Researching 1st AC/DC TIG Welder

[goodysgotacuda]

I am looking to get an entry-level AC/DC TIG welder. I have spent a 40-50 hours using a shop's welder on Chromoly and decided that it is something I'd like to have around at home.

I am preferring new as with how many modules/control boards can be in a TIG machine, I don't want to purchase someone's problem.

My intended use is pretty light, primarily between sheet metal and 1/8" steel. Occasionally I'll find something to stick together out of aluminum, likely in the 1/8"-3/16" range. I don't have much for aluminum projects in mind, but I would like the option to be able to stick it together.


Features I'm interested in:

• 220v is available
• Foot pedal is a must
• Pre/Post gas-flow feature is nice
• Features that help a beginner with aluminum, I have not welded aluminum before.
• Size is a factor, going in a 2-car garage that already has lots of other things around.
• Budget: $1500-$1750. I'd like to keep some wiggle room to let me purchase a variety of cups/collets/tungstens/filler/argon tank/etc. Ideally I'd be setup and ready to run for the $1750
  

The machines that have popped up in my search.

Hobart - EZTIG 165i. Seems like a nice machine, but very basic in it's features/controls. ~50lbs. However, the price is right, I've found it for $1,386 shipped/no-tax.

Lincoln Square Wave 175. Machine seems to be much more equipped with features, the AC Auto Balance seems like it'd help out a new aluminum welder, like myself. There is a lot more machine here, somewhere, as it's shown as 185lbs. [+135lb over the Hobart]... It definitely goes over my intended budget at about $1900 for just the machine.

ThermalArc 186 - This machine seems to be in-between the Lincoln and Hobart. However the $200 upgrade for the foot-control pushes it to a similar price as the Lincoln.

Miller Diversion 165...this seems like the same machine as the Hobart 165i.


Have I overlooked a recommended brand/machine?

 

[Mohawk Dave]

My buddy has a ??? $12,000 Miller Tig machine, wins the Lincoln and Miller weld off contests, builds badass stuff -Roy Tomkins.

I want a Tig at home but don't have $12k. lol. He told me to go with the Miller Diversion. He's used it and said you can't beat the bang for the buck.

I'm sure others will have more input, of course.

 

[Goldhawg]

I am going to pull the trigger on the Miller Syncrowave 210 on Monday's Zoro flash sale. Its more than you need, but if they come w/40% off (possible) it will be just at the high end of your budget @ <$1800. I think a hobbyist would never need to upgrade from this machine.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=273975
http://www.zoro.com/i/G7450274/

 

[Mstrfxit12]

I have got a Miller Diversion 180. I know its a touch out of your budget but it does give you a little more power than the 165 and also gives you the 110V capability for portability. It has worked well for my needs( little fab projects, repairs, etc). I would definitely recommend it for what you said your needs were....

 

[Cope]

I have a Longevity Tigweld 200EX. It is made in the same factory as the Thermal Arc 186, but has a slightly different panel layout. They now have a 250 amp EX as well. One of the members at welding web has both machines and prefers the Longevity. AHP also has some good machines.

 

[pat g]

After months of research i just purchases a HTP invertig 221 and could not be more pleased . It welds aluminum like butter . I could not find a negative review of this machine and was all set to buy a TA 186 , very pleased with my choice

http://www.usaweld.com/TIG-Welders-s/26.htm

 

[goodysgotacuda]

I am going to pull the trigger on the Miller Syncrowave 210 on Monday's Zoro flash sale. Its more than you need, but if they come w/40% off (possible) it will be just at the high end of your budget @ <$1800. I think a hobbyist would never need to upgrade from this machine.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=273975
http://www.zoro.com/i/G7450274/

I might have to wait until the next Flash sale if I went that route, seems like a very nice machine if they really do 40% off that.

I have got a Miller Diversion 180. I know its a touch out of your budget but it does give you a little more power than the 165 and also gives you the 110V capability for portability. It has worked well for my needs( little fab projects, repairs, etc). I would definitely recommend it for what you said your needs were....

The dual voltage isn't much of a selling factor for me, it looks like it goes up 15a and you get a digital readout from it. Have you welded much aluminum with the D180?

