Need a TIG welder

[brookscooper]

So,

I'm soon to start construction on my new shop. I have a MIG welder but want/need a TIG set up for a variety of tasks that will occur during and after construction.

Realistically - I'd say I'm an apprentice + with the MIG welder. I can lay a clean bead, I can create a full thickness (within the limits of the welder) coupon that when cut reveals a full thickness weld but I'm no __welder__.
Those of you who are - what brands / makes models do I WANT?
Any to really avoid?

I'll have 220v power at whatever amperage we require.

BUT - I don't want to spend $2k or so on a welder I wish I didn't own.

Any help?

 

[rsanter]

I just got a Miller Diversion
$1200
inverter machine verses the older type transformer machine

bob

 

[bradleykd]

I'd go with the syncrowave 200 from miller... It's a really nice stck/tig setup...

http://www.scottgrossstore.com/servlet/the-2261/Miller-Syncrowave-200-TIG/Detail

 

[t100]

tell us more about your tig "tasks". if you work construction and need to tig weld structural, first you need to be certified and $2000 isn't even gonna be enough for the runners. Tig isn't widely used in construction except pipe. you are better off with wire and stick.

if you never tried Tig before, it is a whole different animal, more precise. you need to know what you gonna do with it such as AC/DC, thickness, and how much you wanna spend(include tank, reg, foot pedal, even a cooler).

find a local tech school, learn the skills before you spend the money. I TA at my school on beginner Tig. I'm not an expert but everyday I do deal with people who never seen a Tig in their lives. for some, no matter how long, how hard they try, they just don't "get it". on the other hand, some others can pick it up in matter of minutes. it took me about 10 minutes to get a hang of it, but till today, I can't stick weld, just can't get it.

 

[Professur]

Where the skill set is concerned, everyone I've talked to says that O/A is the closest to TIG. Given that I don't even like lighting a propane BBQ, I can't attest to that myself. I go far outta my way to avoid acetylene.

 

[wendell]

If you have the input amps and the space, you can put a used synrowave together for REALLY shorty money.
My rig;
Syncrowave 300 w/ pulse and post flow timer
Miller foot peddle
New weldtech series 20 torch w/ sheath
micro switch on the torch for a remote contactor
airco regulator
Bernard SS chiller

Took me about three weeks to pull together all the bits from Ebay and craigslist. All wired and plumbed up for less than $1K. Deals are out there.

 

[arkangel06]

miller syncrowave 250 will suite you.

 

[Bruce4310TX]

I'd go with the syncrowave 200 from miller... It's a really nice stck/tig setup...

http://www.scottgrossstore.com/servlet/the-2261/Miller-Syncrowave-200-TIG/Detail

Il second that and get the wheel kit or build a nice cart for it, cause its heavy i think 300lbs. i love mine great machine

 

[APEowner]

I've got a Miller Syncrowave 180 (predecessor to the 200) with an air cooled torch. I'm really happy with it. I do sometimes wish I had a liquid cooled torch but for now I just take a break when the torch gets hot or switch to the MIG.

 

[IndyGarage]

I bought the Diversion also. $1200. It'll weld 3/16 steel and aluminum easily. I looked at all the old monsters at 600 lbs and the newer monsters at 250 lbs, and decided the 50lb inverter was better for me.

Everyone that hasn't used one tells me why it won't weld thick enough metal, and why it has a useless duty cycle. Well, I've got about 25 hours on it right now, and I welded 3/16 steel for 3 1/2 hours straight without much of a break, and it never shut down on me. Torch got hot, but it never shut off. Not sure I would buy it if I were a professional, but for a hobby welder it's pretty good.

Now, learning to Tig is another matter - at first I could only blow holes in metal. Then I could get something, but I would be embarrassed to show to anybody else - and just now after about 12 hours of class and 12-15 hours outside of class, can I make something that looks halfway decent. It's much trickier than Mig.

 

[35mastr]

I'd go with the syncrowave 200 from miller... It's a really nice stck/tig setup...

http://www.scottgrossstore.com/servlet/the-2261/Miller-Syncrowave-200-TIG/Detail

This is all the machine you will probably ever need. These guys have good prices also. www.cyberweld.com You may also want to check on CL or the bay for a used one and save a few bucks.

 

[cnc-me]

Get a used Miller Syncrowave.