Re: Tig welder recommendations
[Re: RV2]
#2571493
10/30/18 10:53 AM
10/30/18 10:53 AM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,319 Ohio
jlatessa
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,319
Ohio
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As far as I know, almost all Lincoln's commercial products are made here in Cleveland.
Did 40+ years there and have good memories.
Joe
P.S. referencing machines and consumables, ancillary stuff; worldwide.
Last edited by jlatessa; 10/30/18 10:58 AM.
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Re: Tig welder recommendations
[Re: RV2]
#2571634
10/30/18 03:32 PM
10/30/18 03:32 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 25,988 Rio Linda, CA
John_Kunkel
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 25,988
Rio Linda, CA
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I've often thought that a lot of folks buy machines that exceed the user's capabilities...IOW, a fancy machine with all the dials and do-dads is wasted on a less-than-talented user (like me) so the OP needs to match his skill with the machine.
Yeah, skills can improve over time but, again, takes lots of practice and many users (like me) just don't weld that much.
The INTERNET, the MISinformation superhighway
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Re: Tig welder recommendations
[Re: dthemi]
#2571702
10/30/18 05:51 PM
10/30/18 05:51 PM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,678 Stuttgart, Arkansas
rickseeman
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,678
Stuttgart, Arkansas
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Check out welding tips, and tricks on youtube. The guy, Jodi, does a ton of great videos. A couple vids are testing several affordable machines. He goes into good detail about the capabilities, and limitations of each, including cost.
His vids are also very helpful. I've learned a bunch from his vids. He's the man. I think I've watched every video. Great instructor. His arc shots are better than the giant corporations. A benefit to society.
2011 Drag Pak Challenger
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Re: Tig welder recommendations
[Re: RV2]
#2571705
10/30/18 05:53 PM
10/30/18 05:53 PM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,678 Stuttgart, Arkansas
rickseeman
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,678
Stuttgart, Arkansas
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Don't skimp on features. Get them all. If you have to go used to get it, do that. I bet Craigslist has some. Be patient and get what you want.
2011 Drag Pak Challenger
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Re: Tig welder recommendations
[Re: John_Kunkel]
#2571736
10/30/18 06:56 PM
10/30/18 06:56 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,705 Fulton County, PA
CMcAllister
Mr. Helpful
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Mr. Helpful
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,705
Fulton County, PA
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I've often thought that a lot of folks buy machines that exceed the user's capabilities...IOW, a fancy machine with all the dials and do-dads is wasted on a less-than-talented user (like me) so the OP needs to match his skill with the machine.
Yeah, skills can improve over time but, again, takes lots of practice and many users (like me) just don't weld that much. I tend to make purchases of things (guns, tools, machinery, etc.) that are capable of doing better than maybe I can. I'd rather have a machine that I can grow into and learn with, than one I grow out of a month after I buy it. All those knobs, bells and whistles are there for a reason. And the name brand stuff will be easy to get parts and service for way into the future. Unlike the offshore crap.
Last edited by CMcAllister; 10/30/18 06:57 PM.
If the results don't match the theory, change the theory.
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Re: Tig welder recommendations
[Re: John_Kunkel]
#2571751
10/30/18 07:16 PM
10/30/18 07:16 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,437 Omaha Nebraska
Brian_wo
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,437
Omaha Nebraska
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Dave Hughes (dick) told me in person at the nats in Indy when building an engine it’s cheaper to go fast the first time,this is true in so many areas of life. I can’t even TIG weld yet but when I can my Lincoln 200 is sitting there ready to not only go but go beyond my abilities so that I can get better and not have to buy another machine. The blue cart was built for my Miller 130,it now also has a Lincoln 210 MIG on the bottom shelf,not much I cannot do with those two carts. I've often thought that a lot of folks buy machines that exceed the user's capabilities...IOW, a fancy machine with all the dials and do-dads is wasted on a less-than-talented user (like me) so the OP needs to match his skill with the machine.
Yeah, skills can improve over time but, again, takes lots of practice and many users (like me) just don't weld that much.
who is that guy?
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Re: Tig welder recommendations
[Re: CMcAllister]
#2571762
10/30/18 07:48 PM
10/30/18 07:48 PM
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,457 Washington
madscientist
master
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master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,457
Washington
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I've often thought that a lot of folks buy machines that exceed the user's capabilities...IOW, a fancy machine with all the dials and do-dads is wasted on a less-than-talented user (like me) so the OP needs to match his skill with the machine.
Yeah, skills can improve over time but, again, takes lots of practice and many users (like me) just don't weld that much. I tend to make purchases of things (guns, tools, machinery, etc.) that are capable of doing better than maybe I can. I'd rather have a machine that I can grow into and learn with, than one I grow out of a month after I buy it. All those knobs, bells and whistles are there for a reason. And the name brand stuff will be easy to get parts and service for way into the future. Unlike the offshore crap. 100% best way to do it. I'd rather grow into something than grow out of it and just buy once. When I started reloading, I did a ton of research and in the end I bough a full progressive press. Soon, I'm going to add a bullet and case feeder and I'm just going to pull the handle and check powder. The internet gun sites I was on went ballistic because you can't start with a progressive. You need a rock chucker. After you load 100k rounds with that, you can maybe, MAYBE step to a Dillon Square B or whatever they call that. Another 100,000 rounds later you can get the 550 but don't you dare buy an auto indexing press yet. You need 100,000 rounds more. I bought an auto indexing press and didn't look back.
