Need advice on TIG purchase

[Tunajoe]

Been thinking about treating myself to a new TIG welder.
2 years ago I purchased myself a Miller 211 MIG and I find myself using it all the time.
This Christmas I bought a Miller Spectrum Plasma cutter 375X. Love it!
I Have never TIG welded one time...... but Im looking for an excuse to buy one.
I have a couple of projects I could use one.

Any input on the MT200 from CK Worldwide? Looks like a decent machine.
http://www.ckworldwide.com/tig-machine.html
Also, what would be a good entry level Miller AC/DC TIG?
Looking to weld Aluminum, stainless, etc

Thanks for the help!

 

[HMCFab9]

Stick with Miller

 

[Superbec]

that ck has nice red buttons ... never heard of them

you want a miller dynasty DX , that if you're serious about tig welding

dig deep inside you, if you know you're a (sunny) weekend warrior , get a second hand transformer , will weld just fine for what you "know", actually less knobs=less stuff to go wrong, buy the biggest your electrical service will handle.

those transformers cost less then a chinese inverter and you will not loose money on it if you realise mig was just perfect for you.

 

[1950mercury]

I've been contemplating the alpha tig 200 it should do more than I need

 

[txvwnut]

IF your wanting to get into tig welding but not sure of you can do it or want to, look at the Alpha Tig200. They are a good little welder for an amazing price. I'm really surprised and pleased with mine, I can go from thin sheet metal to an aluminum cylinder head and it never misses a beat.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I've been contemplating the alpha tig 200 it should do more than I need

Probably the best bang for the buck, especially since the new model includes a better torch (one of the complaints about the old model). There are several reviews on YouTube and everyone of them is positive (except for the old torch).

 

[pi_guy]

Stay Blue...
You bought two Millers so far and your happy, why take a risk.

 

[WWShop]

Stick with Miller

Agreed. Plus Miller machines seem to hold their value so if Tig doesn't work out you should get a decent amount of money back on resale.

 

[McLean]

Tuning in to hear the outcome on this one.

I am in a similar boat and have been eyeballing the Lincoln Square Wave 200. Sounds like the chinese TIGs have solid performance, but come with crappy parts and accessories (foot pedal and/or torch). IDK about you, but I wouldn't be too stoked to buy a $700 welder just to want/need to put another $700 worth of decent accessories on it. But that's just what I've read on the internets, so take that for what it's worth.

 

[mopar440_6]

I agree with the rest of the guys that you should stick to Miller. If you could stand to do without the capability to weld aluminum, you could do what I did to get started on TIG. I found an older Miller Thunderbolt AC/DC stick welder and converted it to a "scratch-start" rig. If I bought an off the shelf TIG, I'd need the bottle, regulator, and possibly torch anyway; so the only true excess cost was the $175 for the Thunderbolt welder and I gained a cheap SMAW machine for when I need to do something uglier than my Millermatic 210 can handle. Now I've got a TIG unit that cost me less than $400 (most of that was buying a new bottle) and I can do steel and stainless while I become proficient with TIG. Once I'm convinced that I am capable and that I truly need the ability to do aluminum, then I can justify spending $2K-$10K on a fully optioned, dedicated TIG machine.

 

[My Old Tools]

I'm a Miller guy too, but the specs on that Square Wave 200 at the price point make it a nice fit for many home shops. To get similar specs you'll pay a lot more for a Miller or give up significant duty cycle.

 

[rsanter]

I agree with the rest of the guys that you should stick to Miller. If you could stand to do without the capability to weld aluminum, you could do what I did to get started on TIG. I found an older Miller Thunderbolt AC/DC stick welder and converted it to a "scratch-start" rig. If I bought an off the shelf TIG, I'd need the bottle, regulator, and possibly torch anyway; so the only true excess cost was the $175 for the Thunderbolt welder and I gained a cheap SMAW machine for when I need to do something uglier than my Millermatic 210 can handle. Now I've got a TIG unit that cost me less than $400 (most of that was buying a new bottle) and I can do steel and stainless while I become proficient with TIG. Once I'm convinced that I am capable and that I truly need the ability to do aluminum, then I can justify spending $2K-$10K on a fully optioned, dedicated TIG machine.

You can still weld aluminum with a scratch start. Lay a piece or scrap tungsten near the weld, scratch off the tungsten to prevent contamination and drag the weld over to the seam.

Bob

 

[Dohcloser]

I've had the Alpha Tig 200 for about a year now. I did get a few different torches and a real foot pedal as soon as I got it. The stock ones will probably work for most though. I'm not a professional welder but have been welding a long time. For the money the alpha can't be beat. I've also heard they have a US warehouse and handle the warranties quickly.

 

[Cryptic1911]

I just got an AHP alphatig 200x (2016 model) a few months ago, and it's been an amazing machine. It's got features that only come on machines 2-3x the price. I had been goofing around on a well used eastwood tig200, and the ahp blows it out of the water in every aspect. For $800 new, I don't think you can get a nicer machine

 

[dnschmidt]

Alpha Tig 200. For the cash it's a slam dunk. Go Warriors!!!

 

[Tunajoe]

Thanks guys!
Sounds like the Alpha TIG is the best value for the money.
I like the fact if I ever need to upgrade to a Miller, $800 won't break the bank.

Thanks again everyone

 

[NOZZLEMAN]

Don't start drinking the blue Kool-Aid & check out Lincoln's new MP210... great new machine. I have all brands... Use them every day in a workshop environment and make a living with them... don't get hung up on manufacturer