what kind of a TIG you guys using?

Been shopping for TIG welders. Im thinking the econoTIG from Miller might do what I need, but some feedback would help. I will be welding up to the thickness of frame material, so maybe just over 1/8".. I learned to weld on an EconoTIG years ago but now im buying my own and jsut want to know if there is something I should know before I buy... thanks!


chris

 

I use a Miller sd 180, I love it.

 

I just got a Syncrowave 200 about 3 weeks ago. It was worth it for me to step up a couple hundred extra (over EconoTig) for the extra muscle and extra features. I'm real pleased with it so far.

This page on Miller's site was real helpful for me in deciding between the two:

http://millerwelds.com/products/tig/productguide.html

 

ESAB 252 watercooled torch with foot and hand control .

 

Syncrowave 300 here, sure enjoy the extra amperage when needed...

 

My brother told me you can change an arc welder into a tig with proper attachments,i'm looking into this and I'll let you know more when I figure it all out

 

You wind up with a scratch start tig. leads, regulator & bottle, torch head and you're in business. there are kits out there

 

My Lincoln 175 works very well. It's a more capable machine than I am a welder......but I'm getting better at it.

 

I'm with slide,,, I got a syncrowave 200. I love the machine!

Make sure you get the right tungsten, I've used all different kinds of tig's and geting the right tungsten is just as important.

 

I have ran a Miller Snchrowave 180 for about 3 years now. I have also used older sd250's and even 350's. I would say that you should get the biggest machine you can afford. If your no good at it now, you'll grow into it. Watercooled is always a plus. My recommendation would be a new snyncrowave 200. I believe they have a small watercooler and it should weld preety think to at least 1/8 comfortable and larger in shorter bursts.

I bought my welders on ebay, believe it or not, and they were cheaper than anywhere else, came shipped direct from miller, and the shipping was free.

 

I have a sincrowave 250 water cooled. I took a cl*** at the community collage Then decided what to buy. I would buy as big a machine as possable you can always turn it down for lite work. If you are welding aluminum it takes a lot of current.
Terry AKA dirt t

 

I have a Miller Syncrowave 200, great machine. Before buying the 200, I asked the company (Airgas) about the Econotig and they said, they don't carry it anymore, since there have been, too many returns.

 

Miller Synchrowave 250 with a Bernard water cooler on top. The newer machines with cool runner package are very nice. We have one at my work; Very quite compared to my unit. I bought my machine at an auction for a fab shop going out of business. I paid $1k for the machine. You may want to look into used equipment if you are interested in getting an industrial machine at a bargain price

 

FWIW I heard that was an older version of it, and they made some changes a year or so ago, and that they are much better.

The Syncro200 doesn't come with a watercooled deal... but I'll probably consider an upgrade to that in the future. Right now I work too slow to worry about it anyways.

I've only tested this 200 on stuff from 20ga. up to 1/4 inch, and I'm real pleased with the range of power.

 

I've been using an Econotig for 11 years, it's served me very well, but 90% of my tig work is sheetmetal. Think I might step up to a bigger machine this summer, I got a lot of frame work coming up and the Econo just can't handle a lot of heavy work. If your going to be doing mostly 1/8 or heavier you'll be dissapointed with the Econo. I'd defintally try to get watercooled for frame work.

 

It's called an arc frequency stabilizer. No where near as versital as a stright tig. No foot control, gas controll with a knob. just strike the arc and go. The new inverter tigs are the way to go. A 200 amp tig weighs about 50 lbs and only draws about 20 amps ath 220 v.

 

I have a Lincoln Pro Tig 185 w/pulse Control, hand and foot Amptrols-love it a lot-

 

I use a Thermal Arc 300 amp DC inverter TIG. Air cooled. Small compact machine, with thumb remote voltage. No AC or high freq. start, but it rocks on mild steel, SS, and 4130.

ROB

 

I have a Lincoln 250 ,paid $850 for it complete ,used,works great . Just a little too big physically,but I can live with it for the price.

