TIG and Plasma cutter suggestion/ advice

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Hey guys this is my first post so here is a little bit about my background, im 19 years old and have been using a northern tool flux core welder for the past two years and have had pretty good results. a few weeks ago i taught myself how to stick weld. now for christmas i plan on getting a tig welder and possibly a plasma cutter...for tig welders im looking at the everlast PowerTig 200DX and the AHP Alpha TIG 200DX.  As for plasma cutters im looking at the Eastwood Plasma Cutter 40 Amp Versa-Cut. I also looked into some multi process machines from everlast. Im trying to stay within $1700, any suggestions on what tig and/or plasma cutter i should get or any reviews would be greatly appreciated
Reply:Treat these inexpensive import machines as "disposable". Don't expect to get them repaired if the break out of warranty. Also be sure you read the warranty information carefully. Most of these units go back on YOUR dime if there is a problem. I'd strongly suggest you use due diligence when researching these machines.  Many importers don't have a stellar track record either for customer service or machine quality. Know before you buy. Several importers have a history of deleting or editing posts that show their products in a bad light, paying customers with consumables to give good reviews and having company personnel post as if they were consumers. Not all companies do this, but some have a history of this. I see a lot of guys who want to jump in and buy everything at one shot cheap, vs spending money a bit at a time on quality machines. Fancy bells and whistles won't make you a good welder. Quite a few guys here do stellar work with machines that are over 20+ years old with out all the fancy functions. I also see a ton of guys who are always chomping at the bit for a plasma cutter. While they do have areas where they excel, say when cutting alum or stainless, there are some disadvantages ( the edges on an alum or stainless piece cut with a plasma can not be directly welded for example due to the oxidized surface). Many times there are better, cheaper ways to cut things, and these tools have  a wider variety of uses in the shop than does a plasma cutter. You can do a lot with an inexpensive OA torch for example, heat and bend, cut, weld/braze/solder....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:If you must have a "new" ac/dc tig the Thermal Arc 186ac/dc comes to mind.. I would probably be on the lookout for a used miller 180sd or a lincoln squarewave 175 or 185.  The older lincoln and miller transformer machines can save you a bit of money and are usually rock solid machines, they dont have the options of an inverter machine but you really dont need the options at your level... If you can do without AC tig then I would say the Thermal Arc 211i which is mig/lift start dc-tig /stick/spoolgun capable machine and comes with a free auto dark helmet, they cost around $1100 and are nice versatile machines.. As for the plasma cutter I would probably just take a chance on one of the cheap ebay plasma cutters for around $300 and buy a 50 or 100 pack of consumables for it. If the cheap plasma blows up your only out $300 and you can resell the consumables. If it doesnt burn up you can resell it for $200ish when your ready to upgrade to a better "name brand" plasma cutter or just keep it for a backup or a loaner machine..   The no name import plasmas are a toss up, Its just luck of the draw if you get a good one or not..  These companys that are selling the imports with a warranty only give you a 30day free return after that its on your dime to get it there and back, and from where your at it will cost you around $60-$70 each way, so at that point you might as well just get a cheap $300 plasma cutter off ebay.If you go the Thermal Arc mig/dc-tig/stick route you could go with the smaller Thermal Arc 181i ,they cost around $800 with a free auto dark helmet, You would almost have enough leftover to buy a Thermal Dynamics cutmaster 42.  That would give you a nice little steel fabrication package, good up to 1/4"..Dont buy a welder/plasma combo unit, they seem to be problematic no matter what brand..You have quite a few options to explore for $1700.Take your time, look around on craigslist for good used welders, I would only buy used Lincoln,Miller,Esab and Thermal Arc welders, and preferably Lincoln and Miller if used..Last edited by brucer; 12-02-2013 at 01:00 AM.tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:Which one of the Chinese welder plasma sellers to sell extra warranty? Might be money well spent.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:For $1200, the price of the Everlast, you would be better off with a used Miller Syncrowave.   More info on inexpensive Syncrowaves and alternatives below. Originally Posted by Nicholas Gibau......for tig welders im looking at the everlast PowerTig 200DX and the AHP Alpha TIG 200DX.   .....   Im trying to stay within $1700, any suggestions on what tig and/or plasma cutter i should get or any reviews would be greatly appreciated
Reply:i'm on the fence about which tig machine i would like to purchase as well so i'm no help there.  as far as the plasma cutter, do you already have an air compressor?  if not, take that cost into consideration.
Reply:Originally Posted by kerfi'm on the fence about which tig machine i would like to purchase as well so i'm no help there.  as far as the plasma cutter, do you already have an air compressor?  if not, take that cost into consideration.
Reply:I started looking into everlast because it seems like this guy from http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com uses them alot and seemes to have good results, plus they have a 5 year warrenty. but i will look into a used Miller Syncrowave.
Reply:sorry for bringing up this old thread, but what did you ever wind up buying? Longevity has a new 3 in one tig/stick/plasma for less than $1700 called 252i perorders now and ships in a couple of months. good lcuk.
Reply:Don't listen to the guy on http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com. He's an amateur endorsing such a machine. Plus a lot of what he says is fiction.Mr TIG is the only guy I listen to on youtube when it comes to TIG welding.From what I have seen I strongly advise not to buy a Chinese AC/DC TIG. Especially not one with a plasma. Notice your top brands like Miller don't have machines that weld and plasma cut because the unit will not be very good at either. Like others have said try find a used machine. Synchrowaves are work horses and I also strongly endorse them. Look to Thermal arc if you want brand new like someone suggested.If its just a DC machine your after then a couple hundred bux on a Chinese unit will be fine for you.A chinese plasma is also cheap enough to throw away after a few years if need be.
Reply:Originally Posted by porkncheeseDon't listen to the guy on http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com. He's an amateur endorsing such a machine. Plus a lot of what he says is fiction.Mr TIG is the only guy I listen to on youtube when it comes to TIG welding.
Reply:Originally Posted by storemanAHHHHHHH.  MR.TIG IS BACK!