Tig welder recommendations
#2570767
10/28/18 10:37 PM
10/28/18 10:37 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,011 Covington Georgia
RV2
OP
master
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OP
master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,011
Covington Georgia
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I'm looking for a quality entry level tig welder, I will be doing Chro moly and aluminum work. Thanks
Last edited by RV2; 10/28/18 10:38 PM.
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Re: Tig welder recommendations
[Re: RV2]
#2570773
10/28/18 10:56 PM
10/28/18 10:56 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,498 Minnesota
Hemi_Joel
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,498
Minnesota
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A Miller syncrowave 210 is what was recommended to me, so that's what I got. But I am not very experienced, so I can't provide much feedback.
[img]http://i.imgur.com/boeexFms.jpg[/img]31 Plymouth Coupe, 392 Hemi, T56 magnum RS23J71 RS27J77 RP23J71 RO23J71 WM21J8A I don't regret the things I've done. I only regret the things I didn't do. "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something. ~ Plato"
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Re: Tig welder recommendations
[Re: RV2]
#2570775
10/28/18 10:59 PM
10/28/18 10:59 PM
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,728 Bitopia
jcc
If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
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If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,728
Bitopia
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Entry level tig welder is like an entry level helmet.
Go big or go home.
Reality check, that half the population is smarter then 50% of the people and it's a constantly contested fact.
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Re: Tig welder recommendations
[Re: jcc]
#2570791
10/28/18 11:12 PM
10/28/18 11:12 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,120 Byron, NY
W.I.N. Racing
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top fuel
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,120
Byron, NY
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Entry level tig welder is like an entry level helmet.
Go big or go home. If your gonna buy a welder...buy a welder you will have for as long as YOU want it. I too recommend Miller, I've had and used other brands but Miller is what is in my shop now and in the future (new purchases). And like Racing helmets, Cheep helmets are for Cheep heads...what are your eyes worth.
'01 P1500, Blown/Inj BAE,/Veney ,Bruno/CS2,Dana 60 '01 Dodge 3500 S Cummins Auto, Fresh air kit, 4" Exhaust, '05 Dodge Magnum R/T - Too Much to list '60 Willys CJ5 '01 International LPX - Project,DT466, Allison '64 Plymouth Valiant, Inj 528 Hemi, 2spd
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Re: Tig welder recommendations
[Re: RV2]
#2570793
10/28/18 11:15 PM
10/28/18 11:15 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,706 Fulton County, PA
CMcAllister
Mr. Helpful
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Mr. Helpful
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,706
Fulton County, PA
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First decision is 110 or 220. 110 will limit you and is not something I would want to use on chassis tubing. While I'm old school and struggle through with an old Airco square wave transformer unit, I have used inverter units on steels and aluminum and they are fine. Miller does the Diversion and Lincoln does the Squarewave 200. Or if you have the budget, look at better units. I would prefer a good used higher end machine than a new imported toy. You get what you pay for.
If the results don't match the theory, change the theory.
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Re: Tig welder recommendations
[Re: RTSrunner]
#2570835
10/29/18 01:33 AM
10/29/18 01:33 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,150 Melbourne , Australia
LA360
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Posts: 6,150
Melbourne , Australia
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If you get something around the 200 amp range, it will do most of the stuff you need. I've got something similar the Everlast units, but if your budget allows, a Miller, Lincoln or Fronius. We have a EWM machine at work, it's faultless, but may not be in your price range. Jody @ welding tips and tricks has done a lot of testing and reviews. Check out his YouTube channel
Alan Jones
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Re: Tig welder recommendations
[Re: RV2]
#2570836
10/29/18 01:37 AM
10/29/18 01:37 AM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,785 Utah and Alaska
astjp2
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master
Joined: Jan 2011
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Utah and Alaska
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I paid a trade of labor and some tools for my Lincoln 225 tig, if you do thick aluminum, consider getting a liquid cooled torch. Tim
1941 Taylorcraft 1968 Charger 1994 Wrangler 1998 Wrangler 2008 Kia Rio 2017 Jetta
I didn't do 4 years and 9 months of Graduate School to be called Mister!
