TIG recommendations

[ckpitt55]

I'm eventually going to be needing a TIG for some exhaust header fabrication on an engine swap I'm doing. It needs to be able to handle 1/4" thickness also, as that's what I think I'll be making the motor / trans mounts out of. My MIG is a Hobart 140 which I don't think would have the penetration with thicker stuff, so with the TIG I'd like something that has a bit more capacity.

Can anyone recommend a solid machine that doesn't cost a fortune? I'd also consider buying used - what machines would you look for?

Thanks for the help.

 

[Gamble]

What is a fortune?
You looking used or new?

Miller dynasty 200dx? HTP Inverter 221?

 

[Gone]

Many of the mid-range tigs will allow you to use stick with them as well. Stick will probably work better with 1/4"

If you posted this question at weldingweb.com you would probably get a lot more feedback.

 

[WILD-BILL]

Going up that thick you're gonna want something that has a water cooler.

Look into the Everlast 250 EX. If you do secide to pruchase one I would recomend upgarding the torch to a 20 series and getting the upgarde pedal as well.

I have the 225LX and love it so far. I don't care for the pedal that came with it and the upgrade is on my wish list. I did swap out the troch W/ a WP 20 and built my own cooler.

 

[5mall5nail5]

Everlast?

No way!

 

[WILD-BILL]

Everlast?

No way!

Why? He said he was looking for one that doesn't cost a fortune. Not knowing what his idea of that might be, It may be right up his alley.

For the money, it has proved to be a very capable machine.

 

[5mall5nail5]

Everlast does make a good machine for the money...


.... when they show up working. There are waaaay too many threads about people receiving DOA units or units that, though they work, are not putting out even 1/10 the current they should and then if you read Everlast warranty info the burden is on you to ship the product back to them... if they even decide to warrant it. Sorry but that's ridiculous. There comes a point where the dollar saved up front eats you away out back. Shipping even one of the smallest TIG machines back is going to cost you an arm and leg... even once. There was a horror story of a guy in Alaska who was sent not one but two machines DOA and he decided to give up on Everlast.

 

[ckpitt55]

i know you get what you pay for, and don't get me wrong i'd love to have a bulletproof miller rig. it's just hard for me to justify a 3-4k setup as a hobbyist. something like the diversion 180 would be more reasonable for me but it doesnt have the thickness capability i'm going to need.

 

[WILD-BILL]

A valid point which should be weighed heavily on the decision. However, I will say that most of the threads I saw about horror stories seemed to be older ones. I may be wrong but I got the impression they were building a much better machine now then when most of those (at least that I read) were written.

I will say that I did have reason to call their support line due to an issue I was having. I thought it was just me but as it turned out the HF gap needed adjustment and it was taken care of over the phone.

It's a gamble, yes, but one fore me which so far has paid off. From the reasrch I did, the odds are now in your favor.

I would have loved to have a Miller or Lincoln but even used, a comparably equipped machine was just to far out of reach.

One must weigh all the options and make their own decision.

 

[03protege]

Why not buy two machines? Get a nicer tig and a workhorse stick welder.

I see Lincoln 225 tombstone welders for sub $150 fairly often on Cragislist. This could certainly handle your 1/4" plate and then you can get a smaller capacity high quality TIG welder.

I nearby city to me has 1 for $110 and 1 for $200(unused)

 

[rodm1]

Stay with the big names and look for one in the 250amp range.

 

[Gamble]

I second the idea of a lincoln tombstone welder for thick plate. You can get one at home depot for 299.
I love my diversion 180, but never have gone to 220v so nothing over 125amps yet. Maybe with 180 amps on 220v and some helium 1/4" may work?

 

[TF.120]

Just keep in mind the general rule is 1 amp for every .001 of material so your looking at a 250 amp machine. I've had great luck picking up welders off of Craigslist, just picked up a Hardly used miller xmt 304 for a steal.

 

[Gamble]

Just keep in mind the general rule is 1 amp for every .001 of material so your looking at a 250 amp machine. I've had great luck picking up welders off of Craigslist, just picked up a Hardly used miller xmt 304 for a steal.

Jody from weldingtipsandtricks.com says that rule goes out the window after .125

 

[5mall5nail5]

The truth is no one really TIG welds 1/4"+, they bevel and do multiple passes.

 

[Gamble]

Or bevel and weld it on each side.

 

[KenS]

Anyone had experience with a Longevity tig?

 

[jrlp]

Don't. Import tig's don't hold up most of the time. Some times they do, though. Lots of info on weldingweb. I've tigged from an xtm, my bobcat, a trailblazer, and my dynasty dx. I love the dynasty, but it required years of saving to get. It's an expensive process to learn and use. Especially when you start buying different torch setups, gas lenses for each, consumables, then factor in the more expensive tig filler, then the added fee for 1/16" stuff.. it's pricey at times. Some times you do need 200A+, you can't bevel everything!

 

[OccupantRJ]

You could try my economical tig setup from this thread. That way, you have both tig and stick capabilities for not a lot of money. These rigs were used on construction jobs for pipe welding years ago, because of the versatility in the field. Mine has served me well, and I have welded cracked auto body panels with it. AC/DC welder $350, used tig rig, $100, argon bottle, whatever you can get from your supplier.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=65000

 

[MBeaty]

One thing to consider about the everlast suggestion. On their site it is listed at about $1600 without a watercooler and with a torch that most say needs to be changed. Watercoolers are quite expensive and fully prepping out a torch with all the accessories and spare consumables is also not cheap.

If space is not a concern you could look for an older used major name Tig welder. I found a Syncrowave 250 (310 amp capability) with a watercooler, two torches, and a bunch of filler for $1500. It is probably one of the finest transformer based Tig machines made, but it is heavy and takes up quite a lot of space. A syncrowave 180 is considerable smaller but can probably be found for even less.

 

[MartyO]

I have a Lincoln Precision 275 Redipak for sale.

Here is a link: http://www.drillspot.com/products/1...75_Ready-PakREG_TIG_Welder_Kit_w_Cart_Pkg?s=1

It has 2 hours on it. It also comes with an extra gun, a bunch of consummables, and a tank. There is two years left on the warranty.

It can be set up for water cooling, but is not currently water cooled.

I am located a little outside of Atlanta.

Let me know if you are interested. I would take significantly less than what is shown as the price in the link.