AC/DC inverter Tig/stick

[Fender1325]

Who here owns an inverter based AC/DC Tig/stick machine?

I only mig, but these new inverter ac/DC Tig/stick machines are increasingly affordable and would round out my welding options nicely. I want AC capability so a DC only machine is out of the question.

ChuckE2009 seems to rave about the AHP alpha Tig, but I've read some pretty terrible customer service comments.

What do you guys like?

 

[drewsifer714]

I have that very machine. I can't comment on the customer service as I haven't had a single problem with it.

I like the machine a lot, but admittedly am not much of a welder. It has been easy to use, does the job, is pretty portable when to compare it to the old 200 amp transformer machines. Being able to run it on 120v is especially convenient.


I don't know what ChuckE's involvement is, maybe he gets some kind of kickback, but that doesn't mean what he said about the machine isn't true.


If you are worried about customer service, I would go find the ahp subforum on weldingweb. I read just the opposite when I was doing research prior to my purchase.


Now, I'm sure there are better/fancy machines, but they come with a fancy price tag too.

 

[bigdav160]

I like my Miller Dynasty, however my Uncle (who is a professional welder with 40 years experience) still prefers his huge transformer machine. He claims the arc is much smoother.

 

[dr_clyde]

I own 2. I have a Miller Dynasty 200DX and a Lincoln Square Wave TIG 200. Both are great machines.

The Miller is definitely a professional grade welder, and is featured and priced accordingly. I use it daily and if it died I would buy another one tomorrow.

The Lincoln I bought as a backup welder, and it lives in my Dads shop so he has something to tinker with. I've used it on jobs that require low amp stainless control and it did a very nice job. Cheap. Only $1500 out the door with all the leads and stuff.

I don't have any experience other than bad with everlast, a buddy had one and it was a total POS. He sold it and got a Miller Multimatic and an ESAB mini arc. He's a pipe fitter so he only needs DC current.

 

[Fender1325]

I'm more cost conscious, so Miller/Lincoln is out

 

[txvwnut]

AlphaTig owner here, it’s a lotta welder for a little cash. I’ve had mine for two years and it’s done everything I’ve asked of it, from thin sheet metal to aluminum cylinder heads and it’s never once let me down.

I did however have the torch head break off in the middle of a job. It is or was a flex head and I guess I either flexed it in the wrong spot or have just moved it around too much and the flex joint got weak.

 

[theoldwizard1]

ChuckE2009 seems to rave about the AHP alpha Tig, but I've read some pretty terrible customer service comments.

I have that very machine. I can't comment on the customer service as I haven't had a single problem with it.

When those machines came out several years ago, they go a lot of positive reviews by various YouTube welders. About the most negative comment was, it wasn't the best torch.

If I was in the market, I would probably buy that unit !

 

[dnschmidt]

I have the AlphaTig 200X and haven't had to deal with customer service. Having paid $680 for the damn thing if it shits the bed I really don't care. I've gotten that much out of it already. I've paid a ton more money for stuff that doesn't work. The AlphaTig 200X works and works well and is a really good stick welder to boot. If it died I'd obviously try to get some help from AHP but if they told me to screw off I'd still buy another one.

 

[kkroger]

I have a couple Alpha TIG 200X machines, One at the shop, one at the house, Quite a machine for $680 plus shipping... My Home Machine I upgraded the pedal, most craptastic thing in the box is the pedal, I put an SSC on it with 25' cable, Also put a CK20 Flex on it with a water cooler, Entire complexion of the machine changes when you have 25' leads and water cooled torch and a decent pedal. The Flowmeter is pretty nice that it comes with, the Torch Lead is heavy and somewhat stiff even though it LOOKS like a Superflex it isn't the 17 Torch is big but is a decent torch for the money. I recommend it wholeheartedly. 200Amps at 60% Duty Cycle and 150A at 100% Duty Cycle. All in all as it comes in the box it is a good machine and quite usable with a few upgrades it is AWESOME, $170 for the torch and leads, the NOVA pedal can be had for $99 on Amazon, and the Cooler can be had for $250-$280... so with a small outlay it can be a much more capable machine, I was using the air cooled at 200A (it is a 150A torch) the other day and I was getting it too hot to handle so I brought in my rig from home, I DO like that the connections on the machine are industry standard instead of smaller size like Eastwood or not like the Miller Diversion and the duty cycle is the same as a Dynasty. I like my little yeller machine.

