Cheap TIG welder buying advice

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I know this has been beaten to death, and I have done extensive searches on here and read all of the stickies. I am going to try and format the question a different way. If I am limiting myself to the low end AC/DC TIG machines (AHP, Longevity, Everlast, Eastwood, and probably some others I haven't considered), is there one in the bunch that stands out from the rest for one reason or another? I see Kevin Caron promoting the AHP as of late, Lanse has several videos that paint a positive picture of Longevity. Others have reported that Eastwood seems to have a good reputation for honoring their warranty. I am just wondering if there is any consensus for one company over another. A used Miller or Lincoln inverter is probably just not in the budget right now. Cheapest I have seen is around $1000 for a Lincoln squarewave 175. I am really kind of focusing in on the AHP or the longevity 160 right now. I am trying to keep it under $800, as SWMBO is forcing me to liquidate another tool or toy to pay for this. I have no particular projects in mind at this point, and really couldn't tell you if I need to weld quarter inch aluminum or not. Just looking to dip my toes in this process. Also don't think I want to mess with refrigerator sized welder. I see lots of 330A B/P units for sale in my area, in my budget. But I don't have the room or the power source for one right now. Thanks.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:Do you have any experience with tig at all? I would say take a class first. I see lots of guys buy machines, can't weld for squat, and blame the machine. Or have some apptitude but the machine is crap, and blame is on the guy.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:Where in CT. are you from.www.tjsperformance.comDynasty 300 DXHTP 240HTP Microcut 380Hyperthem 85JD2 Hyd Bender and HF Hyd Ring Roller all in one =(Frankenbender)Bpt. Mill/DRO4' x 8' CNC Plasma TableInstagram: tjsperformanceYT: TJS Welding and Fabrication
Reply:ThomastonMiller Multimatic 255
Reply:If you want cheap, go bigger than most guys want, not small and popular.My avatar is a 1963 Arico 300, which is a Miller 330ab/p.$225 for 900 lbs of tig awesomeness Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Nope, no TIG experience. Just stick, MIG and gas. And I don't expect to be able to weld very well at all with any TIG unit. But then again I am self taught on all my welding processes, so I am sure I will catch on with enough practice and youtube videos. Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:Since you can oxy/acetylene weld, you can learn to tig.  I found it was similar enough that oxy/fuel helped the learning curve.Doesn't hurt that you can stick weld too. That took practice and problem solving to get right - so does tig. Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Take a trip down to Ffld some Saturday and bring your helmet and you can TIG all you want. I can show you the basics.T.J.www.tjsperformance.comDynasty 300 DXHTP 240HTP Microcut 380Hyperthem 85JD2 Hyd Bender and HF Hyd Ring Roller all in one =(Frankenbender)Bpt. Mill/DRO4' x 8' CNC Plasma TableInstagram: tjsperformanceYT: TJS Welding and Fabrication
Reply:Thanks!Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:Dynasty 300DX machine.www.tjsperformance.comDynasty 300 DXHTP 240HTP Microcut 380Hyperthem 85JD2 Hyd Bender and HF Hyd Ring Roller all in one =(Frankenbender)Bpt. Mill/DRO4' x 8' CNC Plasma TableInstagram: tjsperformanceYT: TJS Welding and Fabrication
Reply:no there is absolutely no consensus deffinetely a lot of mud slingingI have a 160sx and like it as a back up to the Lincoln pt275 i haveit's seems to be made in batches through. when I bought mine, they became out of stock for months, then longevity said they were not making them anymore and now I see their web site says they do not have stock.Wierd.  Factory probably makes a few hundred and then they stop till demand catches up. ???I'd take some of those youtube video recommendations with a grain of salt. I do not understand why someone who already has a tig machine would go out and buy an AHP and say it is great. Maybe they just like testing out different welding machines, but maybe they are sponsored or paid to advertise it as well. I wouldn't even buy one if I had no projects in mind. Just rent one or try out a friends, etc first. doesn't longevity have a try before you buy program? where they hook you up with a local person who has one of their welders? call and ask. I think you are putting the cart before the horse.Last edited by AluminumWelder; 04-10-2014 at 03:32 PM.
Reply:Louie: Look on Clist and be patient, try to save more money or get a bigger older tried and true machine. Being on a budget wouldn't you want to spend your $$ wise? Buying one of the many knock off models IMO is not a wise decision. We purchase quality welder's not because we want to spend tons of money, but because we want dependable good equipment that will last many many years to come. Get a cheap knock off welder and all is great works fine for a while, then all sudden it stops working, get the run around from the company get pissed and decide to purchase a good welder. That equation equals $$ down the drainMillermatic 211Miller Syncrowave 350lx with cooler and tigrunner Thermal Dynamics cutmaster 811955 National Cylinder Gas O/A setup with original patina
Reply:I'm not trying to talk you out of a tig unit but if your not doing high end welding why don't you think about a bigger mig setup. With mig you can weld aluminum, along with stainless and steel and flux cored(kind of like stick welding) A hobart 210 is rated for 3/8 steel and 1/4 aluminum and they can be bought new for under $900.00.Good luck.
