TIG Welder Recommendation

[TravisT]

I've been thinking about trying to pick up another TIG in the near future. I'm decent with it, but am self taught so I'm sure I have a bunch that I could learn. Right now, I have one of the ebay Chinese plasma/TIG combo, which works pretty well for what it is. It only welds steel, and has no foot control capability. I'd like something capable of welding aluminum, but don't want to spend a whole bunch either, since it's just for hobby welding. I'm all for buying used, but want something that will last.

I've seen so many different options on machines, and not sure which ones I need and which ones are just icing on the cake. Any recommendations?

 

[supra90turbo]

I was looking at the tig eastwood sells. Under $1k and they stand behind their products.

No real life experience with the welder though

 

[WILD-BILL]

I got an Everlast 225 lx, about a year ago and it's been great. Kinda wish I had some of the features of the 250 EX but oh well.

Welding tips and tricks did a nice series of vids on thier welders which really gave me the confidence to buy it.

I'll try and post a link when I get home later tonight.

 

[Mmfh]

If you are going to do aluminum you will need a High frequency start. Miller square wave with a cooler would be nice.

This is interesting, might be a fun read.
http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/articles/index.php?page=articles13.html

 

[TravisT]

Supra90Turbo: I haven't ever bought anything from Eastwood, but it seems that they carry some pretty good stuff. That TIG appears to be a Chinese TIG similar to the one I have (except it does both DC/AC welding). Honestly, the one I have is great for the price I paid. I mainly wanted the plasma cutter, but to get the TIG in the deal was cool for me to get some gun-time. If you decide to go for it, let us know what you think.

@Wild-Bill: I haven't really heard of everlast before, but now that you mention the videos, I think I saw a couple of them. I remembered as soon as I saw the TIGs on Everlast's website.

@Mmfh: I own a Miller 135 MIG and love it. Wish I had a bigger machine at times, but it has really done everything I have thrown at it. Would buy another blue box in a heartbeat at the right price.

I'm headed off to read your link now...

 

[welder4956]

If you are going to do aluminum you will need a High frequency start. Miller square wave with a cooler would be nice.
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For aluminum, you need alternating current with continuous high frequency. The high frequency start is for DC welding.

I agree on the Miller square wave. That is a nice machine. I have a Lincoln PrecisionTIG at home with foot control that works great on aluminum. The only downside is I don't have a water cooled torch yet.

 

[toolman1967]

I have owned several brands of welder from cheapos to Millers and I have to say that the Miller Syncowave welds GREAT. It is a bit (lot) bigger than the inverter based machines but welds from very thin to heavy with no issues. Mine is a 5 year old Syncrowave 200 that does everything I ask it to from Aluminum sheetmetal to Heavy frame work.

You will get lots of opinions but I saved for the good brand name welder and have never been happier with a large money purchase.

Tim the Toolman

 

[sevt_chevelle]

I have a Thermal Arc 185 and love it. I know a few guys with TA's and they feel the same way, its a great machine...Eric

 

[srmofo]

I finally managed to pick up a BNIB miller diversion 165 for $600 iirc. Hellava deal that I likely wont see again, but they are out there. Does aluminum and is foot pedal capable.

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/tig/diversionseries.php

The 165 has the same capabilities as the 180 except it has analog controls and only runs on 230v. The foot pedal is not included on the 165 although mine came with one that wasnt compatable with my machine, go figure.

I opted for this bad boy over the miller pedal because miller out-sources it to china for some reason and its half made of plastic. It came highly recommended from many sources on the internet (so it must be true!)
http://www.ssccontrols.com/images/p... Miller RFCS-RJ45 TIG Foot Control Pedals.jpg
http://www.ssccontrols.com/homepage-TIGweldingcontrols.htm

 

[WILD-BILL]

Here's a link to Jody's you tube page..

Here's one of the vids he did comparing an Everlast to a Miller Dynasty.

Yes it is a Chinese machine but it is also a great bang for your buck. Not only that but their customer support has been great the couple times I've had a question or concern. They also have a forum....

http://www.everlastgenerators.com/forums/

The only things I didn't like about my 225LX was the torch and the foot pedal. I added a Weldcraft WP 20 easily with an adapter.

Also, SSC controls made a foot pedal for one other owner which got such great reviews that Everlast now has contracted with them to offer an upgrade pedal although at an extra cost.

They also now offer a 20 series torch again, it's extra.

I've been satisfied more than enough to recommend one to anyone although I must also suggest getting the optional torch and pedal.

 

[Lhorn]

They've been running a sale recently. Tig PLUS plasma cutter for a thousand. Pretty tempting. I know it's a chinese tig no where near the quality of a major US brand, but I feel a bit more confident in buying from EastWood than I would from any of a number of chinese brands where you have to deal with one chinese guy with broken english who acts as the sole US contact person for the products and where you might have trouble finding someone to sell you parts in 5 years. Lurking on the welding sites, a few guys have been burned by the "it's so cheap I'll give it a try" no name tigs. (btw - I'm not talking about Everlast - I'm talking about the more sketchy brands)

Srmofo - where the heck did you get a Diversion for that price?

 

[ChrisH20]

I have a Miller Diversion 165,it is a great,very capable little welder.The foot pedal miller sells for them are not that great I got the SSC controls one and it is great. In my opinion I would spend a little more for the Miller over the eastwood.

 

[hairyj]

miller syncrowave is a nice machine

 

[BigMike782]

miller syncrowave is a nice machine

and a 100.00 Syncrowave 250 is enough to make a grown man cry

 

[charger891]

i`ve got the everlast pp 256, great little machine, i did have problems with the machine from new but every time everlast took care of it, their service is top notch! one of the reasons i went to everlast is i could not afford to buy a name brand plasma plus a tig, looked around for a year for used ones and didn`t find anything in my area.

 

[TravisT]

I must have missed the email notifications of the reply's. Getting caught up now...

I've seen quite a few synchrowaves for sale, but when comparing them to the diversion/dynasty it seems there are many more features on the inverter based TIGs. The weight is also a concern of mine. Because I'm military, every move is paid for given I don't go over my weight allowance - which I'm probably over or real close to now. Whatever I buy I'd like to keep for a long time.

I'm wondering if I'd need or want the additional features and controls of the dynasty though. It's tough, because I don't want to over-buy, but I don't want to find myself wanting more features a year or two down the road either.

Although I've bought other stuff in the past, I'm thinking of sticking with a Made in USA product. My Miller MIG has been flawless in it's performance for everything I have thrown at it.

 

[landbruiser1]

I got the Eastwood Tig and plasma christmas combo deal for $1000. Have used the plasma a bunch of times and the tig I am still learning, but they both seem to work well. No real complaints and for the price you really cant go wrong. Also pick up some of there copper weld backs. These things are worth every pennie they cost.