 

[Fender1325]

Where are you guys finding it for 680? I think that's the old price

 

[kkroger]

Where are you guys finding it for 680? I think that's the old price

Amazon....
Welder
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076BSD6PG/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Pedal
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07534C15W/?tag=atomicindus08-20
CK-20 Flex 25' Torch with leads Liquid Cooled 35 Dinse connectors and 9mm QD Gas 2025FX-35D-QD from HTP (USAWELD.Com) at $175
Compatible Cooler Apparatus I got the one from HTP but it is basically the same box with a flow restriction alarm... Could probably add that if you wish... but anyway
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072WGTY6Q/?tag=atomicindus08-20

You can buy the Glycol Based Coolant from many sources... from cheap to expensive or use Automotive antifreeze, either way add an Anti Algae anti Fungal to the mix... 2 Gallons of Pre-Mix EG Antifreeze will work.

 

[Fender1325]

Cool thanks. All the Amazon ones I looked at were like over $900

 

[danscobra6]

I have a 2017 AHP that's water cooled and have owned all 3 versions. Not one single problem. 2018 version will be ordered soon. I've also owned an Everlast power pro 205
that was an excellent machine. I have and used it today an Everlast 255EXT that started out way smarter then me. This is an incredible machine for the money and is full featured enough an upgrade will never be needed. I've owned Lincoln, Miller and many others and would never consider that extra expense again. Just my opinion after 40 years of trial and
error.

 

[kkroger]

I should mention that Oleg who owns Everlast also has a hand in Longevity and AHP, his Brother in law "Owns" Longevity and his Wife is the owner of AHP... Just for Clarity. Not Good or Bad but information. Most who have had issues that I am aware of have had good luck with Customer Service. Only Upgrade I can see is power... above 200 Amps. Aside from that it is a very capable machine.

 

[txvwnut]

I can’t believe you mention longevity and ahp in the same sentence. If the two companies are related someone needs to go over the black company and beat the **** out of their customer service department. I own one the black box pos’s and it never welded out of the box and the bastards at longevity carefully waited until the warranty went out to return my calls. When they did finally return my call I was told there was nothing they could do about the expired warranty. I lit the tech guy up about how shity it was for them to do what they did and he could even verify when I first called them. He said if it would need parts I would have to send the black turd back and pay that’s when I told him I had already replaced it with a far superior welder but would still like this one fixed to even see if it could weld. Which I highly doubt.

It took about ten more phone calls of me hounding them since they initiated a conversation to get some information and troubleshooting help. It will now strike an arc with stick and run a bead but I haven’t tried tig with it yet as the all in one cable hose setup they have has rotted and you can’t get gas to the torch.

 

[danscobra6]

I can’t believe you mention longevity and ahp in the same sentence. If the two companies are related someone needs to go over the black company and beat the **** out of their customer service department. I own one the black box pos’s and it never welded out of the box and the bastards at longevity carefully waited until the warranty went out to return my calls. When they did finally return my call I was told there was nothing they could do about the expired warranty. I lit the tech guy up about how shity it was for them to do what they did and he could even verify when I first called them. He said if it would need parts I would have to send the black turd back and pay that’s when I told him I had already replaced it with a far superior welder but would still like this one fixed to even see if it could weld. Which I highly doubt.

It took about ten more phone calls of me hounding them since they initiated a conversation to get some information and troubleshooting help. It will now strike an arc with stick and run a bead but I haven’t tried tig with it yet as the all in one cable hose setup they have has rotted and you can’t get gas to the torch.

Just to clarify, it didn't work out of the box? They do have a 3 year warranty and it took them until it expired to call you???

