Need help selecting GTAW machine

[strutaeng]

Guys, I hope someone can offer some guidance.

I think I'm ready to try my luck with tig welding. I'm no pro, but have acquired some experience over the years doing DIY and some pretty cool structural work. My first machine was a Hobart Ironman 210 that I still own. Learned FCAW and GMAW. Feel pretty good running either. I've got a 125CF 75/25 tank for gas.

Years later I bought an older Miller Thunderbolt AC and started learning SMAW. I do okay now and eventually bought a Lincoln Idealarc to try DC, which is what I use mostly now with 6011 and 7018.

I have project that involves stainless, and would like to add ability to weld aluminum down the road, probably no thicker than 1/4". I really don't know anything about GTAW. I initially thought I could get an inverter multi-process machine, but looks like some of those don't have AC for aluminum? I think I want AC for tig? Also, space is not really an issue, so don't mind holding on to my current welders and using a dedicated tig machine.

I think the used market with the older transformer based machines is what suit my needs. I've got a 125A service panel to my garage, so I don't think power will be an issue, and neither is portability.

What are some good choices for me? I think the 200A-250A class is what I need to look into? The water cooler setup is recommended, right? Would like to stick to Lincoln, Hobart, Miller or maybe Esab. Budget is $1,500-$2,000 for the complete setup. Is that reasonable?

 

[GeoBruin]

I found a second-hand Lincoln Square Wave Tig 200 below the bottom end of your price range in excellent condition. I saw others go for not too much more. If you want to add a water cooled torch it will bring it back up in to your price range for sure. It's a good machine and works well but 1/4 aluminum is definitely the upper end of its capability.

 

[Wsidr1]

You'll need another tank for straight Argon, so keep that in mind for your budget.

There are quite a few machines from China now that are air cooled 225 amp for around $1000 or a little less. I have one of them: Primeweld 225. I've been really happy with it.

I picked it for several reasons: the adjustments are all dials, not menu driven( I figure cheaper repairs if needed after warranty); it came with a highly rated CK Worldwide flex head torch; 3yr warrantly with paid shipping both directions for repairs; 24/7 US based customer service; was under $700 then(1.5yrs ago, now about $800); high freq start.

A lot of people brag on the machines that set everything for you. I can see why. As a new to TIG guy, my learning curve has been longer than if I had gotten a menu driven system that you just enter metal type/thickness and let the machine set everything. But since I am hobby only, no problem with the longer learning curve.

Write down your priorities and shop!

 

[man-a-fre]

Lincoln precision tig 225 user friendly and trouble free. When i got mine I told them to keep the pedal and give me a slide thumb control, very glad i did never needed the pedal. If your doing alot of aluminum you'll need a water cooled machine. Lincoln Precision tig 225 is one hell of a machine .

 

[FSrepair&fabrication]

15-2000 is very reasonable, you can get the miller diversion 180 ac/dc for about $2k new. If youre looking for used try an xmt or dynasty. You could get a really nice machine for your budget.

 

[Rinspeed]

I own and prefer Miller but we have had very good luck with Lincoln at the shop. Miller and Hobart are owned by the same parent company last I knew.

 

[MJD1]

I would go with the primeweld for around 800$ and put money towards consumables, filler and cylinder.

 

[billwood437]

Just picked up the AHP alphatig201xd for less than 700. It has good reviews online. Comes with swivel torch, updated pedal, and stick leads.. I am just a home hobby guy so this will more than meet my needs. (Bottle not included)

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[Aaron_W]

Yes you want an AC / DC machine if you plan on welding aluminum.

It is not just the multi-process machines that get sold as DC only machines, so do look carefully. AC adds a significant amount to the price and it is not just the lower end machines, there are some brand name industrial class DC only machines out there.

At the $1500 or less budget you are probably going to be looking used machines or the import brands Primeweld, AHP, Everlast and the Harbor Freight Vulcan or Titanium brands which get mixed but mostly positive reviews.

