MIG TIG combo? Need advice

[BMEdoc]

Dear Gents of garage journal,

I'm in the process of purchasing my first welder. 95% of what I will be using it for is auto body work (in the process of restoring a 1940 Packard). Sheet metal will be the vast majority of the work load, but I may do minor welding on the frame in the future. From everything I've read, MIG is the way to go. However...

I'd like to have the option to TIG as well, as I learn more about welding. That said, I don't really want to buy a separate TIG. Has anybody here used one of the mulitprocess welders out there? I was looking at two specifically, the Themal Arc Fabricator 181, (which has received great reviews, and is my top choice at the moment), or the Northern Tool Hybrid, which I haven't heard much about.

I really like the concept of a single unit that can do it all. However, I'm also concerned because it does it all. Is this one of those cases where the product can do a whole lot of different things, but not really do any of them very well?

I'd love to hear some feedback... you guys are the best!

 

[jeff g]

Hi
the tig side is not very good, but the price is low.
in the uk the cost would be a lot higher.
jeff

 

[lametec]

Most combo units have DC only on the TIG and stick. Such is also the case with the Fabricator 181. You need AC to TIG weld aluminum.

If you're only going to weld steel, then a combo unit might fit your needs.

 

[rsanter]

I have used that thermal arc and overall was very impressed for the price
The tig side is for steel only DC.
You could do aluminum with it I suppose but it would likely be a crappy weld

Overall I like the miller units with the auto set feature best right now and the diversion is great

Bob

 

[BMEdoc]

Thanks guys..

I am not overly concerned with not being able to TIG aluminium. With the addition of the spool gun (offered by both of them), I should be able to MIG aluminium. That said, I'm not sure that I'd ever need it, since almost everything I'm doing will be steel.

I was considering one of the Millers with autoset, or even just a small Lincoln until I found these. I'm really liking the idea of the Fabricator 181.

Bob, you said that you were very impressed for the price... Did you have any complaints about the system? Any glaring issues with it that I should know about? Would this be a reasonably good unit for a first time welder who's teaching himself?

Thanks again guys...

 

[dttheliman]

Hope y'all don't have requirements to do a lot of continuous welds both the welders linked in the OP have very low duty cycle's , just saying that could be a pain, and you will need AC if you want to tig aluminum

 

[buening]

Here is a decent review: http://weldingmachinereview.com/thermal-arc-fabricator-181i-multi-process-welder/

A little bit of positive discussion: http://weldingweb.com/showthread.php?t=60389

They are made in China, but for the price you can't really expect them to be made here. I too am considering this welder.

 

[buening]

Hope y'all don't have requirements to do a lot of continuous welds both the welders linked in the OP have very low duty cycle's , just saying that could be a pain, and you will need AC if you want to tig aluminum

A Miller 211 has the same 30% duty cycle as this welder, for the size I think this one has the same duty cycles as others in it's class.

 

[rsanter]

I welded with the miller 211 and the thermal arc at the same event, I think the miller was a smoother feed and I really liked the auto set feature.
The tig did very well too but I thinknI like the diversion a little better

For the price itnis a bargain to be ablemto do both but for me welding aluminum is important

These newer inverter based machines are awesome

Bob