snap on tig attachment, likes and dislikes

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my buddy has this machine, but he keeps it at my place, so i can use it when ever.snap on MM250SLhttp://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....&group_ID=1736there is a tig attachment/add on you can get for around 550.00ishi have never tig welded, and have only welded for 3 or 4 years using only flux and gas mig, so im still new to welding, so any input would be appreciated.has anyone use the snap on for tig attachment, how did you like it, pros and cons,ect,ect?thanks
Reply:anyone?
Reply:It certainly is priced like a snap-on and they dont have the reputation that miller, lincoln, or hobart has. Plus it has a dumb name, muscle mig? You can spend a thousand or two less for the same machine from a reputable welder manufacturer.UA Local 598
Reply:TIG and stick welding uses a 'constant current' power source, wire feed uses 'constant voltage'... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welding_power_supplyFrom the flextig owners manual it's a lot of money for what's basically a valved (to control the gas) TIG torch that won't work properly with a constant voltage power source. The mention of 4 specific TIG settings suggests it may be a CC/CV machine but it refers to TIG voltage settings not amperage, maybe not that suprising given they're a spanner manufacturer...Given that you have a choice of 50A, 90A, 105A etc with nothing inbetween i will call that TIG kit over priced junk (FWIW a valved TIG torch should cost around a quarter of what snapon are asking ) even if the machine will do CC output.One of the few instances where you'd be better off buying a cheapnese DC inverter and TIG torch for it (more control, probably work better and probably have some change). Never thought i'd ever say something like that! Last edited by hotrodder; 06-24-2010 at 06:31 PM.
Reply:Ryan did you ever try it? I've got the 140 amp version and it has the FLEXTIG option also.  I've seen you can "build" a setup with generics instead of paying the exorbitant Snap-On prices, but how well does it work?  I'm afraid its one of those "multi-purpose" options that just doesn't work very well in real life.  I agree with hotrodder that a MIG machine is inherently a Constant Voltage, not the Constant Current supply that's normally used for TIG.  They could have added some fancy circuitry to make it happen (be constant current in TIG mode), but I can't get anyone to confirm it.  I'm also pretty sure you can't add a foot pedal or any type or remote current control.  That your understanding?  That's a major limitation to me.
Reply:I'm with WHughes on the silly name, MuscleMig.  I can almost hear "Tim the Toolman" saying it now.  Lol and that grunt he used to make.  Ok it was a funny show.