for lack of a better place to post this im shopping for a tig welder and im wondering what brands/models people have. I want to be able to build an exhaust manifold and do some aluminum stuff too.
thanks

 

I have a Miller 180SD with a water cooled torch and 25ft runs.

At work we run 300, 350, and 651 Tig machines. If you are a hobbiest with a limited amount of space, consider a more expensive inverter based tig machine from miller, esab, or lincoln.

 

I am still in the learning process but i picked up a Synchrowave 200 from miller. It can do all you asking so far and not at a bad price compared to some tig machines out there. But keep in mind i am still in the learning process.

 

if you are planning on welding thick aluminum go with a syncrowave 250 DX.

 

Here's some prices to keep your local dealer honest.

http://stores.ebay.com/Welding-Suppl...QQftidZ2QQtZkm

 

I also just bought a Miller Syncrowave 200, awesome machine!

 

Miller dynasty 200 DX is a nice good simple inverter. The syncrowaves are nice excellent machines, but will require you to have proper power levels to hook up to being that it is a transformer type welder. With the inverter you can plug it into just about anywhere plus it is significantly smaller overall size. This means just about any outlet that you want to move it to to work, you can if you choose to. Price isn't out of line either. If you have a shop with shop type power and room for the larger syncrowaves they are nice because being a transformer type technology it could outlast you. My one welder is 30yrs old and I use it daily. It is big and noisy but it works well. Don't get caught up on duty cycle too much, your not welding at a shipyard.

-S-

 

just spend the extra cash and do it right the first time and go with the syncrowave 250 DX.

 

i have a 250 amp Inverter and I love my tig welder. Inverters are nice, light, small, and compact.

 

I've got an industrial Canarc. weights ~ 850lbs but it's bullet proof, in 20 years it''s never failed. check out auctions for good equipment as well..

 

I picked up a Miller EconoTIG for $950 nearly brand new. It's pretty much a barebone AC/DC TIG welder with none of the nice options like pulsing or crater fill a more expensive welder will have, but it works great for manifolds and such. I've welded up to 1/2" thick aluminum without a problem with a bit of preheat.

 

ya i saw the econotig. Will i have trouble welding thin pieces of aluminum wiht it? Also, if i got the econotig what would i not be able to do that i could normally do wiht a nicer tig ie... the dynasty 200dx or somthing like that?

 

this is an interesting thread...

perhaps most of the questions have been answered... it seems like many inexpensive TIGS will weld ferrous metals but not aluminum. i have always gas (Henrob torch) welded and weld SS easily but being gas there are limitations and i am like everyone else looking at TIGs.

generally you get what you pay for... but primarily messing w hot cars, like Sean posted, maybe duty cycle isn't at the top of the list and he should know. what other features do we most need/not need?

the names i know are Miller, Lincoln and HTP Invertig.

i'd welcome additonal info especially relating to the type of jobs we all do such as welding aluminum and SS manifolding...

howard coleman

 

I'm using a Lincoln 175 TIG/stick combo machine. Very nice 220V unit....I do ferrous, stainless and *can* do aluminum with it. However for someone looking to buy a TIG to do aluminum with any sort of proficency I'd recomend shelling a bit more for a machine with variable frequency.

The Lincoln (and most "base model" type TIG's I've used) have too small a heating area when being used in A/C. The frequency adjustment will allow you to widen that a little and have a more managable torch for aluminum.

 

Howard if you don't have a good power source that can handle the amps and wiring up I would definitely look at the inverters, invertig is a nice unit as well, the thing I like about the miller stuff is the support. I believe the lincolns and hobarts/invertig are mainly manufactured in italy and support just doesn't seem to be as good from my experience and through friends experience as well. As for the duty cycle it will be rare that anyone here welding up manifolds or intercoolers or cages will ever have their torch on for more than minute or two. Having a high duty cycle just wont really benefit you, again your not welding huge long plates together. Nor are you doing production welding. That said I wont weld without a watercooled torch especially if you doing aluminum stuff. Some people do it it just isnt for me. Torches can get hot quick when welding aluminum.

-S-

 

Works great for aluminum

 

Good topic.
I have used damn near every tig out there yet I still do not own a personal one however the time is getting close to were I would like one for my garage so I have been resaerching the smaller units...

Bottom line for me is the Miller dynasty series and heres why.
very small package, still retains many of the same parameters as the fullsize sync units, easily stackable with a water cooler, finger trigger option, inverter type which is the only real choice for portable welder, I personally have never had a problem with a Miller ever,

Like others have said, don't cheap on a tig...having a proper water cooled machine will do wonders for your welds. also stay away from the smaller transformer type tigs....if your going to go that route for one even the smaller units are still pretty big and your better off going full size but remember they are going require a dedicated 220 cuircut. also don't be afraid to buy used you will be better off buying a older beat up version a good welder than you will buying a brand new economy unit.

Hobart, DO NOT BUY ONE. I have welded with a couple of thy're machines and have found them to require a ton of current and have always had trouble with puddle control.

 

Can someone, like myself, with no experience pick up a tig welder and learn by trying? Does anyone have reccommendations on schools, books, videos, etc that may be of some help? How did you guys start? What's the difference between mig/tig?

 

Plus invertors offer frequency control. Can't get that on transformer type units. They also require considerably less supply current.

I took a course on TIG before I ever bought my first TIG weldor, really helps with selecting a unit to fit your needs and learning the basics on how to get started. After that, its just tons of practice and cutting your welds apart to inspect them. It does take considerably more practice to make quality welds with a TIG.

I run a Miller Dynasty 300 series w/ water cooled torch. Water cooled torches are, by far, the only way to go.

 

Did you take a course at a local college or was it one of those technical schools. I only plan on doing this as a hobby and not a pro or anything. Can't find anything like I want, just a few weeks course.

 

bump

 

I agree that inverters are the way to go as many smaller shops and homes cannot support the highly reactive (low PF) load of the larger transfomer type welders. Current limiting on the primary will result in poor performance and poor rise time of the AC square wave.

That being said, I have 3 TIG welders and I am now selling 2 of them:

Both are portable Thermal Arc inverters: #1) GTSW185, a small portable with digital controls and pulser. #2) is a medium sized GTSW250, that is rated at 300A max for heavier materials. Both are AC/DC, have HF or lift start, and will run off of single phase, 230V circuit; e.g., a dryer plug. These are both excellent welders in great condition.

PM me if interested, I will cut a deal if I can avoid ebay.

 

I do all of my welding with a Syncrowave 250dx... I'm spoiled!

 

I thought you said you have a Lincoln...?

 

^ I do... a 185 that I use for house calls and a old gas powered stick welder for the job site. The 250dx never gets put in the truck