Which Tig to buy.

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I am in the process of tryng to decide which Inverter based Tig I want to buy. I am  beginer hobby welder. I have taken a few classes at the local college and plan to return this fall when they reopen the night school classes. I have done all stick welding at the school and have purchased a M211 auto set to play around at home. I would now like to play around with Tig welding. Since this is hobby related and not leading to a career in welding a 200-250A inverter based Tig welding machine is what I am looking at. I will be getting an AC/DC version so  that I can also play with Aluminium welding as well. I like most people am trying to get the most bang for the buck. I have cruised the local used lists and will continue to do  so however not much coming up that looks reasonable. I would like to hear from people who the following machines as to their opinions on these machines, would they buy them again, are there issues they've had that I should know about. The machines are as follows. Everlast 250EX, HTP Invertig 201, and the Thermal Arc 200 series Tig welders. Thanks very much for your assistance in this.Harold MulderMiller 211 AutosetHTP 201 Invertig with water coolerHardinge Cataract Quick Change Lathe
Reply:I'm in the same boat as you.  I'm looking for a used miller syncrowave 180 or 200.  From what I read the thermal arcs are real nice machines.  Everlast is a chinese import, I wouldn't buy one, but that's my opinion.  I hear the HTP's are good, but relatively rare compared to the millers/lincolns.  So, unless you live in Chicago might be better to stick with one with local support since you could get out of the shipping costs.It doesn't sound like most people are convinced that the inverter machines are good long term work horses.  The transformer machines are proven.  I'm going with the transformer machine because who cares about portability when you have to drag a cylinder of argon around!  They are also generally cheaper on the used market front.Millermatic 135Syncrowave 250
Reply:I like my TA-185 a lot.  Inverters are where it is at, if you do all that much with aluminum, and this is coming from the person who absolutely, positively hates electronics.Who is John Galt?
Reply:Originally Posted by bassboy1I like my TA-185 a lot.  Inverters are where it is at, if you do all that much with aluminum, and this is coming from the person who absolutely, positively hates electronics.
Reply:I had a synchro 180 and traded it for a TA-185.  The 180 was nothing but trouble, HF start problems, having to pull connectors off the control board and use dielectric grease to prevent corrosion (thought that should have been done at the factory!), and was very unstable under 50 amps, and not a first choice for Al welding unless very thin material.  The TA-185 makes the 180 look like a real dog.  I understand that many problems were solved in the 200 but I wasn't willing to take a chance after my 180 experiences.  I generally like "Blue" and have two other fine performing machines, but you couldn't give me a 180.  JMO.
Reply:I have the TA185 and love it.  Yes, it has low input amps and yes it is very easily portable, it's also the best bang for the buck in inverter ac/dc tig welders out there, followed closely by the HTP.  I use my TA both in the shop and out on the truck.  Its small and light easy to carry and load on the truck.  I keep an 80cf argon bottle on the truck for both the spool gun and the tig.  The bottle isn't very heavy or big to carry.  In the shop I use a much bigger 250cf bottle cause I don't need to move it around at all.  The TA is a great machine and tough to beat, both price and performance.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Originally Posted by mot krigWhy's that?  Lower input amps needed?  portability?  Lower input amps would be nice, but if you're just getting a TA-185, why spend the extra to get it in a small package?  Most garages/barns can get 50-60amps which should about max out a 180 amp transformer machine.  Again, what's the point of portability if you have to carry a big argon bottle around?  To me, the cost advantage of a transformer machine along with the time proven construction makes it a better fit for my hobby application.  Am I missing something here?  Again, I should specify that all my opinions stated are based on theory because I haven't pulled the trigger yet on a TIG.  They're based on countless hours of reading and discussion with both hobby and professional welders.
Reply:I was in yoiur shoes about a month ago. I was all about buying a new/used tig welder but could not figure out which one. I had some gems saved up and was going crazy trying to make the choice that I could live with and not have any coulda's, shoulda's or woulda's. I wanted a tig welder that I could use to weld up to a quater inch aluminum. Not that I plan on welding that thickness but to have a welder that was going to be about twenty five percent more welder than I wouild ever need. I have a 23 foot aluminum plateboat that I use for commercial fishing that is made of all 3/16 alum.  I needed a tig welder for modifications and up keep for this boat.  And to top it off I do not know how to tig weld. However my dad is a retired welder and machinest and one of my best friends is a welding instructor for the sheet metal union. Both advised they would teach me how to tig weld. And in the mean time they would do some welding for me with my welder.So I thought I would buy a new welder and then started talking to guys who had good luck buying used welders.  I scoured craigslist and found what I believed to be the welder I wouild be happy with. I called the guy several times asking questions and he was very informative about the welder he had for sale. Sent me photos. So I made arrangements to drive a couple hours to look at this welder and kick some tires. Long story short I bought a Lincoln Squarewave 255 that is in like new condition wiith more accessories than I bargined for . I got tons of filler rods, a argon tank, extra long leads, extra heavy duty power cord, stick leads , grinding disk, books. I got all of this for about half of what a new unit alone would cost. I have been welding with it in my shop almost daily and learning to tig weld at my own pace with excellant intructors.My fishing pardners boat need repair and my buddy welded it up while we watched and asked questions. My buddy that is a sheet metal worker told me that my welder is a very nice welder and I got a great welder for a great price.Hope my two cents has been of help.RandyLincoln Power Mig 300 with PythonLincoln SquareWave Tig 255 Hypertherm Powermax 45 HH120 w/argon
Reply:Thanks for all the info so far. I really appreciatte it. Reading brochures and manuals is Ok but hearing from people who actually have the machines is priceless.Harold MulderMiller 211 AutosetHTP 201 Invertig with water coolerHardinge Cataract Quick Change Lathe
Reply:I'll add that my next tig purchase will likely be a TA300 for the shop, and use the TA185 only for mobile work.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op