As for a new machine, primeweld 225. Thicker aluminum is a challenge with any tig machine. Preheat would be required, but not a big deal .1500$ would get you the machine, with plenty to spare for cylinder, filler material and tungsten and possibly with a little more$$, you could get a cooler and water cooled torch. Otherwise there is the used option but 110v operation is out of the picture and you will need a very large 220v circuit to run things. Something like a Lincoln 300 or miller syncrowave are machines to look for

 

Another vote for the Primeweld TIG 225X. I know a couple of people who have bought them now after I suggested looking at them, and they are all thrilled with the performance. The guy who sits across from me at work actually bought one earlier this year and he just raves about it. For $900 I don't think there's a better deal out there.

3/8" thick aluminum will be about the limit of any TIG welder in the 200-250A range, but it's doable. I helped a friend TIG some 3/8" thick aluminum to a 1/4" thick piece using his Harbor Freight ProTIG 205 and we got it done, but the machine was maxed out and pre-heat would have helped.

 

QUOTE=M J D;8892220]As for a new machine, primeweld 225. Thicker aluminum is a challenge with any tig machine. Preheat would be required, but not a big deal .1500$ would get you the machine, with plenty to spare for cylinder, filler material and tungsten and possibly with a little more$$, you could get a cooler and water cooled torch. Otherwise there is the used option but 110v operation is out of the picture and you will need a very large 220v circuit to run things. Something like a Lincoln 300 or miller syncrowave are machines to look for[/QUOTE]



Thank you for the advise. Realistically, I probably won't be doing more than 1/4" aluminum, but up to 3/8" steel. I was looking at an Everlast machine, but the Primeweld looks just as good at a lower price. By chance, is everything I'm wanting available in a multi process welder (Mig, tig)? Would be nice to have a more powerful mig in the same machine. Also, any suggestions on the tig accessories?

 

Another vote for PrimeWeld 225. Awesome machine, and not that it matters, but it also does DC stick. If you've got up t0 $1500 to spend, you can buy the machine, consumables, gas bottle, welder cart, and PPG.
You wont be disappointed.

 

if you do much welding you might hate the gas cooled torch. i hated mine right away and took it off

 

You take your little tig welder in the field with a water cooled torch? I might look into that.

 

i would never tig anything in the field if i didnt have to. its slower than mollasses and prep has to be spot on. oh ya and its slower than mollasses

 

There was this one video of a TIG weldor on YouTube from years ago. Jody from WT&T showed it on one of his older videos just to showcase what can be done. And man, was that guy fast! Just about MIG-fast while TIG welding! I'm still trying to find that video. You can tell the dude was getting paid by-the-part.

 

Any other recommendations other than the Primeweld? It seems to ba physically a little large for my tiny garage.

I’m looking for a rig to use as a practice machine to develop my skills. My HTP inverting is 2100 miles away from our winter hideout in Az.

Size matters and smaller is better.

 

If you are looking for inexpensive and small second machine, you may go with a little lunchbox inverter stick machine. You can run scratch start tig that way.

 

If you can hold off a few more weeks, Primeweld is releasing their new 325 which is a bit more compact. Call Primeweld for exact details.

 

Now that is a game chenger. I am very interested for recommending to my clients that want phase out their tranny tigs. They tack up work and I weld out. We work as a team.

 

Really want HF start, and ac/dc

I did stop at Harbor Freight, but nothing rang my bell there. Plus, I haven’t had good experiences buying things there, although, admittedly, their overall quality seems to be improving.

I don’t want to hijack this thread, but it seems like the op and I are on similar quests.

 

It wasn't till I read your reply that I realized how big the 225x actually is. Definitely not ideal, but it seems like the best option still. If the 325 is within a few hundred dollars of the 225, that sounds like the route to go. However, looks like that may not have a lower power 110V option.

 

View attachment 652A2013-8A70-4DC1-BFF7-8089B396BB36.jpg

 

View attachment 9DA516D9-0FFD-4516-BC82-718449F6C265.jpg

 

View attachment 1745609

Pretty cool. Anyone in the market for a lightly used 225x?

 

Wow....that Primeweld 325X starts at only $1399. That is a LOT Of machine for $1,400! I seriously want one now

 

well yeah

you prolly haven't bought a new welder all week and it's already FRIDAY

 

Thanks, Tillerdemon!

 

What is your location? I have a few Lincoln Tig 300/300's for sale. BIG machines but tig very nicely.

 

Maybe I missed it but what did you get?

 

Take a look at the Everlast EXT210, does it all well, TIG Welder!
At-MotoR

 

As someone who owns an Everlast PowerTIG 210EXT I would never recommend anyone buy a machine from them. When they work they weld nicely, but when you have a problem, as many have, they are an absolute nightmare to deal with. When my first Everlast developed an issue after just a few weeks it took over 50 e-mails, dozens of calls and a couple of months to resolve...not that they ever got it working. They sent the wrong parts to the wrong address, sent different wrong parts to the wrong address, then the right parts to the wrong address, but it didn't help, etc....total nightmare.

My experience is not uncommon and they routinely edit or delete critical posts on their sponsored forum here....I know that for a fact.

 

Everlast (All) does have a 5-year warranty?
At-MotoR

 

Well, I ordered the Primeweld Tig225 this morning. Black Friday price was $765 delivered to Arizona.

Not exactly what I wanted, but it seems like the best value for the price, for an ac/dc machine, based on recommendations here and on YouTube. All I will be using it for is practice, to acquire some skills, so I really don’t need more power.

I am under no illusions that it will perform as well as my HTP invertig, but that machine lives in Michigan. A Black Friday HTP225 is right at $2000, which probably puts it at $2500 by the time I add a bottle of Argon, helmet, and consumables. The Primeweld Tig225 fully equipped should be about half that.

A Miller is at least twice what the BF HTP would be.

Wish me well. Hope you guys didn’t steer me wrong!

 

Well, I ordered the Primeweld Tig225 this morning. Black Friday price was $765 delivered to Arizona.

Not exactly what I wanted, but it seems like the best value for the price, for an ac/dc machine, based on recommendations here and on YouTube. All I will be using it for is practice, to acquire some skills, so I really don’t need more power.

I am under no illusions that it will perform as well as my HTP invertig, but that machine lives in Michigan. A Black Friday HTP225 is right at $2000, which probably puts it at $2500 by the time I add a bottle of Argon, helmet, and consumables. The Primeweld Tig225 fully equipped should be about half that.

A Miller is at least twice what the BF HTP would be.

Wish me well. Hope you guys didn’t steer me wrong![/QUOTE

You will be pleased with your purchase. If you are not satisfied, Primeweld will send you a return label and fully refund you.

 

One of the best ever expl. for those who can not choose which TIG CUP to use
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YWNqAdS568

 

Hi,
New to posing but have been following for a while.

I just talked to Primeweld about the new 325X and they said Feb. 16, 2023 it will be available. There is no pre-ordering but they will be having plenty in stock.
For what I want this will be the right machine for me.

I just wanted to give a heads up.