If you had $2600 to spend on a welder....

[bigdav160]

I need a new welder for the shop. The boss asked how much I would need and I through out the $2600 number. Totally suprised, the money got budgeted and so now I must hurry up and buy before the money disappears.

I thinking TIG because I'll need to weld steel, aluminum and occasionally SS. This is primarily an automotive shop so it needs to weld everything from sheet metal to about 1/4 metal.

It needs to be durable as many people will need to use it, although not daily. They about distroyed a small Lincoln 110v MIG welder I bought a couple years ago.

I was hoping I could buy a Miller Dynasty TIG, but it appears I shot too low on the dollar amount.

Any other brand recommendations would be helpful.

[george4]

If it is going to be general-purpose machine with many people using it, a Miller/ Lincoln/Hobart MIG, with a gun for AL and multiple tanks should be considered.

[brianpgriset]

Miller Syncrowave 200. :thumbup:

[Monte]

For automotive use ? i would say MIG

[nismomans13]

Miller Syncrowave 200. :thumbup:


agree. but depending on your welding skills and knowledge, I would maybe pick up a Dynasty or Econotig and a 220v Mig also, this way you have everything needed. If you have limited skills, something like a Syncrowave is probably to much machine for you.

[bigdav160]

For automotive use ? i would say MIG

Already have a MIG.

Automotive use but also for building training aids and demonstration modules.

I have a 220V MIG and a econotig at home. I'm looking for something for me to use at work but also educate students in some basic welding skills. Easy to use is a plus!

[mikeyr]

TIG !!!

MIG is fine and some people even say better for automotive use because you need less experience to get a strong weld and its faster (important in a shop) but TIG is far superior if you have the experience to put down a strong weld. TIG will do much more then MIG.

I used to be a MIG snob, did not need TIG, MIG was the best, then I needed to weld a aluminum car body, yeah it can be done with MIG and a spool gun but when I saw the TIG results, I went out and learned (Lincoln welding school) TIG and I have never used the MIG since. I did keep the MIG so that friends could use it but I have not turned it on myself in 4 years. Brand does not matter just get one that you can get serviced in your area, look for the nearby welding shops and see what brand they carry and get that.

[Vicegrip]

Miller Tig if only one machine. That will give you Tig and Stick. Which one depends on finding a good used one or a new one. I move freely from Mig to Tig depending on the need.

[jaysberman]

I baught a Thermal Arck200 and love it. Cheaper than a Miller.

[Senorpablo]

The HTP Invertig 201 has a good reputation and is within your price range. The factory sells direct or consistently has eBay listings. $2395 complete with torch, etc.

http://www.htpweld.com/products/tig_welders/tig201.html

[terabyte]

The HTP Invertig 201 has a good reputation and is within your price range. The factory sells direct or consistently has eBay listings. $2395 complete with torch, etc.

http://www.htpweld.com/products/tig_welders/tig201.html

I have an Invertig 201 and I love it!

[sharkytm]

The Thermal Arc TA185ACDC is a great TIG machine. Its an inverter, so its teeny and weighs like 40 lbs. It puts out 185A, so it can handle some pretty beefy stuff. Thermal Arc machines are really nice, and if you LWS sells them, I'd buy one in a heartbeat.

[PAToyota]

A little more than that is all I paid for a used Syncrowave 250DX and a Hypertherm 1100 plasma cutter.

[Project-Z]

Lincoln Precision Tig 225. Does tig & stick. Should run you about $2000. Use the leftovers for the tank and filler materials.

[Major Ramifications]

If I had $2,600 to spend on a welder, I would pinch myself because I must be dreaming.

[mjb]

Miller Syncrowave 200. :thumbup:

I will be the third to recommend it.

[vssjim]

Lincoln Tigs are very good as listed above and there sales reps area all over the US and they have always been very helpful when I have called them with any questions.

[crashbumper]

I would get a Miller Syncrowave 200. We have several at my shop at they work incredibly well, and give you the capacity to do aluminum. We primarily use it to weld SS pipe (thick wall) for turbo manifolds.

[Underdog]

Miller Syncrowave 200. :thumbup:

I would be the fourth!:thumbup:

[riley.m]

I baught a Thermal Arck200 and love it. Cheaper than a Miller.

those little thermal arc machines are actually pretty nice,plenty of machine for an automotive shop.i use one of those over a lincoln square wave.The lincoln welds decently and it was only $1700 new ten years ago,plus another $800 for the water cooler and torch.If you call some welding supply stores,and tell them what you need,they will usually help you find something in your range.

[Vicegrip]

Used Miller 250 Tiggrunner with water cooler. Just sold in my area for under the $2600. Bad economy has pushed a lot of gear up and onto the sellers block.

[ZRX61]

Miller Syncrowave 200. :thumbup:

5th....:thumbup:
But try to find the 250 that fits the budget first, they're out there...