Reccomened me a Good TIG Welder

[Sharkbiteattack]

I'm inexpierced with TIG but I'm looking to buy a unit and pick up the hobby. I want a machine that is compact and can run off 120v or 240v. I have a budget of around $2000. What should I look for? Any reccomendations on accessories as well?

Sent from my SM-G920T using Tapatalk

 

[Hephaestus29]

I have zero tig experience, but I was
watching the: welding tips and tricks
channel on youtube and the guy says
if you already have a stick welder you
can make a scratch start set-up if you
buy an air cooled torch and connect
the power leads together, buy argon,
and make or buy a foot pedal I can't
remember if the foot pedal was for
disconnect or?
I wonder if you can weld aluminum with
the scratch start set up? I have a Miller
thunderbolt just like he was using in the
video.

 

[Showkey]

Eastwood.com ..........their stuff is decent quality, very good warranty at affordable prices.

I have their MIG 180 it's been perfect. Good friend has their TIG no problems. I have used his machine with excellent results but TIG skills need to practice and honed or they are quickly lost. I friend with a TIG is a good friend.

TIG is not easy and there are many variables to deal with.
If you can gas weld and you have MIG welded you have many of the skills needed to TIG but there still is a steep learning curve.

If your welding needs are stainless and aluminum then TIG is needed. There are many other choices stick, MIG and GAS welding then become proficient at those before trying to conquer TIG. You can gas weld aluminum with the right technique.......it was the way they did it before TIG. WWII aircraft was done with a lot of gas welding. It not the aluminum brazing like HF sells.

I would NOT buy a welder of any kind from HF.

 

[CNGsaves]

Do some searching on welding forum . . . . . . www.WeldingWeb.com

Lots of welding gurus there and you can search for TIG specific brands.

 

[Bobcat753]

If you can stretch your budget a little more go with the Miller Syncrowave 210. Excellent machine and can do more than TIG. Chucke2009 on youtube did a review on it.
http://store.cyberweld.com/misy21090.html

 

[KM223]

With your power requirements of 120v and 240v, compact size requirements as well as a budget of $2k I would be looking at a Miller Dynasty 200. Will do AC and DC welding as well as stick if needed.

 

[Sharkbiteattack]

If you can stretch your budget a little more go with the Miller Syncrowave 210. Excellent machine and can do more than TIG. Chucke2009 on youtube did a review on it.
http://store.cyberweld.com/misy21090.html

Looks like an awesome machine. I like how it comes integrated with a cart too.

Does anyone know if there is an advantage to using an ARC welder if you've already have a TIG? Only thing I can thing of off the top of my head is that shielding gas isn't necessary. Could be a benefit if your in the field and its windy I suppose?

 

[chillrich]

AHP Alpha tig looks good. I have Everlast Power Tig micro 185 and it works well. Miller Diversion 185 works off 120/240.
Within your budget you should be able to get a machine that will do AC/DC Tig with HF start, foot pedal and air cooled torch. If you can get all that and have money left over, look into a night class for TIG. I also picked up a gas saver lens and Pyrex cup from Weldfabulous on ebay. It allows you to see your weld pool through the cup.

 

[1950mercury]

I'd buy an alpha tig before an Eastwood. It's one of the best sub 1000.00 machines out there

 

[corrie]

Lincoln squarewave 200 is $1400. Leaves some budget for a bottle, consumables, and safety gear.
I don't have any experience with one, but it would be my choice.

 

[ibedayank]

lincoln hobart miller Esab

all of the above stock replacement parts ... do those that sell wondungchung units?

 

[txvwnut]

AHP AlphaTig 200X can't beat it for the money, plenty of welder for just a little bit of cash. I have the 2015 model and a friend of mine has the 2016 version and both of us are very pleased with our purchases.

I've welded from thin sheet metal to thick steel and aluminum cylinder heads with mine and it never missed a beat.

