So, I am a high school school student that wants to get into tig in my garage. Mainly I want to teach myself how to weld with tig/stick, and weld up things like tables shelves, and aluminum rod holders, t top accessories for my boat. My budget sits at about 1200$ for the welder, argon, helmet, gloves, consumables. Right now it seems like my options are buy a new AHP unit, or look at the used market. There is a thermal arc 186 with a water cooler for 1100 on craigslist. Any other options or ideas would be appreciated.
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High School kid getting into Tig
- Thread starter Tweedz55
- Start date
dr_clyde
Well-known member
For your budget, a used welder would get you more bang for your buck.
You're gonna have 2-4 hundred in accessories, leaving you about 8-900 for a machine.
If you have the space and the power, a used Syncrowave 180 or 200 would be the best find. I have seen Syncrowave 250s from the early 90s on Craigslist for $800 bucks. Older transformer Lincoln Square Wave tigs can be had for similar money. They're very decent welders for the money.
If you really want new, a new AHP would be a good machine for you as well. A Lincoln SW TIG 200 is more money, but a very nice machine as well. They run sales for the machine for $999 occasionally.
That Thermal Arc would probably be a good machine for you, the water cooler does add some money, but they are really nice to have, especially for aluminum.
You're gonna have 2-4 hundred in accessories, leaving you about 8-900 for a machine.
If you have the space and the power, a used Syncrowave 180 or 200 would be the best find. I have seen Syncrowave 250s from the early 90s on Craigslist for $800 bucks. Older transformer Lincoln Square Wave tigs can be had for similar money. They're very decent welders for the money.
If you really want new, a new AHP would be a good machine for you as well. A Lincoln SW TIG 200 is more money, but a very nice machine as well. They run sales for the machine for $999 occasionally.
That Thermal Arc would probably be a good machine for you, the water cooler does add some money, but they are really nice to have, especially for aluminum.
RedneckWelder
Well-known member
See if you can find a used Lincoln Precision Tig 225 or similar. There are some big transformer used machines available (like Syncrowaves or even older Millers) for pretty cheap but they are huge and heavy and power hungry
DC tig isn’t too bad to get into. You can even use a stick welder that is infinitely adjustable for that if you want to go really cheap. AC for aluminum is much more expensive to get into
DC tig isn’t too bad to get into. You can even use a stick welder that is infinitely adjustable for that if you want to go really cheap. AC for aluminum is much more expensive to get into
Bretny
Well-known member
We need to know the power and amps available in your garage first. Do you want to weld aluminum?
txvwnut
Well-known member
Can't go wrong with the AHP I have one as well as many other members on here. I know of one that uses his daily in a professional fab shop. They are a lot of welder for little out of your pocket.
How big is your generator? Welders usually don't play well with generators.
How big is your generator? Welders usually don't play well with generators.
dr_clyde
Well-known member
The Thermal Arc will be supported by your LWS, and if something goes wrong, you'll be much more likely to get repair parts easily. Thermal Arc is owned by ESAB, a well recognized name in industry. Your relationship with the LWS is the important bit for service.
The AHP is designed to be as cheap as possible, borderline disposable. Yeah, some guys here are having great luck with them, but they are a cheap machine. They are intended for the occasional use hobbyist, and are built and priced accordingly. Not saying they're a bad value, its a lot of welder for the money, but don't be fooled into thinking they are anything other than a hobby welder. Set your expectations accordingly.
In the end, all equipment may fail and need service, so I buy brands that I can get parts and service for at my LWS. Way less headaches than dealing with the parent company.
The AHP is designed to be as cheap as possible, borderline disposable. Yeah, some guys here are having great luck with them, but they are a cheap machine. They are intended for the occasional use hobbyist, and are built and priced accordingly. Not saying they're a bad value, its a lot of welder for the money, but don't be fooled into thinking they are anything other than a hobby welder. Set your expectations accordingly.
In the end, all equipment may fail and need service, so I buy brands that I can get parts and service for at my LWS. Way less headaches than dealing with the parent company.
bczygan
Well-known member
How about the Eastwood?
Bill
Bill
PhantomEB
Well-known member
Check out the Hitbox 200A TiG welder from Unitweld on Amazon.
1100 CDN so should be sub 800 in USD. Squarewave, AC/DC, comes with foot pedal and all. Doubt you would ever need a better machine unless you wanted Brand name.
I don’t see any reason more so this is the one I am getting next summer.
1100 CDN so should be sub 800 in USD. Squarewave, AC/DC, comes with foot pedal and all. Doubt you would ever need a better machine unless you wanted Brand name.
I don’t see any reason more so this is the one I am getting next summer.
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