PDA

View Full Version : What's a good TIG welder to go with?



Mario
10-25-2007, 12:30 PM
Anyone have any recommendations. 110, or 220. I have both, just nothing bigger as I don't feel like installing any more outlets. I'd like something that's not overly expensive.

Would this be any good: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=004&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=140170757854&rd=1

8valves
10-25-2007, 04:35 PM
What do you want to do with whatever welder you get?

Thick aluminum takes mega amperage unless you're shielding with pure helium... which is expensive. Big amperage capable welders are expensive.

Also, what's too expensive? A Lincoln Precision 185 is an awesome welder, very reliable. They're not super cheap though.

t3rse
10-25-2007, 06:05 PM
miller maxstar. you aren't going to get anything worth a crap for under a grand.

Turbo Joe
10-25-2007, 06:10 PM
I have a lincon 185, and for the home shop use or almost anything automotive wise, it's great. Now if your gonna weld tranny cases with it, forget it! with 1/2" alum T6061 that i weld at home i need to pre heat a little
if its a big piece. runs on 220V and can fit under a workbench when your done to help save space..

Mario
10-26-2007, 01:06 AM
What do you want to do with whatever welder you get?

Thick aluminum takes mega amperage unless you're shielding with pure helium... which is expensive. Big amperage capable welders are expensive.

Also, what's too expensive? A Lincoln Precision 185 is an awesome welder, very reliable. They're not super cheap though.

I don't have a set item I'd like to weld. I'd just like to have one as I'd like to start messing around with fabrication, and be able to do projects as they come along. Most likely I'd be using it on motorcycle frames, exhuast pipe, headers and intakes maybe.


miller maxstar. you aren't going to get anything worth a crap for under a grand.

I am prepared/expecting to spend somewhere around a grand for a used one.


I have a lincon 185, and for the home shop use or almost anything automotive wise, it's great. Now if your gonna weld tranny cases with it, forget it! with 1/2" alum T6061 that i weld at home i need to pre heat a little
if its a big piece. runs on 220V and can fit under a workbench when your done to help save space..

That sounds like what I should start looking for. Thanks everyone. I just didn't want a piece of junk.

BadAssPerformance
10-26-2007, 01:10 AM
Miller FTW!!!

http://badassperformance.com/mrides/z/cage/miller_250.JPG

Mario
04-15-2009, 11:51 AM
So I never bought a TIG...bought a MIG. Now I want a TIG again.

Can I weld aluminum with either of these and are these decent?

http://detroit.craigslist.org/bar/1109885340.html

http://detroit.craigslist.org/tls/1121104768.html

http://detroit.craigslist.org/tls/1122860865.html

turbojerk
04-15-2009, 12:37 PM
Miller FTW!!!

+1

....but you don't need a water cooled TIG unless you plan on doing a bunch of AC welding....

This is the machine that I have at home and it's done everything that I've asked of it and more... Paid just under $3k for this modle..
http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/yhst-10832267511754_2046_15058743

T

Mopar318
04-15-2009, 01:02 PM
I got a Lincoln 225 precision with cart, and all accessories for 2050 shipped to my door.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d48/Mopar318/Daytona/012-3.jpg

Mario
04-15-2009, 01:36 PM
Any feedback on the ones I posted? Or am I still being a cheap ---.

BadAssPerformance
04-15-2009, 01:43 PM
So I never bought a TIG...bought a MIG. Now I want a TIG again.

Can I weld aluminum with either of these and are these decent?

http://detroit.craigslist.org/bar/1109885340.html

http://detroit.craigslist.org/tls/1121104768.html

http://detroit.craigslist.org/tls/1122860865.html

To do aluminum... Look the models up on www.miller.com to see if they ar AC capable.

I've been told that (and looking at) the Miller Diversion 165 is a badass welder for general use.

Mopar318
04-15-2009, 01:44 PM
I have a hard time believing the 300 amp is a 1 phase. The miller is not bad but I'm not sure if that's a pedal start or strike start machine. You deff. want a pedal start. Honestly your better off spending twice as much on a better brand new machine. It will hold its value, and carry a warranty.

Mopar318
04-15-2009, 01:45 PM
The hobart tig is a decent machine and can be had for a little more than a used miller.

snoman
04-15-2009, 01:58 PM
you're being cheap

look for a used syncro wave or licn 185 maybe even a miller (forgot the name)
try sutton gatren . com
I bought an adapter box from them for my ranger to do Aluminum
dont buy that chinese junk though

Rampage16V
04-15-2009, 08:29 PM
I bought a miller diversion 165 tig was 1600 or so it just came out a few months ago does alum too. Good tig for starters

BadAssPerformance
04-15-2009, 08:50 PM
I bought a miller diversion 165 tig was 1600 or so it just came out a few months ago does alum too. Good tig for starters

Good to hear! Can it do a looooot of aluminum?

Mopar318
04-15-2009, 11:07 PM
Good to hear! Can it do a looooot of aluminum?

I doubt it. I have to run almost 200 amps at full pedal on some alluminum.

Rampage16V
04-15-2009, 11:18 PM
Good to hear! Can it do a looooot of aluminum?

Worked pretty good welding the .5" brace I welded in my trans case.