I have a Longevity Tigweld 200EX. It is made in the same factory as the Thermal Arc 186, but has a slightly different panel layout. They now have a 250 amp EX as well. One of the members at welding web has both machines and prefers the Longevity. AHP also has some good machines.

Thanks, I will check into that model.

 

[WILD-BILL]

Goody, Check out the Everlast line of welders. I have the 225 LX and have been very happy with it.

The 250EX is slightlty more but has better pulse control as well as AC freq conrtrol.

Mine sits on a HF welding cart and doesn't take up much room at all.

 

[WhoWhatNow]

I might have to wait until the next Flash sale if I went that route, seems like a very nice machine if they really do 40% off that.






.

You only have to wait until tomorrow for the next flash sale. Keep checking the Zoro thread posted above.

 

[dr_clyde]

For aluminum work you definitely want at least 200 amps. Anything less and you're just chasing your tail. This ensures enough grunt to actually get penetration and the duty cycle to keep up.

Personally I have a miller dynasty but that's out of your price range.

None of the inverter features make it easier to learn to weld per-se. They just make it easier to tailor the arc to a specific shape. We've gotten spoiled by all these tiny little boxes, but guys were welding for decades with the transformer rectifier machines just fine. Hard to beat them for cost versus output and reliability. I learned to TIG aluminum on a Syncrowave 351. Wish I had one to augment my dynasty.

If I was you, I would look for a used Miller Syncrowave. They are bulletproof, reliable and fit your price range. Other good machines in this range are the Lincoln square wave TIG and the Hobart Tigwave.

 

[youngnstudly]

I "cut my teeth" on Miller and Lincoln tig welders, but when it actually came time to make the purchase for myself, I went with Everlast. I didn't want to buy a used welder.

I did almost a year of reviewing and checking every forum out there, and to me, Everlast had the best warranty and reviews. Miller and Lincoln were simply out of my price range...plus I won $500 in Everlast "green bucks", so that was a factor.

Jody at weldingtipandtricks.com was the main deciding factor for me going with Everlast in the first place, since he comes up with decent, unbiased, and comprehensive reviews of MANY welder brands, not just "this" or "that" brand.

I have the Everlast PowerTig 250EX, but I originally bought the little 160STH since I was still a little "leary" of buying a Chinese welder. Both welders work awesome. If you're only doing light aluminum work, you could probably get by with 185-200amp tig with a simple aircooled torch.

I use the hot plate shown to preheat heavy items so I don't have to push the limits of my 200 amp A/C torch (I need a water cooler!).

My 2 cents.

Andy

 

[zkling]

For aluminum work you definitely want at least 200 amps. Anything less and you're just chasing your tail. This ensures enough grunt to actually get penetration and the duty cycle to keep up.

Personally I have a miller dynasty but that's out of your price range.

None of the inverter features make it easier to learn to weld per-se. They just make it easier to tailor the arc to a specific shape. We've gotten spoiled by all these tiny little boxes, but guys were welding for decades with the transformer rectifier machines just fine. Hard to beat them for cost versus output and reliability. I learned to TIG aluminum on a Syncrowave 351. Wish I had one to augment my dynasty.

If I was you, I would look for a used Miller Syncrowave. They are bulletproof, reliable and fit your price range. Other good machines in this range are the Lincoln square wave TIG and the Hobart Tigwave.

Agree 100%

I'll add, one thing I don't like about the diversion series is that you are SOL for the stick process. Which comes in handy for thicker sections or if you really need a high deposition rate to build up a section.

 

[bon3s]

Im currently looking to grab an AC/DC tig, and just cant keep coming back to the Everlast units.

Interesting thing to note about Everlast is that it is an American founded and run company, that uses overseas mfg.

Personally I will be grabbing a 225lx or 250ex at somepoint this summer (so im planning). Its hard to look past a 5yr warranty.

