Recommendation for tig welder

[Brno8x57]

I know this is asked a lot but that itself makes searches hard.

I am restoring my old Porsche 914, and have rust repair and body panel surgery in my future, months away. About a year ago and based on advice from here I started learning to weld using junkyard car hoods and doors. Mostly tig using a friends miller that he has in his shop.
I would now like to get something for myself and would like to get recommendations. I also would like a plasma torch, either combination or separate. I’ve used one a few times and they look like they really make the work so much easier.

I would like to keep the welder setup under $1000. No aluminum, maximum steel thickness would be 1/4. Mostly 914 body panels and angle iron for frames and such. 914 panels are very thin.
I have 240 access, 60cf empty argon tank, and large compressor. Hobby work mostly.

I saw a combination tig/plasma/stick from primeweld at a neighbors house and it looked like it was making nice welds and cuts. Pretty nice setup for $500, but the guy using it has decades of experience so it may not work for a novice like me. Model CT520DP. If you’re a member of 914world you’ll see my ad for my Bendpak 4-post.

Thoughts, models or other suggestions?

 

[HMCFab9]

Hypertherm is supposed to be the best for plasma cutters.
Miller TIG is great, Hobart is very close to a Miller

 

[Brno8x57]

Any particular model?

 

[lis2323]

.



I saw a combination tig/plasma/stick from primeweld at a neighbors house and it looked like it was making nice welds and cuts. Pretty nice setup for $500, but the guy using it has decades of experience so it may not work for a novice like me. .



Thoughts, models or other suggestions?

The general consensus is to stay away from combination welding machines that incorporates plasma cutters


However talk to your neighbor and ask his opinion. You do have that advantage.

Good luck.

 

[Brno8x57]

Why the recommendation to stay away from plasma combinations?
I’ve asked him, his recommendation was to ask guys that are doing the type of body work I need to do. He prefers the combination as his backup and portable unit, for his shop he has standalone units. He even runs it on 120 extension.
He tried to teach me oxy-acet torch but I’m too old to learn such a new art.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

O/A skills are the same as TIG skills. It's a pat your head and rub your tummy coordination thing. The big thing is practice feeding the filler rod. Eastwood has a good vid.

 

[DJ1075]

I've been looking at this htp tig welder for about a year. I'm saving this purchase until my garage and other projects are complete.
HTP Invertig-221-Welder from usaweld

 

[Brno8x57]

I see why saving up is needed. $2500

 

[bczygan]

MIG is the correct process for autobody work.

Bill

 

[lis2323]

MIG is the correct process for autobody work.

Bill

Tig would work really well but the learning curve might be a *****.

 

[man-a-fre]

I love my Lincoln precision tig 225 with optional thumb control very user friendly and trouble free.

 

[lis2323]

^^^^^^That’s a good model. [emoji106]^^^^^

I had a PT 275 I sold last summer.

 

[ZRX61]

You're planning on using TIG on 1/4in steel??

 

[ZRX61]

MIG is the correct process for autobody work.

Bill

Sometimes... other times no.

 

[lis2323]

Why the recommendation to stay away from plasma combinations?.

I have no personal experience with them as they used to be offered only on entry level machines with no track record.

There is a technical explanation for why they a poor combo but don’t ask me for details. I would assume there’s a pretty good reason why there’s not a lot of plasma combo units around when you consider they would garner a fair market share if they worked well.

I’m sure someone here with technical expertise will chime in.

 

[txvwnut]

AHP Alpha Tig, under a grand and a lotta welder for little cash.

 

[Aaron_W]

On the plasma cutter Hobart makes a light duty plasma cutter with a built in air compressor. It can cut up to 1/4" steel. I don't have a large air compressor so this one caught my attention, and it is under $800. Wish I could find more in depth reviews on it. Hypertherm makes a similar machine, heavier duty but also 3x the price.

With a budget of $1000 for a TIG I think you are looking at a used machine or Harbor Freight, Everlast, AHP etc.

There is a guy in my welding class who bought one of the orange Harbor Freight TIG / Stick welders for around $600. He would love to have the Miller Dynasty we have in class but he doesn't have $8000 to spend on a welder. He seems to be happy with the HF welder so far.

