What welder to buy to learn to pipe weld.

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Im planning to buy a tig/arc welder in a month or two. I would use it for the occasional project  fabbing up bumpers and frames, and practicing for pipe welding classes. Not sure if I need one for stainless or aluminum but a recommendation is welcome. I welcome all knowledgeable input but really want to hear from the pipe fitters/ welders on the forum. Want to spend under $2,000.00 on popular easy to get parts for welder. What say ye?
Reply:Well...  The actual welder is not what matters.  The welder doesn't make the weldor.  Get something smaller and used first.  You just need to learn how to weld.  The piece of equipment you actually need to make money out in the field will probably be more than $2000 and will be a big engine driven unit.Last edited by jmtebbens; 01-03-2012 at 07:05 PM. Originally Posted by SundownIIIDon't get me wrong.  They are just as ill informed about politics as they are about welding, they just post more on that subject.
Reply:Originally Posted by jmtebbensWell...  The actual welder is not the welder is not what matters.  The welder doesn't make the weldor.  Get something smaller and used first.  You just need to learn how to weld.  The piece of equipment you actually need to make money out in the field will probably be more than $2000 and will be a big engine driven unit.
Reply:What power source do you have available?  How important is potrability?  I really like the Synchrowave 200 from Miller.  Can be found used very reasonably.  If DC only will suffice, I am partial to multipupose machines like the Miller XMT series.  I really love the XMT 350 CC/CV model. Originally Posted by SundownIIIDon't get me wrong.  They are just as ill informed about politics as they are about welding, they just post more on that subject.
Reply:Originally Posted by jmtebbensWhat power source do you have available?  How important is potrability?  I really like the Synchrowave 200 from Miller.  Can be found used very reasonably.  If DC only will suffice, I am partial to multipupose machines like the Miller XMT series.  I really love the XMT 350 CC/CV model.
Reply:Whatever you decide, I hope you seriously consider this: Welding equipment depreciates heavily.  I would recommend buying used.  $2k will get you a very nice used semi-industrial outfit.  I stick with my above suggestions.  The XMT's can be used from 208-575 V either single or three phase.  No matter what the future holds, it will always be usable and you won't outgrow it. Originally Posted by SundownIIIDon't get me wrong.  They are just as ill informed about politics as they are about welding, they just post more on that subject.
Reply:Originally Posted by jmtebbensWhatever you decide, I hope you seriously consider this: Welding equipment depreciates heavily.  I would recommend buying used.  $2k will get you a very nice used semi-industrial outfit.  I stick with my above suggestions.  The XMT's can be used from 208-575 V either single or three phase.  No matter what the future holds, it will always be usable and you won't outgrow it.
Reply:$2,000.00 is doable in the used market, you can watch Craig's list, and sometimes welding supplies sell off some of their rental fleet. With the Tig welder are you going to want a foot pedal, high freq? Or will a Tig rig be enough?Last edited by CEP; 01-03-2012 at 07:52 PM.Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:I have the Miller STH and think it is a good option but it only does steel.  I got mine used for around $500.
Reply:Single phase is most house hold electrical services, also found in many small shops. Three phase is found usually in commercial and industrial use.You can usually run many single phase units on 3 phase, but you generally you can't run 3 phase machines at home with out a lot of hassle.The XMT is a great machine, so is the Syncrowave. Both will be hard to outgrow, but the end use of both is a bit different even though they overlap some. The XMT is usually a CC/CV power source. You can mig, stick or DC tig with one with the right accessories. Note there are several models of the XMT's out there including a few older units that are CC only and will not do mig. It's a plain power source so you would have to add stick leads, A mig feeder or the tig parts to do those functions. The Syncrowave is an AC/DC CC tig machine, and will do stick or tig.For pipe I'm guessing you will want to learn stick and DC tig. Both units would allow you to do this as well as do SS tig using DC tig. The XMT would only do alum using a spoolgun ( with adapter)  or thick alum with DC tig ( uncommon). The Syncrowave will do AC alum tig ( the way most alum tig is done)..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:Oh boy...  I'm on my tablet and am not going to type it all out.  Search the forum for it.  Here is a good explanation:http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=64367 Originally Posted by SundownIIIDon't get me wrong.  They are just as ill informed about politics as they are about welding, they just post more on that subject.
