affordable TIG welder

[RedneckWelder]

Dude do not short yourself on a good TIG welder. If you can't afford new quality units, go older like the aforementioned Synchrowave or 330A/BP. One of the best damn TIG welders I have ever seen in my life uses a 330A/BP to do absolutely beautiful fabrication work. It's the way to go if you can power the monster, and since you said you have a shop you probably do.

The Chinese Everlast might be a tolerable unit. Personally I do not feel like risking my money to find out. Lots of people like them, others do not.

The outlay for getting a worthy TIG machine and learning it won't be cheap but you will be able to make money with that machine once you get good.

 

[brucer]

check out the Thermal Arc 186


Thermal Arc are also rebranding their welding machines and changing to the Tweco brand name. 220, 300amp and 400amp ac/dc inverter machines...

 

[oldwheelieguy]

Everlast are great units. I own a 200dx.

I have the same unit, love it...especially after upgrading to a ck torch

 

[theoldwizard1]

Wonder if I can jump in here with a quick question; I am also looking for a new welder (MIG, or TIG?). I'm still using an old Craftsman stickwelder I bought in 1980.

Looking at a very clean Millermatic 180 (earlier 180 MIG with no AutoSet). No regulator, or other accy's, and he's asking 375. Is that too much for an out-of-date 180?

That is a fair amount of coin for something that could be DOA !

Make the seller buy the required items that YOU choose and show that it works. If it does work pay him the $375 and what it cost for the items he bought !!

I think there are some new machines with the regulator & hose, that can be bought for not much more.

I think you answered your own question !

 

[kf4zht]

I previously posted about running a scratch start setup. I just this past week found a Miller 330 a/bp. Picked it up with foot pedal, homemade cooler, torch, Argon tank, and a bunch of rods for $350. Was able to run it on site to make sure it worked. Best part so far is the Torch is in the same series as my air cooled, so all the consumables match up. I also now have a spare torch if the water cooled has an issue.

When I ran a test bead it worked wonderfully, very smooth, predictable arc. Hardest part of the deal is getting the 850lb monster into the basement.