Eastwood pro 200 AC/DC TIG or Thermal Arc 1612 stick/TIG

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Hey everyone,     So I've been reserching TIG welders for a few weeks now. And I've pretty much had my mind made up from the beginning, leaning towards the Eastwood, strictly because it's only $800 and It's AC/DC so I would be able to weld aluminum as well as steel etc. Although I've read and heard good things about the Eastwood I'm a little reluctant to buy it now that I have the money. The reason being it's made in china and that means they use cheap electrical components and I don't wanna get the one that doesn't work out of the box and have to send it back and wait longer for another one and risk running into the same problem again.     On the other hand If I were to get the Thermal Arc 161s Stick/TIG it's a good name brand welder which is also only around $800 but it's only DC so no Aluminum TIG welding.     This isn't a troll thread or whatever you dudes call it. I'm basicly just looking for what you would do in my situation. I do want to learn how to TIG aluminum and do it well. But I don't really want to get a $4itty machine. Ya, Know?    Thanks, Buds
Reply:Take a look at this.  I'd be all over it.http://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/tls/3451696914.htmlYou can get an old transformer machine made by a quality manufacturer in your budget.  Check out CL.  As long as space and power supply is not an issue, you will get much more value in a tranny machine.  You don't need the advanced features of an inverter.The one I posted above it a bit underpowered, but a great starter machine.  You can do 1/8 aluminum with it and stick weld thicker steel.  I'm pretty sure the Thermal unit you are referring to is a China made machine as well.  I have the machine and it lacks a foot pedal, so your control with tig will be limited.  Just because a machine is Chinese made doesn't mean it's a POS, it matters to who's standards it's built.  We've just expected them to supply us with cheap poorly made stuff here for years.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Tough call. $800 is on the low side for a top quality used AC/DC tig, but there are out there if you hunt a bit. I'd seen Syncrowave 180's and 200's in the $800-900 range on rare occasions. Bigger older tigs like the 320's and 330 AB/P's can be found for less, however, they are huge, heavy and power hungry.Eastwood vs TA... Of all the  cheaper imports, I'd have to rate Eastwood as the best company out there as far as customer service is concerned if you do have a problem. While I've never dealt with their welders, I have dealt with them in the past for other tools etc. I find a lot of their other stuff over priced for what it is, but that's a different matter. My biggest concern would be long term if something broke a few years down the road when it's out of warranty. Despite all the claims from importers to the contrary, it's still too early to tell if that support will be there down the road. Having been burned years ago on the same issue, when I had an import mig that died and then found support was impossible to get, I'll stay away from machines like this myself.TA has a reputation for making a decent machine. Resale on a TA will probably be higher than say on a cheap import in the future if you choose to upgrade. Service will be harder to get than on a Miller or Lincoln, but chances are within a reasonable period that machine should be supported.Personally I'm a big fan of companies and machines with long proven track records, like the Syncrowaves and some of the Lincoln tigs. I do understand that someone who is new might be justifiably worried about buying a used machine since they don't know enough yet to fully test one out. I can also understand about having limited funds to sink into a quality name brand machine. I went thru these same questions when I bought my 1st tig new years ago when I wanted to learn alum so I understand how tough the choices can be. I opted at the time to go new since I didn't know anyone to get pointers from to check out a used machine. The extra money spent was worth my peace of mind. I knew I'd have no issues with a new Miller and I wouldn't have service issues down the road in the future.As far as going DC vs AC/DC... Sit down and write a list of any project you can imagine you might want to do with tig. Make two columns one for steel/stainless and one for alum. See how many alum projects you might really do. I knew when I wanted to learn tig that I wanted to get one to do alum. I wasn't getting the results I wanted using a spoolgun to do some of the custom dive gear I was making for myself and others out of alum. That left tig as my option. I knew I was going to end up doing most of my practice at home between classes to maximize my investment in my tig classes, so an Ac capable machine was really my only option. I did consider buying  a cheaper DC only tig and later upgrading, but knew I wanted to fast track my learning and didn't want to be buying a new tig within the year. I will say I've done way more stainless and steel than alum with the machine at the house. Part of that is a change in what I do as far as diving, and part is just a fact of what sorts of projects I've found tig to be useful for.In the end you are the one who will have to weigh all the pluses and minuses and make the decision. Is the cost savings now worth the chance of issues in the future?  