Best TIG

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Do all the manufacturers make a good TIG or is there one that is better than the others?  From reading on here and asking weldors at work I have pretty much figured out that you want touch and pulse start, square wave for cleaning ability, foot pedal, and as many amps as you can afford.  As I am just starting out in tig (already have oxy/aceletene and mig) it looks like air cooled is the way to go for me.  Any recommendations from those that know TIG?
Reply:As with anything in life, depends on what you want to spend. 'Brand name' guys will steer you towards the miller at $3k plus. No doubt a very nice machine.Guys like me who are just hobbyists but aren't hurting for cash, might rationalize the HTP invertig at slightly over $2k.Somebody that just want's to tig steel and doesn't have a h*rd-*n for a nice machine, or is very budget conscious, might buy the harbor freight unit. Just asking 'which is the best tig' automatically puts you into a machine you probably can't afford !My 2 cents,John
Reply:Originally Posted by wojeepsterI have pretty much figured out that you want touch and pulse start
Reply:Thanks, you cleared up some of my confusion.  The real confusion comes when I actually buy one!  Your input is appreciated.
Reply:Tensaiteki,nice description of TIG basics.Since you mentioned warranty, I'll add that Thermal Arc  is now offering a 5 year warranty.  http://www.thermadyne.com/thermalarc/index.aspChecked out your website, very impressive and creative work!Have you got a TIG in that Airstream as well?
Reply:Here's my pick.http://www.thermadyne.com/evolution/...=99&pdtnbr=567I have it's predacessor the TA-185.  The Arcmaster is the same with with a couple of new features.DennisThermal Arc 185-TSWMillermatic Challenger 172VictorO/AAtlas Craftsman 12 by 24 LatheEsab PCM-875Wholesalem Tool Mill-Drill
Reply:Nice work in the Airstream Workshop. Some fascinating stuff you're building. Keep up the good work...
Reply:Found an Arcmaster TSW for sale in maine....  Since everyone on this forum is positive about the welder and the company I have ordered it.Thermal Arc 185 TigHTP 200 MigCraftsman O/A1942 Bridgeport Mill12 Ton Hyd PressConsew Walking Foot
Reply:I'm sure you will be a Happy Camper.      Just be sure you have your argon ready!   Cart material should be also be on hand.  You did plan on that for a first project?DennisThermal Arc 185-TSWMillermatic Challenger 172VictorO/AAtlas Craftsman 12 by 24 LatheEsab PCM-875Wholesalem Tool Mill-Drill
Reply:You read my mind.Thermal Arc 185 TigHTP 200 MigCraftsman O/A1942 Bridgeport Mill12 Ton Hyd PressConsew Walking Foot
Reply:Originally Posted by pulserChecked out your website, very impressive and creative work!Have you got a TIG in that Airstream as well?
Reply:wile its a little late to add my $.02 i would also vote for the TA-185 as i have one also. fallowed it for years befor deciding to skip the dyn200 and go for the TA-185 strictly do to lack of $$ for the dyn200 and being as its for fun not work the TA-185 will fit the bill well.here is mine all dressed up with no where to go LOL allthough i still have to dress up the tank. Attached Images summer is here, plant a tree for mother earth. if you dont have time or space, sponcer some one else to plant one for you.feel free to shoot me a PM or e-mail me at [email][email protected] i got lots of time.
Reply:Wojeepster,  Did you get your Arcmaster yet?DennisThermal Arc 185-TSWMillermatic Challenger 172VictorO/AAtlas Craftsman 12 by 24 LatheEsab PCM-875Wholesalem Tool Mill-Drill
Reply:Originally Posted by Tailshaft56Wojeepster,  Did you get your Arcmaster yet?
Reply:thats one nice welder for shore, i was realy impressed with mine. and it dosent make all the noise the dynasty's do .looks like you got it hooked up to a cooler, i gota get off my but and upgrade my power so i can get my cooler put togather to get it on mine.and i'm shore you can find a use for the $$ you saved on it over the dyn. also i fallowed them for a long time and they have a good reputation for not breaking also, just dont open the case.  its a mess in there. summer is here, plant a tree for mother earth. if you dont have time or space, sponcer some one else to plant one for you.feel free to shoot me a PM or e-mail me at [email][email protected] i got lots of time.
Reply:is that a 125 or 155 tank? mine is hooked up to a 80 right now but i intend to go to a 125 at my next fill up. summer is here, plant a tree for mother earth. if you dont have time or space, sponcer some one else to plant one for you.feel free to shoot me a PM or e-mail me at [email][email protected] i got lots of time.