Just because you think it won't make it true. Horsepower is KING. To dispute this is stupid. C. Alston
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Re: Tig welder recommendations
[Re: RV2]
#2571825
10/30/18 10:00 PM
10/30/18 10:00 PM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,144 wellington ohio
68-scatpack-rt
In thin ice
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In thin ice
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,144
wellington ohio
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I bought a Lincoln squarewave 200 last year. Brand new from a vendor in Chicago. I paid 1300 or so shipped.
It’s a fantastic machine. The only feature it doesn’t have that I’d like it post flow adjustment.
unions....the folks who brought you the weekend!
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Re: Tig welder recommendations
[Re: RTSE4ME]
#2571846
10/30/18 10:31 PM
10/30/18 10:31 PM
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,457 Washington
madscientist
master
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master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,457
Washington
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I bought a Lincoln Square Wave TIG 200 to learn on. They were $1200 when I bought mine. Nice machine except it doesn't have adjustable post flow so it wastes a bit of gas. I believe they are made in Mexico. Also, I only have a single stage press for reloading but it a nice single stage. There is nothing wrong with the SS press if that's what you need. I would NEVER in an online forum tell someone they are so dumb they have to start with a SS press or they were a danger to themselves. As you know, reloading is a repetitive process. It's not that hard. I would expect if you can run a race car, you could easily learn most anything you wanted to. To tell everyone that they need to start that way is arrogant at best.
Just because you think it won't make it true. Horsepower is KING. To dispute this is stupid. C. Alston
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Re: Tig welder recommendations
[Re: madscientist]
#2571928
10/31/18 01:09 AM
10/31/18 01:09 AM
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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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Somethings not mentioned, I got Miller Syncrowave 500, its a 600A Tig machine, it's a beast. I added a gas mixer, for Helium/Argon on the thicker alum stuff. I see some machines have the built in option. If you start doing any thicker alum, it helps. I currently use a pedal for most everything. But when inside the car, that soon becomes awkward. I thought I could connect up the newer wireless foot pedal. No deal unfortunately. I'm considering getting something newer and smaller that will allow the wireless foot pedal.
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: RV2]
#2571966
10/31/18 04:23 AM
10/31/18 04:23 AM
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,399 Aurora, Colorado
451Mopar
master
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master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,399
Aurora, Colorado
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How much use will it get, and how thick of metal do you want to weld? Most of the entry level units are < 200 Amps and use air cooled torches. This is fine for 1/8" and thinner metals, but when running 150+ amps (3/16" or thicker material) the air cooled torch will get hot in your hands fairly quick. This may be OK if just doing small jobs, but if you plan to weld long hours at high current look at the liquid cooled torch units. There is a big jump in price going from air cooled to water cooled torch unit. You will want to check what torch the welder is using to make sure it is compatible with common torch cups, and other torch consumable parts.
The older non-inverter units can be found at decent prices, but are big and heavy, and use more power to operate. The newer inverter units use less power for the same output, and are smaller and lighter. For example, a Miller syncrowave 250 weighs 378 lbs, and uses 96 Amps @ 230 volts. A Miller Dynasty 280 (Inverter machine) weighs 52 lbs, and uses 30 Amps @ 230 volts.
If you are going to do roll cages and such where a foot control would be hard to use, look at getting a remote fingertip control.
I hear there are some good entry level machines now, but I have had my Miller Dynasty 280 DX for several years now, so I haven't look to see what is on the market lately.
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Re: Tig welder recommendations
[Re: RV2]
#2571976
10/31/18 07:51 AM
10/31/18 07:51 AM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,540 Milwaukee WI
TRENDZ
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,540
Milwaukee WI
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My first tig machine was a thermarc. It was a scratch-start, dc only machine. I later bought a Lincoln square wave 175 for the capability of doing ac aluminum work. I used that machine for a few years, and decided to add the water cooled torch. It just isn’t practical to use the gass cooled torch if you are doing a lot of aluminum work. That machine only gave me trouble once. My area near the welder was also in my grinding area. The grinding dust accumulated in the arc initiating points and caused the machine to start the arc very poorly. Cleaning the points was simple, and brought the machine back to “like new” operation. I would recommend this machine to anyone who needs a versatile home machine. I still use that machine at work for small projects. My current machine at home is a Lincoln precision tig 275. It is very nice and smooth in operation. It came equipped with a cart with storage, on board cooling system, tig pulser, ac balance control, etc... the one drawback is it takes up a lot of floor space. On the plus side of that argument, none of my friends come over asking to borrow it, because it is not a mobile machine. I picked it up on craigslist for $2500 from a business that was closing.
"use it 'till it breaks, replace as needed"
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Re: Tig welder recommendations
[Re: CMcAllister]
#2572186
10/31/18 03:24 PM
10/31/18 03:24 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 25,988 Rio Linda, CA
John_Kunkel
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 25,988
Rio Linda, CA
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I tend to make purchases of things (guns, tools, machinery, etc.) that are capable of doing better than maybe I can. I'd rather have a machine that I can grow into and learn with, than one I grow out of a month after I buy it.
And some of us have financial constraints. The difference between "what I need" and "what I want" can amount to big bucks.
The INTERNET, the MISinformation superhighway
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