Tig machines...

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What would be a good machine to use for welding 1/16 - 1/2.. and a variety of metals also.. I.e.  Mild Steel, Chromoly, Stainless, Aluminum... etc.. etc.. I am interested in purchasing one.. but don't what to buy a machine twice due to not buying a large enough one... but at the same time... I don't need a million dollar machine...   I was thinking of something like a Syncrowave.. but was not sure how big...  200,250,350???  What accessories? What not to waste the money on.. etc.. etc..
Reply:What input power do you have available, 208/230VAC single phase?http://www.mylincolnelectric.com/Cat...rowse=101|207|http://www.millerwelds.com/products/tig/http://www.oxarc.com/desc.ydev?prod_id=10704Synchrowaves are great, but for 1/2" in one pass?? That takes power!! You knew that!! City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:I've welded 1/2" aluminum with a tig and you will need a big one to do it, I've never tried it with the synchro 250, but the old Miller I used for doing it was a 400 amp machine and the 1/2" was all it wanted. Half inch AL takes mucho heat and really sucks without a cooling unit.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:I would probably use whatever is available as far as power goes...   Also, I was curious, on the ½ per se... you ran 2 or 3 stringers... would you still need the "BIG" machine to weld the rest of ½.. or would you be able to get by with a "LESSER" machine...
Reply:Originally Posted by tanglediverSynchrowaves are great, but for 1/2" in one pass?? That takes power!! You knew that!!
Reply:What "generics" even come close to a Lincoln or Miller?  Or is there such a thing... LOL
Reply:Originally Posted by smokeshowWhat "generics" even come close to a Lincoln or Miller?  Or is there such a thing... LOL
Reply:Originally Posted by smokeshowWhat would be a good machine to use for welding 1/16 - 1/2.. and a variety of metals also.. I.e.  Mild Steel, Chromoly, Stainless, Aluminum... etc.. etc.. I am interested in purchasing one.. but don't what to buy a machine twice due to not buying a large enough one... but at the same time... I don't need a million dollar machine...   I was thinking of something like a Syncrowave.. but was not sure how big...  200,250,350???  What accessories? What not to waste the money on.. etc.. etc..
Reply:I plan on using it to start out as sort of a side hobby/business (weekend use)... eventually I would like to get into it full time... I just am not there yet... on the finacial end.. and on the ability end yet... I just passed my 1G ER-7018 S-2 3/32 GTAW test the other day.. and now starting on my 2G tests...  So it sounds like a 150 AC/DC welding is more what I am looking for?  And also trying to stay with a Brand name due to replacement parts and longevity of the unit...   Am I correct in this?
Reply:First you need to find out what you have available as far as power for the welder.   You don't want to go spending alot of money on a big 300 amp TIG, just to find out you only have 30 amps of 208v to run it on.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Originally Posted by smokeshowI plan on using it to start out as sort of a side hobby/business (weekend use)... eventually I would like to get into it full time... I just am not there yet... on the finacial end.. and on the ability end yet... I just passed my 1G ER-7018 S-2 3/32 GTAW test the other day.. and now starting on my 2G tests...  So it sounds like a 150 AC/DC welding is more what I am looking for?  And also trying to stay with a Brand name due to replacement parts and longevity of the unit...   Am I correct in this?
Reply:If you need an AC/DC machine, I really must recommend the Miller Dynasty 350.  I have bought and worked with probably 40-50 Maxstar/Dynasty units in the last year, and they are awesome.  Not a single problem with even one of them.Have used them for welding almost everything imaginable, though multiple passes are required for complete joint penetration on many materials as thicknss increases.  Don't let the spec sheets fool you.0.005" - 0.5" SST multiple alloys0.06" - 0.25" Carbon Steel0.06" - 0.3125" Al multiple alloys0.03" - 0.375" Chromoly0.008" - 0.0937" silver, copper. gold, platinum (crazy stuff!)0.015" Nb C103 this is a really weird material but is beautiful if welded rightAnyway, these machines are all in production welding hundreds if not thousands of hours a year and they just keep kicking butt.Here's the C103.  I need to work a bit more on the shielding, I know. Attached Images
Reply:NICE Weld/welds!!!!
Reply:Based on previous experience and the things I have learned since I will most likely use DC on the 1/2 in the future if it must be tig welded. Better heating and deeper penetration. Sticks or a spool gun are both good alternatives for something of that size. I have a synchro 250DX and the thing is huge and takes lot's of juice to run. My inverter weighs 78lbs, takes up less room than a weldpak with a cart and bottle, and uses half the power of the synchro with comparable output. No ac capability though. They do make inverter tigs that have ac. I've had the inverter about 4 months and it has already paid for itself 4 times over. I bought it used. I've only used a couple of new welding machines, but I have used a ton of old ones over the years. Don't buy a used inverter (or any other welder) without welding with it or getting it from a reputable dealer that will back it up. They can be very expensive to repair if one of the boards is blown.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:Good info/tip... thanks JollyRoger!!!
Reply:'generic' machines- don't forget Thermal Dynamics.  They've proven their mettle, are at a lower price point than Lincoln or Miller, and perform just as well.Hobart Stickmate LX AC/DC, Millermatic 252 & 30A spoolgun, Thermal Arc 185 TIG, Miller BWESmith Oxy-AcBridgeport 2J , South Bend 42" 9AHusky 7.5 HP 22.3 CFM 80 gal compressor
Reply:So am I correct in saying that the TA185 is the cheapest & "quality" AC/DC TIG welder out there?Last edited by smokeshow; 03-10-2008 at 10:25 PM.
Reply:Side note... I haven't checked exactly what kind of power outlets I have... but odds on, I would say that my dryer probably is the biggest power outlet?  But I am not even sure if that outlet is useable?  I am really "ignorant" when it comes to that sort of thing currently.. LOL...  sorry for the pun..
Reply:Not really.  It's the cheapest quality inverter TIG machine, but the Miller Syncrowave and Lincoln Precision Tig are both less expensive TIG machines that have AC capability.Hobart Stickmate LX AC/DC, Millermatic 252 & 30A spoolgun, Thermal Arc 185 TIG, Miller BWESmith Oxy-AcBridgeport 2J , South Bend 42" 9AHusky 7.5 HP 22.3 CFM 80 gal compressor
Reply:Hobart is another good brand owned by ITW that also owns Miller. If you are going to be welding 1/2" aluminum consistently, a larger machine woud be wise as other posters mention. The inverters are wonderful but they are very expensive. You should have at least a 50 amp line for a 200 or 250 amp TIG machine.You will be wanting AC also.......Good luck
Reply:If you intend to weld 1/2" and want a Thermal Arc, get the 300.  The 185 is a good machine but doesn't have the b.alls for the really thick stuff, at least not in one pass.Yes, I believe the TA185 is the best bang for the buck as far as ac/dc inverter tigs are concerned.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:I will rarely get into 1/2 alum. ..  I just wanted to make sure I was understanding the size of machines that I would be needing for the jobs correctly.    At the moment, I am just looking to get a AC/DC Tig machine... and I won't be able to fix it, if it anything major goes wrong anytime soon... So, I kind of want to make sure I spend my money effectively and efficiently...  Thanks for all the input guys... Your all very helpful!!!!
Reply:my .02 cents  I have lincoln 185 pres. tig and i don't think i get good pentration on 1/8 alminum. GO BIG it's only money.  daye