 

[txvwnut]

It’s supposed to be a three year warranty... until you call for warranty repair then it’s ignore you till it expires, and yes it would not weld out of the box. It actually ended up being the high frequency contacts being not properly adjusted and with this being my first tig with that feature I didn’t know what to look for until they finally made contact with me.

 

[Fender1325]

It’s supposed to be a three year warranty... until you call for warranty repair then it’s ignore you till it expires, and yes it would not weld out of the box. It actually ended up being the high frequency contacts being not properly adjusted and with this being my first tig with that feature I didn’t know what to look for until they finally made contact with me.

Is this regarding longevity or ahp?

 

[Mike.ASC]

I have a HTP Invertig221. I bought it in July 2014 and have used it almost everyday since without any problems. The customer service (calls with questions and ordering consumables) has been great. Usually they have a "Black Friday" sale every year.

 

[txvwnut]

Is this regarding longevity or ahp?

Longevity

 

[kkroger]

I have a HTP Invertig221. I bought it in July 2014 and have used it almost everyday since without any problems. The customer service (calls with questions and ordering consumables) has been great. Usually they have a "Black Friday" sale every year.

Black Friday deals are already on their webpage USAweld.com

The InverTIG will be my next machine.

 

[dogdog]

For Tig welder, I would go with Miller or Lincoln, but I did order a connector from HTP to fit the Miller Dynasty 200DX and the quality, customer service is great.

 

[Fender1325]

I have a HTP Invertig221. I bought it in July 2014 and have used it almost everyday since without any problems. The customer service (calls with questions and ordering consumables) has been great. Usually they have a "Black Friday" sale every year.

If I was going to spend $2k+ then I'd hope customer service was great. If I had that budget I'd just get a Miller. I already ruled them out due to budget.

 

[kkroger]

If I was going to spend $2k+ then I'd hope customer service was great. If I had that budget I'd just get a Miller. I already ruled them out due to budget.

Even the lowest cost Least featured Miller is over 2k, and you can't just swap out torches, you have to get inside the damned box to do that. The Invertig is a good to great machine though. HTP has been around a long time, the machine is made in Europe I believe and it offers a lot of features but the AHP is a pretty damned good bargain.

 

[theoldwizard1]

What I find interesting about invert TIGs, like AlphTIG 2000 is that most (all ?) of the additional functionality is actually performed by SOFTWARE in the controller. Sure there a bunch more knobs and maybe the display is a bit more complex and those things do cost $$$ for every unit.

With software, you pay the programmer once and that is it (assuming the contract says the company owns the code). Every unit you sell, reduces the cost out of pocket to produce the code.


Segue - Ever drive a Ford built between about 1978 and early 2000s ? You have a piece of me inside the PCM !

 

[dnschmidt]

HTP's welders offer a ton more features than any comparably priced Miller or Lincoln and they are made in Italy by an extremely well respected European company called STEL not in Mexico as most of the lower end Lincoln's are. I've said it before and I'll repeat myself: for the money HTP can't be beat.

 

[225]

I've been TIG shopping. I think I'm gonna go with the HTP 221 also. Not one bad review. EVER.

Here is a good video on them.

But it's $2400, so not cheap.

 

[zmotorsports]

I've had my Miller Dynasty 300DX for nearly 12 years now and it has performed flawlessly. Great machine, but not inexpensive by any means. I would purchase another one in a heartbeat.

 

[Loscaldazar]

I should mention that Oleg who owns Everlast also has a hand in Longevity and AHP, his Brother in law "Owns" Longevity and his Wife is the owner of AHP... Just for Clarity. Not Good or Bad but information. Most who have had issues that I am aware of have had good luck with Customer Service. Only Upgrade I can see is power... above 200 Amps. Aside from that it is a very capable machine.

Longevity and Everlast are not as close as you make it seem. The owners of Everlast and Longevity HATE each other, despite being distantly related (I believe that relation is further apart than just brother-in-law). I'm on another forum where the two companies used to constantly go at each other accusing each other of stealing designs, ripping off marketing language, advertising, etc. What remains of those threads and publicly posted emails are great to read, but Oleg certainly does not have a hand in Longevity. They definitely do not work together or help each other in anyway.

