tig welder recommendation

[1930artdeco]

Hi All,

I am looking to get a TIG welder for a few reasons-keep in mind I am a hobbyist and it will get used infrequently.

1) I need to restore some Model A radiator shells and they are SS and probably 18-22 gauge? Not sure other than they are very thin.

2) I do have some fenders that need some work but I have an older Century MIG welder for those.

From reading a few threads here I have found the following: AHP, Everlast, Primeweld have good recommendations. But what about consumables? Are they easy to come by? upgrades to the torch/pedal maybe? Thanks for any help.

Mike

 

[txvwnut]

AHP AlphaTig. They have two versions of them now the 201XD and now 203XI. I have a 200X and its been a great machine.

 

[thickhead]

Been looking at the AHP 203 and Vulcan 205. I don’t need it for a while, but those are two I’ve been wanting. No idea which one would be better for me yet though.

 

[BD1]

You can also get a used AC/DC stick welder and adapter to tig. A lot more inexpensive.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Welding takes practice. TIG takes more because modern machines have many different adjustments.

 

[Aaron_W]

The HF Titanium and Vulcan machines get fairly positive reviews and HF is pretty good about replacing problem tools within their warranty period. HF is everywhere so no shipping involved in replacement, bring in the old one and walk out with a new machine. That isn't exactly a glowing review but with most of the others at that price point you will have to ship the problem machine back to the seller. HF also stocks the consumables for their machines so again pretty reliable supply source.

I ended up buying a Miller, but if I was shopping for an inexpensive TIG the HF machines would definitely be in the running.

 

[joe_padavano]

I've had an AlphaTIG for about four years now. No complaints at all, other than the crappy pedal. The new ones come with an upgraded pedal. As noted, you will NOT simply jump in and start welding 18 ga stainless successfully. Plan to get coupons and do a lot of practice welds first. I was pretty good with a gas torch and TIG is very similar to gas welding, so it came pretty quickly, but learning the proper setup for your particular situation and material will take time. And as you undoubtedly will hear, cleanliness of the weld area is key.

 

[vpd66]

I bought a AHP AlphaTIG back in 2016 and its still running strong. With all the money I made with it welding aluminum if it quit working tomorrow I'd just throw it out and buy another one.

 

[472scout]

Which one of these brands stock replacements parts? Over the years I've heard many complaints about HF not having certain parts, like circuit boards, available even when calling corporate headquarters.

 

[cib]

AHP, Everlast, Harbor Freight units are pretty good for the price as well. If this is more than a hobby consider Lincoln or Miller unites as well but they're priced for the pro not the pro-sumer.

 

[dnschmidt]

At this present moment in time. The Primeweld is the choice. I have the AHP and I like it a lot. Particularly as a stick welder it's really good for any DC rod except 6010. Works great with 7018. As others have mentioned you're going to go through a hell of a steep learning curve with TIG. Took me five Argon bottles before I could weld 20 gauge without blowing through. Take the learning curve of MIG and multiply by 100 for TIG. You need innate talent to do TIG welding as you're using both hands and your foot at the same time. Some people will never have to coordination to get it right. I could lie to you and tell you that TIG is easy to learn but that would be a total lie. It isn't.

 

[jhelrey]

I have a Vulcan Mig 215 and I really eyed up a Tig of theirs. Just happened to get a smoking price on the Mig on FBMP. I can't imagine having any major issues with Vulcan.

 

[Walkers]

I thought Model A grill shells were nickel plated steel?

 

[gearhead1]

At this present moment in time. The Primeweld is the choice. I have the AHP and I like it a lot. Particularly as a stick welder it's really good for any DC rod except 6010. Works great with 7018. As others have mentioned you're going to go through a hell of a steep learning curve with TIG. Took me five Argon bottles before I could weld 20 gauge without blowing through. Take the learning curve of MIG and multiply by 100 for TIG. You need innate talent to do TIG welding as you're using both hands and your foot at the same time. Some people will never have to coordination to get it right. I could lie to you and tell you that TIG is easy to learn but that would be a total lie. It isn't.

I concur. After much research, I ended up getting the PrimeWeld TIG225X for several reasons.
-everything you need is included except an argon tank
-3 year guarantee
-1-800 product support 7 days a week
-The manual is written well, no misspellings or difficult language to understand.
-comes with a CK worldwide tig torch

As far as consumables, they are easy to get. I get my tungsten from Midwest Tungsten, they sell on eBay and Amazon. The torch is a CK Worldwide torch, so those are easy to get via mail order or at your local welding supply store. I bought a cheap Hart grinder from Walmart for sharpening tungsten. I put the tungsten in a drill, squeeze the trigger, then put the other end of the tungsten on the grinding wheel.