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Re: Tig welder recommendations
[Re: RV2]
#2570879
10/29/18 10:10 AM
10/29/18 10:10 AM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,894 Spahn Ranch
RMCHRGR
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top fuel
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,894
Spahn Ranch
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Maybe look into the new Miller 215? Right around $2K with the TIG package. It's a 'multi process' machine so if you want TIG only then it might not be what you want. Looks like an OK deal to me though. Miller 215 with TIG
'71 Duster '72 Challenger '17 Ram 1500
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Re: Tig welder recommendations
[Re: RV2]
#2570898
10/29/18 11:21 AM
10/29/18 11:21 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,992 Anoka County, MN
Leigh
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Posts: 5,992
Anoka County, MN
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Consider the features you may (or may not) need, now or in the future. Wide range of ac frequency and balance: many are limited. Adjustable gas pre and post flow: many are preset. Spot welding feature: you can use the pedal to simulate, but if you're going to hang body panels, it might be useful. Watch out for lower quality, non Miller and Lincoln protocol attachments. (Gas connections, current connections). Finally, warranty and reputation. I've owned both Miller (Syncrowave 180 transformer), and currently, Lincoln Squarewave Tig 200 (inverter). Close to a year, and it's perfect for me. I've used it successfully on both 110 and 230. I don't have one bad thing to say, except, the power cord and argon gas line are stiff plastic, that suck in my unheated garage. The pedal and torch are excellent quality. HOWEVER, I DO wish it has a wider range of ac freq and balance (It hasn't been a problem, but, it would be a good experience, to be able to apply different settings to different materials and joints), and adjustable pre/post gas flow. The gas flow valve isn't cheap, but the adjustment is herky jerky. Once it's set, it's fine. BUT, as the wish list grows, price goes up. This seems to be where the off shore units complete. As mentioned, check out Jody, members here, and then do some shopping. Good luck!
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Re: Tig welder recommendations
[Re: RV2]
#2571035
10/29/18 03:23 PM
10/29/18 03:23 PM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 472 Minnesota, USA
humpty
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 472
Minnesota, USA
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I bought an AHP Alpha‑TIG 200X: https://www.amazon.com/AHP-AlphaTIG-Stick-Welder-WARRANTY/dp/B076BSD6PG. Check out the reviews - lots of people having good luck with them, not just hobbyists. The prices vary based on availability (they tend to sell out quickly, and have limited production runs), but are generally around $800 and have lots of nice features. The pedal it comes with is low quality, otherwise it's a lot of welder for the money. I know of a chassis shop that uses an Eastwood TIG 200 AC/DC, and their workmanship is second to none. If you are planning large production runs, I'd get the red or blue boxes. Otherwise, I'd spend my money somewhere else.
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Re: Tig welder recommendations
[Re: RV2]
#2571162
10/29/18 07:11 PM
10/29/18 07:11 PM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 619 nj
JAMESDART
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 619
nj
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try to buy a big name. I am a welder and I have to say the prices of the cheap stuff are tempting for home use. Out of all, the Eastwood stuff I find most interesting. Guys that have had issues with them say the customer service is excellent. With that said, I make a living using Lincoln and miller so I’m going to try to avoid that knock off stuff. I just replaced my little mig and plasma cutter both with miller.
Watch those little multiprocess machines everyone seems to be coming out with, like that miller 215, I think most are dc only with no hi frequency. Good luck doing aluminum tig with that. Also with no hi freq, you are stuck with lift arc or scratch start. Neither are the end of the world, but if I’m going to spend money on a tig, I want ac and hi freq, otherwise you can just scratch start off a dc stick machine.
Both Lincoln and miller have had some good rebates going, just make sure you buy from an authorized retailer to get the rebate, and warranty.
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Re: Tig welder recommendations
[Re: RV2]
#2571191
10/29/18 07:53 PM
10/29/18 07:53 PM
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8,911 Ontario, Canada
Stanton
Don't question me!
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Don't question me!
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8,911
Ontario, Canada
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entry level Chromoly and aluminum work. Kind of a contradiction there !! I bought a Thermal Arc TA186 a few years back. It has all the features that the small inverter Millers and Lincolns have but at a fraction of the cost. It's served me well. I added a pedal and swapped out the hose and torch that came with it - nickel and dime items.
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Re: Tig welder recommendations
[Re: RV2]
#2571359
10/30/18 12:08 AM
10/30/18 12:08 AM
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,432 NorCal
RylisPro
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top fuel
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NorCal
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Isn't every major brand of Tig Welder or most any welder for that matter, made in China now a days? I asked this same question to the guys at JMR Manufacturing https://jmrmfg.com the same company that makes high quality tube benders, notchers and they also weld up trophy trucks. They stated that they use Harbor Freight welders themselves. I did some research and was looking at some HTP Invertig tig welders that are made in Italy that look promising.
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