Looking to buy tig machine

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I am looking to buy a tig machine in the 2500$ range. I would prefer one with a water cooled torch, or the option of upgrading down the line. I am looking to steel and steel alloys, aluminum, and stainless. I know that you never really can have too many amps with a welder, but I dont know where to draw the line for a hobbyist/fabricator like myself. I dont mind something the size of a larger wire feed mig welder, but I dont want one of the old refrigerator miller machines if possible Sorry I dont have much experience with tig machines and there is quite a few options out there.HTP Invertig 201Lincoln Idealarc SP250Miller 180 AC StickBy farmall:They should have held the seagull closer to the work, squeezing evenly for best deposition.
Reply:Check out the HTP Invertig 201 welder. I purchased this and for a hobbyist like me I think it works really well. small compact yet still has power. The people in Chicago who sell this are real easy to talk to and the President of the company will answer emails and questions you have.http://www.usaweld.com/Invertig-201-Welders-s/27.htmanother site for same company http://www.htpweld.com/Good luckHarold MulderMiller 211 AutosetHTP 201 Invertig with water coolerHardinge Cataract Quick Change Lathe
Reply:The syncrowave 200 or TA 185 with an air cooled torch would run you new a bit over $2K and you could add a cooler later. Both are excellent machines. Physically the Syncrowave is bigger, but not as huge as the older tigs.  Mines about 2x as wide as my stand alone mig, and about the same length and height. Both would do 3/16" alum easily.A used Syncrowave 250 with cooler would fall in the $2500 range, and give you more power for alum. They are also bigger units, but you won't find an inverter with that kind of output for probably less than $5-6K minimum. If you want power in a small package, it will cost you big money..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 seem to remember a thermal dynamics inverter welder for about 2000. I thought many people praised these little machines. Anyone know about them, maybe they are a bit under powered...?HTP Invertig 201Lincoln Idealarc SP250Miller 180 AC StickBy farmall:They should have held the seagull closer to the work, squeezing evenly for best deposition.
Reply:That would be the TA 185. As I understand it, because it's an inverter you get a bit more  out of the machine on alum than say a Syncrowave 180, making it performance wise closer to the Syncro 200..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:Why not try a Lincoln Precision TIG 225, theres a few places around that may give it to you for 2000.TiglerArgon In The Lungs, Helium in the Head
Reply:My first TIG was a Dialarc HF - great on steel, a bear on aluminum (sinewave AC machine).  Cost about $1000 with water cooler - about 20 years ago.I would not discount the used welder, properly checked out, for a good first machine.  On one end of the scale, I have seen Syncrowave 350s for less than $1500.  These machines are monsters and you pretty much need an engine hoist to get them out of a pickup truck (bring a low trailer).  Portability is of course out.  You need to direct wire these - think 150 Amp circuit and you get the idea.  With used machines prices can be all over the board.  Search craigslist and be prepared to drive a couple hundred miles for the the best deals.250Amp machines are all over the place when it comes to used ones.  Lots of different configurations, many with water coolers.  Lots of options.  Wide range of pricing.  From people asking $4000 for an older 250 (you can get new for that) to the above mentioned 350 for $1100.  If you are going to go that route.  I recommend patience - save up your cash.   If the right deal doesn't come around in a couple of months you will have enough cash to buy new.  Either way you win.At the other end are the entry level machines from Miller and Lincoln - EconoTIG, Diversion etc.  A little low on total Amps, but at some point you really should be looking at either MIG or stick anyway.  There doesn't seem to be that many used Diversions on the market - they are still relatively new.  Maybe they don't sell so well, maybe people who have them love them and don't feel they need an upgrade.  Either way, your best bet there is a sale.  On the Diversion you will have to modify the machine for water cooled torch.Personally, if it was me, and a budget of around $2000 I'd be looking a used Dynasty 200DX.  One with blue lightning option and still some factory warranty left.  That machine will not only do everything a hobbyist wants, but the resale value will hold if you feel you need a bigger machine.  On Ebay your looking at $2200 for such a machine.  Save a little for the accessories (torch, pedal).  The Lincoln invertec seems to be an equivalent machine, not sure about re-sell value because I never see them used.As for the HTP - I don't think you will be saving much there.  Still a $2300 machine (ebay).Keep in mind that inverters are probably not as reliable as the old transformer machines.  I sold my vintage Dialarc 35 years after it was produced, working perfectly.  I can only hope my Dynasty 350 will last that long.  I fear it won't.  I've heard horror stories about inverters (all companies) of things like diodes going out and blowing all the circuit boards.  With the Miller, the only thing I've heard there is some component on the main board that needs to be torqued (I assume heat shield issues) and should be re-torque/re-check if you move the machine alot.I think the ultimate budget setup would look something like this.  A used Miller 251.  I've seen them below $1000.  They are excellent machines.  They also have gun on demand which allows you to keep that spool gun connected.  That's for your bigger stuff.  For the precision work, a used Dynasty 200DX.  If you can, leave it air cooled or build your own cooler.  I would keep that 200 as portable as possible.  Just a small cart to tote a bottle around.  Some careful shopping and I would expect $3500.  Down the road, add $500 for a used 30A spoolgun.  And in a pinch, you could sell it all for what you paid.Con Fuse!Miller Dynasty 350Millermatic 350P-Spoolmatic 30AMiller Multimatic 200Hypertherm PowerMax 1000G3Miller Maxstar 200DX
Reply:Fordman,Where are you located?  I've got a Syncrowave 250 w/Cooler that I may be interested in selling.  I'm near Chicago_kevin
Reply:I am from california. I have ran a lincoln 180 precision tig. Seems like a nice machine. Maybe I should just save up and go with the Miller 200DX. It seems the HTP Invertig would be comparable to the Dynasty? Is that blue lightning option where you can change the waves? (I dont know much about tig welders!)HTP Invertig 201Lincoln Idealarc SP250Miller 180 AC StickBy farmall:They should have held the seagull closer to the work, squeezing evenly for best deposition.
Reply:"Blue Lightning" is where you have a solid state high frequency starter (AFAIK, no more gaps to adjust) which also means you have full control over the start sequence.  I see the Lincoln inverter TIGs have similar controls now.The same welders that Miller gave Blue Lightning, also got more waveforms.  Personally never had a need to switch from the basic square-wave (as opposed to advanced square wave).  I guess its just another tool in your arsenal.  Lincoln again has similar.Con Fuse!Miller Dynasty 350Millermatic 350P-Spoolmatic 30AMiller Multimatic 200Hypertherm PowerMax 1000G3Miller Maxstar 200DX