$200 TIG. Waste of $$$ or???

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When all is said and done there's about $1k in my budget for rigs.So far $825 has been spent on 2 Lincs, a 140 and 180, both T models. I went Linc because everyone has parts/consumables for them. Most of my projects weld up fine with 115v gear and my 180T is really for the bigger jobs when needed. Since it only cost me $425 new I can rationalize it sitting most of the time.I spent  $100 on a Century k2789 10-90amp inverter stick rig. A Weldcraft #9 RTW torch, spares and flowmeter will be $100. I don't expect a lot but is this good enough to TIG 14-16 gauge SS or mild. Can do  copper or bronze? It's either the TIG I mentioned or sell my current MIG gear and pay $1G for a TA181 with TIG torch. I weld a fair bit of stick with my inverter and my 140T does a decent amount of bodywork and up to .125 stuff.I guess 5-10% of my future projects will need TIG. So, overall, am just wasting $100 for a TIG torch?Craftsman 230a Buzz-box,  Lincoln 140T & 180T, Century K2789, PUROX W202 O/A14" cheapo chop saw that cuts straight and square!A toolbox of the cheapest Chinese tools money can buy"Real" tools all old reliable Husky/Craftsman/Proto stuff
Reply:I'd suggest looking at a CK torch vs the Weldcraft. Usually the CK's are cheaper yet have a higher duty cycle.14 ga will be doable with the amps available, but your duty cycle will probably be low due to the machine. That unit would not be my choice for thin tig since you won't have a pedal or remote to control the amperage, but it's certainly doable.Honestly unless you "need" a 115v capable mig, I'd do everything with the bigger machine. The only reason I'd see to have 2 machines would be to simply not have to change out  .023 wire from the smaller one if you did a fair amount of sheet metal work.As  far as "wasting" money on tig... that sort of depends. Some jobs just can't be done any other way, so in that sense tig makes sense to have as an option. However your choice will leave you fairly limited in what you can do. As long as the work falls in that range, and you have the skills to do scratch start tig on material within the limits of that machine, you are good. If you don't have the skills or need a bigger tig, then a dedicated tig that uses a remote is probably the better route to look at..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 would sell the 140 and keep the 180T.  I don't weld SS but suggest you check the miller online calculators for the thickness u plan to weld.   If u don't need AC for Aluminum or Magnesium then DC tig will work.   Look at a 140 to 200 amp DC/ ting stick unit that includes a torch.Tiger 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:Im not really in any position to even give an opinion.....BUT,, What  about one of those MECO midgets or a smaller aircraft torch?
Reply:I would sell the 140 and 180t and buy the Thermal Arc 181i..   You also get stick and spool gun capabilities with the ta181i.  or you could go up to the TA 211i and have 210amps, dual voltage capability, along with stick, dc-tig and spoolgun.tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:I am considering a TA 211i so I'm chiming in - you can get a foot control for tig process.  Also, it is spool gun ready so you can do some aluminum with that process if it's suitable for the project(s). Of course, the price starts adding up with the accessories.  I too would shelve at least the 140T.All that said, with the TA you're stuck with one machine to have to switch between instead of having dedicated stuff.  Can be a PIA depending on your needs.