 

[Bobcat753]

Looks like an awesome machine. I like how it comes integrated with a cart too.

Does anyone know if there is an advantage to using an ARC welder if you've already have a TIG? Only thing I can thing of off the top of my head is that shielding gas isn't necessary. Could be a benefit if your in the field and its windy I suppose?

Arc welding or commonly known as STICK welding is used with thick steel. I use it very often out in the field and in my shop. It is also very forgiving to dirty and rusty metals. The windy aspect is still a hindrance when stick welding, a shielding gas is still being produced and blows away just like with MIG and TIG.

 

[bsaint]

The new hf dc inverter tig welder is mighty nice.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Lot's of positive reviews on thw web

AHP AlphaTIG 200X 200-Amp IGBT AC DC Tig/Stick Welder with Pulse 120V and 240V

Feature for feature, probably the best bang for the buck.

 

[Murphy4570]

Lincoln or Miller is your best bet. I have a Miller EconoTIG myself. Lighter duty 220V TIG/stick machine, obsolete nowadays. Works well for what it is. Be aware that consumables will set you back a pretty penny. Different diameter and type TIG rod, different types of tungsten, collets, back caps, diffusers, the list goes on. Buy a small fishing tackle box to organize it all and keep the steel and aluminum components separated. Just remember: Red = thoriated = steel. Green = pure = aluminum.

Be aware that if you want to weld aluminum that is anywhere near thick (above 3/16), you need a very beefy machine. Look at AC amperage output, and look at torch watercooling compatibility. All of the bigger TIG machines will use watercooled torches.

 

[Hephaestus29]

The new hf dc inverter tig welder is mighty nice.

Can you weld aluminum with the HF unit?

 

[FANTM58]

Miller diversion 180
I'm not experienced but I love this machine.
Check it out, it gets really good reviews,

 

[bsaint]

Can you weld aluminum with the HF unit?

No its DC

 

[09zkrankin]

I have the ahp alpha tig 200 and its a great machine for the money. comes with a foot pedal, regulator and hose, 17 style tig torch so consumables are not an issue, also has a stick welding lead. mine is the 2016 version and I have had zero issues with it. I usually prefer miller machines, and love my miller mig, but for right around $900 I was able to pick up the alpha tig and teach myself to use it, to get a high frequency machine in red or blue with the same features as the ahp you will be closer to 3k than 2. also the ahp has a longer warranty than my miller, miller was 3 years, ahp is 5. no I'm not affiliated with them in any way, just love my machine

 

[ZRX61]

A blue one.

 

[dr_clyde]

2 grand is used miller dynasty territory. I'd look there first.

 

[FANTM58]

The Miller Diversion 180 I mentioned earlier


I picked it up from Zoro during one of there sales for about $1700. Delivered
It will do Aluminum and all other metals and will run off 120v.

 

[joseywales]

Hijacking a bit. So the Titanium 125 at HF won’t weld aluminum?

 

[Rinspeed]

Lincoln or Miller is your best bet.

This.

 

[GeoBruin]

So Mr. John J. Miller (who is likely a bot but definitely a shill) woke up a 5 year old thread to link a fake review site full of ad links and you fellas are keeping it on the front page. Report this ****, don't pile on. Stay diligent people!

 

[bsaint]

Hijacking a bit. So the Titanium 125 at HF won’t weld aluminum?

Only if it has AC output

 

[Slednut]

This one, you don't have to upgrade the ground clamp, pedal and tourch like on blue and red and it's still made in the USA. It's also nice because the fan only runs when it's needed so on small welds it nice and quiet.

CK Worldwide TIG Welding System (MT200 AC/DC)

The MT200-AC/DC is the answer to both creativity and production driven TIG welding. This innovative TIG welding machine provides the ability to quickly and efficiently adapt to dynamic welding situations, while maintaining the quality of experience you have come to expect from CK Worldwide. *...

weldmongerstore.com

 

[Firebrick43]

Looks like an awesome machine. I like how it comes integrated with a cart too.

