Need TIG advice...

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Hello all, I've welded mostly stick and some mig as a hobby for 5 or 6 years now but have recently started engaging in some more detail oriented projects for which I think a TIG welder would be a good choice.  One of the projects I have is welding 1/8"-1/16" round rod.  Stick is way overkill and even with a mig I have trouble getting the heat input and filler metal low enough to get satisfactory results without massive grinding.  I'd also like the ability to weld aluminum which I currently can't do.  All the work I do is for myself so I don't mind the slowness of tig but bead apperance and low amperage control is very important.  I'd also like it to replace my AC buzz box for lighter stick work on mild steel.I was extremely close to buying a Lincoln Electric TIG-185, I thought the features for the money were better than the Miller 180.  After finding this site I've heard a number of good reviews on the Thermal Arc 185.  The size, weight, and power consumption make it very appealing to me, as does the more comprehensive control available through the front panel.  The vairable frequency for AC seems quite useful, I'm also quite fond of the lift tig feature, could be handy as sometimes I'm around electronic equipment.  As far as cost it's close enough to the Lincoln to not be a real issue; I'd rather spend a few more dollars and get the right unit the first time.I guess my question is does anyone have a reason to go for the Lincoln over the Thermal arc?   Has anyone used both side by side and have any comparision of arc stability, characteristics, horror stories, etc?  Something makes me a little nervous about using a 40lb inverter with a stick on the end set for 150A, does this little unit really have the goods to keep up?  Anything else to consider before I take the plunge?Thanks for any advice you guys can give, fantastic resource you have here!!-S. Hadow
Reply:I have a HTP 201 Invertig and have used it for stick welding and it works great. I have never had any problems starting or running stick with an inverter. For the weight and power source requirements alone I would go for the inverter!TiggerAaronHTP Invertig 201w/ CK-20 torch and Bernard ChillerHTP MicroCut 300 plasma cutterLincoln R3S-325 w/ TA 17A Wire FeederVictor Super Range II O/A kitClausing/Colchester 13X40 LatheBridgeport 9X42 Mill
Reply:Both the Lincoln and the T/A 185 are about the same price. Do a search on this board on both. The T/A gets consistent rave reviews. The Lincoln P/T 185 gets dinged mainly for it's "novelty" pulse feature. I think if you polled the majority of the people on this board and various other boards. It would be a 3to1 favorite for the T/A 185. Good luck. If your pockets are deep enough, check out the Dynasty 200DX....Millermatic 210Dynasty 200DX Fisher CZ-5Trek 5500
Reply:Well, confirmed what I was thinking that the T/A 185 is the superior unit.  Thanks for all of your help, guess I'm off to sink some cash into it!
Reply:If you want to use that machine for out of position welding, fab up a button control and use the repeat mode with the hot start tig setting. It will work on ac or dc welding. I telling you it will give you amazing control of the weld puddle, even without a foot control. It was the main reason I upgraded from the 300 gtsw the the 300 tsw. You can just use the 4 step without the repeat if you want. The pulser is way beyond the Lincolns, in that you can set all the parameters you need. The stick has hot start and arc force for way more adjustments then the Lincoln. You will be able to weld thicker material on ac even though they have the same power. The wave balance will go farther then the Lincoln toward the dc side. The Freq adjustment will help too. It just blows it out in about every area. Current draw is much better too.
Reply:Well, the T/A 185 is on it's way.  Thanks for reaffirming my decision, will let you guys know how it works out!Thanks!