Need input on deciding which type of machine to get TIG/MIG??

admin

Hello all,Was planning on getting a new machine. I currently have an older Lincoln weldpak 100 and was looking to upgrade. The question is what type of machine would you guys recommend. I’m a novice, I will mostly use the welder for exhaust systems, making a welding table and do stuff around the house. I was thinking of either a miller 210 or go with a TIG welder; TA185 or miller syncowave 200. Since I have the little weldpak I was leaning towards the TIG machines. The thing is that with a TIG you usually bench weld, can you say tack up some exhaust under the car like with  MIG. I guess you would use the foot pedal with your hand or something.
Reply:I'd bite the bullet and get the TIG if I were you. I'm enjoying the zen-like experience of slowly pushing along a molten puddle of medal, vs. the "blast out a mig bead, hope the settings were right because control during the weld is minimal" experience of MIG.I think you have to look at what you are really after. If your end goal is just to make some exhaust systems and you don't care about the process involved, go the mig route. If your end goal is to get as much enjoyment and skill building out of the welder as possible, while getting some exhaust systems in the process, then go TIG.  Kinda like when I was building a cedar strip canoe and people would say "Yeah but couldn't you just *buy* a canoe?"... sure, but my goal wasn't to end up with a canoe, it was to experience the process and learning enjoyment of building the thing.I just recently got a tig machine and am having great fun just screwing around with rinky-dink stuff in my basement. It is really a cool tool, in my opinion.- John
Reply:Originally Posted by page916Hello all,Was planning on getting a new machine. I currently have an older Lincoln weldpak 100 and was looking to upgrade. The question is what type of machine would you guys recommend. I’m a novice, I will mostly use the welder for exhaust systems, making a welding table and do stuff around the house. I was thinking of either a miller 210 or go with a TIG welder; TA185 or miller syncowave 200. Since I have the little weldpak I was leaning towards the TIG machines. The thing is that with a TIG you usually bench weld, can you say tack up some exhaust under the car like with  MIG. I guess you would use the foot pedal with your hand or something.
Reply:well i would keep the MIG you have for the quick fix and pick up a TIG for fun and the lerning curve if you want to upgrade ?? for what reason?? to lern more? have more power?? if you are looking to upgrade to get more power for projects, get the MM210 its never gotten a bad review and will cover all houshold and auto related tasks. if you are upgrading to try new stuff and have the time to lern it the TA_185 is a great lil AC/DC TIG?stick welder that will let you work on anything metalic. but TIG takes some time to master and is a slow process you have to have the time for, it is also more expensive to do then MIG.yes you can tack stuff in place with TIG besides using the foot control between you r nees there are also finger tip controls out as well as push butens with programed slope's.keep in mind you wont have much luck on old exhosts with TIG you need to be clean, but mig as you know will burn threw almost anything.good luck on you choice , let us know what you end up with. 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:If u think u may have some tubing(like homeoned headers or such) or aluminum in ur future go tig definetaly....185 would be killr if u think u will stick with thinner metals but if ya think its possible for some thicker aluminum to creep in(over 3/16-1/4) go 250 amps minimum safer with a 300As thats a serious price increase its up to You to decide what ur liable to do with em...for me id rather have a unit to big and not need it than one that wont do the job but then i tend to give up food and things like telephone or tv so that i can have a new tool........Hmmm hungry as i am think maybe i shoulda used the buy as i grow idea!!!
Reply:Hmmm hungry as i am think maybe i shoulda used the buy as i grow idea!!!thats a good plan i think.i started with the TA-185 as i wanted to lern TIG and maybe some day find a way to make a lil $$ on the side with it, if i do i would like to get the dyn200 to replace it some day, but for now my next welder is to be the MM210 for more power, and again maybe some day to make a few $$ with it. but mostly my TIG choice was for the fun of lerning a new skill and its verry relaxing to TIG some thing i am shore i will injoy for a long time, but the MM210 is a real work horse and will likely be more apt to make $$ than the TA-185 unless i find a nitch.but at this point i weld for fun and for art (keeping in mind art is in the eye of the beholder) as an artistic outlet the TIG gives you many more options than the MIG and i have a small MIG for the stuff it suits, wile the TIG also alows me the stick option too, another verry usefull resorce in many metal types, limited only by the choice of rod you chose to burn.buy now we have no dought truly clouded the isue for you making your choice harder rather than easyer, sometime too many opinions can be a bad thing. good luck on you choice and be shoure to let us all know what you decide on. 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:The TA would be a good fit for you.  I am very happy with mine.DennisThermal Arc 185-TSWMillermatic Challenger 172VictorO/AAtlas Craftsman 12 by 24 LatheEsab PCM-875Wholesalem Tool Mill-Drill
Reply:i just orded an V205-TChuckASME Pressure Vessel welder
Reply:congrats on the new toy, be shore and let us know how you like it. 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.