First TIG Welder?

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Okay guys, I own a Miller MIG 110-v welder and love it, but I’m really looking to branch out and be able to TIG on light aluminum.  Brackets, R/C frames, stuff like that.  I really like the idea of TIG but I have never done it and know very little about it other than how it actually works.What would you recommend for a good TIG welder (110-volt a HUGE plus – I see that many of them come with 110-240 capability) for the garage hobbyist?  Also, I’d really like to spend right around a grand, if possible. Less would be even cooler.   Like most of you, I ain’t made of the green stuff. I can pull a grand off though, I believe, if the welder is a nice solid unit. I won’t be earning a living with the thing, I just want one that will work for small aluminum, and possibly some stainless, etc.  You get the idea.Also, although I love my Miller, I’m not necessarily brand loyal.  I’ll take a Lincoln that is of good quality and has great recommendations just as fast as I’ll go blue.  Lemme hear what y’all are using at home!    Thanks, welding web.Have a Jeep Cherokee?  Click Here!
Reply:If you can live without AC, the miller maxstar 150 is a nice small 150 amp 110/230 unit with a outlet for a foot pedal plus you can stick weld with it too. They run just shy of a grand new without the tig package, but you can find them used with everything for good deals too. With your price range for a good name brand unit, its going to be too hard to find an AC capable unit for under $1000. A miller diversion 180 is a 110/230 Ac,Dc unit for the hobby type people around $1800, but remeber your not going to get much if anything with Ac on 110v and you can't stickweld with it you can only tig.ShaneYa gotta spend money to make money!
Reply:Hmm, yes, and aluminum is AC welding isn't it?  I guess I'll have to start packing the pennies away.  I'd really love to TIG on aluminum, and I don't want a "bottom of the barrel" unit.  Sigh.  Why do ALL my hobbies have to cost an arm and a leg?  Have a Jeep Cherokee?  Click Here!
Reply:Also, I don't *really* care too much about the stick welding bit, because I have my MIG for if I'm doing steel.  In fact, a unit that ONLY did TIG might be kinda cool.  Have a Jeep Cherokee?  Click Here!
Reply:If you need 110v and aluminum welding, you might take a look at the Miller Dynasty 200DX. A lot of people love it. I had a chance to give one a shot the other day (I am a newbie weldor, take my advice with a huge grain of salt), and I loved it.A cheaper option that runs on 110v is the Diversion 180 like Shane said. That will also do aluminum. It is more of a 'set and go' TIG welder. The Dynasty has more options than a Subway menu.I personally own a Maxstar 150 STL but that does not do aluminum.Last edited by Taiden; 12-17-2010 at 03:28 PM.
Reply:Cool!  I will have to look into those models. I really like the 110 for a few reasons, not the least of which is that my garage isn't wired for 220.     Thanks Taiden.Have a Jeep Cherokee?  Click Here!
Reply:Hmm, the Diversion 180 only does 125a in 110 volt mode.  I suppose that is going to be the recurring theme I will encounter.  I know that welding Al takes more amperage, too.  Is 125a enough?  I suppose the best option if I'm going to get a TIG would be to sport the 220 in my garage, eh?Have a Jeep Cherokee?  Click Here!
Reply:If you can give us an idea of how thick you will be welding, someone much more experienced than me can tell you if it's too cold for your uses.
Reply:I'm imagining mostly thin stuff like - oh, I dunno - alternator brackets, RC buggy frames possibly, the occasional bracket to hold stuff, etc.  Nothing approaching 1/2 inch for sure.  1/4 inch at BEST, but that would be something major I would think.  Lemme get an example of the little stuff I'd like to play with.  The tube frames on RC cars seem fun to create, but with my flux-core MIG it seems quite a challenge as the tubing is very small.  That is the general idea.  I think making one out of aluminum tubing would be awesome.  They end up looking like this:Have a Jeep Cherokee?  Click Here!
Reply:The reason i didnt mention the dynasty is because the dynasty is $$$$$$ no where even close to the $1000 limit you want. Its really up to how much you want to spend. You have to spend $$$ for a quality ac unit. The diversion 180 might work for you even though its a very basic ac/dc unit.Ya gotta spend money to make money!
