Tig

[aczeller]

okay, i know that GENERALLY TIG can be the king of all welds. i understand that MIG, arc, and O/A all have their place, but for aviation, racing and other places where hgih-perforamce welds are required, TIG is at least the way to go, if it is not required. with that said, i understand that my LE 100HD is a POS and i want to upgrade. i don't do any professional grade work yet, and i am only beginning, but i am looking for a good machine to learn to TIG with. does anyone have any ideas? like i said, i will probably see very light use, compared to many other member's equipment, but i want to have something that is big enough to last me for a few years while i learn what i am doing. price is a factor, but i can probably sway my fiance if it is a quality machine. she likes to see that things will save money in the long run.

any ideas woudl be greatly appreciated. i have no preference on manufacturer. i woudl like to be able to weld aluminum and Ti eventually, but that won't be for a few years.

thanks!
Andy

[hotrodder]

i wouldn't say TIG is king- simply too slow for welding big stuff. it's advantage is precision, accuracy and control which is what is required for many aerospace and racing applications

to weld aluminium with TIG an AC/DC machine is required (you can weld Al with a DC only machine but it's not really practical unless welding thick sections)

IMO 200 amps is the minimum to be useful if you'll be welding much Al.

[Rojodiablo]

A good starter tig?? Try the Miller maxstar 150. It runs on 110, and 220. It only does DC welding, so no aluminum. But it will teach you how to tig weld. And once you can do a good job with it on steel, or SS, you will flip your lid when you get anAC/DC tig, with bells and whistles. The arc on the little miller is very good, very stable and predictable. It's tiny, so your fiance may be convinced that it's "Cute!! " It is small enough to not be an intimidating machine, it is almost silent, has no fumes. A used one will sell for $600-800, a new one is $1000 ish.

[Go1lum]

If you have the money the dynasty 200DX sounds like the perfect machine for you. Awesome light machine. Very stabile arc. Good for the hobbyist.

[weldgault]

A 200 amp AC/DC machine with High Frequency is really what you need. any mfg. is good, because a standard machine is controlled by NEMA, when manufactured, so they are all the same under the hood, just the bells and whistles are different and I hope this doesn't start the bull to raging. John

[David R]

Arcmaster 185. I have one. Whattamachine!

Its the only welder I have that is not lincoln.

David

[Me!]

How about size and weight?
If its going in a shop and always going to be on site the transformer machines are less expensive, but a a lot heavier.

Now the inverter machines are nice since they are smaller and use less power, but add about $1000 to the price for that...

Three excellent inverter machines have already been mentioned:

• Miller Dynasty 200DX $$$$$$$
• Arcmaster 185 $$$$
• Miller Maxstar 150 $$ DC ONLY - NO AL or TI

As for transformer based machines the best band for the hobby buck is an Econotig, Hobart or Miller. For a few hundred more I opted for a Syncrowave 200 and love it! But it is not light!

[hotrodder]

Originally Posted by Me!

Miller Maxstar 150 $$ DC ONLY - NO AL or TI

Ti is welded with DCEN.

[weldgault]

Originally Posted by Me!

How about size and weight?
If its going in a shop and always going to be on site the transformer machines are less expensive, but a a lot heavier.

Now the inverter machines are nice since they are smaller and use less power, but add about $1000 to the price for that...

Three excellent inverter machines have already been mentioned:

• Miller Dynasty 200DX $$$$$$$
• Arcmaster 185 $$$$
• Miller Maxstar 150 $$ DC ONLY - NO AL or TI

As for transformer based machines the best band for the hobby buck is an Econotig, Hobart or Miller. For a few hundred more I opted for a Syncrowave 200 and love it! But it is not light!

Me, I have had 150 Syncrowave 200 in a rental fleet and had no trouble for two years. It is a good one John

[Me!]

Originally Posted by hotrodder

Ti is welded with DCEN.

Brain fart....

[aczeller]

what is DCEN / DCEP? i've heard both and have no idea about either one.

later,
Andy

[P.O.E]

Direct current electrode negative/ direct current electrode positive.

[weldgault]

Reverse (DCEP) or Streight (DCEN), sometimes we go so fast, we forget to explain in detail - sorry for all John

[383bigblock]

Weldgault the 3 machines you listed are nice boxes I would also include HTP's Invertig 201. Its a very good inverter machine with all the bells and whistles and at a very good price point. Mine worked like a champ.


Michael