Tig Welders

[engnerdan]

So I have been wanting a tig welder for some time and I think the funds may come up in the next years time. So on a budget of about $2000 I have been looking at the Lincoln Precision Tig 225 package with cart, torch ect. Anybody have experience with this welder? Is it all they claim it is, or should I be looking for a Miller or something else?

Reason for picking the Lincoln is that it seems to have the most bang for the buck.

Dan

 

[-lecroix-]

sounds like you already know what ya want ... go for it.

 

[BoostAddiction]

I have the 185 version of that welder and like it a lot. I could use a little more power when welding aluminum, but you will get that with the 225.

You can't go too wrong with Lincoln or Miller.

You need to budget for consumables- and you will need them.


-Will

 

[PAToyota]

Depends a lot on what you are going to use it for. I'm very pleased with the used Miller Syncrowave 250DX that I picked up for about the same money.

 

[jhn9840]

I don't think you could go wrong with any Miller or Hobart welders out there. There all good products. Personally I've always prefered Lincoln cause that is what I had to work with. Very dependable machines.

jhn9840
John

 

[mike944]

I decided to go the slightly "riskier" approach, and break with tradition. I bought a Thermal Arc 185TSW. I wanted an inverter-style welder, because of portability, and also the variable frequency is nice for aluminum work too.

I got mine for around $1900 shipped, and it came with a small pack of consumables. Basically everything except a helmet and gas bottle.

No, it's not quite a miller, or a lincoln, but Thermal Arc isn't exactly a fly-by-night operation. They've been around for quite a while. I did a ton of research, and talked online to several owners, and everybody who had one was very happy with it. Now i'm one of those people. I'm not using it for commercial work, just general garage stuff. If i was running a business, i might have bought something else (might have).

I really wanted a Miller Dynasty, but i just couldn't justify the almost $1K price difference by the time you include accessories. (the dynasty comes with nothing. everything is extra cost). All the other welders people are talking about here are real tanks. Nothing wrong with that if you have the space, and don't need the portability, particularly if you're new to tig welding. The machines discussed above are probably more durable, especially since you'll be grounding out the electrode alot while you're learning. (I assume from the way you worded your post, that you're new to tig welding)