TIG welder, Ebay combo machines, welding alum

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I have a MillerMatic 130xp MiG welder that I have used for years.  I have a need to weld aluminum often and I looked into the old conversion kits for the 130 to run aluminum wire.  I was advised that this setup well, sucks.  I already bought an extra tank to run strait argon though.  So anyway, here I am trying to figure out a solution and finding out that a spool gun setup for this machine is 340 + another 250 for a control box so my question (after too much info) is should I look at getting another machine at this point?  I have always wanted a TIG but they are so pricey.Whats the deal with these LOTOS combination machines I see on Ebay, experience is telling me they are too good to be true.http://cgi.ebay.com/40A-LOTOS-PLASMA...d=p3286.c0.m14Is something like this going to be much of a TIG welder?  I have never TIG welded is it more difficult that MIG.  You can set up any TIG to do aluminum right?  Can someone enlighten an idiot.  Do I need to spend 2k+ to weld aluminum nicely?  Will putting the money into the 130xp get me where I want to be?
Reply:Is the 130xp worth anything in the used market?
Reply:Originally Posted by ojcool I have a need to weld aluminum often
Reply:You can set up any TIG to do aluminum right? NO!! For most practical purposes you need AC to TIG aluminum. This, in itself, will cost much more. If it's a x-former power supply (available used for cheap), it needs high frequency. A newer (and more expensive) inverter will weld AC without HF.This is just scratching the surface of the info you need to make a decision. Others can fill in the blanks, it's past my bedtime. Welding alum is expensive and magic. IMHO (fwiw: yes I can, somewhat)9-11-2001......We Will Never ForgetRetired desk jockey. Hobby weldor with a little training. Craftsman O/A---Flat, Vert, Ovhd, Horz. Miller Syncrowave 250
Reply:I don't think your mig will do the job.  IF its small light stuff, and IF you have the patients of a saint you might to be able to do it. You need AC to tig aluminum, but once you got it, its the balls.An AC transformer and add on hi freq is the cheapest way to tig it.Equipment to weld aluminum costs more and I charge more to do it.I tried to get my SP100 to feed aluminum.  It aint worth my time.If you get a spool gun, the 130 is probably too wimpy (not enough amps) anyhow.They make a "ready welder" which is a spool gun that may do what you want.I never used one of those Ebay all in one machines.  DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Well, most of the aluminum I need to weld is 1/4 to 3/8 but you never know, obviously I don't want to spend money on something that is so limited.  You mentioned a spool gun, it's just a gun that you use with a welder or something that is stand alone for alum?
Reply:Whats the most cost effective TIG that is relatively flexible as far as capacity?
Reply:Originally Posted by David RI don't think your mig will do the job.  IF its small light stuff, and IF you have the patients of a saint you might to be able to do it. You need AC to tig aluminum, but once you got it, its the balls.An AC transformer and add on hi freq is the cheapest way to tig it.Equipment to weld aluminum costs more and I charge more to do it.I tried to get my SP100 to feed aluminum.  It aint worth my time.If you get a spool gun, the 130 is probably too wimpy (not enough amps) anyhow.They make a "ready welder" which is a spool gun that may do what you want.I never used one of those Ebay all in one machines.  David
Reply:Originally Posted by ojcoolWhats the most cost effective TIG that is relatively flexible as far as capacity?
Reply:Ojcool, why don't you be the guinea pig and buy that chinese, ebay all-in-one machine, see how well it TIG''s 1\4" to 3\8" a-loo-me-um?  I believe there's several vendors in boss man bob's pay-to-be-here section that will refund your purchase price if you're not satisfied with their product.  What can you lose? WeldingWeb forum--now more sophomoric banter than anything else!
Reply:Originally Posted by 69 chevyOjcool, why don't you be the guinea pig and buy that chinese, ebay all-in-one machine, see how well it TIG''s 14" to 38" a-loo-me-um?  I believe there's several vendors in boss man bob's pay-to-be-here section that will refund your purchase price if you're not satisfied with their product.  What can you lose?
Reply:Originally Posted by ojcoolYou need High Frequency to weld aluminum?  From the Ebay listing, is that machine going to weld aluminum?  It claims it can do High Frequency.  The "ready welder" says it is only DC, I thought I needed AC to weld aluminum properly.
Reply:Originally Posted by ojcoolWhats the deal with these LOTOS combination machines I see on Ebay, experience is telling me they are too good to be true.http://cgi.ebay.com/40A-LOTOS-PLASMA...d=p3286.c0.m14Is something like this going to be much of a TIG welder?  I have never TIG welded is it more difficult that MIG.  You can set up any TIG to do aluminum right?  Can someone enlighten an idiot.  Do I need to spend 2k+ to weld aluminum nicely?  Will putting the money into the 130xp get me where I want to be?