Does anyone know if there is an advantage to using an ARC welder if you've already have a TIG? Only thing I can thing of off the top of my head is that shielding gas isn't necessary. Could be a benefit if your in the field and its windy I suppose?

Bobcat explained it pretty well. I use stick on my machine 80% of the time. I am not thickness limited with stick. 200 amps can do any thickness of steel I want(may take multiple passes however). With tig and an air cooled torch I pretty much stop at 5/16 steel and 3/16 aluminum. If doing 1/4 inch aluminum I preheat with a torch. Above that I get the appropriate electrodes and stick it.

I have a 180 Miller synchro wave which is the predecessor of the 210. I use a 210 at work and it’s comparable. The 250 at work has a lot more features but it’s thousands more to buy as well.

I have used the foot pedal several times with stick electrodes as it helps to peg the foot pedal to get the arc started and then back off.

 

[Firebrick43]

So Mr. John J. Miller (who is likely a bot but definitely a shill) woke up a 5 year old thread to link a fake review site full of ad links and you fellas are keeping it on the front page. Report this ****, don't pile on. Stay diligent people!

****, missed that

 

[dnschmidt]

Good and cheap: PRIMWELD
Great and about $2000 = HTP Invertig

 

[GeoBruin]

You probably need to actually state your max price. Anything red or blue is going to start in the $2000 range at a minimum. If you're open to an import machine, there are probably some decent options for around a grand. I have a lincoln square wave 200 which would be a great machine for your uses it sounds like, but they're pretty expensive new. I got mine used for just over $1,000 in great shape.

 

[finn]

Good and cheap: PRIMWELD
Great and about $2000 = HTP Invertig

Listen to Schmidt. I have am HTP 201, which I think has been replaced by a dual voltage machine with marginally higher rating now, and a PRIMEWELD (225?) that cost less than $800 delivered on Black Friday. Primeweld has since released a more powerful version too, but at $1300 last I checked.

Both are good machines and make a novice look like a ******* for shelling out what Miller wants for an equivalent machine.

The Primeweld has a three year warranty that includes return shipping. I figured I could buy a new Primeweld tig machine every three years and weld well into my eighties for the premium that the Miller charges.

 

[isb cornbinder]

Anything made by MILLER is a good choice. I do not like the idea of an import welder.

 

[dnschmidt]

Anything made by MILLER is a good choice. I do not like the idea of an import welder.

What's your definition of import. HTP's welders are made by STEL in Italy and are top of the line in every respect. Don't you like Knipex pliers either?

 

[Firebrick43]

There is nothing wrong with HTP welders, they have been in business for 30 plus years now in the states and are quality machines that they stand behind.

The primeweld however, well good luck once its out of warranty with getting parts. Its a cheap Chinese welder that primeweld is just an importer of.

 

[isb cornbinder]

What's your definition of import. HTP's welders are made by STEL in Italy and are top of the line in every respect. Don't you like Knape pliers either?

I like KNIPEX. I have heard of Knape. Knape make cabinet hardware. Don't is a contraction for do not. Add, Do not you like - - - . Sounds imported.

 

[finn]

There is nothing wrong with HTP welders, they have been in business for 30 plus years now in the states and are quality machines that they stand behind. The primeweld however, well good luck once its out of warranty with getting parts. Its a cheap Chinese welder that primeweld is just an importer of

They said the same thing about HTP when Jeff started the HTP brand, it was probably 1979 or 1980. Jeff worked for me at the time..

I took a chance with my first HTP welder then. Still have it. It was an evaluation model when he was trying to decide if there was a U.S. market for 120v welders among hobbiest s, who he was marketing to. No model number on mine, but it’s 40 some years old now, and owes me nothing. At the time Jeff had essentially zero market share, and no employees.

I look at Primeweld the same way. Small company, providing what seems to be excellent service. Three year warranty. Excellent web present, very responsive, etc. Similar customer oriented business model that Jeff had when he started HTP.