 

I have the Miller DialArc 310 with foot control and water cooling. I picked it up used for a really good price when a local machine shop closed. It also has the arc welding cables on it. Mine will work on single phase or three phase up to 440 volts so I will be able to use it in a commercial environment if we ever decide to open up a shop. Both of my sons are bugging me to open the rod shop full time after I retire so they can work with / for me. I just want to retire and drive my old cars.

Buy the biggest you can afford, you won't regret it.

 

I have an old Lincoln square wave 300 & need the extra at times. Never worry about something being to big to weld...

 

sounds like the miller is a popular choice... I was thinking about breaking out the old credit card and just buying a bad*** one...

 

Syncrowave 250DX. Great machine. More durable than an inverter and costs a lot less. If you're looking to buy new, try Indiana Oxygen Supply. They sell on line and thru ebay.

 

I've been researching this as well. Seems like the econo is the good beginner tig welder but they say you'll end up trading it in for a Syncro...so might as well start with the syncro

 

thats what Im thinking. Someone told me "your only spending that money once, might as well make it a nice one" so if you^^^^^^^ keep those headers on your car maybe Ill buy the welder I really want.... lol wadda ya say??

 

I did lots of research and was going to buy a used Synchrowave 250 - but then I spent some time talking to my buddy who does lots of racecar welding -- both aluminum and steel. He made a point that I really hadn't thought of . . . weight and portability. He said . . . if you can afford it, buy an Inverter like a Maxstar or Dynasty -- you'll be glad you did.

I went ahead and bought a Maxstar 200 DX . . . as I just won't be doing Aluminum (my friend will do it). Having a machine that weighs 40 or so pounds and you can throw in your back seat is something to think about. You can take it to the races, take it to Bonneville . . . take it to your friends house and use a 20 amp 110 outlet for most steel stuff. The flexibility, portability and features are fantastic.

I'm new to TIG, but in just a few hours of practice, it is amazing what you can do. I've been practicing on 22 gauge sheetmetal, 16 gauge header pipies and 1/8 steel . . . great stuff!

As others have said - save your money and buy the best machine you can. I'd highly recommend that you go to a place that will let you sit down and try a few different machines . . . why not? Try a traditional Synchrowave, then an EconoTig, then a Maxstar or Dynasty . . . spend a couple hours with somebody who knows them all and can give you the Pros/Cons and pricing.

Best of luck . . . TIG is the best, no question about that!

 

I have been TIG welding for about 30 years and I have figured out that what ever welder you can afford will work. I started with a Lincoln AC/DC cracker box with a high frec. box and it worked for years. A econo TIG is a good machine if thats what you can afford. There is no use in buying a high dollar machine if you just use it once or twice a year. It will end up on Craigs list.
My $.02

 

If you want to try out some machines, Miller is at all the big trade shows and quite a few of the big car shows, like the NSRA Nationals, etc. They have machines set up and you can try them out on the spot. They also have local distributors there to take orders and usually give you a pretty good deal. And if they're shipping to you out of state, you don't have to pay sales tax, which is a big savings on a $4k or so machine.

As for inverters, the portability and flexibility in terms of power source is nice. But they don't have the durability of a transformer machine, and they cost a lot more money for a comparable setup. My Syncrowave 250 has the cooler, running gear, and everything else built into it. With an inverter, all this has to be purchased separately. And for some reason, Miller doesn't have dedicated running gear for a lot of the inverter machines. Having said that, an inverter gives you greater control over pulse and some other stuff, which is very helpful with aluminum and stainless. I gotta admit it was a tough choice. Kinda depends on what you plan to do with it.

 

I have a thermal arc 185. It is awesome. Welds in AC & DC. High frequency start. It has al the bells and whistles plus it's an inverter (about 40 lbs.) I was looking at the miller dynasty before I found the TA. I couldn't justfy the huge price difference for the dynasty 200. I am very happy withthe Themal arc. Altough since I bought mine a bout 2 years back I believe the price went up about $500

 

Lincoln Precision Tig 185. Its an awesome machine for the money. AC-DC, high frequency start, pulse control, etc. It has done everything I need it to do plus some.