I can tig weld aluminum now, I have welded a lot of stick and MIG and brazed. So it wasn’t that difficult to pick up. Everyone is different. The guys at work thought I was pulling their leg, because the second night I tried, I got it. The third night, I welded 4 plates together to make a hollow box. I figured out when the metal looks like Mercury and starting to puddle, it’s time to move. There are a lot of YouTube videos that show how to do it so you know what it looks like.

I have nothing bad to say about the PrimeWeld. I haven’t had any issues with anything on it. I have bought a water cooled tig torch and will buy the water cooler when they come back in stock.

 

[txvwnut]

I upgraded from my AHP 201 to the AHP 203XI and have been very happy with it so far.

 

[dnschmidt]

I concur. After much research, I ended up getting the PrimeWeld TIG225X for several reasons.
-everything you need is included except an argon tank
-3 year guarantee
-1-800 product support 7 days a week
-The manual is written well, no misspellings or difficult language to understand.
-comes with a CK worldwide tig torch

As far as consumables, they are easy to get. I get my tungsten from Midwest Tungsten, they sell on eBay and Amazon. The torch is a CK Worldwide torch, so those are easy to get via mail order or at your local welding supply store. I bought a cheap Hart grinder from Walmart for sharpening tungsten. I put the tungsten in a drill, squeeze the trigger, then put the other end of the tungsten on the grinding wheel.

I can tig weld aluminum now, I have welded a lot of stick and MIG and brazed. So it wasn’t that difficult to pick up. Everyone is different. The guys at work thought I was pulling their leg, because the second night I tried, I got it. The third night, I welded 4 plates together to make a hollow box. I figured out when the metal looks like Mercury and starting to puddle, it’s time to move. There are a lot of YouTube videos that show how to do it so you know what it looks like.

I have nothing bad to say about the PrimeWeld. I haven’t had any issues with anything on it. I have bought a water cooled tig torch and will buy the water cooler when they come back in stock.

With TIG aluminum is actually easier than steel. Particularly thin steel. I'm not bad on aluminum either but doing sheet metal is a completely different animal. With aluminum you've got the conductance of the material to move the heat and prevent burn through with steel you don't.

 

[corn chip]

if you have 30min to watch this video it gives a inside look why a top shelf welder cost 3x more than all the chinese welders. unfortunatly i guess the video guy was threatened for saying specific brand names and exposing the poor qaulity of the chinese welders

 

[dnschmidt]

Made in Italy by STEL. This has a rather unique approach to wave shaping as well. Anything from HTP is quality stuff. I have their Propulse 200 and it's the bomb.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

I have Chinese 200 wave TIG, badged by a local tool store chain. I found out who made, they have good reviews world wide. The quality of the welder is not how high they go, rather how low they can weld . If you read the specs, that where the story is told. That capacity takes more and better components. The Wave part is for aluminum. TIG was easy enough, I learned on gas. I found it to be easier than gas. The problem I had wasn't the welder, rather the programming it for stick. Once I got it close, it sure was sweet. I'm sure it can get even sweeter. It'll burn 5/32 7018 . At work I almost never used 5/32, just 1/8, so for home 3/32 will be fine, just slower. Besides aluminum up to 1/4, it'll burn 7018.

 

[corn chip]

reading reviews before buying something can be helpful but you have to keep in mind who is giving the review. ive no doubt the vast majority of people buying the cheap welders are weekend warriors just getting started and learning to weld. bless their heart but most of them probly barely know how to turn the machine on. when they say the welder works great after a few weeks, i take it with a grain of salt and consider it of little value. like the people giving tire reviews after 400 miles.
on the welding forums i remember seeing plenty of threads regarding the china machines that wouldnt powerup one day out of the blue or the adjustment knobs quit working or the lcd screen burned out. even sometimes a brandnew machine failed to work right out of the box.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

Or if you open the side and the inside looks like some thing at Italian restaurant with meatballs on top, this is not a good sign.

But you can look at the ESAB 186 something or other. good reviews for both quality and welding, even on the welding forums . Shanghai Electric makes it. The earlier 185 was Japanese and a great welder. I would suggest the ESAB might be a better welder than the Lincoln in their price range. But guess what, that price range is about twice the one those suggestions on brands are in.

ESAB has been around at least as long as Miller or Lincoln. Check out their history.

 

[gearhead1]

 

[corn chip]

if i were to buy a new welder tomorow i would probly try a kemppi and see what theyre all about

 

[finn]

if i were to buy a new welder tomorow i would probly try a kemppi and see what theyre all about

Last I checked, the Kempis wasn’t available in the states.
Has that changed recently?

 

[gearhead1]

The Kemppi Mastertig 235acdc would be a comparable unit but I think they’re like $4k to $5k or something aren’t they?

 

[corn chip]

Last I checked, the Kempis wasn’t available in the states.
Has that changed recently?

i havent done much looking into it but i dont see why any of the foreign online welding stores wouldnt ship it to you