Reply:James, I was going to get a killer deal on a fully outfitted Dynasty 200.It was from the Miller rep and only was used to weld up a wheel chair for a salesman. The Miller guy was giving 40% off on the dynasty. A deal is a deal if it is what you want. It was no deal for me. I finally got to run all the current machines side by side, and there is not any doubt what so ever what I liked best.The tank is a 330CF argon
Reply:i'm not going to argue about the TA-185 being a sweet welder i have it and know its sweet, i cant run mine right now but i'm working on thatthats a 330 holy cow it must be 8 ft tall, it dosent look that big in the pic, must be nice to have such a big tank. i found out fast how quickly you go threw it in TIG.i guess the pic is a bit deseaving looks smaller than it is. the TA-185 still gets my vote for being a good lil TIG unit. summer is here, plant a tree for mother earth. if you dont have time or space, sponcer some one else to plant one for you.feel free to shoot me a PM or e-mail me at [email][email protected] i got lots of time.
Reply:How about the Miller Dynasty 700?
Reply:the TA-185 still gets my vote for being a good lil TIG unit.I not really sure if they don't weld the same as the arc master. My friend seemed to think all the later ones was real nice too. This thing is not just a good little tig it's a great one, period!!!! If you find a decent tungsten, red works but orange is really good ( better then blue on narrowing the arc cone.) too. Just turn the wave balance to 10 and the freqs to 150 and you will find the arc is just as narrow (or close) as a dynasty 200 running at 250HZ and you wave balance at 99 (dynasty is opposite) Anyway it is a heck of a lot more pleasant running the Thermal.
Reply:i got my TA-185 one week befor the change to the arcmaster. summer is here, plant a tree for mother earth. if you dont have time or space, sponcer some one else to plant one for you.feel free to shoot me a PM or e-mail me at [email][email protected] i got lots of time.
Reply:Well the place I ordered it from was out.  Could I wait till the end of November?  I told them yes, I was willing to wait two weeks.  I have heard nothing from them yet.  If I haven't heard anything by next week I'll give them a call.  Bought 6 - 20 ft 1"x1" square tubes 12ga  for $16.80 each for the cart and other little projects,roll around engine cart, steel rack for the old truck, etc so I don't have to cut the 20 ft sections in the parking lot.   I am really looking forward to the tig, especially since everyone seems to be so positive about it.  For now I just have to wait.Thermal Arc 185 TigHTP 200 MigCraftsman O/A1942 Bridgeport Mill12 Ton Hyd PressConsew Walking Foot
Reply:did you ask them about cutting the 20ft pices for you, most places will give you atleast 1 free cut per stick. the place i go will do as many cuts as you want, thats prety rare though as i understand it.you should be real happy with the TA-185  summer is here, plant a tree for mother earth. if you dont have time or space, sponcer some one else to plant one for you.feel free to shoot me a PM or e-mail me at [email][email protected] i got lots of time.
Reply:They told me over the phone that each cut $10 (ouch!) so....... I loaded my generator and porter cable tiger saw in the back of my truck and cut them myself in their parking lot.  I think that might be typical around here.Thermal Arc 185 TigHTP 200 MigCraftsman O/A1942 Bridgeport Mill12 Ton Hyd PressConsew Walking Foot
Reply:wo $10 a cut is nuts, they must be realy buisy to have to charge $10 a cut. sorry to here that.looks like ya found a good solution, you might ask them if you could plug in an extention cord next time though so you can leave the generator at home, i would hope they would atleast let you plug in your saw but hay i could be wrong on that too, summer is here, plant a tree for mother earth. if you dont have time or space, sponcer some one else to plant one for you.feel free to shoot me a PM or e-mail me at [email][email protected] i got lots of time.Where I buy my 20' sections, the first cut is always free.
Reply:I have a quick question for the lincoln guys. Is it worth the extra stepping up the the invertec from the precision tig line. Likewise is there a big difference between the synchrowave and dynasty series in the Miller lineup? My dad used to run a Miller tig setup but sold it with his trucking company and wants to get back into welding. (I'm hoping he does so he can help me improve!!) -Cory
Reply:The local vo-tech has a PT-185.  It's a nice welder but the supplied torch is a POS.  Lincoln updated the 185 to the 225 but I read on a board the duty cycle at max on 225 is only 10%.  There is a lot of differnce between a synch 200 and a Dynasty.  You can download the manuals for both from Miller.DennisThermal Arc 185-TSWMillermatic Challenger 172VictorO/AAtlas Craftsman 12 by 24 LatheEsab PCM-875Wholesalem Tool Mill-Drill