Reply:Yea, I hear ya, thanks man.  Maybe 1k is unrealistic for a decent TIG.  I'll have to do more research.  But the ability to weld aluminum in a Jeep club might be somewhat lucrative haha.  The thing might pay for itself inside of a year.  Who knows...Have a Jeep Cherokee?  Click Here!
Reply:It will be real tough to get into an ac/dc tig for 1k. You'll be looking at getting a 200 amp machine just to get to 1/4'' aluminum comfortably.  Which throws 110v out the window.  Really the best bang for the buck would be to find a good deal on an older transformer machine, like a syncrowave 250 or something.  But they are big and heavy and draw a bunch of amps out of the wall.HTP Invertig 201Thermal Dynamics Pak 2xt Plasma
Reply:Originally Posted by SkwerlyHmm, the Diversion 180 only does 125a in 110 volt mode.  I suppose that is going to be the recurring theme I will encounter.  I know that welding Al takes more amperage, too.  Is 125a enough?  I suppose the best option if I'm going to get a TIG would be to sport the 220 in my garage, eh?
Reply:Thanks!  I'll keep an eye out on Craiglist maybe.  Nothing is ever as simple as it sounds.  Have a Jeep Cherokee?  Click Here!
Reply:Originally Posted by SkwerlyYea, I hear ya, thanks man.  Maybe 1k is unrealistic for a decent TIG.  I'll have to do more research.  But the ability to weld aluminum in a Jeep club might be somewhat lucrative haha.  The thing might pay for itself inside of a year.  Who knows...
Reply:Hehe, yea, i have all the metal working stuff.  I've been into MIG for a few years.  I have grinders, saws, a table, room, dremels, clamps, etc etc.  I just want the TIG.  Thanks for that link, i'll check it out!  Have a Jeep Cherokee?  Click Here!
Reply:There is a guy in LA posted a SquareWave 175 a couple hours ago for 700.  It's not sexy but it will get you started.http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac...118310416.html
Reply:I agree with the other posts about the used welders...no sense spending top dollar on a new unit when a name brand used will fit your bill.i have a syncrowave 180 and all but love it. go the used route like i did and maybe you will have some extra money to get a sparky over to fix your 220v problem in your garage
Reply:Originally Posted by dstevensThere is a guy in LA posted a SquareWave 175 a couple hours ago for 700.  It's not sexy but it will get you started.http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac...118310416.html
Reply:Originally Posted by SkwerlyCool!  I will have to look into those models. I really like the 110 for a few reasons, not the least of which is that my garage isn't wired for 220.     Thanks Taiden.
Reply:Originally Posted by phyisisist777Its missing the peddle though. I believe that's a $200-300 part. might need to do some negotiating since a new one can be had for $1600
Reply:Originally Posted by dstevensThere is a guy in LA posted a SquareWave 175 a couple hours ago for 700.  It's not sexy but it will get you started.http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac...118310416.html
Reply:Originally Posted by SkwerlyHaha, missing parts and "Pancho" probably means it fell out of some nice guy's garage.
Reply:Well that is why i asked here first.    Now i know that i need to save up a few more dollars if i want a good tig unit.  Have a Jeep Cherokee?  Click Here!
Reply:I would seriously consider getting a 220V outlet installed in your garage.  It will give you quite a bit more options when shopping for machines and you should easily be able to find a Syncrowave for around $1K.Yea, thanks.  I believe I will look into it this summer.    220 is going to be necessary.Have a Jeep Cherokee?  Click Here!
Reply:Good call on the 220 in the shop you need it for alu tig. If you wait long enough you will run into a good machine for a good price
Reply:Excellent.  Thanks for all the help guys!   Have a Jeep Cherokee?  Click Here!
Reply:Originally Posted by kazlxI would seriously consider getting a 220V outlet installed in your garage.  It will give you quite a bit more options when shopping for machines and you should easily be able to find a Syncrowave for around $1K.
Reply:i actually have a guy who has been asking to do it for free haha.  he's just a little weird so we haven't hit him up about it.  okay, a lot weird.  but yea i could get it done pretty easily.  thanks man!and YES!  RC cars are amazing now days.  just amazing!  i have a crawler and a nitro RC and i can guarantee you there was nothing like them out when i was a kid haha.  Have a Jeep Cherokee?  Click Here!