AC/DC 120/220 Basic TIG Machine?

admin

Do you guys know if anyone makes a basic, entry level ( $1,500 ? ) bare bones TIG machine that's AC/DC and uses 110 and 220 power? I really don't need ARC or MIG. Just want to get into TIG welding as cheaply as possible...Last edited by valentin_84; 03-02-2015 at 02:03 PM.
Reply:Miller Diversion 180http://store.cyberweld.com/mitigwedi...FQgxaQodGBoAhwThere are several others too.Last edited by MinnesotaDave; 03-02-2015 at 02:44 PM.Reason: forgot to add what machine it wasDave 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:The AHP Alphatig 200 has a pretty happy following.     At $800 it is only $1000 less than the miller linked to above and will do the same work.I've played with that one on 110 and 220, and was pleasantly surprised at how well it works.   I've only had mine about 6 months, with no problems.Dan----------------------------Measure twice.  Weld once.  Grind to size.MIG:  Lincoln SP100 TIG/STICK:  AHP Alphatig 200X
Reply:Hobart EZ Tig. $1375.http://store.cyberweld.com/hotigweez16.htmlFactory refurbed for $1100.http://www.hobartweldshop.com/factor...5i-tig-welder/Stay away from the Chinese junk if you can.Hobart 210 MVPHTP Invertig 221 + coolerEverlast SuperUltra 205
Reply:The Hobart and Miller 165 are 240V only.  The Miller Diversion 180 is dual voltage.  AC TIG welding puts you into a higher price category, as does dual voltage (assuming you want a top-notch product with good support)."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:There are also plenty of really good used tigs in that price range.Low priced "budget" tigs have a few problems on average. #1 if you go with an import you run the risk of problems both with the machine and the sellers customer support. There have been plenty of horror stories about this. If you choose to go this route, do your homework and understand that if the machine breaks down out of warranty, consider it disposable since most times it will cost less to replace it than repair it.#2 Many of the name brand units in the lower range are limited in output. Typically you can do 1/8" alum with the machines maxed out, but to do so you will need to run off 230v power. Many machines claim to be able to use 110v power, but on a standard 20 amp 110v outlet, you are limited to about 90-100 amps output at best. To get the full usable output on 110v power, you need a dedicated 30 amp or larger circuit. Something that isn't possible in the average home. This limits you to welding on alum to about 1/16" on average running off 110v 20 amp outlets. Thin alum is not what I'd recommend someone try to learn on. 110v power sounds like a good idea, but to do alum, you really have to have a 230v power supply.You can often find some of the older industrial tigs used relatively inexpensively. Down side are they are heavy, large and power hungry. Up side is they are often very rugged machines and will give you more output than most machines at 2 to 3 times the money new. Miller Syncrowaves, 330 AB/P's, Dialarc HF's are all good options. The Lincoln tranny tigs are also good bets, but I not as familiar with their models myself..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:I am a big fan of finding a used Syncrowave 180/200/250 or an equivalent Lincoln machine (precision tig, etc.).  They won't run off of 110 volts, but if you are serious about welding, you need 230 volts at a minimum. These things are nearly bullet proof and if you need service it is not hard to find a local service center.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:The last time you started a thread like this you had a 1200$ budget and it ended with a 50$ stick welder. I wouldn't be surprised if it ended with a 150$ harbor frieght tig welder lol.
Reply:All the welders in my signature added up to less than $4,000. not including gas cylinders. MIG, TIG, TIG, stick, stick, stick, buncha O/A and spot. Only one is a dual voltage inverter, and was bough for that reason. Great part is that at least one of them will work when we need it.  "USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:Originally Posted by dbstooThe AHP Alphatig 200 has a pretty happy following.     At $800 it is only $1000 less than the miller linked to above and will do the same work.I've played with that one on 110 and 220, and was pleasantly surprised at how well it works.   I've only had mine about 6 months, with no problems.Dan
Reply:Originally Posted by motolife313The last time you started a thread like this you had a 1200$ budget and it ended with a 50$ stick welder. I wouldn't be surprised if it ended with a 150$ harbor frieght tig welder lol.
