Need help with options on TIG.

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So now that I am positive I love welding, and want it to be my career I want to not only weld at school but at home for practice. I'd really like to get an AC/DC Tig machine but the prices are so high and I don't want a Chinese one because a red flag goes up by taking a gamble and spending money on something that will break so fast. I used the Dynasty at school both stick and Tig and the machine is amazing. Im positive on buying a Miller, but I was wondering how much I would actually use TIG to practice on Aluminum. The only difference is HF start  and A/C correct? What is Lift Start? I know what scratch start is. It's come down to the Miller Maxstar,unless you guys recommend other units. how could I go by finding one of these less than $1000(im willing to pay that much, would rather have my machine before the end of spring semester). I never see them on craigslist all I see are the Lincoln AC buzz boxes.
Reply:Lift arc is interesting.  The machine puts a sensory voltage on your tungsten, so when you touch your tungsten to a grounded piece of metal, it completes a circuit.Just AFTER you lift your tungsten, the machine starts the full welding current.  This lets you start a GTAW arc without HF, and without scratching (which can contaminate your tungsten).If you're really wanting A/C, and don't have the money for a Dynasty, look at the Miller Diversion.  Its got the A/C, just less bells and whistles (for much less money).The arc quality is supposedly as good, and while you've got less tunable knobs/features, it is supposed to be locked into a pretty good A/C setup from the factory.
Reply:Used you can find an AC/DC machine in that range if you look hard. I see old Miller 330AB/P's from $500-800 on CL. Used Syncro 180's and 200's usually will run about $1100-1300.The Maxstar's are nice DC only machines. If I was looking for a machine and didn't need to do alum, that would be where I'd start. Note that the machines with the pedal and extra options push the price up towards $1300 or so rather than the $1K the base machines will cost. At that point you are at what a nice used Syncro would run. When I wanted to get a tig when learning, I wanted an AC/DC machine. (Alum was why I was learning tig) As much as I'd have loved the Dynasty, I picked the Syncro 200 because of price. All in all I've been very happy with that choice. Yes sometimes it would be nice to have teh extra amps of the Syncro 250, or the portability of the Dynasty 200, but the needs don't justify the extra costs for what little I'd need them. To me the Diversion's are too light on amps to do alum. That's often where I find myself wishing I had a bigger machine. The $2K price of a new Syncrowave 200 is out of the budget you listed, but used they aren't that far out of your price range..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 remember about the Miller Diversion is it's a TIG only machine, no stick welding.  I considered it but ended up with a new Maxstar.  Funny, I scoured the classifieds all around here for a year looking for a Maxstar with no success. I finally went to LWS and ordered my machine and on the way out noticed a used Maxstar 200 DX for $1400, about $350 less than I had just plunked down. Further investigation showed it to be a rental return, used and out of warranty. I considered it but ended up with my purchase (with the full warranty). I'm happy with my decision.
Reply:Look for a used Syncrowave 180 or 200, in the $1100 to $1300 range.  You will get HF, AC/DC, and also stick welding.   You get full functionality, which is not the case with any of the other options that you are looking at.  The Diversion lacks stick welding, which is very useful on thicker steel.  The 180 has very few controls, the 200 maybe too many controls.  I really liked the 180, which I used for years, now I like my 200, mostly because I use the pulse function of the 200 for welding thin copper.The Miller Econotig is another option, but I have heard from the factory guys that the Syncrowave 180 is a significantly better machine.RichardSculptures in copper and other metalshttp://www.fergusonsculpture.comSyncrowave 200 Millermatic 211Readywelder spoolgunHypertherm 600 plasma cutterThermal Arc GMS300 Victor OA torchHomemade Blacksmith propane forge
Reply:I just picked up a miller maxstar 150 stl for smaller projects and portability. I must say its a great little machine. It tigs like a dream. Very stable arc at low amps. No Ac so no alu. but other then that its a great machine. For the price and it has a outlet for a footpedal i think its well worth it. What ever you decide on, buy a quality machine.Ya gotta spend money to make money!
Reply:I  guess I might as well save up to around 1000 start looking and if i find nothing Ill keep looking, I really do want the stick function so Diversion is a nono, I want HF, so its down to syncro and a maxstar or dynasty.
Reply:Originally Posted by smilexelectricI  guess I might as well save up to around 1000 start looking and if i find nothing Ill keep looking, I really do want the stick function so Diversion is a nono, I want HF, so its down to syncro and a maxstar or dynasty.
Reply:Yea I think I will just save like 100 every paycheck or at least try to, but with school payments it's a PIA. Where do you guys suggest looking for the machine? I have a Valley National Gases but have no clue if they carry any welders? Dont know of any welding shops around here.(Greensburg, Pa, about 30 to 40 mins from Pittsburgh) I am willing to travel to pick the machine I want up.I am definitely open minded about any welder, I won't be picky, If I cant find  a maxstar, syncro, or dynasty so be it.Last edited by smilexelectric; 12-15-2010 at 08:45 AM.
Reply:If you are 30 minutes from Pittsburgh, start looking at the Pittsburgh Craigslist two or three times a day.  Would be worth driving 75 miles to get a good deal on a welder, I think.There is a web site called "search tempest", a tool used for searching multiple craigslist locations.  You can also have it search for multiple terms at the same time, such as Synchrowave or Maxstar.  Example:   Suppose that you lived near Pittsburgh, but sometimes drove up to Youngstown Ohio for family or business.  You could type in your zip code, and set a 100 mile radius, and it would look at both Pittsburgh and Youngstown, and maybe other craigslist locations.  http://www.searchtempest.comAlso ask your local welding dealer.   I was chatting with my local dealer about the XMT304, and he said that they had just gotten one in on trade.   The price would be slightly higher than what one would pay on Craigslist or Ebay.  If I had been ready to buy I would have bought that unit, as it was nearly new and tested by the dealer.RichardSculptures in copper and other metalshttp://www.fergusonsculpture.comSyncrowave 200 Millermatic 211Readywelder spoolgunHypertherm 600 plasma cutterThermal Arc GMS300 Victor OA torchHomemade Blacksmith propane forge
Reply:Originally Posted by smilexelectricYea I think I will just save like 100 every paycheck or at least try to, but with school payments it's a PIA. Where do you guys suggest looking for the machine? I have a Valley National Gases but have no clue if they carry any welders? Dont know of any welding shops around here.(Greensburg, Pa, about 30 to 40 mins from Pittsburgh) I am willing to travel to pick the machine I want up.I am definitely open minded about any welder, I won't be picky, If I cant find  a maxstar, syncro, or dynasty so be it.
Reply:Wait so you live near me shane? I found so syncrowaves and a 300 xmt miller dc tig with bottles for 1500. good prices. thanks guys.Last edited by smilexelectric; 12-15-2010 at 03:01 PM.
Reply:The lincoln 175 square wave ac/dc is another machine in the class your looking for. It is solid welder that has HF for aluminum and will weld with stick as well. Don't get stuck on the idea of only buying a Miller.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:Originally Posted by smilexelectricWait so you live near me shane? I found so syncrowaves and a 300 xmt miller dc tig with bottles for 1500. good prices. thanks guys.
Reply:Whered you goto school?