New Tig Welders

[grr456]

I want to relearn how to weld. I used to be able to gas weld more than 30 years ago and now want to learn to Tig weld.

The new inverter type are small and cost a lot less than the hulks of just a few years ago.

There are a couple of directions I can go:
I want an AC/DC unit for aluminum.
I've been looking for a used one but they are pretty hard to find and if you do find them, they are as much as a brand new one, so those are out.

There are a number of import square wave 200 models for about $700ish and include just about everything you need. I think Everlast and Eastwood do the most advertising, so I see those the most. For the most part they have pretty good reviews and Okay customer support.

Lincoln has a similar square wave 200 model for about $1300, which is also an import model. I assume it is about the same as the above import models, but has the Lincoln name. The Customer Support is about the same as some as the imports..

Regarding Customer Support: I would rather buy a unit from a local company just for the customer support.
I can get the Everlast from Home Depot, so I know if anything is wrong, they'll take it right back, no questions asked.....
I can get a Lincoln unit locally, but don't know where all of the welding supply dealers have all gone. 2 have gone out of business near me in Troy/Rochester Hills.

FYI - They have a $400 Harbor Freight Tig unit at work and the welder can lay down perfect beads with it and he says it is pretty decent, so I know they work.

My question is - Does anyone have any real world experience with any of the new low cost tig welders? Does anyone have any recommendations for a welder and supply house in the Rochester Hills/Troy area? I am only looking at the lower cost units and cannot afford a higher end unit. Lets keep them below $1200 to $1300....

Gary

 

[afolk83]

The nearest welding supply to us is on opdyke just north of Walton. It used to be auburn welding supply but is now a Airgas. They stock a fair amount of stuff.

 

[Beigg]

What are your intentions with the welder and do you need to stay 110v or can you support 230v/240v? If you're going to be doing this from home and the thread regarding your home's service box matters any, you might be limited to 110v. I am just guessing at that limitation.

Should you consider upping the budget 200 to 300 more, it could open the options a little but more, but more so the "higher-end" Chinese units. Personally, with the needle in a haystack local welding equipent suppliers, I'd go with mostly what ever fits the need and budget weeding out brands that may have a real flawed reputation.

200 amp ac/dc welders might not cut it for bigger aluminum tasks, at least not recommended. Spending more upfront can make the welding experience much more enjoyable and not induce bad habits.

 

[grr456]

I have a 200 amp home service box and have 220/60 amp available in my garage. I did say I am relearning to weld and this IS for home hobby and nothing industrial with no large welding in the near future. I am a full time engineer and not changing careers to become a full time welder.

I don't want to be into a welder for 2K plus accessories and find out I can't do it anymore.

What kind of welder at home do you have Beigg? I just can't afford what some of you seem have and that is why I set a welder equipment budget. Don't forget I have to get a tank and have it filled for another several hundred.

I really want opinions from people who have real world experiences with a lower cost AC/DC Tig machines, because I know what I can afford.

grr

 

[mustangmike6996]

The Eastwood and Everlast TIGs seem to be ok priced. I have heard mixed opinions about them. But for the money and your intentions, it might not be a bad choice

 

[LT1Pat]

I have a water cooled precision tig 375 (440A max) for sale for $3400, it's over your budget but it's also capable of doing thick aluminum. 200A with aluminum would only do about 3/16.

 

[Siegel1719]

I personally have a Squarewave 175 and absolutely love it. The new squarewave 200 has way more options and is priced very low. If it was me I would pick between the Everlast Powertig 185 and the squarewave 200. Honestly I would probably go with the squarewave since the warranty repairs would not require any shipping. Just drop it off and a local repair center. Bakers gas in Lincoln Park has them for $1400 but last I checked they have a 2-3 week back order.

 

[Siegel1719]

I have a water cooled precision tig 375 (440A max) for sale for $3400, it's over your budget but it's also capable of doing thick aluminum. 200A with aluminum would only do about 3/16.