Reply:ac gives you the ability to weld aluminum with tig..so I would spend the extra to be able to weld non ferrous metals..even if you think you wont be welding aluminum now..once you start welding..you will be..lol..especially when a friend or relative asks for that favor to fix something...spend the extra now, and if you get a quality machine..you can always sell it down the road if you need moneyOf all the things I lost I miss my mind the most...I know just enough about everything to be dangerous......You cant cure stupid..only kill it...
Reply:Originally Posted by valentin_84Maybe you're cool with dropping $1-2K on an improper machine and set up, but I'm not. I typically do as much research as possible when I get into something expensive. And welding is way more expensive than I had expected, especially for a hobby... Yes I did end up borrowing a little 110 Lincoln ARC weld buzz box for a few weeks. I owed on my taxes so it came out of my welder fund. But the awesome thing is that I've learned a lot using the little machine and now instead of just having YouTube videos and forum threads to go off of, I actually have some hands on experience! Plus, it gave me time to save up again.Anyway, I'm torn between the Lincoln 210 MP or the Miller Diversion 180 TIG. They're both made by reputable companies and if you add the TIG and Aluminum accessories to the Lincoln 210, they're in the same ball park when it comes to price. So which machine would you guys consider better for a hobbyist?The Lincoln 210 MP is a DC only ARC/MIG machine that can use 110 or 220 power. Plus it has the option to add on the TIG kit and the Aluminum spool gun. The Miller 180 on the other hand is AC and DC, plus it's also 110/220, but it's strictly TIG.Is having AC & DC capability important enough to spend more money on a TIG only machine? Or is there more to the price difference than that?
Reply:You asked for suggestions for an AC/DC TIG, saying you have no need for stick/MIG, then say you're considering a 210MP? What kind of advice would you expect to get if you contradict yourself like that? The 210MP TIG capabilities are about as basic as you get: DC only, lift start...that's it. Doesn't even have a gas solenoid for TIG (uses manual valve on torch). What are you actually planning on welding? What power do you have available (and what will you eventually have available)?If I wanted to "get into TIG welding as cheaply as possible", at this point I'd buy an AHP TIG 200 and make a few upgrades like Gamble suggested.
Reply:what is it that you really want to weld?? Maybe you would be better off starting there and not worrying about process (mig/tig/stick). Based on what you want to weld, we can tell you the best machine. If you rule out aluminum, the Lincoln machine is a great choice for virtually any steel based project.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:My first TIG was a Diversion 180. If I only wanted to weld steel it would have been a good deal. I wanted to weld aluminum. This machine will be a huge disappointment if aluminum is your destination. Aluminum soaks up heat! A low duty cycle welder is spent before the workpiece is ready to puddle. I like Louie's advice, with the caution that electrical infrastructure must be adequate to drive a Syncrowave. In my case I swallowed the hook. The Diversion wasn't big enough, didn't have enough controls. I bought a Dialarc 250 HF (310 AC amps) duty cycle was BIG. It is / was a great welder, it didn't have enough controls. I now have a Dynasty 280DX. Louie and I could argue the merits of our machines, both are great welders. You can buy a Syncrowave 250 in your price range.An optimist is usually wrong, and when the unexpected happens is unprepared. A pessimist is usually right, when wrong, is delighted, and well prepared.
Reply:I never argue with you Bill, you are much wiser and more intelligent than I am by a long shot. And a fine human being to boot.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:I don't really want to limit myself by saying I just want to weld steel, because I'm sure I'll eventually want to work with aluminum as well. And the reason I included the Lincoln 210 (even though I said I was looking for a TIG machine) is because options are always awesome, even if they're not required! :-)Wow, that AHP TIG 200 is cheap!