TIG machine advice

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I recently started welding and invested in a Hobart Handler 190.  I have maybe 5-6 hours on it...so very new at this.  I found this machine pretty easy to setup and use...Recently started using the spool gun for aluminum and the welds are ok...a little sloppy on the starts and stops, and I am trying to weld some pretty small parts so it is getting difficult to use now (1/8" thick, smaller welds).Thinking about purchasing a TIG machine...and found there are tons of brands, with pricing all over the board.  Thinking about Everlast, Easton, or Longevity.  I know these are considered Chinese machines...and not sure what people thought of them.  Budget is around $1000...but would consider more for a combo plasma cutter as well.  I have 220 service.Any advice on an actual machine that people have used and like would be helpful.Thanks in advance.
Reply:Tig and plasma = Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:Budget is too low for a quality AC/DC tig. Used you might find one in that range, but you'll have to shop a bit.All those brands you listed have had issues of one sort or another in the past. I'd strongly suggest you do some research before you buy. If you choose to go that route, understand these are disposable machines. If they fail out of warranty, you won't find anyone with parts or who is willing to service them. Read the warranty closely. If it fails under warranty, many of these companies make you cover shipping to and from to get a new unit. There have been several cases where guys have to send a unit back several times to get it repaired, all on their own dime.I agree with Terry, Combo units with plasmas are a failure waiting to happen..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:Ok thanks - so I may avoid the plasma combo...stick with the obvious brands? Miller, Lincoln, Hobart?
Reply:Best I can tell price reflects quality among new machines. Old machines, less so. In used, I'd look for a Syncrowave 250. In new, buy the best you can possibly swing, even if it's a stretch. My Dynasty 280DX is second only to the 350.An optimist is usually wrong, and when the unexpected happens is unprepared. A pessimist is usually right, when wrong, is delighted, and well prepared.
Reply:Yikes - some of those suggestions are WAY out of my budget!   Found a Hobart EZ Tig 165 for $1400...shipping included.  Maybe I stick with Hobart to go along with my Handler....hmmmmhttp://www.hobartwelders.com/products/tig/eztig_165i/
Reply:If you listed your location in your profile, so we knew where you were located, we might be able to help with a suggestion as to a nice used machine. Someone recently here posted up an old Miller 330 AB/P for under $400 IIRC. I see those offered fairly regularly for between $450-900, but I've seen a few like the ones rebadged for Airco sell for as low as $250. They are big and heavy as well as power hungry, but they are a machine few will outgrow. Old Dialarc HF's are another good sub $1000 machine I see fairly regularly. Don't confuse these with the standard Dialarcs that are stick units, The HF model is the AC/DC tig version and what you want to do alum. I see used Syncrowave 180's and 200's in the $800-1400 range with some regularity, many with almost know hours on them. I occasionally see a few Syncrowave 250's in the low $1200-1500 range but that's not all that common. Some of the older Lincoln Tigs fall in that $750-1300 range fairly often as well.So while your budget is a bit low, it's not completely unreasonable. Jumping up $300-600 would make it fairly easy to locate a good unit in say a month to two months without having to drive major distances in a large part of the country..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've sure been happy with my AHP Alpha Tig 200,  couldn't afford or justify a blue or red box for my once a month home tig repairs.
Reply:Whatever you do don't get a longevity. You'll want atleast 200 amps if your doing aluminum. Syncrowave 200 is probably your best bet. People don't sell there 250's cheap, no they don't.
Reply:I had an AHP, it worked fine, didn't suit my tastes. I found a used Syncrowave for $450. Best move I ever made. Old transformer TIGs might take a slightly larger circuit to feed them but don't buy into the "power hungry" horror stories. I run my Syncrowave on 8 gauge conductor which is completely up to code, despite the 92 amps it draws at full power. If you can find a deal on an older transformer TIG, especially a square wave unit, it is probably the best value for the money. I love having 310 amps of power available. here in the northeast I regularly see older Airco square waves selling for $200-300. If it works, it is a great buy. I see a lot of dialarcs, idealarcs and miller 330's for sale all in the $500 range. DSW gave you great advice.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:Thank you all!  I am located in Gloucester, MA.
Reply:Go try this one out. if it welds, and all the functions work, offer him $250 and RUN like hell.  http://nwct.craigslist.org/tls/5009764785.htmlMiller Multimatic 255
Reply:This one might be good if you can work a reasonable trade.  http://maine.craigslist.org/bar/4990555655.htmlMiller Multimatic 255
Reply:You might want to look into showing up for Zaps tig seminar since you are in Mass. If I could swing the cash for fuel, I'd love to make it and see the guys. You'll learn a lot from Zap. I think he still has room for one more, and if nothing else, you'd learn just by watching the others learn.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?509041-Tig-101I'm unfamiliar with that 1st machine Louie listed, but the 2nd one is very nice, if the price is reasonable. I like to use Searchtempest and search a larger area. I use the search term "welder" and sort the list manually..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:Thank you again $250 seems like a good deal for a TIG welder !  I wonder if the guy has a crane to get it into my truck (600lbs!) ... I will see if I have any stuff to trade the guy for the miller machine...less than $1000 would be awesome!
Reply:I'm unfamiliar with that 1st machine Louie listed, but the 2nd one is very nice, if the price is reasonable. I like to use Searchtempest and search a larger area. I use the search term "welder" and sort the list manually.
Reply:I personally went with the Synchrowave 250, but the answer to your question is more questions. If you can stay at 3/16 inch tops steel & stainless only, then there are multiple sub- 1000 choices available. As soon as you go thicker, or add aluminum, the price doubles or triples for new equipment.Miller diversion, the Hobart equivalent, that Lincoln 175, even the thermal arc are all the cheapest new choices. A lot of folks buy the starter tig units, realize their limitations and then flip them on craigslist within a few months, so either take advantage of that or avoid it.
Reply:Originally Posted by Louie1961Go try this one out. if it welds, and all the functions work, offer him $250 and RUN like hell.  http://nwct.craigslist.org/tls/5009764785.html
Reply:Originally Posted by tuna_fanI recently started welding and invested in a Hobart Handler 190.  I have maybe 5-6 hours on it...so very new at this.  I found this machine pretty easy to setup and use...Recently started using the spool gun for aluminum and the welds are ok...a little sloppy on the starts and stops, and I am trying to weld some pretty small parts so it is getting difficult to use now (1/8" thick, smaller welds).Thinking about purchasing a TIG machine...and found there are tons of brands, with pricing all over the board.  Thinking about Everlast, Easton, or Longevity.  I know these are considered Chinese machines...and not sure what people thought of them.  Budget is around $1000...but would consider more for a combo plasma cutter as well.  I have 220 service.Any advice on an actual machine that people have used and like would be helpful.Thanks in advance.