FYI not entirely true, Swap your straight argon, for Helium/argon mix and 200 amps will do 1"+ aluminum.

 

[LT1Pat]

I've used 100% helium with a precision tig 225 and I don't agree, but if you can then cool. Even with helium, it was still a struggle with material half the thickness. Helium helps but it's not a replacement for having the amps you need for complete control.

200 amps @ 120hz would probably work, but I think we're talking about 60hz transformer machines.

FYI not entirely true, Swap your straight argon, for Helium/argon mix and 200 amps will do 1"+ aluminum.

 

[Siegel1719]

I've used 100% helium with a precision tig 225 and I don't agree, but if you can then cool. Even with helium, it was still a struggle with material half the thickness. Helium helps but it's not a replacement for having the amps you need for complete control.

200 amps @ 120hz would probably work, but I think we're talking about 60hz transformer machines.

I wasn't referring to using straight helium. Arc stability is HORRIBLE with straight helium. I've done DCEN aluminum with 100% helium but never AC. I use 75/25 helium/argon on a old 60hz Miller transformer unit on 3/8-1" Aluminum plate, Bar etc and other then controlling distortion due to slow travel speeds at 60hz its not really an issue. Having balance and Frequency control would make way easier though I agree with that.

 

[camaromann]

Lol. You can't weld aluminum with 100% helium in AC if that's what your saying. It has to be welded in DC. I also absolutely agree 200 amps will weld thicker then 3/16 with a usual 75h/25a mix. But to say 200amp will go 1" or more is crazy. I preheat my job I've been on for almost 2 months every day 7 days a week, to 250-300 degrees and I use 300 amps(dynasty 350). It still takes a good deal of time to get a proper puddle on 2" thick 6061 when I'm trying to fuse it with 5356 rod.

grr456 like others have mentioned the Lincoln machines are where it is at for a super reliable machine, and still need to budget. The square wave 175 would be a absolutely perfect machine for home use and car restoration/modification.

 

[derbydad276]

macomb community college has a welding program

 

[standy]

I was in your position a couple years ago. I didn't want to spend huge money on something that I wasn't sure I could use to its potential. I looked long and hard at the Thermal Arc 186, the HTP 221, and the new (at the time) Miller Syncrowave 210. Unfortunately, I had some family issues and had to spend the money elsewhere. Stormy81 just inherited a Lincoln Precision Tig 185, and I'm liking it so far. I am learning a little more each time I pick up the torch, and I have been able to do everything I have needed to with it so far. The one drawback is that it's still relatively heavy, being that it isnt an inverter machine, but the price was right. I find it really nice for precise stuff, but I'd rather use my mig on the big stuff. Maybe that will change as I learn more. Ok, I'm done rambling- my inital reason for posting was to say that you are welcome to come and try it out anytime.

 

[LT1Pat]

I welded with 100%, but it's probably why I had such a hard time! The precision tigs are awesome transformer machines. I always think of lincoln as the best in transformer and miller the best in inverter machines.

Lol. You can't weld aluminum with 100% helium in AC if that's what your saying. It has to be welded in DC. I also absolutely agree 200 amps will weld thicker then 3/16 with a usual 75h/25a mix. But to say 200amp will go 1" or more is crazy. I preheat my job I've been on for almost 2 months every day 7 days a week, to 250-300 degrees and I use 300 amps(dynasty 350). It still takes a good deal of time to get a proper puddle on 2" thick 6061 when I'm trying to fuse it with 5356 rod.

grr456 like others have mentioned the Lincoln machines are where it is at for a super reliable machine, and still need to budget. The square wave 175 would be a absolutely perfect machine for home use and car restoration/modification.

