Whats the best machine for TIG and STICK?

admin

Looking for feedback on machines for TIG and STICK. I would like to buty a machine but I want solid answers by people who use them not a salesman
Reply:Depends on how much money you've got.. How big of a machine you need.. What you plan to weld..  etc...  What are you trying to do and how much money do you want to spend?  What kind of power do you have available?  Does the machine need to be portable?Esab TradeMaster TorchSmith AW1A Airline TorchLincoln AC/DC 225/125Millermatic 252 w/ Spoolmatic 15aThermal Arc 190 GTSSpeedGlas 9100v
Reply:I have a miller dynasty 300dx and it welds excellent for tig and stick. I use it a lot for both and have been very happy with it, but it is also going to come down to your personal preference and how often and what you use the welder for.Miller Dynasty 300dxSpeedglas 9002XMiller Spectrum 375 XtremeLincoln PowerMig 255xtLincoln PowerMig 140cMilwuakee Portaband
Reply:As said what do you plan to weld? Shop or portable? are you looking to do BOTH tig and stick OR are you looking at one or the other?Almost any tig machine will do stick as well (there are a few exceptions). Tig Alum will require an AC/DC tig and alum over 3/16"-1/4" will want more than 200amps in output and probably a cooler. This will up the price. If you just want to tig steel and SS you can just get a DC tig.A new straight DC tig like a Miller maxstar will start at about $1K. The AC/DC transformer machines like the syncrowave 200 at about $2K, An inverter AC/DC machine like the Dynasty200's you're starting to push $4K and then add a cooler.I have a Syncrowave 200 and like it alot. It's big enough for almost everything I usually need. It is a big heavy shop machine that runs on 220v. The Dynasty200 would have been nice as its portable, can run at low power on 110v as well at full power on 220V, and has a few more bells and whistles than my Sync. But at 2X the cost it wasn't worth it for me. I'll sell the old one and get a new one if I find that I need the portability later.If I didn't want the AC, I'd have gotten a Maxstar instead. I've used one and really liked it. Small, light, same 110v/220v option the Dynasty has, but no capacity to do alum easily.I also looked at used a bit. If you've got the space and power to run them, I've seen some super deals on older used transformer machines. Steve (7A749) here does a great job on refurbs. Zappster just got a real nice AC/DC one from him to replace the dead Hobart he used to 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:DC tig/stick inverter, Maxstar 150STH, 200SD or 350 would be my choice.ACDC tig/stick inverter, Dynasty 200SD/DX, 300DX or 350 would be my choice.ACDC tig only inverter, Thermal Arc 185ACDC or 300ACDC would be my choice.DC stick only inverter, CST280 would be my choice.DC stick/mig inverter, XMT 304 or 350 would be my choice.Of these machines, I own the TA 185 and XMT 304 and have welded quite a bit with the CST280 and Dynasty 300/350.  I love the TA on tig ac and dc, don't care for it on stick.  The XMT is awesome on stick and mig, ok on tig except for the starting (no HF).  The CST is great on stick, never used it on tig and has no HF.  The Dyanasty are great on tig, never used them on stick.Last edited by DesertRider33; 10-12-2009 at 12:38 PM.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Originally Posted by sidthssI have a miller dynasty 300dx and it welds excellent for tig and stick. I use it a lot for both and have been very happy with it, but it is also going to come down to your personal preference and how often and what you use the welder for.
Reply:If your looking for a low buck machine. Try and find an old Miller Dialarc 250 ac/dc with HF. I picked one up for $700.00 shipped to my door with watercooler and a 300amp water cooled tig torch. I've tig welded aluminum and it works great. I also think its one of the smoothest running stick welders I've ever used. I also know parts are still avalible and these machines are tough.