but also most "Good" brands will have low spec models or ones that seem to have more dramas than other models.BrettA good guess is better than a bad measurement
Reply:Hey thanks guys for the input, i ended up buying this one.... Its lovely Attached Images
Reply:Originally Posted by nerdstarHey thanks guys for the input, i ended up buying this one.... Its lovely
Reply:i bought a bare unit used with out a gas hose, earth, foot control or torch for under $2000 grand so im pretty happy.
Reply:suprised theyre made in italy
Reply:Originally Posted by BrettVery true.Thing is the Chinese will build you anything you want , at any level of quality  YOU specify.Brett