Are you willing to risk a machine with a hidden issue if you buy used, to get a machine with a proven track record at a lower price? Are you willing to give up AC now to learn tig, and then upgrade later? Really only you can answer these questions and it's tough if you don't have all the knowledge to make good informed choices.Edit: That Essab Drf255 posted, looks like a decent starter machine. I can't tell if it has a pedal with it or not. You will want a machine with a pedal to do alum.Last edited by DSW; 12-05-2012 at 05:37 AM..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:The Eastwood pro 200 AC/DC TIG is a basic unit but it does have all the essentials at $800.I took a look at the 48 reviews and was struck by the high number of units that arrived Dead-On-Arrival.  It seemed that every 5th post talked about a return.  One guy even got a second bum unit.  However in the end, with Eastwood shipping out a new machine and arranging for pick up of the old - and paying the shipping for both, the buyers all seemed happy with the performance of the machine.Longevity appears to offer an identical unit for $200 more.Everlast offer up-scale units with more features starting at $1200 for 200 amps, $1400 for 225 amps and $1700 for 250 amps. My b*tch in Canada is that the warranty is only 3 years here compared to 5 years in the USA. ???I'm kind of in a similar position; I want AC and won't settle for a DC only (read = no aluminum) Tig welder.  It's a tough call between old/reliable used transformer machine (big, heavy, power eater) and the new 'brand name' small, light-weight, power efficient inverters from Eastwood, Longevity and Everlast... only their reliability out-of-the-box and over the next 10 years is in question.I wish I could offer better guidance...Rick V 1 Airco Heliwelder 3A/DDR3 CTC 70/90 amp Stick/Tig Inverters in Parallel1 Lincoln MIG PAK 151 Oxy-Acet
Reply:Originally Posted by emeraldbison     I do want to learn how to TIG aluminum and do it well. But I don't really want to get a $4itty machine. Ya, Know?    Thanks, Buds
Reply:Wow thanks a lot for the awesome responses guys!If I had the extra moola I would def go red or blue but unnfortunately that's not the case . I emailed the guy in the Catskills with the ESAB because that's a fricken steal at 8 hundo. He hasn't gotten back to me yet which is a little disappointing because I would seriously drive down there today if he wanted to sell to me. I'm gonna wait him out and see if he replies or a few more hours and if not I'm gonna weigh out my options with the Eastwood,Longevity, and everlast.     I've come to the realization that the Thermal Arc isn't for me because I took DSW's advice and weighed the pros and cons and I definitely want more aluminum projects then steel. And since I work at a marina with a fleet of Pontoon rentals it would be silly to get a TIG without aluminum capabilitiessince the pontoons themselves are aluminum.      I checked out the LOTOS TiG/stick/plasma. I've read the reviews and twy all seem to be positive. Hard any of you evr used the LOTOS? Should I not think about purchasing it?     Again thankYou all for the responses!
Reply:I'd avoid any machine that has a plasma cutter in the package. Many of the horror stories about bad machines usually involve plasma models.  Between the Eastwood and the other imports, I'd go with the Eastwood unit myself simply based on customer service. I'd read too many horror stories here in the past about poor customer service from the others when things went wrong. Maybe they have cleaned up their act, but personally with that kind of investment, it's not worth the risk to me. I know that I can reach Eastwood if there is a problem and I'm willing to gamble they will make things right under warranty.Good luck with the Essab. I've never run one of their tigs, but they do make good machines. Drf255 keeps an eye on CL fairly regular. He posted up the sweet Syncrowave 250 I told BrendonV here about that he got for a song. The deals are out ther if you are patient and search out far enough. If you don't use a CL agregator like Crazedlist, Searchtempest etc, you might want to do so. I usually set my range at 250 miles and use "welder" to search the list manually. Lots of times I'll find "hidden" tigs that are simply listed as "arc welder".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:Thanks DSW. I've actually never even heard of crazed list or tempest. Ill give em a go. I'm probably gonna get the Eastwood when all said and done but ill check those other agragates out because I'd hate to see a good deal after the fact. Thanks again everyone.
Reply:Crazedlist isn't available any longer it appears ( I never used it much anyways) Searchtempest made some changes in how they list postings earlier this year, probably for the same reason Crazedlist isn't there any more. I know several guys have listed up other links in the past to sites where you can search multiple crags list or Kijji http://www.searchtempest.com/.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:So the dude with the ESAB never got back to me which sux. So I ordered up the Eastwood!!!      Only thing I have to do now is get my bottle filled with Argon. Which actually leads me to a question.  Does anyone know off hand if a Welding supplier will fill a bottle that doesn't belong to them? . I'm basicly asking if anyone has done this before. For example the bottle says property of Joes welding supply but I want to ask Bobs welding supply to fill it. Will bobs fill a bottle that belongs to Joes?
