Ok help me spend my money

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OK a little background first.  I have been reading this forum for a long time (look at my join date) but my first post.    I have a good stick and mig welder BUT now I need a plasma and would like to start tiging (And read I have never tigged before) but I do a bunch of small stuff that I want to look GREAT.    So I am left with the expensive stuff to buy.  I am just a hobbyist so I don't need a serious machine.  So I want to keep it as close to a grand if possible well $500 would be better... I would like to have a separate plasma and tig to make fabrication easier but can't afford that either.  So I am left with the 3 in 1 combos. Or are there any other suggestions that might meet my needs.  And which combo machine would you guys vote on.  The Longivity weldall 160P and the Everlast powermaster 164  Those are the 2 that I am looking at.  But are there any others that I might want to check out.  Thanks for the help and what a great site
Reply:If you look on the For Sale section of this forum, a member here is selling a very nice little Miller Maxstar 140 dc stick/tig welder that runs on both 110v and 220v power.  He's asking $550 and it comes with the tig torch too.  You're not going to find any kind of a quality machine at all for $500 that does both tig and plasma.  Even $500 just for a quality new tig welder is dreaming.   You may be a hobbyist, but you should at least get a machine that will be still be working several years from now, otherwise, why waste the money?  I bought a quality mig welder for $1500 17 years ago and it still works as good as the day I bought it.  It was alot of money to spend at that time but it has been worth every penny.   I've only ever had to replace one part on it and it was just a plastic piece that cracked and didn't cost much to replace.  The company that built it is still in business and sent out a replacement part right away after I called them.  That machine is my HTP.   They also make small tig welders and small plasmas.  You might want to check them out at www.htpweld.com.I have and have had other machines as well that are 20 to 25 years old that still work fine after spending many years in a manufacturing shop and parts are still available for them today too.  I would not waste my money on any cheap chinese made garbage just cause the price is low.  Save up your money and buy a tig that will last and save up some more money and buy a good plasma too.  Good things are worth waiting for.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:As a hobbist I would suggest that a plasma cutter be the last piece of equipment that you get. There's a lot of folks making a living at this without owning a plasma cutter. Of course there are exceptions but most hobbist just don't need it.I'd invest the money in booze and women rather than throw it away on a plasma.Last edited by tresi; 12-12-2009 at 01:10 PM.Tough as nails and damn near as smart
Reply:I'm also just a hobbyist like you, Speedfreak, and did a lot of homework before I bought.  If you've been reading this site since 2007, you'll know that there are some very inexpensive Chinese machines out there, and almost as many pissed off and frustrated owners with horror stories to tell.  I went with Miller for both my plasma and TIG.  Both were more than I enjoyed spending but I have confidence that they work perfectly and will for a LONG time.  AND I'll always be able to buy consumables for them and just about ANYwhere.  If "Dong-Hong-Ji Manufacturing Concern" goes out of business next week, I don't have a boat anchor.    In my opinion, there are so many variables with TIG and learning it on your own can be a very long, frustrating process- it's comforting and reassuring to have confidence in your machine and be able to rely on knowing that the machine is working perfectly and the cause of your poor welds is your own inexperience.   I was already relatively accomplished in the other processes when I bought my TIG and I think that if I went with a cheap-Chinese machine, I (and my cockiness) would have blamed my poor-quality, ugly welds on some inequity in the machine rather than myself and would have quickly given up trying to perfect my techniques.  In the beginning, having a good quality machine is mainly what gave me the determination to keep going despite consistently making crap welds.  As the saying goes, you can buy cheap tools every year or good tools ONCE.Lincoln AC225 & MigPak 140, Lincoln Magnum SpoolGun, Miller Spectrum 375-X Plasma, Syncrowave 200 TIG, Millermatic 252 MIG, Miller Digital Elite, General 7x12" horiz/vert bandsaw, 3' box/pan brake, 20 ton press, milling machine, 12x28 lathe, etc.
Reply:I guess that I do a little more that a hobbyist but I really "WANT" a plasma more than I need one.  I do a bunch of cutting on different things.  Pipes and different things.  I have a band saw and a cold chop saw and still think a Plasma would be a wise investment.  BUT anyhow.  I will look for the used stuff.  I have found a decent miller plasma for $500 also but it is the tiny one with a built in compressor.  So if I decide to build a new box blade for my neighbors tractor I will have to buy a new plasma.  I really don't like to do things more that once.  I am not in a hurry so I might just keep searching for used machines.  What are some good used machines to look for?
Reply:Hi Speed there are several domestic & import manufacturers represented in the Manufacturer's Forum! You can go to their forums and even link up to the manufacturer''s sites. In the past year the imports have made  great strides improving their machines. Since you are not going to be doing heavy or business use I would consider one of the three in one machines. Figure out what your current and future welding needs. Establish what your budget will be. Then do your research. Don't be afraid to ask the manufacturer's if they offer discounts for being a Welding Web Member, Also they are some great buys on craigslist or online welding sites like cyberweld or weldersource as well as northerntool.Co-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:Originally Posted by speedfreakI guess that I do a little more that a hobbyist but I really "WANT" a plasma more than I need one.  I do a bunch of cutting on different things.  Pipes and different things.  I have a band saw and a cold chop saw and still think a Plasma would be a wise investment.  BUT anyhow.  I will look for the used stuff.  I have found a decent miller plasma for $500 also but it is the tiny one with a built in compressor.  So if I decide to build a new box blade for my neighbors tractor I will have to buy a new plasma.  I really don't like to do things more that once.  I am not in a hurry so I might just keep searching for used machines.  What are some good used machines to look for?
Reply:sorry aquafire, dong hong ji was sold last week to flung dung...
Reply:Originally Posted by specterDon't be afraid to ask the manufacturer's if they offer discounts for being a Welding Web Member, Also they are some great buys on craigslist or online welding sites like cyberweld or weldersource as well as northerntool.
Reply:If you spend the money on quality equipmen, you won't ever run out of uses.  On top of that, miller, lincoln, and other name brands hold their value for many years should you decide to give them up at a later date.My name's not Jim....
Reply:I'm also just a hobby weldor.  I bought the Econotig.  Good machine if you know it's limitations.  I'm now saving my pennies to buy something bigger.  I'd recommend finding the machine you think you need, then buying the next size bigger.Instead of a plasma cutter, I would first get a good O/A torch.  With the proper tips the torch will cut much thicker than any affordable plasma.  It'll also be very useful for heating for bending, straightening, removing rusty bolts, brazing, etc, etc.  A torch setup and purchased tanks are probably half the price of a good plasma.  Much more bang for the buck.Dynasty200DX w/coolmate1MM210MM VintageESAB miniarc161ltsLincoln AC225Victor O/A, Smith AW1ACutmaster 81IR 2475N7.5FPRage3Jancy USA1019" SBAEAD-200LE
Reply:I agree. The O/A should be first. There is a guy on here who does amazing stuff. (Justin Boot retail sign thingy). Also as mentioned it has 101 uses. I brazed the handle back onto the next door lady's skillet. (that may payoff big wink wink).In all seriousness if you practice welding with it your eventual transition to TIG will be quick. I use mine more than I thought I would.Happy holidays to all metal manglers here.....Lincoln PowerMig 180cVictor O/ABandaids and aspirinI don't know what I don't know!?