Beginner tig machine

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What would be a good inexpensive tig machine for a beginner to learn the art of tig welding? I have been looking at a lot of them on line from the millers all the way down to the china ones.Will   Supports Autism Awareness                            My ToysBobCat 225 PLusMillermatic 130Miller Spectrum 300 CutmateEverlast Power Tig 185 Micro April is Autism Month .
Reply:I would go with a Miller maxstar 150sth for steel only or a Synch 200 if you need to learn al. as well.  Next step up is an Arcmaster 185 from Thermal Dynamics.  While it's predecessor was a heck of a good deal the Arcmaster is still the most bang for the buck in the 185-200 amp ac/dc class tigs.  That said the price increases make it much nearer the price of a Dynasty you will still save enough to buy your bottle and extra supplies while still leaving enough to take the SWMBO to dinner.  $500 diff to be more exact.If you can't afford a maxstar that leaves the Chi-con junque or other off brand imports.Last but not least you can get a tig torch and regulator hooked to a dc buzzbox or other stick welder, a bottle of argon and a regulator and do scratch start tig.DennisThermal Arc 185-TSWMillermatic Challenger 172VictorO/AAtlas Craftsman 12 by 24 LatheEsab PCM-875Wholesalem Tool Mill-Drill
Reply:I agree with tailshaft. I have the liftstart version of the maxstar 150. I Have a dynasty 200 at my disposal at a shop I work at. I feel the 150 is a decent rig, I do SS and 4130 truck parts with it, it works well. I like the dynasty more, but it is much more expensive. The maxstar is a good machine, and will teach you to move quick with the rod& torch, and it will teach you the basics just fine. I don't like the action of some other small tig welders. Some are really dissapointing, not worth the headaches. If you do learn to use one pretty well, you will be one hell of a welder when you get on a really good machine.
Reply:Don't know about specific machines because mine is over 30 years old but it has lots of power.  Power is prime real estate in a welding machine, especially with aluminum.  I would go with a brand name like Miller or Lincoln and the most powerful machine you can afford.  250 amps minimum.
Reply:Originally Posted by Tailshaft56I would go with a Miller maxstar 150sth for steel only or a Synch 200 if you need to learn al. as well.  Next step up is an Arcmaster 185 from Thermal Dynamics.  While it's predecessor was a heck of a good deal the Arcmaster is still the most bang for the buck in the 185-200 amp ac/dc class tigs.  That said the price increases make it much nearer the price of a Dynasty you will still save enough to buy your bottle and extra supplies while still leaving enough to take the SWMBO to dinner.  $500 diff to be more exact.
Reply:scott congrats on the new tig, welder are like car people some like only one brand and some like them all i got the 205 and love it i looked at the arcmasterbut beening that it is an 220V only i got the 205 .i think we all have machines that we like or will use if thats all there is and one's that would not use if it was the last one on the planet so no flame have fun with it and post some weldsChuckASME Pressure Vessel welder
Reply:If you have any desire to learn how to weld aluminum the Maxstar may not be the best machine for you. The Sync 200 would be a great machine to learn on but it is little more expensive than the Max 150sth. Great machine though.
Reply:Originally Posted by chopper5scott congrats on the new tig, welder are like car people some like only one brand and some like them all i got the 205 and love it i looked at the arcmasterbut beening that it is an 220V only i got the 205 .i think we all have machines that we like or will use if thats all there is and one's that would not use if it was the last one on the planet so no flame have fun with it and post some welds
Reply:I was looking at the maxstar 150. All my machines are miller and I like there products alot and thats why I am leaning towards the maxstar or the econotig. But the maxstar is more in my price range for now.Will   Supports Autism Awareness                            My ToysBobCat 225 PLusMillermatic 130Miller Spectrum 300 CutmateEverlast Power Tig 185 Micro April is Autism Month .
Reply:you wont like the econotig i got one at work it's not a good machineChuckASME Pressure Vessel welder
Reply:So go with the maxstar 150 ?Will   Supports Autism Awareness                            My ToysBobCat 225 PLusMillermatic 130Miller Spectrum 300 CutmateEverlast Power Tig 185 Micro April is Autism Month .
Reply:If your not planning on doing aluminum than that would be a good machine to start on. But would you want to buy a machine twice, because you max out the limits of the machine? If the machine is perfect for what y ou are going to use it for than I say, go for it... Cant go whrong with the maxstar...
Reply:Originally Posted by SteelwillSo go with the maxstar 150 ?
Reply:Tailshaft mentioned a going with a buzz box and adding a tig setup.I don't think this recommendation should be overlooked. You might spend $1000.00-1500.00 for a Maxstar to learn, then decide you want to do some aluminum.  Then you will need to spend another $2000+.I recently had to do a lot of tig welding for a job.  I used a Thermal Arc Dragster 80. I was doing 1/8" mild steel.  It is by no means ideal, but it will tig and you will learn.  Scratch start can be frustrating, no doubt.  I start it on a peice of copper.  You can find the TA85 dragsters for around $400 with tig setup.By the way what is "inexpensive"?
Reply:anyone have links to pictures of buzz box tig? have heard guys talk of this but have never seen it.
Reply:I have an EconoTIG and despite what others say it's a good machine. It will do any material I throw at it. Best bang for the buck IMO. Yes, it won't do 1/2" aluminum but who is welding that thick material? Not me.John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:I was thinking about that one if I want to try aluminum I my go with that one I starting research now so I have my mind made up around income tax refund time. Because that is what I will use to buy it.Will   Supports Autism Awareness                            My ToysBobCat 225 PLusMillermatic 130Miller Spectrum 300 CutmateEverlast Power Tig 185 Micro April is Autism Month .
Reply:I bought an econotig off craig's list.  Guy was asking 700 but took 550.  Has a heavy custom aluminum cart and a tank.  Has the big ol metal foot control.  I check the serial # with miller and it was Manuf. in 1994.  Also came with a 120 tank unfortunately the tank was a rental/lease from another town so won't do me a lot of good.  The econotig Doesn't look like new but wasn't 1500 either.  Seems to work though.
Reply:That is a great deal for a Miller TIG, congratulations!John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com