Looking for a quality TIG welder.

[porosity]

I'm local to the San Diego area and I was curious if anybody is selling a good TIG welder that would be suitable for welding aluminum. I only (currently) have access to a 110V outlet in my garage (at some point, I may have an electrician out to change that), so if anybody has a machine that can handle dual input that would be great. Apologies in advance if I'm asking in the wrong place.

[DSW]

There are machines out there that will do AC tig on 110v power, but they have some issues you need to be aware of. They usually are very limited in output on 110v power. Chances are at best you'll be able to weld maybe 16 ga with standard 20 amp dedicated circuit without tripping the breaker. Specs on a machine like a Dynasty 200 show it will max out at 150 amps on 110v power, enough to do 1/8", but to do so you need a dedicated 30 amp 115v line. If you have to run the line anyways, run 230v power which would let you do 3/16" alum with that machine.

2nd issue is most of these machines are not cheap. Millers Diversion will run on 110v power and isn't too bad price wise, but out put isn't great, especially on 110v power, and you give up all the advanced features. Dynasty's will set you back almost $4K new. Used ones show up from time to time, but still command premium prices. Those you find dirt cheap, usually are either scams, or dead machines guys are trying to dump on some unsuspecting customer. Dead machines usually end up costing you more to repair than they are worth. Make sure you test and confirm a "deal" works and you can physically lay your hands on the unit before you plunk down money.

[Gamble]

What i have used and seem to work pretty well on 110v.
Miller diversion 180 (the 165 is 220v only)
Eastwood tig
longevity 200sx
htp 221 dv

There are machines out there, just depends on your budget.

[soutthpaw]

If you have a washer and dryer in the house or garage you should have at least a 30 amp 220vac hook up. Then you just got to make an extension cord. DSW hit the key issue, that is welding thickness on 110vac. what thickness are you trying to weld?

[porosity]

If you have a washer and dryer in the house or garage you should have at least a 30 amp 220vac hook up. Then you just got to make an extension cord. DSW hit the key issue, that is welding thickness on 110vac. what thickness are you trying to weld?

It's a gas dryer, I'm pretty sure it's only 110v. To be fair I've never actually dragged it out and seen the plug myself.

I had looked at the Longevity and the ThermalArc. Both seem to be "budget" welders, which claim to do TIG on 110V. I may just bite the bullet and see what an electrician costs. Though my braker box is almost maxed out. Old house (1926), with knob and tube wiring.

[cope]

It's a gas dryer, I'm pretty sure it's only 110v. To be fair I've never actually dragged it out and seen the plug myself.

I had looked at the Longevity and the ThermalArc. Both seem to be "budget" welders, which claim to do TIG on 110V. I may just bite the bullet and see what an electrician costs. Though my braker box is almost maxed out. Old house (1926), with knob and tube wiring.

The T/A and Longevity welders will fdo a good job on 110, as will several other dual voltage machines. I have the Longevity 160SX, and it does both Tig and Stick well.

[porosity]

The T/A and Longevity welders will fdo a good job on 110, as will several other dual voltage machines. I have the Longevity 160SX, and it does both Tig and Stick well.

I've heard people tell me that they're **** and it's better to find a good used Lincoln or Miller machine. Which is what lead me here.

[Joker11]

they were right about the lincoln. I was kind of excited to see your post until I saw your voltage limitations.
I am kind of in a tight spot and considering selling my Precision Tig 275 Ready-Pak with Advance Panel. I would deliver it to SD

[porosity]

they were right about the lincoln. I was kind of excited to see your post until I saw your voltage limitations.
I am kind of in a tight spot and considering selling my Precision Tig 275 Ready-Pak with Advance Panel. I would deliver it to SD

I'll look at my breaker panel again. What are you thinking of selling it for?

[killdozerd11]

You won that real mean little lincoln stick machine that would be more along what his capabilities currently are...Electrically speaking

[Joker11]

As much as I can get!

You should go to www.lincolnelectric.com and look at the Precision Tig 275 Ready-Pak.
I installed the advanced panel on top of that. So aside from the top end amperage, my machine has all the capabilities of the PrecisionTig 375.

See if that is even what you are going to want and then we can talk price. LOL