 

[cvairwerks]

The one big problem with the combo machines is that when something breaks, almost always, the machine is down til it gets fixed. Also, if you have to send it off for repairs, making the assumption that it can be done economically, you are SOL until it comes back.


Might keep you eye out for an older Miller EconTig.... Tig and stick in one.

 

[matt_i]

Might keep you eye out for an older Miller EconTig.... Tig and stick in one.

That's a good machine (air cooled torch, it has AC welding for thin stuff <=1/8"). Its how I started. My first boss at work owned it and he was upgrading and gave me a good deal, it was in pristine condition. I used it until I found a Sync 250.

Its a heavy transformer machine to lug around vs. the lunchbox inverter tigs of today but that weight means simple and long lasting to me.

 

[dnschmidt]

Alpha TiG. There is no doubt. AC/DC machine for $680. They've even improved the torch and gotten rid of the ****** footpedal they use to come with. Now that they are using the NOVA petal it's an even more exceptional deal than it's always been. Frankly using TIG on steel on cars seems stupid to me as I actually posted a thread on this. If you'e doing metal shaping it has advantages as you can hammer and dolly it as the weld is much softer than MIG but for rust repair it's damn near useless.

 

[gearhead1]

My experience on body panels is that MIG is easier. I can take one hand and push two panels close together (with a hammer or something) to make it easier to weld (no gap). I’d consider a MIG for that such as Hobart.

A couple popular lower cost TIG machines right now are AHP and Everlast.

https://ahpwelds.com/product/ahp-alphatig-201xd

https://www.everlastgenerators.com/product/tig-stick/powertig-200dv

 

[BD1]

Mig is great for auto body work with gas and Easy grind wire.
A basic 220 volt Miller AC/DC Thunderbolt or Lincoln AC/DC tombstone stick welder can be used for tig. No foot pedal but is great. We use Miller Stick welders for tig all the time welding Stainless Steel pipe.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Brno8x57]

More advice seems to be recommending mig for car restoration. Will look into it and spend more time with a mig setup.

 

[tom86951]

MIG is the tried and true autobody welder, no doubt. That said, I love my TIG for aluminum and fabricating parts. But when I needed to patch in a panel for my 944 battery box, I did use the MIG. It's the hot glue gun of metal work. With the TIG, you need a decent angle at the parts, and need room to feed the filler, and need a better line of sight on the puddle, etc. At least I do.

If you want a great beginner TIG machine -- consider the Miller Diversion series. They are pre-set with middle of the road settings and make TIG welding about as easy as it's going to get. Not the more powerful or certainly not a lot of settings, but it will get you up and running faster than more traditional TIG welders without all the intimidating knobs and buttons -- and it makes a pretty darn nice TIG bead. If/when you master that little welder, you can always graduate to something bigger and more sophisticated.

 

[Brno8x57]

Based on recommendations from 914 forums, here, and a friend who welds I am looking at Miller 141 or 211. I’m going to local welding store tomorrow, see if they have good deals.
Prefer 211, lighter and dual voltage but haven’t seen used under $1000. I’ve seen a couple of 141 used on eBay for about $700. Prefer new or used if local.
No real rush, I’ll keep an eye out

 

[BD1]

Based on recommendations from 914 forums, here, and a friend who welds I am looking at Miller 141 or 211. I’m going to local welding store tomorrow, see if they have good deals.

Prefer 211, lighter and dual voltage but haven’t seen used under $1000. I’ve seen a couple of 141 used on eBay for about $700. Prefer new or used if local.

No real rush, I’ll keep an eye out

Get a price on a package deal. Tank, wire, helmet ,whatever. Get price and ask how much for CASH IF that's a option.
I bought ALL my machines from local supplier.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[theoldwizard1]

If you really have your heart (and wallet) set on a TIG, don't overlook the AHP AlphaTIG 201XD. WAY MORE CAPABLE than what you are asking.

MIG would likely cost less (not that much) and is easier to learn/use. When MIGing thin panels, use it kind of like a TIG. Tack. Move 4"-6". Tack. Let the whole thing cool. Tack in between your tacks. Repeat.