Reply:Originally Posted by emeraldbisonSo the dude with the ESAB never got back to me which sux. So I ordered up the Eastwood!!!      Only thing I have to do now is get my bottle filled with Argon. Which actually leads me to a question.  Does anyone know off hand if a Welding supplier will fill a bottle that doesn't belong to them? . I'm basicly asking if anyone has done this before. For example the bottle says property of Joes welding supply but I want to ask Bobs welding supply to fill it. Will bobs fill a bottle that belongs to Joes?
Reply:Depends on size and supplier.On smaller cylinders my place will simply exchange them no matter what name is on the collar. Larger cylinders, my place will only take their own cylinders for exchange. I believe the other places in the area operate similarly.There used to be a few independent places near me years ago who would fill any cylinder you brought in, but they are all long gone now. Either they were bought out or closed up..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:It's a large one. Maybe they will trade with me.  Idk I'm gonna call em tomorrow and see for sure ill let you guys know what I find out. Thanks!!
Reply:I have a TIG200 and it's decent to learn how to TIG.  I now want a HTP Invertig221--not because I need it for my projects, just to learn how to manipulate the different settings.  Overall, I like it because it's simple, and you can get a lot done with 200A (on 220V of course) unless you do heavy fabricating.  Oh and avoid green (pure) tungstens for aluminum.  They work, but 1.5 or 2% lanthanated work MUCH better at holding a point, and you can of course use them for DC TIG'ing.  The 110V auto-sensing with the supplied adapter cord is good, even though I can't see myself using it on 110V.Last edited by Oscar; 12-06-2012 at 01:26 AM.
Reply:Good luck with the Eastwood.  I woulda totally waited on that ESAB.  So much more of a buy for your money and you couda flipped it in a year if you decided you wanted another machine.  The ESAB is probably sold as thats a killer deal with a tank of gas included.  Probably coulda chewed the guy down too.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Thermal arc 186..htp221..  Thermal arc 181i or 211i..  the TA181i is a lot of bang for the buck for around $800., wont do ac tig welding, but you wont start learning on aluminum tig, I wouldnt think.. the181i is mig/dc lift-tig/stick/spoolgun ready.tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:Originally Posted by OscarI have a TIG200 and it's decent to learn how to TIG.  I now want a HTP Invertig221--not because I need it for my projects, just to learn how to manipulate the different settings.  Overall, I like it because it's simple, and you can get a lot done with 200A (on 220V of course) unless you do heavy fabricating.  Oh and avoid green (pure) tungstens for aluminum.  They work, but 1.5 or 2% lanthanated work MUCH better at holding a point, and you can of course use them for DC TIG'ing.  The 110V auto-sensing with the supplied adapter cord is good, even though I can't see myself using it on 110V.
Reply:With these little inverters using pure tungsten can damage them by over heating them. Pure tungsten has a higher resistance compared to other tungstens.
Reply:Originally Posted by emeraldbisonI dont mind using pure Tungsten
Reply:Does 2% Lanthanated ball up like pure or does the flat ended point stay intact? Just asking because I've never used it before. I'm sure when I do end up using it I'll be like "Oh this is what Oscar was talking about."
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonGood luck on that. I have said it and I will say it again. If you have no idea how to tig, and you want to learn on your own, there is no better tig than a Diversion 180. Yes it costs, but is is so idiotically simple, you have no choice but to learn. And you have a huge dealer network behind you including service centers. You will be buying gas from a LWS, so go in and talk to one. Most of them will have no problem helping you set it up and test it in thier store before you take it home. Just copy what they did. The Diversion is dual voltage also, which makes it very portable. You are welcome to visit my shop, plug it in, and I will give you some lessons, like I do at the high schools and colleges in my area. I have installed them there and given the students and teachers a primer on tigging, and off they go. Interesting how quickly they pick up Alum, and that it the only thing I teach newbies.Whatever, go buy mailorder "Toys-R-Us" ChiCom welders. You get what you pay for, and very little help.
Reply:Originally Posted by weldermikeShovelon is correct in my opinion, if all you have is 8hundo check with your local LWS, my guy finances machines. You could always plunk down the 8hundie and pay the rest off, a few bucks a month. Just my opinion tho, everybody has other responsibilities, I understand.
Reply:Originally Posted by emeraldbisonDoes 2% Lanthanated ball up like pure or does the flat ended point stay intact? Just asking because I've never used it before. I'm sure when I do end up using it I'll be like "Oh this is what Oscar was talking about."
