Eastwood TIG and Plasma combo

[yodaforce]

So I'm looking for a decent TIG to do aluminum (mostly intake tubes for custom turbo setups), and SOME stainless (exhaust work).

I have always been an Eastwood customer for hand tools and supplies, but never have had any experience (or even HEARD much) with their line of TIG machines.

Right now they have a TIG, Plasma, and cart deal for $1300.
http://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-tig...-cart-kit.html

Seems like a good deal for someone like me who is just getting into TIG. I have been MIG welding since I was a teenager (a LONG time ago), and I have never had much use for anything but, until now.
I currently have a Thermal Dynamics CM38 that I really like, but considering the minimal usage, I thought I might see if I could get some money out of it and just have the Eastwood plasma for the occasional use.
I don't know. Maybe someone here can tell me more about the Eastwood machines before I go making any decisions.
Thanks.

[WookieWelding]

keep you thermal dynamics plasma and look for a used miller lincoln or other big name tig machine

[DSW]

Combo tig / plasma units in general tend to have a poor reputation for reliability. I seriously doubt the machines Eastwood's is importing will have a much better track record.

$1300 would get you a nice lightly used Syncrowave 180 or 200 is you looked a bit on CL. That's the average upper end on those units used. Typically I see them as low at $800-900 for the Sync 180's and $950-1100 for the Sync 200's. True the machines are a bit larger and heavier, but you get a machine with a reputation for proven quality under industrial conditions and a network of service centers and parts to back it up long term should you have any issues. Granted it will not run on 110v power, but if you really look at the specs on most tigs that can run on 110v power, you won't be welding any alum and you'll be limited to 14-16 ga steel or less on average, because of the low output on 110v on a standard outlet.

[Gamble]

Originally Posted by DSW

Combo tig / plasma units in general tend to have a poor reputation for reliability. I seriously doubt the machines Eastwood's is importing will have a much better track record.

$1300 would get you a nice lightly used Syncrowave 180 or 200 is you looked a bit on CL. That's the average upper end on those units used. Typically I see them as low at $800-900 for the Sync 180's and $950-1100 for the Sync 200's. True the machines are a bit larger and heavier, but you get a machine with a reputation for proven quality under industrial conditions and a network of service centers and parts to back it up long term should you have any issues. Granted it will not run on 110v power, but if you really look at the specs on most tigs that can run on 110v power, you won't be welding any alum and you'll be limited to 14-16 ga steel or less on average, because of the low output on 110v on a standard outlet.

It's not a combo unit. It's a combo package. Both the tig and the plasma for 1300. Or you can buy the separate.

[yodaforce]

Well honestly, my TD plasma is only a few years old, out of warranty, and wouldn't you know it as soon as the warranty went out, so did the cooling fan. It costed me almost $300 to replace it (only because the little Chinese fan that I pulled out of it just could not be found anywhere else). The machine probably only has 20 hours on it since I have had it, so disappointing to say the least.
The Eastwood Tig by itself is $899.
I'm almost to the point now that if I buy an expensive domestic unit, especially used, then when something breaks, they will rape me on parts or service. If I buy an import, then worst case scenario is that sometime down the road, I may have to shell out a few bucks over parts cost and just buy another new one. Maybe get lucky and manage to break it within the warranty

[Gamble]

Why not buy it and try it out?

[cutter1305]

Got a sync 200 for my primary use at home, rugged, reliable but not too mobile. Needed a inverter and saw the Eastwood tig 200 for $749 in Oct 2011. Very reliable so far with only a foot pedal needing to be replaced. Have made quite a few housecalls helping friends. I find myself using the Eastwood tig more than my sync 200

Eastwood had a combo sale in dec 2011 with the tig 200 and a plasma cutter for $999,
basically $500 for each, pretty good price point. The plasma cutter cuts 1/4 inch plate steel as as easily as thin sheet metal. The tig however had to be replaced twice due to low output and quick overload. The third replacement was perfect and been welding since Dec. We stuck with Eastwood due to no hassle support. If the tig breaks, Fed Ex quoted
$145 shipping charge, round trip to Eastwood for the 3yr warranty, still not bad. We're both
happy with our tig 200's.

[Oscar]

Only complaint about the Eastwood TIG200 is that the torch has about a 10% duty cycle @ 200A. Gets hot REALLY quickly. I think they used a 150A torch instead of a 200A torch because if you stay @ 150A or less, its fine.

[Gamble]

I think that air cooled torches are only rated for 165 amps. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

[mechanic416]

Air cooled tig torch rateings are #9 torch--125amps, #17 torch--150 amps and the #26 torch is 200 amps.

[Oscar]

Originally Posted by mechanic416

Air cooled tig torch rateings are #9 torch--125amps, #17 torch--150 amps and the #26 torch is 200 amps.

The Eastwood unit is definitely a 17-series torch, so it confirms my suspicions. I wonder how hard it would be to outfit it with a water-cooled torch setup.