Reply:If you live in or near an industrial area it would be possilbe to get 3 phase to your house. You really wouldnt need it unless you plan on doing lots of heavy duty fab work.AEAD 200LE, Lincoln precision tig 185, Millermatic 251, Spectrum 625 extreme, Victor torch , Smithy 1220LTD. and  Do all C-4 band saw ,  Always adding.
Reply:If you want to weld pipe, forget about an ac unit, you want a dc powersource. It will have to burn 6010 rod. Of course, this machine will also tig weld with dc- (straight) polarity for tig ing stainless pipe.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:Only Syncrowaves I've run were Tig aluminum, but if they're anything like my Dynasty on SMAW they'll suck. On the flip side of the XMT, (which I've never run) is the Lincoln Invertec V350-Pro. For pipe welding I love the adjustable hot start and arc force. And not a bad arc for Tig welding with a Tig rig either.Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Thanks guys for the advice. Much of the technical info is missing from the classes Im taking. They teach us some basics and focus HEAVILY on technique, especially the tradesmen who are moonlighting as adjunct educators, very little tech info there.
Reply:i saw that you could run off of 220, but have you considered an engine drive?  i thik that $2k could get you a decent machine to start off with.
Reply:Originally Posted by HOBARTi saw that you could run off of 220, but have you considered an engine drive?  i thik that $2k could get you a decent machine to start off with.
Reply:That is all debatable.   Noise, exhaust fumes in the shop, added expense of gasoline, maintenance costs, etc.  If you are out on a pipeline, there are few options.  In a shop you are not that limited. Originally Posted by SundownIIIDon't get me wrong.  They are just as ill informed about politics as they are about welding, they just post more on that subject.
Reply:If you are learning to weld pipe in the field, consider a used transformer machine and a scratch-start TIG. We trained many structural and pipe welders this way and after you learn it, luxuries like foot pedals and complex panel adjustments are gravy.  There are thousands of pipe welders working and making large money running scratch-start. After you make the bucks, buy all the other welding machines you want.Idealarc, Dialarc, etc are tough and last for decades. They rarely need parts. They will do all the steel work you'll need. If you can find a Miller 330 AB/P or relatives they do AC TIG and have foot pedals.Then spend your leftover money on consumables, PPE, and tools. To me the question of "which welding machine to buy" is like asking "which wrench to buy".Each tool for the task at hand. Just fire up crazedlist, select some nearby areas, search for "welder" etc, and see what's available. Bookmark it for convenient daily searches.http://crazedlist.orgSample bookmark:http://crazedlist.org/index.cgi?area...&submit=Search
Reply:If you're a "welding major" in college and they haven't discussed 1 Phase/3 Phase power, then I'd be questioning the school I selected.  Is this a real college that covers theory as well as application, or is it a "tech school" that focuses on "hands on"?A lot could be gleaned with a little homework on your part.  Miller/Lincoln/etc all do a good job of describing "process capability" in their sales literature.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:x2 on what farmall said.  Find yourself a Dialarc HF for $400 and go to it - spend the rest on PPE and consumables.
Reply:lincoln percision tig 225 its tig stick and easy to use for a student
Reply:If you're a "welding major" in college and they haven't discussed 1 Phase/3 Phase power, then I'd be questioning the school I selected. Is this a real college that covers theory as well as application, or is it a "tech school" that focuses on "hands on"?A lot could be gleaned with a little homework on your part. Miller/Lincoln/etc all do a good job of describing "process capability" in their sales literature.
Reply:Also agree with Farmall and Sundown.   The dialarc or idealarc 250's are the best used option.   For field welding u r going to need and be using a lincoln SA. Series such as SA200.  The 330 abp rocks but weighs almolst 1/2 ton.   Also look at airco welders.   They are rebadged millers most of the time and can often be found very c,heapTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250