What setup should I get?

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Hey guys,I'm a new member, but I'm not new the the site. I'm wondering what the best setup would be for a TIG/stick setup. I'd like to have AC and DC for the TIG. I have 220 power so that's not an issue. Thanks
Reply:thermal arc 185
Reply:Thanks for the input! I am only 18 and so I am on a fairly limited budget. Is there anything cheaper or do I just need to spend the real money to get a setup that will last me?
Reply:If you want to do alum (the reason for an AC machine) you will want to look for a 180 or 200 amp minimum machine. 180 amps will get you 1/8" alum, 200 amps about 3/16" for the average new guy learning. Any thicker and you will be in the heavy industrial class machines and need a water cooled torch as well as a big bank account.  AC/DC machines are not cheap, and good ones are even more. You can get some good deals on old industrial transformer machines like Miller 330 A/BP's and such if you look for them, but they are big, heavy and power hungry. You can also find some nice deals on used Miller Syncrowave 180's and 200's and occasionally the 250's as well. The TA 185 is also a nice machine and new will run you about what a new Syncrowave 200 will.Expect to shell out at least $1500 complete for a good used set up ( though I've seen used ones once in awhile for about $700) One down side of many new "bargain" machines is that you give up all the advanced functions like ballance control, pulse and so on. Some machines like the Diversions won't do stick for example as well as tig like most machines. Thats what you get for the low cost.If you drop the AC requirement for now and just do stainless and steel, you can get a DC only machine and save a good bit of money. The Maxstars are a very nice DC only tig, and a basic scratch start tig can be built around almost any DC stick welder with the addition of an aircooled torch with valve, and reg. for not much money at all.Last edited by DSW; 10-26-2010 at 07:08 AM..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:Thanks for the info DSW. I guess I really don't need to be able to tig aluminum. I have a mig setup that can do it so it's really not that necessary. I'll look into those DC only machines. Any thoughts on where the best places to shop online are just to get an idea on prices?