Since we were founded in 2004 in San Francisco, California and began operations as a small e-based generator and welder company, Everlast Power Products Inc. has evolved into a multi-national company with distributorships in many countries. As our familiar Everlast green color is rapidly showing up in many home garages, welding shops, and worksites throughout the United States and Canada, the recognition of Everlast as a house hold name in welding equipment is certain. While the Everlast name isn't as old as some of the biggest names in the welding industry, we took a huge step forward in 2008 toward being competitive in price, product performance, quality, and service when we began to work on the release of the first generation of "Power" series IGBT platform inverter welders and plasma cutters. From almost the beginning of our company, the common element we incorporated throughout all of the Everlast product line is a practical approach to product functionality. We take into consideration the operation of the unit from the user's (customer's) point of view first, and then turn the design process over to the engineers to meet the performance demands of the industry. We feel that our forward thinking approach to product design stands in contrast to some of our competitors that use engineers to design and build a product first, and afterwards try to force-fit the product to the your needs.

Another distinctive feature you'll notice about our company is our lean operating business model. We manufacture our product in modern, off-shore facilities using name brand, off-the-shelf electronic components such as Infineon, Siemens, Texas Instruments, IXYS, Intersys, International Rectifier, Toshiba, Sharp, Panasonic and others. This results in a lower purchase price for you, the customer. However, we feel it doesn't affect our ability to provide reliable products and customer support because the company itself, the inventory, customer support and product service are all fully based and staffed right here in the United States. It's true, many of the old welder companies based in the U.S.A now use at least some model of off-shore manufacturing. We don't claim this is a new idea, as this method of manufacture is being adopted and expanded by all of the United States based welder manufacturers. However, we have literally built our company from the ground up without the bloat and overhead that can double or even triple the final cost to you, the customer. This fact combined with our ever-improving product has helped to make us one of the fastest growing welder companies in the United States.

 

[youngnstudly]

Im currently looking to grab an AC/DC tig, and just cant keep coming back to the Everlast units.

Interesting thing to note about Everlast is that it is an American founded and run company, that uses overseas mfg.

Personally I will be grabbing a 225lx or 250ex at somepoint this summer (so im planning). Its hard to look past a 5yr warranty.

Oleg is the owner of the Everlast company and he really goes out of his way to treat customers right.

A lot of people will quickly dismiss their products in favor of Miller or Lincoln (for example), but it seems like more and more of the leading brands components and products are being made overseas and shipped to the American assembly plants.

Sad but true (especially for some of the prices they fetch!).

Andy

 

[theoldwizard1]

Watch this video

Longevity 160sx Vs Miller Diversion 180

 

[zkling]

Watch this video

Longevity 160sx Vs Miller Diversion 180

That guy bought the longevity just for the balance control? Talk about spending money to make up for lack of skill.

 

[theoldwizard1]

That guy bought the longevity just for the balance control? Talk about spending money to make up for lack of skill.

What are you talking about ? The Longevity was about half the price of the Miller.

For a DIYer or a very light commercial welder, Longevity and Everlast are hard to beat !

 

[rcjoy]

I got a Miller Diversion 180 as my first TIG welder, and have been very happy with it.

The amperage adjustment dial on the torch is useful when you can't use a pedal.

Also, I like that the fan only turns on when needed; it stays absolutely quiet when the machine is on but not welding.

 

[zkling]

What are you talking about ? The Longevity was about half the price of the Miller.

For a DIYer or a very light commercial welder, Longevity and Everlast are hard to beat !

Quoted from the guy's video.

" I got the longevity so I have the ability to do use the cleaning/clearance when needed since the miller doesn't have this option. "

 

[Ohmthis]

I was in the same boat as you about 4 years ago. I had it down to the miller synchrowave 200 (at the time), the Lincoln precision tig 225, and the everlasting 250. What led me away from everlast was they were having some growing pains and the newer 250 I was looking at scared me. I didn't want to have to send parts or the whole thing back. I think they have done better since then. I went with the Lincoln and I love it. It is a bigger machine, with pulse and balance. It will be out of you price range, but is one to look for used. Like the synchrowave it is a transformer machine is pretty much bullet proof and keeps it's resale. Good luck!

 

[theoldwizard1]

Interesting thing to note about Everlast is that it is an American founded and run company, that uses overseas mfg.

Overseas manufacturing CAN be good, if the product is spec'd properly and there is good quality control and quality assurance. (If you don't know the difference, look it up.)

Quality control of overseas manufactured products MUST include random inspections of the product once it is on shore !