Reply:This is what I would do....Buy a A/BP-330 for cheap $$$...Use the rest of the $$$ you saved and get the power  you need to run it taken care of...You won't need a cooler... So that saves $$$$...Do it right the first time and be happy and set for life..And if you want to take a road trip to Mass next month......zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:I sold this one for $450.00 Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Originally Posted by TJSDynasty 300DX machine.
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterThis is what I would do....Buy a A/BP-330 for cheap $$$...Use the rest of the $$$ you saved and get the power  you need to run it taken care of...You won't need a cooler... So that saves $$$$...Do it right the first time and be happy and set for life..And if you want to take a road trip to Mass next month......zap!
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPI sold this one for $450.00
Reply:Originally Posted by kctgbI'm guessing that unit weighs 900 pounds.
Reply:So here is what I did as a stop gap. I ordered all the parts to do scratch start TIG with my Hobart stickmate. Cost me less than $100 before I go get gas. I'll putz around on some 1/8th plate before I decide to spend more money. I would have needed the Argon bottle no matter which way I went.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:I wonder what I need to do to drop a 100 amp circuit. I only have a 200 amp main panel. sounds expensive.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:Originally Posted by Louie1961I wonder what I need to do to drop a 100 amp circuit. I only have a 200 amp main panel. sounds expensive.
Reply:Originally Posted by Louie1961So here is what I did as a stop gap. I ordered all the parts to do scratch start TIG with my Hobart stickmate. Cost me less than $100 before I go get gas. I'll putz around on some 1/8th plate before I decide to spend more money. I would have needed the Argon bottle no matter which way I went.
Reply:Oh, and fair warning - TIG welding can be an addiction so lock up you wallet, it gets bumpy from here  Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Dave, I have a closet full of AR's, a garage full of welding equipment, a basement full of fly fishing equipment, and a pair of bird dogs for chasing pheasants. I am well acquainted to these types of addictions...so is my wife ;-)Miller Multimatic 255Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveOh, and fair warning - TIG welding can be an addiction so lock up you wallet, it gets bumpy from here
Reply:one more question...what is this??  http://nh.craigslist.org/tls/4383881959.htmlDerry is a hop skip and a jump awayMiller Multimatic 255
Reply:Should be the econotighttp://www.millerwelds.com/pdf/spec_sheets/AD1-2.pdfDave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Originally Posted by kctgbI'm not trying to talk you out of a tig unit but if your not doing high end welding why don't you think about a bigger mig setup. With mig you can weld aluminum, along with stainless and steel and flux cored(kind of like stick welding) A hobart 210 is rated for 3/8 steel and 1/4 aluminum and they can be bought new for under $900.00.Good luck.
Reply:I try not telling my wife.
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPNo it doesn't!.........................40'x48'x16' tall. Can't hardly walk in it for all the tools.
Reply:Originally Posted by TuscanyWhere on earth are you going to find a Dynasty 300DX for CHEAP?
Reply:Louie that Eccontig doesn't look too bad. Not a bad little machine, and it would get you going and the price is not unreasonable. You'll need a 50 amp 230v outlet to run it. Price is about what I often see regular AC/DC  stick only thunderbolts going for at the upper end of the price range.Looks like a clean unit. Seller looks like he's got a decent selection of tig parts there as well. I'll bet he has close to $200-250 minimum in parts. Looks like both a 17 series air cooled unit that probably came with the machine, and I'd guess the 2nd one is a #9 from the small gas lenses and collets. Max output is a bit limited, but it will get you by up to 1/8" on steel and alum if I remember the specs right. I'd prefer to have a bit more amps for 1/8" alum, but we have the kids set the machines at 150, so that machine should manage that, even if the duty cycle is very short.My guess is you could get that and turn it around in a few years and get most of that price back no problem. Machine should have a pedal with it if I remember right, but I don't see it in the picts, might just not be shown..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:Originally Posted by Louie1961one more question...what is this??  http://nh.craigslist.org/tls/4383881959.htmlDerry is a hop skip and a jump away
Reply:I think I will stick to scratch start for a few months, then reexamine my options. Thanks for the input and offers guys. I see a trip to Fairfield and to MA in the near future.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:Originally Posted by Louie1961I think I will stick to scratch start for a few months, then reexamine my options.
Reply:I'm not far from Zap if you want to try a Lincoln square wave 175 on your trip.
Reply:Thanks...you guys are the best. that's why I love this forum.Miller Multimatic 255