Everlast and AHP are basically one though. AHP is to Everlast as Hobart is to Miller.

Just another clarifying post, I'll let others draw the conclusions they want from it.

As far as my recommendation, the HTP (not AHP, two different companies ) Invertig 221 is the best TIG around that amperage. Most of the settings are pointless for a beginner, but once you start getting the hang of it, the additional features are really, really, really, really cool and useful.

 

[kkroger]

Longevity and Everlast are not as close as you make it seem. The owners of Everlast and Longevity HATE each other, despite being distantly related (I believe that relation is further apart than just brother-in-law). I'm on another forum where the two companies used to constantly go at each other accusing each other of stealing designs, ripping off marketing language, advertising, etc. What remains of those threads and publicly posted emails are great to read, but Oleg certainly does not have a hand in Longevity. They definitely do not work together or help each other in anyway.

Everlast and AHP are basically one though. AHP is to Everlast as Hobart is to Miller.

Just another clarifying post, I'll let others draw the conclusions they want from it.

As far as my recommendation, the HTP (not AHP, two different companies ) Invertig 221 is the best TIG around that amperage. Most of the settings are pointless for a beginner, but once you start getting the hang of it, the additional features are really, really, really, really cool and useful.

I don't care, no dog in the fight, but all three most definitely ARE related. The HTP machine is a damned nice box even for it's money but the AHP is hard to beat. Like I say the HTP will be my next TIG machine most likely.

 

[DerekV]

Currently saving for an HTP 221 myself. I'd love a Dynasty, but the HTP is at a much better price point for the same if not better quality.

The AHP seems like a good value though.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I've been TIG shopping. I think I'm gonna go with the HTP 221 also. Not one bad review. EVER.

Here is a good video on them.

But it's $2400, so not cheap.

More than THREE TIMES the price of an AlphaTIG 2000 !

 

[GarageGuy89]

Had the AHP for almost 2 years now. The ac/dc, pulse, pedal, etc etc etc options you get with that little machine cannot be beat by for the price by anything else. Not even close.

Can't speak for the quality vs a Miller or what not, but you're not paying for commercial 100% duty cycle machine here, so don't expect it out of the box. There is a fab guy on youtube who makes custom aloominumb mustang intake parts or something, and he uses the ahp for the whole job and has nothing bad to say about it.

I mostly use stick since it so simple and easy for a fix here and there, only pull out tig for the thin stuff. I have fixed parts and pieces that have accumulated to well over the $700 purchase price for this thing in the past two years, so it has done everything I needed it to.

I probably only bring it out 5-6 times a year so take that with a grain of salt. Have lots of toys so I needed something with a lot of different options and the AHP has and hopefully will continue to fit the bill.

 

[pennsylvaniaboy]

Amazon....
Welder
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076BSD6PG/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Pedal
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07534C15W/?tag=atomicindus08-20
CK-20 Flex 25' Torch with leads Liquid Cooled 35 Dinse connectors and 9mm QD Gas 2025FX-35D-QD from HTP (USAWELD.Com) at $175
Compatible Cooler Apparatus I got the one from HTP but it is basically the same box with a flow restriction alarm... Could probably add that if you wish... but anyway
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072WGTY6Q/?tag=atomicindus08-20

You can buy the Glycol Based Coolant from many sources... from cheap to expensive or use Automotive antifreeze, either way add an Anti Algae anti Fungal to the mix... 2 Gallons of Pre-Mix EG Antifreeze will work.

according to the description it comes with the pedal?

 

[kkroger]

according to the description it comes with the pedal?

Yes, Yes it DOES but not THAT pedal...

The NOVA PEdal I linked to is like this one...

TIG Welding is mostly about comfort and control, if you can't get comfortable or maintain positive control then your quality will suffer, the existing pedal is kinda crappy... Difficult to use, keep track of, keep indexed with while in use...
The SSC, Nova and some other pedals are a lot easier and if you add the SSC/HTP Heel rest to it it is even BETTER... small price to pay for better equipment, the Torch and Cooler are upgrades too. Maybe it won't matter to YOU I just put the links there for others.