Reply:Originally Posted by ojcoolI know I'm a complete idiot, and you were just born knowing everything about welding...
Reply:Originally Posted by 69 chevyHmmm, a self-professed IDIOT, yet a Dodge expert???  Just goes to show the two aren't mutually exclusive.
Reply:Originally Posted by 69 chevyHmmm, a self-professed IDIOT, yet a Dodge expert???  Just goes to show the two aren't mutually exclusive.
Reply:Originally Posted by David RYou or I can weld aluminum or aloominum  with a spool gun DC+.  I have one and it works great.   Most stuff I do is smaller or off the wall jobs, so I tig em.I have an arcmaster 185 that will put out 200 amps and it will just barely do 1/4" aluminum.  I am talking sheet and angle stuff, not a little casting.Look at the thread on putting a Invertec to the max, he had to pre heat everything.DavidEdit, I read the Ebone ad.  It appears to be DC only tig.  Hi freq or not, to do general aluminum, you need AC for Tig.
Reply:Originally Posted by distrbdI don't know if you have read the thread I started about this Ebay seller and his 3 in 1 machines  but I tell you I am still not sure about him and his customer service since I am still waiting to receive my tig welder which I bought about 5 weeks ago .The first machine arrived after a week or so but the plasma cutter did not arc and I had to send it back,he promised to send me another BRAND NEW tig/stick/plasma cutter  asap and to compensate the cost of shipping it back to him he offered to include a 40 piece plasma consumables which I agreed .It's now 3 weeks after and I have not got my welder yet,I also believe he is going to send my original machine back ( after he repaired it) not another brand new one as he promised which is alright with me since all I want is a fully functional welder/cutter  and the first one I received was working exceptionally well as a tig welder but the problem was with the plasma cutting feature  of it.I'll find out how good  the machine really is when I receive it next week.My suggestion to you is to take a look at LONGEVITY  3 in 1 machines which seem to be at the very least the same as the one you are talking about except you will get a better customer service from what I heard.I wish I had known about Longevity before I made my purchase.Good luck.Ken..
Reply:speaking from experience, spend the extra $$$'s and get a good one like miller, lincoln etc etci recently purchased one off ebay thinking if it only lasts a year or so, i would have got my monies worth....hjow wrong I was. blew the circuit board when trying my first weld. since purchased a lincoln invertec 205 second hand and after a few teething issues (as you expect with a 2nd machine) it works like a dream...actually even better a wet dream lolMy weekend hobby -
Reply:Originally Posted by ojcoolDid you try out the TIG function of it?
Reply:Seriously, talk to the folks at HTP if you want a superior value in a welder.  It's not Chinese crap, it's well supported, and the price is right.  If you're the shy type and don't feel like talking to them on the phone, PM me and I'll e'mail you a digital version of their catalog.  They're not as flashy as Miller or Lincoln in their marketing efforts, but they're every bit as good a machine, and a far more palatable price.BK
Reply:Originally Posted by ojcoolHmm,  I had no idea that alum took so much more power than steel.  I said 1/4" and I was talking about sheet aluminum, however larger castings are going to come up and it would be really annoying to be outside the welders capacity all the time.  The China made stuff is just so tempting at half the price.  I wish I could find someone who had one and could confirm if they are junk or not.
Reply:Originally Posted by jetenginedoctorSeriously, talk to the folks at HTP if you want a superior value in a welder.  It's not Chinese crap, it's well supported, and the price is right.  If you're the shy type and don't feel like talking to them on the phone, PM me and I'll e'mail you a digital version of their catalog.  They're not as flashy as Miller or Lincoln in their marketing efforts, but they're every bit as good a machine, and a far more palatable price.BK
Reply:The Invertig201 with leads, pedal, torch, regulator, etc is less than $2500.* PM me with your e'mail and I'll send you their latest catalog that includes prices.BK
Reply:Well, I think I'm going to go with one of the China Suppliers on this forum.  Either Everlast or Longevity.  I just can't fork over the money for the expensive big three.  I went by a welding supply store and to get into a Miller for the same price would only get you the absolute cheapest thing Miller makes in a ACDC Tig.  It literally has one knob that controls current.  And one switch to go from AC to DC.  No wave control, no balance, no pre and post gas flow.  $1,300 after a long negotiation.  Plus tax ect.  And no foot pedal no regulator.  With this economy, I just can't afford the cost of the brand name.