Which tig welder?

admin

I am thinking about buying a Tig machine. For $2k or less any recommendations? I have never Tig welded b4 so I will be teaching myself this just like everything else lol.
Reply:First off, do you plan on doing aluminum?  If not, you can cross off machines that do a/c and possibly save a buck or two.If you've never TIG'd, my suggestion would be grab an oxyfuel torch and burn a couple rods.  Then TIG will be just like breathing... except with more control.Then you have to think of the addiction factor, which TIG can be.  I am sure there will be numerous responses to what machine... me personally I have a Miller Dynasty 200dx.  A bit out of the $2k limit, but I wanted the Cadillac.
Reply:I agree if you plan on doing aluminum you will need ac. I have a Miller Maxstar 150STH and I love it but it wont do aluminum. It does however do stick. You can run 110/220 and it uses ver little power. It also has a 100% duty cycle at 100amps. I would recomend getting a 150STL instead of the STH because you do not need the HF. If you are wanting to do aluminum you should try the 200DX it is a great machine and you can buy cables and stick weld with it also. I used one of the DX's in Atlanta at a Miller trade show and was amazed at how you can taylor the arc it welded like a dream. What ever you buy you should get a quality unit not a cheapy that way if you decide you like it you have a machine that will last and give a quality weld. There is a diference. Good luck Steel Thunder Welding LLC. St. Thomas VI USAMM350PBOBCAT 3MAXSTAR 150 STH375 EXTREME PLASMA6.5 HP COMPRESORDEWALT 18, 24, AND 36 VOLTO/A TORCH SETAND SO MUCH MORE I DONT REMEMBERALL IN MY 2005 2500HD EXTENDED CAB L/B
Reply:Right now I have a HH 187 and a Lincoln AC225. I would like to have the stick feature with the Tig so I can stick with other than AC only. Do you have to get the cooler w/ the Tig?
Reply:You can get TIG torches up to 250 amp with out a cooler. I have a 150 air cooled and use the crap out of it. Try a Lincolin 225 AC/DC with a TIG torch that has a gas control valve built into the torch they work great and will last for years. and you can do aluminum (non critical) with it as well as steel. I would recomend using straight argon because it works great on steel and is required for stainless and aluminum. Good luck. Steel Thunder Welding LLC. St. Thomas VI USAMM350PBOBCAT 3MAXSTAR 150 STH375 EXTREME PLASMA6.5 HP COMPRESORDEWALT 18, 24, AND 36 VOLTO/A TORCH SETAND SO MUCH MORE I DONT REMEMBERALL IN MY 2005 2500HD EXTENDED CAB L/B
Reply:Yeah I definitely want ac/dc so I can do aluminum. So many different options and features. I don't know much about Tig so I am gonna do my homework. Don't know if it would be nice to have one of the portable ones to take with ya and such. Do they have enough umph to do much work? And there just tig only correct? I would probably be interested in one of the bigger models. I'll check into the Lincoln you recommended.
Reply:Looking at the Miller Syncrowave 200 $1983.77 , Miller Econotig $1559, and the Lincoln Precision Tig 225 $1967.87 w/out stick.  Are these all pretty good machines and I would probably not outgrow them? Good prices it seems. There on ebay. The 2 come with running gear. I kinda like the portability of the Econotig.  Any input is appreciated, chime on in.
Reply:Originally Posted by Addicted2FusionAre these all pretty good machines and I would probably not outgrow them?
Reply:Do you know off hand what he is asking for it?
Reply:Don't really remember (since I have no need for it) but it seems like it was $1050 - $1150 ?? to your door.If you're interested, send him a PM, just in case he misses this thread.Anything worth doing is worth doing RIGHT
Reply:Yeah I sent him one to ask how much. This be a good one to learn on? I don't expect to be doing any real thick aluminum. And I have my HH187 for any thicker steel I would need to mig. What ya think?
Reply:Originally Posted by Addicted2FusionYeah I sent him one to ask how much. This be a good one to learn on? I don't expect to be doing any real thick aluminum. And I have my HH187 for any thicker steel I would need to mig. What ya think?
Reply:My tig/stick is a Miller Maxstar 150STH and I have definitly not outgrown it. It does not do aluminum but TIG and stick like a dream. If you go with an inverter based you will get a bunch of umph for the size. The Maxstar has a 100% duty cycle at 100amps and when I run 1/8" 7018 at about 130amps it has gone all day. Recently I burned about 25# of 7018 in a 9.5 hour day welding on a steel ship hull and not a single issue. The Miller is great as well as the Lincolin I just like Miller personally. Goog Luck and for Miller or Licolin try uswelding.com call and ask for Joe this is were I get all my stuff and there are cheap cheap just over dealer cost. Steel Thunder Welding LLC. St. Thomas VI USAMM350PBOBCAT 3MAXSTAR 150 STH375 EXTREME PLASMA6.5 HP COMPRESORDEWALT 18, 24, AND 36 VOLTO/A TORCH SETAND SO MUCH MORE I DONT REMEMBERALL IN MY 2005 2500HD EXTENDED CAB L/B