What is a good STARTER Tig machine?

[venturesomerite]

What do you all suggest for a good starter TIG?

In my particular case, I have ZERO TIG experience, and am weary of buying a used TIG because I could not test it out, or know what it is and isn't supposed to act like.

So, perhaps we should stick to machines that can be had new, on a reasonale budget, say 2k-2.5 and less? The only catch I would say, is that it should be aluminum and steel friendly, as I would want to learn both, and not have to buy another machine. While I do realize I will outgrow this machine and want something better in the future, this would be my guy for a few years until that time should come.


Thanks in advance.
Brian

 

[MotoDave]

You have some nice options in that price range:
http://store.cyberweld.com/mitigwedi180.html
vs
http://store.cyberweld.com/tharc186acti.html
vs
http://www.usaweld.com/TIG-WELDER-Invertig-221-Welder-p/70221-12.5.htm
vs
http://store.cyberweld.com/misy21090.html

Is pretty much the decision I'm making right now. Leaning towards the Miller Syncrowave 210, but the Thermal Arc is a really good value. I currently have a Thermal Arc 160TS and its been a nice machine, but I'd like AC.

 

[zkling]

Miller Syncrowave 210 or Lincoln's 225. With discount they will be right under the top of your budget, highly doubtful you will ever need to upgrade from those.

 

[eddiemeddiem]

I'm having a similar dilemma right now, too. There's the potential group buy for the AHP TIG, but I'm thinking that I might rather stick with a big name for several reasons:
1) I like the fact that there's local dealers where I can get it repaired if I have any issues, but as a home user I'll probably never use it enough to wear it out.
2) I like the resale potential of a big name. A few years ago I sold a -100 amp Lincoln flux core for more than I bought it for new after owning it for ~5 years.
3) There's a good chance that Lincoln and Miller will still be around for and supporting parts if I have an issue 20 years from now. History is important.
4) I feel more comfortable with a name brand machine, as of fits my tooling buying mentality that I've come to realize over the past few years: buy something of good quality that I'll probably never have to buy again. If I have to buy it twice because it broke it'll probably cost me more in the long run. Doesn't have to be the "absolute best top of the line", just something that'll last.

With that said, I think I'm considering the Lincoln Precision TIG 225 and the Thermal Arc 186. The TA 186 is a more portable inverter machine with more bells and whistles than I'll ever need and probably get into trouble if I try to use. The Lincoln PT 225 is a transformer machine that has a bit more power and more straight forward interface. The price difference is in the $6-700 range with the TA 186 being a bit cheaper.

All that being said, I'm leaning towards the Lincoln PT 225.


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[Tim37]

I have a everlast and I'm happy with it if I where to change anything I would hap put out a few more bucks and got a ac capable machine.