If you do look at multi-process machines not only do you need to watch for DC only, but many of the lower end machines have a fairly significant add on cost to get the TIG hardware.

I have a Miller 220 which is an AC / DC multi-process machine. I am very happy with it, but I think the main benefit is the foot print. I get 3 machines in the space of 1. There is a cost benefit, but it is not large. Buying similarly capable standalone MIG and TIG machines from Miller would have cost $3600 vs $3100 at full retail.

Since you already have a MIG and a stick welder and space isn't an issue, I don't see any benefit from a multi-process machine unless you find a really good deal that happens to be mp.

 

[MoonRise]

For TIG on aluminum (or magnesium), you need AC.

For TIG on steel (plain or stainless) or anything else (except aluminum or magnesium ), that is done with DC.

So you'll need an AC/DC machine.

1/4" aluminum ***** up heat pretty well, so you'll need a machine with 200+ amps. And it's not just a matter of 'make another pass' like you can usually do with SMAW, you NEED enough amps to make the puddle.

The Lincoln SquareWave TIG200 is only 'rated' for 3/16" thick material in TIG mode. FWIW.

If you can find a working used old-school transformer AC/DC machine, that can be one option. But that would be an older used machine. Example: Miller 330 A/BP, weighs 830 lbs, is rated to put out 300 amps @ 32V and 60% duty cycle and needs a 175 A fuse at 230V input and draws 96 amps at rated output.

New machine inverters use MUCH less electricity compared to the big old transformer machines.

ex: Miller Dynasty 300. 90-110 lbs (depending on model) Draws 61 amps on single-phase 240V input power at rated output of 250 amps. Needs a 70-90 amp input circuit on single-phase 240V input power.

New machine can (depending on the machine) give you options to adjust the AC frequency (old transformer machine was just 60 Hz, no adjustment possible) and adjust the +/- AC balance (to get more or less "cleaning action" from the AC arc). And possibly have "pulse" capability.

As mentioned, TIG is done with 100% argon (ignoring possible argon-helium mixes for 'thicker' aluminum). You'll need another gas cylinder of pure argon for the TIG machine.

A steady diet of 1/4" thick material? Make sure that the torch can handle the amperage. And you'll probably want/need to go with a water-cooled torch. Which means a water cooler system. More $$$.

Pick your wants/needs. And see what options/choices fit in there.

 

[American Locomotive]

My buddy and I went halfsies on a Lincoln Squarewave TIG 200, and we've been really pleased with it. It's an AC/DC machine. I have never owned a TIG before, and within a few days I was able to weld together razor blades and aluminum soda cans.

It's really well built, and I've never managed to make it hit the duty cycle cut out yet. Including having the pedal buried to the floor for like a minute straight when I was welding a bunch of 3/16" - 1/4" steel. At that point the air-cooled torch gets too hot to hold even with gloves. But that's really, really extreme. Most of the stuff we use the machine for doesn't push it nearly that hard.

It also runs rod in stick mode like a dream. The stick mode is really basic in terms of setting, but man it welds so much nicer than the AC225 we normally use .

You can get a full-setup including tank at the upper end of your budget I think, if you shop around. The main reason we went with Lincoln vs. a cheaper machine was for the warranty and support.

 

[txvwnut]

Alpha tig, its a lotta welder for a small amount of cash.

 

[matt_i]

As everyone is going inverter, grab an older Sync 250 (DX).

You might end up with a new electrical feed, but its a lifetime machine.

 

[Farmer888]

Can't really go wrong with a older transformer lincoln precision trig 230 or miller syncrowave 250 and could find those in your budget.


I recently bought a lincoln aspect 230 ac/dc, it's a sweet machine but over your budget, but along those lines.. I seriously was looking into the square wave 200, the 200 seems like good value for the money. Consider looking at the square wave 200 from lincoln, I prefer to stay with name brand as far as welders go with tig and mig.