BadAssPerformance
04-15-2009, 11:34 PM
Good to know... I'm seriously contemplating one of those.

black86glhs
04-16-2009, 01:02 AM
Worked pretty good welding the .5" brace I welded in my trans case.You make a comment like that and have no pics to prove it???!!!! Come on man....show'em!!!:thumb::thumb:

86turboz
04-16-2009, 02:23 AM
I was lucky enough to come across a used miller 180sd syncrowave for 500 dollars....works fantastic. It welds like a champ. If you are looking at doing just light fab work(car work) I would say something smaller like this would be perfect. Dont try getting one off of ebay because you will end up overpaying. Keep an eye on craigslist and the local papers. One is bound to come up for a good price.

Rampage16V
04-16-2009, 07:37 PM
You make a comment like that and have no pics to prove it???!!!! Come on man....show'em!!!:thumb::thumb:


Sorry its buttoned up for now next time its all over the track I'll snap some pics lol!

Juggy
04-16-2009, 08:37 PM
Sorry its buttoned up for now next time its all over the track I'll snap some pics lol!


take some after pics....that way we will know if it held up or not :lol:

Mario
04-16-2009, 10:49 PM
I was lucky enough to come across a used miller 180sd syncrowave for 500 dollars....works fantastic. It welds like a champ. If you are looking at doing just light fab work(car work) I would say something smaller like this would be perfect. Dont try getting one off of ebay because you will end up overpaying. Keep an eye on craigslist and the local papers. One is bound to come up for a good price.

I just found one of these. What have you welded with it so far?

snoman
04-16-2009, 11:16 PM
synchrowaves are bad ---!
especially newer ones. I went on numerous welding forums to research them. they are good up to .5 and higher with some preheat.(pretty much any machine is "aided: by preheat over .5') I wanted one, but could't find one less than 2k. A diversion 165 sould be a good 2nd, not as heavy duty, great for a weekend warrior. Can do .5".
I already had a gas driven ranger 9 so I bought a freak (freq) box for it for 300.
works like a champ.

fishcleaner
04-16-2009, 11:33 PM
I'm in the market for one too. I've narrowed my choices between the Miller Diversion 165 and the Thermal Arc 185

http://cgi.ebay.com/THERMAL-ARC-AM-185-AC-DC-TIG-STICK-WELDER-10-3073A-1_W0QQitemZ390026657816QQcmdZViewItemQQptZBI_Welde rs?hash=item390026657816&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A13 18|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

I like the price on the Miller but the Thermal Arc is looking like a better value

86turboz
04-17-2009, 02:38 AM
I just found one of these. What have you welded with it so far?

I have welded aluminum(6061, 5052, and cast) up to a 1/4" so far...even though it isnt rated for it, I know it will go beyond it if I need it to with a pre-heat... I have welded mild steel, stainless(301, 304, 321, inconel, and some others that the ident. markings were wore off), and I messed with some magnesium(I didnt do very well with it because I had never done it before....its a little weird actually having to stick the tungsten IN the puddle...lol). The syncrowaves are pretty much bullet proof.... for the most part, I think the only thing you have to keep on top of is the normal dust and points adjustments. Oh and if you plan on doing much welding above 100amps, I suggest upgrading to a watercooler....but of course I could just have sensitive hands...lol.... that torch can get friggin hot. You dont need it, but man I wish I had one...lol. Im waiting for a sync 250 or 350 to pop up used and I am going to snag it.

Needless to say, I am very happy with it.

welderwalt
04-17-2009, 11:54 PM
I depends on what the majority of material you are going to be welding . You talked about frames and exhaust work , that takes a DC machine , an air cooled torch would be fine for that , 200 amps gives you alot of range , so the Miller Maxstar is a good choice . I have used this machine with a foot pedal control and fingertip adjustable control , you can also use a fixed amperage setting and with the high freq , it's a breeze to start , saves your tungsten!!! If you find one with the pulser option , that works great on thin stuff , it's easy to set-up too. If you are going to do any amount of aluminum , you'll need a AC machine , I'd recommend at least a 250 amp machine with a water-cooled torch . The water cooled torch not only keeps your hand cool , it keeps the tungsten temperature stable and extends it's life , especially if you are welding heavy aluminum , which I would consider anything 1/4 th. of more. Also, most AC/DC tig machines are 230 volt single phase, some of the older units do draw alot of amps, so you'll need a good sized breaker , say 60 amp. You can sometimes buy those older machines cheap , but some of the repair parts are obsolete or very expensive . We paid $405.00 for a 350 amp Hobart tigwave at a sale , the panel amperage control was damaged , it alone cost $900.00 . One quick tip , if you are using a watercooled torch and are close to maxxing out the machine , plug the cooler into a separate circuit so if the breaker trips , the cooler keeps working and does'nt fry the torch . I hope this helps , I've been in the weld/fab business for 25 years . Good luck Walt:thumb: PS : I have also used the Miller Synchrowave 250 and they are a great machine for anything , get the Tigrunner package w/ the water cooler

BadAssPerformance
04-17-2009, 11:59 PM
Welcome to the forum and good info! :thumb:

ShadowFromHell
04-18-2009, 11:15 AM
If your just wanting to weld alum, why not get a spoolgun? With a little practice and the right wire you can do some nice work. I have one at work and can lay down some nice welds with it. Depending on the wire, i ca weld from 1/2 to 14ga.

86turboz
04-18-2009, 01:49 PM
If your just wanting to weld alum, why not get a spoolgun? With a little practice and the right wire you can do some nice work. I have one at work and can lay down some nice welds with it. Depending on the wire, i ca weld from 1/2 to 14ga.

Because everyone knows that MIG isnt as cool as saying TIH....duh....lol.jk

Because a decent welder + spoolgun costs as much, if not more than a decent TIG