Cheap small TIG welder

[fordmustang1984]

Does anyone have a recomendation for a small tig welder (220amps) that costs under $1000? I have seen several on ebay, and have wondered if any of them are any good? I would be welding mostly steel, and maybe aluminum.

 

[caper150]

Not sure how the quality is on these but the price is right.
http://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-s-ac-dc-tig-200-welder.html

 

[mike13u]

The Miller Diversion and the Hobart EZ TIG are both right at about $1200 delivered. Thats $200 more than you want to spend right now but it will be a lifetime of "Im glad i spent the $200" when comparing those to most of the sub $1000 machines available.

 

[BigSteve63]

You might check with your local welding supply. I was looking for a tig worth the money and one of the LWS here had a couple in on consignment. Also, keep checking eBay and CL in your area. I wound up buying a little used Precision tig 185 for $600. Great machine, if I can just figure out how to use it!

 

[rsanter]

if those cheapies are a 'scratch start' unit then all the are are an arc welder

you can tig with a basic arc welder by adding a TIG torch and regulator

bob

 

[OccupantRJ]

if those cheapies are a 'scratch start' unit then all the are are an arc welder

you can tig with a basic arc welder by adding a TIG torch and regulator

bob

Like this, for steels only, unless you use a high frequency converter with it.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=65000

 

[CKC]

A new machine under 1K will be something made offshore, Friend of mine has an Everlast 200 seems to do everything he needs, does all the Tig Welding for the shop he works at, and its paid for itself.

I have a Miller Diversion 180 myself, and just would not buy one of the offshore brands.

 

[fordmustang1984]

The ebay ones i was looking at were HF start. These in particular-
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-50-AMP-PLAM...80326396654?pt=BI_Welders&hash=item588d3842ee
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-3in1-50A-PL...30543733350?pt=BI_Welders&hash=item4cf5f11a66
http://cgi.ebay.com/LOTOS-NEW-3-in-...60756182021?pt=BI_Welders&hash=item3cb6479405
Mostly because i am working with 220v single phase power. The miller i saw was this one- http://www.millerwelds.com/products/tig/product.php?model=M00325

 

[6530]

I didn't think there was such a thing as a cheap small TIG welder.

 

[CKC]

Their is! you just would not want it.

 

[1930case]

Countless miles of carbon and stainless pipeline and and nuclear reactor piping are welded with scratch-start DC TIG.

http://weldingweb.com/showthread.php?t=38106

Learn that way first, then buy the most powerful purpose-built TIG machine you can afford later. We taught many successful students that way (until state budget cuts killed our funding) using Idealarc 250 transformer power sources.

You can get a new Hobart AC/DC Stickmate and a new scratch-start TIG setup very reasonably, and have stick and DC TIG capability in a solid package for under a grand that will last for many years.

The scratch-start setup can be connected to ANY other appropriate stick or TIG machine as it merely clips to the stinger (or you can bolt a lug to the terminal ring and connect it to a Dinse or Tweco quick connector with a few inches of cable).

 

[fordmustang1984]

Im going to talk to my grandfather later this week. I am thinking I will go for the Miller 165.

 

[Mr-Sleeper-34]

First post on the board, I hope to learn a few things about tig welding as I want to build my on custom manifold.

I didn't think there was such a thing as a cheap small TIG welder.

^On something like this, I would definitely would not won't to cheap out.

Their is! you just would not want it.

^Exactly.

 

[fordmustang1984]

Welcome, and yes, i have become aware of that after looking at the things i will be working on.