If they’re gone after that and no parts, I’m out maybe four good dinners with my wife, but I used it three years. Anything more is gravy, and I don’t have $4000 ******* in a Miller. ( I do have a Miller, plus their plasma cutter, too, by the way, so I’m not hating on Miller…just don’t feel they’re a good value for someone like me.)

The same hate for imported welding equipment shows up here on imported lifts, and other tools. Must be nice to have a garage full of SnapOn, Mohawk, Miller, Deere tractors, Lexus suvs, Brand new Cummins mega cabs, Featherlight enclosed trailers, Sea Ray boats, etc. In my case, I’m not there.

 

[Firebrick43]

They said the same thing about HTP when Jeff started the HTP brand, it was probably 1979 or 1980. Jeff worked for me at the time..

I took a chance with my first HTP welder then. Still have it. It was an evaluation model when he was trying to decide if there was a U.S. market for 120v welders among hobbiest s, who he was marketing to. No model number on mine, but it’s 40 some years old now, and owes me nothing. At the time Jeff had essentially zero market share, and no employees.

I look at Primeweld the same way. Small company, providing what seems to be excellent service. Three year warranty. Excellent web present, very responsive, etc. Similar customer oriented business model that Jeff had when he started HTP.

If they’re gone after that and no parts, I’m out maybe four good dinners with my wife, but I used it three years. Anything more is gravy, and I don’t have $4000 ******* in a Miller. ( I do have a Miller, plus their plasma cutter, too, by the way, so I’m not hating on Miller…just don’t feel they’re a good value for someone like me.)

The same hate for imported welding equipment shows up here on imported lifts, and other tools. Must be nice to have a garage full of SnapOn, Mohawk, Miller, Deere tractors, Lexus suvs, Brand new Cummins mega cabs, Featherlight enclosed trailers, Sea Ray boats, etc. In my case, I’m not there.

There is a huge difference between taking a chance on a transformer based machine with simple control boards with discrete components to modern inverter based welders with SMT components. Even miller and lincoln have had less than stellar results with durability on their inverter based MP machines, but they are there for the long run and stock parts.

The Chinese players have had very bad record of supporting machines that they sold even a few years ago.

I will have to take you word on the envy of what is in others garages. I only have the miller off that list and some snap on, all bought 2nd hand. And miller tigs don't start at 4000 dollars, that is a higher end machine.

 

[dnschmidt]

They said the same thing about HTP when Jeff started the HTP brand, it was probably 1979 or 1980. Jeff worked for me at the time..

I took a chance with my first HTP welder then. Still have it. It was an evaluation model when he was trying to decide if there was a U.S. market for 120v welders among hobbiest s, who he was marketing to. No model number on mine, but it’s 40 some years old now, and owes me nothing. At the time Jeff had essentially zero market share, and no employees.

I look at Primeweld the same way. Small company, providing what seems to be excellent service. Three year warranty. Excellent web present, very responsive, etc. Similar customer oriented business model that Jeff had when he started HTP.

If they’re gone after that and no parts, I’m out maybe four good dinners with my wife, but I used it three years. Anything more is gravy, and I don’t have $4000 ******* in a Miller. ( I do have a Miller, plus their plasma cutter, too, by the way, so I’m not hating on Miller…just don’t feel they’re a good value for someone like me.)

The same hate for imported welding equipment shows up here on imported lifts, and other tools. Must be nice to have a garage full of SnapOn, Mohawk, Miller, Deere tractors, Lexus suvs, Brand new Cummins mega cabs, Featherlight enclosed trailers, Sea Ray boats, etc. In my case, I’m not there.

Not worth your breath trying to talk sense to people that don't want to hear it. Everlast is Chinese and they've been around a long time and A LOT of professional shops use them. If they're still living in the 1950's that's fine but time marches on and things change. Sadly, many people don't.