I need some guidance in selecting a welder

[annoyingrob]

I've been looking to pick up a welder for a while now, but I'm completely lost as to what would be a good deal.

I want a TIG, preferrably a TIG/Plasma cutter combo if I can get one. I want one that will run on 220v, and I want to spend no more than $1000.

I work mostly on thin gauge steel, and aluminum (exhaust pipes, charge pipes, small braketry, etc), and would like to possibly get into some sheet-metal work.


I figure my best bet it to sit and watch local listings, and ebay for a decent used one to pop up, but should I be looking specifically for some brands, and staying away from others?

 

[PAToyota]

Stick to the name brands - Miller, Lincoln, Hobart, Hypertherm... If for no other reason than service and parts availability.

I picked up a Miller Syncrowave 250DX with water cooler a few years ago for just over $2K. It is a $3500~$4K machine new. Likewise, a Hypertherm 1100 plasma for $1100.

I'm thinking that you are a little on the low end of the scale unless you go for one of the import models - but then you're back to the service and support question.

 

[kvom]

The units from http://www.parkermetalworking.com/ seem to have gotten good feedback from users on pirate4x4.com. Their 40 amp dual voltage plasma/tig/stick unit (160amp for DC TIG) sells for $699 on their website, but if you call and say you are a pirate member there's a discount.

I plan to buy one of the plasma-only units once my garage build is done.

It's true that these are imports, but all of the service and warranty work is done in the USA.

 

[nissan_crawler]

I have a MiTech plasma cutter, which is the same as the parker above. It works great, not a combo unit though.

 

[PoorOwner]

You know you want a TIG so that's good but I checked all the big names need around $2000 or used not much cheaper either.
So under $1000 it's gotta be a import one!

I just visited the parker site, $699 for all that is that too good to be true? That's cheaper than the import TIG (I think TIG only machine) on Ebay.

 

[PoorOwner]

I also want to know for the Plasma-Tec who is the parts supplier, if this company is not around anymore can you still get parts from USA?

How thick on mild steel can TIG weld with 160AMP DC? Doesn't aluminum require AC, and the $699 model doesn't have AC.

 

[Wiggawam]

Not to bust your bubble but 1000 is stretching it for a good TIG unit. Wait a bit more and try to save up for a good quality unit. Also you can do aluminium with a MIG it's just more difficult. 1000 will buy you a nice MIG welder with a spool gun and gas setup.

 

[kvom]

Al required AC, so the cheaper Parker machine is not suitable for that. The $1199 unit will do AC TIG (which I have heard is really hard to do well).

 

[KenS]

If you are extremely brave, here are some entry points as alternatives to Parker that are also well within your financial wherewithal:


http://smileytools.com/displayProductDocument.hg?productId=5&categoryId=1

http://smileytools.com/displayProductDocument.hg?productId=2&categoryId=1

http://smileytools.com/displayProductDocument.hg?productId=2


Before the flames start burning, I suggest that responders first offer their own alternatives within the $1,000 parameter. The OP simply can't afford a Miller Syncrowave or Dynasty and one of these Chinese machines might be a viable beginner option. You can get the same machines cheaper on Ebay, but Smiley also stocks parts for the machines it sells and seems to enjoy fair reputation among users.

For a little over his budget, the OP could look here and maybe sleep better at night:


http://www.grizzly.com/products/h8154


Caveat emptor.