 

[Siegel1719]

Lol. You can't weld aluminum with 100% helium in AC if that's what your saying. It has to be welded in DC. I also absolutely agree 200 amps will weld thicker then 3/16 with a usual 75h/25a mix. But to say 200amp will go 1" or more is crazy. I preheat my job I've been on for almost 2 months every day 7 days a week, to 250-300 degrees and I use 300 amps(dynasty 350). It still takes a good deal of time to get a proper puddle on 2" thick 6061 when I'm trying to fuse it with 5356 rod.

grr456 like others have mentioned the Lincoln machines are where it is at for a super reliable machine, and still need to budget. The square wave 175 would be a absolutely perfect machine for home use and car restoration/modification.

Sorry when I said 200 amps(75h/25a) would do 1"+ I wasn't saying it would do 2" plate. I have had no problem doing 1" and 1.25" round stock with 200ish amps. I should of just said it will do 1" no problem.

 

[Axis]

I personally have a Longevity 200sx. Pretty basic 200 amp AC/DC tig welder. If you don't need 110 capability, there are lots more options.

The AHP, Everlast, and Eastwood, are all very similar.

 

[camaromann]

Sorry when I said 200 amps(75h/25a) would do 1"+ I wasn't saying it would do 2" plate. I have had no problem doing 1" and 1.25" round stock with 200ish amps. I should of just said it will do 1" no problem.

No problem. I could see it doing 1" plate/tube/bar after some pre heat. Or you would be there a while in the beginning waiting for it to wet out properly. I've had to weld thicker stuff and only had 200ish amps to use a lot in he past. It just always took a while to get it going good. I could set up my dynasty to wet out the surface of 1" plate with 200 amps pretty quick, but it won't dig or achieve any/proper penetration until the whole area hits around 200 degrees. What are you welding on that is 1" solid bar? And I would suppose 1" bar would be much easier than say a 1" thick 12x12 plate, due to the bar having a lot less surface area to bring up to temp.

 

[grr456]

I have a water cooled precision tig 375 (440A max) for sale for $3400, it's over your budget but it's also capable of doing thick aluminum. 200A with aluminum would only do about 3/16.

Trust me, there is nothing more I'd like than this welder. Did I tell you I don't know how to even Tig weld yet? If I could get it closer to what I am looking to spend, I'd buy it...I do have cash, you know


As far as the Longevity 200, it is priced at a little above 1K. For that money, I'd go to the The Lincoln Square Wave 200 which is $1400.

SQUARE WAVE® TIG 200 TIG WELDER

K5126-1


Top Features

• Advanced features yet easy to use
• A great TIG machine for aluminum
• TIG and stick from one power source
• Take it Everywhere, Plug in Anywhere.™

Input Power

• 120/1/60
• 230/1/60

Processes
AC/DC TIG, Stick

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The square wave 175 is $600 more than the 200......

LINCOLN SQUARE WAVE TIG 175 WELDER (K1478-5)





$1,955.00
Includes FREE Shipping!
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Once again, you can't find many used machines for a reasonable (to me) price.......
I don't see welding 1" thick aluminum in my future......Or even 1/2" thick aluminum OR steel.....

Gary

 

[DRAG-ULA]

I retired my dinosaur tig from 1959 & bought a lightly used Miller Diversion 165. It's an inverter welder, AC/DC, and is great for most of the things I do at home. There was one time I had to weld a crack in a cast aluminum intake manifold & I had to take it to work. We've got a syncrowave 350 that got it done. I'm always looking for a good deal on a used syncrowave for home because the Diversion isn't expandable, but it's a great unit for the money. You can't go wrong with Miller or Lincoln welders. I'd stay away from any imports, mainly because they might work great for a few years, but when it breaks, you might be screwed.

 

[camaromann]

Gary, there is a Lincoln precision 275 and a 375 my work acquired from a smaller company they absorbed. They will never ever get used since hardly nobody at my work can weld without a dynasty lol. I'm currently trying to buy them both. I can let you know how much money they want for them. I already low balled the hell out of them lol. Maybe they will agree to my low ball offer if I double it and take both machines.