Help Me Puchase A Tig Welder...

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Looing for some guidance on purchasing my first tig welder.  First let me say that i plan on growing into this welder so i'd like to purchase something that will allow me to start off with basic mild but also cover 1/2" plate aluminum.  I've been looking at used Miller/Lincoln/Hobart welder and came across a seemingly good deal.I'm looking for information from on the reliability of a used welder, its performance vs new welders, and whether this is 'overkill'.It is a Miller 330ST Aircrafter.  It's about 10-15 years old and comes with everything but the tank (including a water cooler/torch, pedal, cables,cart).  It's for sale for $800...Getting power to this isnt a concern as I have 220/single phase/100amp service in my garage (not that i would really need this on full tilt anytime soon).What do you guys think? Seem like a good deal?  Would i be better off with a newer welder or will this get the job done?Thanks Much!Last edited by Z06KILLR; 07-18-2007 at 12:02 AM.
Reply:I dunno about that unit, but kudos to the Thermal Arc 185/200 ACDC.ThermalArc 185MillerMatic 180 w/ AutosetVictor Cutskill Oxy/AcetyleneThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 38and spite!
Reply:I also like my Thermal Arc 185 ACDC, but... it's way to small a machine for welding 1/2" thick aluminum!   For that, you will need AMPS, and that 330 Miller has them!   If you have the juice to run that monster (and afford to pay the bill), it sounds like a decent deal to me.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Welcome to Weldingweb! BTW, what is a Z06killer?John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:Z06killer...i like that. I just did a 25 to 135MPH sprint against a new Z06 with my 2.2L on 26PSI boost and hung beside him the entire time. HAHAHA
Reply:Back to the original question..1/2" aluminum??At least 250-300 amps and a WATERCOOLED torch.. are the basics..Lets take it from there......zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Run 100% helium and up the CFH and turn the current to DC!
Reply:The Aircrafters were good machines, at least the one I used was.And like was said, go watercooled.Anything worth doing is worth doing RIGHT
Reply:Basically any tig welder on the market, is a good welder, or it wouldn't still be around.  I have yet to use a "bad" namebrand welder of any process.I just bought a Lincoln Precision Tig 225 - love it.  Although you didn't say what your budget is.I would have liked to have gone with their inverter (Invertec 205) but it was twice as much.Since tig welders are expensive, if you can get a used welder with the same features, go for it!!Definitely look for HF, continuous HF for AC, post flow, pulse if you want to work on thin material.If you're going to be doing a lot of work on aluminum you might want to make sure it has AC balance so you can control the +/- sides of the AC arc.But don't let it scare you just because it's old.  As I've said before, some of the best welders I've used are big old beat up boxes."A winner isn't someone who doesn't lose, a winner is someone who doesn't quit."