Reply:Originally Posted by emeraldbisonI actually went ahead and ordered up the Eastwood a couple nights ago. I really wanted that guy with the ESAB to get back to me but he never did :/      Financing definitely crossed my mind but I don't have good credit at all. I couldn't even get a Cabela's card lol. Oscar: How's the torch on the Eastwood? Is it noticeably cheap or is it a pretty decent quality torch? Thanks
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonHope you paid with a credit card. It might help with the  60 day money back satisfaction guaranty if you have to use it. A little extra pushing from the credit card company can't hurtI think you get 10% off right now if you signed up for the newsletter and you get free Holiday shipping.And let us know when you get it running. We will help all we can. I don't think any LWS will. Just get it wired and run it.I know I'll get the blue bashers on this but since I've used a HF 151 MIG for 2 years now and abused the heck out of my Lotos 50D plasma cutter I've decided on going with the Longevity 160SX in order to do some aluminum. My choice was by what was in my wallet, I looked for used millers for MONTHS for under $1000 and found absolutely nothing that wasn't abused and used up. For the $631 bucks including delivery I'll have just around a grand in three machines that will serve about everything I need to do hobby wise.For those that dis the plasma cutters here is a true "tommy mac" review Until the big blue and reds start caring about the weekend garage warrior like myself I'll keep buying Chinese, once they start showing my crowd the love then I'll start buying the blue.
Reply:I don't have the TIG, but I have the Eastwood 175 MIG, and have been 100% satisfied.  It works great, and when it appeared that one of the gauges on my regulator was off, an email Sunday night had a brand new regulator being Fed-Exed Monday morning.  Service like that counts... and maybe I just got a bum batch from Lincoln, but I actually liked my Eastwood tips better than the Lincoln ones I had.Check out my channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkz...bZg8AYNXGqBjZQ"Both oligarch and tyrant mistrust the people, and therefore deprive them of arms." - Aristotle
Reply:Originally Posted by IronHideI don't have the TIG, but I have the Eastwood 175 MIG, and have been 100% satisfied.  It works great, and when it appeared that one of the gauges on my regulator was off, an email Sunday night had a brand new regulator being Fed-Exed Monday morning.  Service like that counts... and maybe I just got a bum batch from Lincoln, but I actually liked my Eastwood tips better than the Lincoln ones I had.
Reply:Originally Posted by IronHideI don't have the TIG, but I have the Eastwood 175 MIG, and have been 100% satisfied.  It works great, and when it appeared that one of the gauges on my regulator was off, an email Sunday night had a brand new regulator being Fed-Exed Monday morning.  Service like that counts... and maybe I just got a bum batch from Lincoln, but I actually liked my Eastwood tips better than the Lincoln ones I had.
Reply:Originally Posted by emeraldbisonI'm definitely not an expert tigger (yet) so take my opinion with a grain of salt. I received my Eastwood tig 200 about a week ago and unfortunately have only used it once, had to bring it to my marine tech school because I'm still without my own Argon cylinder, 220 outlet, and filler rod. (it actually came with a 5/64 2% thoriated tungsten) to see if it worked right out of the box (which it did im pleased to report!)And the whole time during my first use of my new welder I couldn't stop smiling. The only other TIG I have ever used is the Lincoln square wave 175. Mind you I haven't tried my new Eastwood on Aluminum yet but welding steel with it was just as good as the Lincoln IMO. I know that Aluminum will be the ultimate test.      I am very pleased with the Torch itself, the optional thumb control on the torch, foot pedal, the amperage dial on the foot pedal is a pretty nice touch IMO. I was honestly anticipating the entire package to be poorly assembled and well....cheap, but it's actually a pretty decent piece of equipment. Long story short I am very pleased with my new welder.     Nah I didn't take any pics of my test weld because honestly they weren't as photo friendly as I wanted them to be but that's because of operator error. But I can assure you when I FiINALLY get my workspace squared away you'll be begging me to stop posting pics  Oh and the WP-17 torch that comes with the Eastwood does in fact accept common collets, collet bodies, gas lenses and cups.
Reply:Originally Posted by IronHideGlad it is working out for you.  I've got my eye on the $549 plasma cutter, but have already blown my budget for a bit.  I need to sell some of my projects and get some $$$$ coming in!
Reply:I have to say for $300 the lotos 50D is one heck of a plasma cutter. Used snip.pl/en for a ten cent snipe and scored mine off ebay for that delivered.