Best bang for the buck TIG welder 2

[USAeng]

Looking at getting into TIG welding at home and wonder what some of the best bang for the buck machines are that I could get used... probably will be looking on Craigslist.

We have a Lincoln Precision Tig 185 at work which seems pretty nice... but I dont know if there is something just as good but more economical I should look at. I dont use this machine by the way... I am just getting into welding. I figured I should learn TIG because we use it here at work and I could weld aluminum at home too which could be nice.

I would like the option of running on 120/240V if possible.

I see the Dynasty 200 by miller but its pretty freakin expensive at 3000-4000 dollars!

Thanks for any opinions!

 

[MikeHalloran]

You will need AC output to weld aluminum. That pushes the price up.

Take a welding course at your local community college. Before it's over, you'll know what you want.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[Mr168]

You are more or less limited to the Lincoln Invertec and Miller Dynasty with the switched voltage options. Suck it up and pay for an extension cord to your dryer outlet, and that opens up the Thermal Arc and HTP Invertig units for around $2300 ready to run. I've got a Thermal Arc which was great until it took a dump, and now sits in their repair center in warranty limbo for the past month - something that is HEAVILY taken for granted when you experience the speed of service on Lincoln or Miller units.

 

[realsteel]

We use Miller Maxstar 150s units for light field welding and hand rail installations all the time. Rugged little unit that has worked well for us. They have other packages (such as the 150STH) that include the TIG setups. Great unit and it easily switches from 115v to 230v with a quick plug end swap.

I've personally ran this machine to test it out running E7024s and I was able to run 3-4 rods in summer heat before it needed to cool down (which it clearly tells you when it is and isn't ready to weld). Great little rig for work, even better for home use. You can probably find some of these for sale used at your local welding supply stores...best chances will be at an AirGas or NexAir.

The other I would recommend would be the Lincoln Invertec line of products, but they're a little less portable and the equipment packages are a little more expensive. That said, they are much more heavy duty than the MaxStar. We use the Invertec pack for indoor erection jobs and as a mobile stick machine on our fabrication line.

Miller's site

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/tig/maxstar_150_sth/

 

[Mr168]

Unfortunately he was looking for AC capabilities, which rules out the Maxstar line.

 

[realsteel]

Yeah, I missed that when I read it.

 

[USAeng]

The diversion 180 series from miller looks pretty affordable.

 

[Mr168]

The disappointing thing about the Diversion 180 is that it costs more than the 165, but the duty cycle stayed the same. At the top end it's something around 10%, which doesn't get you much.

For barely any more money, you can step up to a much better Synchrowave machine or a Thermal Arc/HTP. The 165 is a better value, but the Hobart EZ TIG 165 is practically the same machine, and is even cheaper, but no 120v on either.

 

[USAeng]

Thanks for the advice... I will look at those Hobart machines and the others you mentioned... first I have to get a bonus this year and then I also want to think of one or two products to make in my garage to try and make my money back on the purchase. Have a good one!

 

[ColonelSanders83]

I plan to purchase one of the Everlast Tig/Arc/Plasma Cutter machines.

My Brother has one and he swears by it. had it for 2 years trouble free and uses it weekly.

A question properly stated is a problem half solved.

Always remember, free advice is worth exactly what you pay for it!

http://www.ap-dynamics.ab.ca/

 

[ornerynorsk]

IMHO, Miller Synchrowaves are pretty sweet machines. Might be a few used machines available on Ebay or Craigs.

 

[ATSE]

Maybe I missed it, but did anyone mention the Lincoln Precision TIG 225? I expect an inverter (Invertec) to be more efficient, but it also costs about 50% more.

 

[cgwiita]

I have a Diversion 165 that is just fantastic--welds great and ready to go for about 1300 bucks. Well, add 100$ for the cable and outlet boxes for a 30 foot dryer extension cord.

 

[berkshire]

If you do not "Have" to have AC capability you can buy a chinese clone of a Miller Maxstar HF for less than $300.
I have run one on commercial work for over a year now. I bought the thing as a throw away for one job and it has surprised me by staying running.
B.E.

 

[gadkinsj]

I bought the Hobart? Econotig, thinking it would be good enough for home use. Has AC/DC output but no other features and I am disapointed with most of the work I have done with it.
Temper that with the fact that I am a mediocre tig welder to begin with, but I have done much better work when I was still in school using a high quality piece of equipment. Water Jacketed is a must if you plan on doing anything bigger than about a 1/8" weld.

 

[Mr168]

Water cooling is most certainly not a must for a weld that size. I weld frequently in the 125-150 amp range with a WP17-FV for lengthy periods. Yes, the torch gets warm, but it's certainly tolerable.

 

[gadkinsj]

Hmm. are you talking Aluminum or Steel? I can weld 1/8 pretty well with aluminum but when I tried to do something in the 1/4" range in aluminum after about 8 mins or so the torch was starting to creep and ended up being distorted.

 

[Mr168]

Amperage is amperage, regardless of what material you're welding on. It's entirely possible that Hobart provides a wimpy TIG torch with their unit, resulting in the less than stellar air cooled performance.