Why are there so few welders that have Stick and Tig for Aluminum that I can afford

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I started this post in the wrong section:http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...294#post589294So I'm looking for a Tig to do aluminum. My revised specs are 3/16" thickness. I estimate I'll have lots of shorter welds than long ones (mostly art projects), plus I'm a hobbyist I have a Mig for slightly larger stuff.So I'm thinking why shouldn't I have stick with my AC Tig? I've done a lot of research for finding welders in the $1-$1.5k range, new or used at less than 200 lbs. I really don't want a 500 lbs machineSo I put together a Spread sheet and 90% of them are too expensive, new or used. OK So do I need to rethink the combo? what can I do with a stick that makes me want to add it to my AC Tig? can I weld thicker metal with a stick? Is the combo thing such a great thing that I shouldn't be w/o it? .RobTA 185Lincoln 180cEconoPak 50 PlasmaSouthBend Heavy 10Clausing 8250 MillSouthBend Shaper 7Chevalier Surface GrinderPowermatic 15" vari speed Drill Press
Reply:A 200 amp stick machine would pretty much allow you to weld steel almost to any thickness. If I needed to weld 1/2"- 5/8" steel, I'd grab my Syncrowave 200 and set it for DC stick and go at it with 1/8" or 5/32" rods. I'd need at least a 250 amp class mig to do that as easily.Keep in mind those smaller Tig only machines also generally don't give you any advanced functions, like Ac balance control, the ability to adjust your gas flow timers, pulse or the ability to use a water cooled torch. That's all part of what you give up to get a low priced machine. It's not really about "adding" stick to the machine, it's about buying a unit that's been stripped to cut costs to the bare minimum. Sort of like buying the bottom end priced model of a car. No power windows or power locks, manual tranny, the smallest engine, vinyl seats, no A/C,  basic radio and so on... It will get you to work, but you will hate it in the summer when you are broiling sitting in traffic and wonder why you didn't spend a bit extra for the options.Sorry, alum tig isn't cheap. That's just the way it is..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 dont know of any welders that will do a/c tig that wont do d/c stick. Its usually right the opposite. If you find an a/c tig you've got it whooped, but they are more expensive.
Reply:Originally Posted by Wstmrlnd89639I dont know of any welders that will do a/c tig that wont do d/c stick. Its usually right the opposite. If you find an a/c tig you've got it whooped, but they are more expensive.
Reply:Tig just aint a cheap thing to get into, but in my opinion it is the most fun and useful.AEAD 200LE, Lincoln precision tig 185, Millermatic 251, Spectrum 625 extreme, Victor torch , Smithy 1220LTD. and  Do all C-4 band saw ,  Always adding.
Reply:Get an old tombstone welder and add a HF arc starter box to it and set it up for tig. You wont have much in the way of fine arc control but you will have AC tig and stick for pretty cheap. Look for a used Lincoln 175 squarewave. They weigh a couple hundred pounds, usually sell right around $1k or less and are nearly bulletproof solid welders that will last forever.
Reply:Originally Posted by Wstmrlnd89639I dont know of any welders that will do a/c tig that wont do d/c stick. Its usually right the opposite. If you find an a/c tig you've got it whooped, but they are more expensive.
Reply:eastwood and everlast sell AC tig machines for under $1oooTiger 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:For the price of the miller 165 + foot pedal you are better off just buying the 180.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:The machines cost what they do.  You need more money.   Aluninum tig can be done with almost ANY Ac welder if you add on a Hi freq box.Water cooled tig can be added to ANY welder.  I don't see how it could not be added.  I don't understand that statement.   You could have a water cooled torch with a gas valve (or not), hi freq box if you are going to use AC and no foot pedal.  It would still be water cooled.Options do not make you a better welder, Its not the machine, its the operator that makes good welds.   Options can make it a little easier.Using an arcmaster 185 right now for an aluminum job.  It works great and I did add a water cooled torch.  Cost about $2000 with air cooled torch.  Worth every penny.  Paid for its self many times over.I used to weld aluminum with a weldmanpower G7 gas drive on AC.  It worked too, but was a pain in the azz because I did not even have a gas valve in the torch head or a foot pedal.  DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Originally Posted by David RTWater cooled tig can be added to ANY welder.  I don't see how it could not be added.  I don't understand that statement.
Reply:I'm into this for $1100.00  Watercooled it myself but it worked really good prior.  Just nicer now.Shop round, you can find some deals out there. Attached ImagesAEAD 200LE, Lincoln precision tig 185, Millermatic 251, Spectrum 625 extreme, Victor torch , Smithy 1220LTD. and  Do all C-4 band saw ,  Always adding.
Reply:How the hell did you get that for 1100?Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:DSW,  I was not thinking of the diversion.  Heat control in the torch instead of foot pedal too.  I am already using both hands.  I think that machine is an insult to welders along with all auto set mig welders. If I am going to own the machine I am going to know how to use it.  ALL of it.  I never said  "I want to be a half azzed welder"Houseofire, nice grab!DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:You are asking for too much! Think of it as the old saw in the workshop that says, 'fast, cheap, good, you can pick any two'. Well, for tig welders it is the same you can have a cheap, light tig welder, but it won't do A/C, you can have a cheap Tig that will do A/C but it won't be light, or you can have an A/C TIG that is light, but it won't be cheap. Settle on a used transformer tig, after all, you don't need to carry the thing around with you. Put it on wheels in the shop and you will never remember that it is heavy (mostly because you don't really need to move them around a lot. Older lincoln 175s and syncrowaves 180s can be had for about $800, make sure you get the pedal and torch with them. I learned to tig on a ac/dc transformer stick welder with a hi freq box. It does the job, just not as easy to learn on. Since I got my Sync ($800 on craigslist, not a scratch on it, never had the tig torch adapter for it) I rolled it into the corner of the shop and only wheel it out when I need multiple stick welders (about once a year). If you want HF A/C plus stick and all the bells and whistles then pony up the dough. You gotta pay to play!