Econotig

[smohemi]

Has anyone out there have any background on this tig/stick setup which is out. Sounds interesting, but I was wondering if it was worth the money and time for home projects.:rolleyes: :confused:

[elderthewelder]

There have been discussions on it here in the past, I think the general conception was it is a OK machine for thin materials, and does better on dc than ac
here is a old link from this board, on the first post there is a link to a Honda board that shows some aluminum welding done with the econotig, that was way beyond the capability of the machine. But the Honda boy's liked it LOL
http://www.weldingweb.com/showthread.php?t=3610

[MAC702]

Yeah, it's a very simple machine, but at least it provides AC, though only as your basic sine wave, nothing more. Constant HF necessary to keep it stable.

It doesn't really cost that much more to get a Syncrowave 200 if you can swing it at all. MUCH better duty cycle (even for DC) and capabilities.

[Joe H]

I've got an Econotig. I like it fine, but then I've never been exposed to all the bells and whistles of other machines. I probably don't know what I'm missing, but that's ok with me for now. It welds good on DC, and I guess it does ok on AC too. I can weld aluminum with it ok considering I've only tried a few times. I think I gave $1400 for it new, and I see used Econotigs on Ebay selling for near the price of a new one, so when I get ready to upgrade it won't be a big loss.

Truth be told though, after joining this forum and reading everyone's reviews, I really wish I had bought a TA-185 instead. :)

[MicroZone]

I have a spare Econotig as a backup and actually use it quite often. I weld just about everything with it. I've even done some 3/8th aluminum that's been beveled. That's about it's max. capacity.

[Tailshaft56]

The econtig is a good welder But for a few $ more you can get quite a bit more welder. IE Synch 200 or Arcmaster 185 ( TA to us old farts.) I prefer the TA/Arcmaster.

[MicroZone]

I hate to digress but "a few more dollars" is far stretch from the actual price range difference of $400 - 600. I can see if it were $50...then go for the other machine but it's quite a lot of money for most people. For his "home projects" it will be fine...and then some.

[Joe H]

I hate to digress but "a few more dollars" is far stretch from the actual price range difference of $400 - 600. I can see if it were $50...then go for the other machine but it's quite a lot of money for most people. For his "home projects" it will be fine...and then some.

That's the way I saw it. The econotig is not a bad machine at all for a hobbiest. I love mine.

The ONLY gripe I have about the Econotig is that you can't turn it down lower than 25 amps. Though this won't be a problem unless you are planning on welding stainless steel thinner than 18ga. 18ga welds good, 20ga is tricky, and 22ga is a PITA even when clamped to a chill bar.

[smohemi]

Thanks for all the posts. I believe I can stretch it and go for the Syncrowave 200V and have a machine I can be happier with in the long run.
I have found the Econotig for as low as $1466 and I have priced the Syncrowave for $1775. It will be worth the extra money.

[Engloid]

The econotig is just like all the lower priced Miller machines. What they do, they do well, but they do have power limitations.

Also keep in mind that with a 200amp inverter, you can typically weld thicker material than you can with a 200amp transformer.

[scootermsp]

I too am looking at the Synchrowave 200 over the Econotig, I was offered a show special (brand new unused just taken out of the box for a show and repackaged-still attached to pallet) with runners for $1700. what are the capabilities of this machine as compared to the econotig? thank you in advance:cool:

[Scott V 2]

It will weld thicker aluminum for a longer period. The torch will stay cooler
too. You can get more heat into the work instead into the torch or your hand.
It's a way better machine all round and 200 amps is really needed to get the
puddle wet fast on a transformer machine. Everbody that I know liked the
200 and have used everything From Miller and Thermal-arc in their inverter
line. It's not better then a good inverter but it does weld really nice.
It has nice arc starts and is a solid unit. Is it better then my 300 amp tig
inverter, no but it welds nice in it's own way. Since Thermal-arc raised
their prices on the TA 185 the 200 miller looks better then it did. The tig
runner is a nice thought out package.

Scott