TIG welder recomendations.....what should I buy?

I've been telling myself to buy one for years but keep putting it off. I've used a lot of nice industrial machines at work but never one of the smaller hobbyist type machines.
I'm leaning toward the Miller Syncrowave 180, its only about $230 more than the Econotig, has square wave and seems like it would be a better quality machine. Also considering the Econotig. Other similar machines like the Lincoln TIG 185, Hobart Tigmate, and Esab Heliarc 161.
Looking for an AC/DC machine to run on 220 single phase.

What are y'all using and how do you like it?

 

And has anyone bought a machine form Cyberweld.com?
Seems like good prices and free shipping!

 

I'm an electrical dummie, I'll freely admit that. Does a TIG welder throw out some waves that screw up TV and computer reception? I've always wondered if that would be a problem having one in a home workshop.

 

I've got a new Lincoln Precision TIG 185. It works much better that the old Lincoln 175 I had before. I paid $1535 for it at my local Lincoln dealer.

 

id go with the syncrowave i have a friend who likes his, i really like my miller stuff

 

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I'm an electrical dummie, I'll freely admit that. Does a TIG welder throw out some waves that screw up TV and computer reception? I've always wondered if that would be a problem having one in a home workshop.

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A month ago I would have said no...
I was at a friend's shop and using his computer while he was using his TIG welder. His computer started screwing up badly (seemed to just be the USB keyboard).

I've used his computer before and after that, and it never repeated that behavior. I'm convinced it's related to the welder, although I don't think it should making that much interference.

However, it only seemed to happen while actually welding - noting was wrong afterwards. Live alone and weld all you want.

 

Can't speak on the TIG.I did buy a MIG from Cyberweld last year and will look to them for my next purchase. Good pricing and prompt shipping.

 

I have a Miller Syncrowave 250 and I love it.
If you can, take a course at your local college where you will be able to use a few different machines. This way you can choose which one you like to use for the price of the course.
Cosmo

 

Nimrod, I was going to buy the 180 also, but was able to trade a couple Stanley Planes for a nearly new Econotig. I've been happy with mine. The newer versions (in the last 4 or 5 years) have square wave and it's been fairly easy to work with compared to 15 year old TIGs. But for $200 extra, I would have got the 180.

FWIW, I'm usually at 25% or less when welding .12 inch steel with my Econotig.

Bonus, pawn value and resale is much much higher on a Miller ;-) and I've been able to purchase accessories and add on parts at a dozen stores within a few miles of my place. Should it ever need repair, that's close and cheap too.

 

i just got a lincoln tig-185..i tried a bunch of welders,then decided on it..built in pulse..the others had the pulse as an option..anyway it works great..go try some first...

 

Thanks for the advice everyone, keep it comming.

I Think its the high frequency you use to stabilize the arc when welding aluminum with AC that screws with TV reception. The high frequency with some machines is really loud also.

 

I have a Miller 180.

Love it. Need to add a water cooled torch though...

Gets hot after awhile.

 

I think the Lincoln 185 is the way to go!!

 

I have an Econotig. I got it because I got a good deal on a practically new unit. Honestly though I would go with the Synchrowave for the difference. Econotigs decent enough but for finer stuff you wouldneed to get high freq hook up(whihc is what I'm gonna do when I get some money).

Miller is the safest bet for the money.

 

Nimrod, Thanks for that TV-aluminum welding info. Years ago the only thing I ever TIG welded was aluminum body panels. I've always wanted to TIG steel just to see what it is like. If you can TIG aluminum is steel harder or easier to weld?

 

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I Think its the high frequency you use to stabilize the arc when welding aluminum with AC that screws with TV reception. The high frequency with some machines is really loud also.

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Hi-freq will tear up a computer... and anything else it can. I've read, that, hi-freq waves can travel "backwards" against the flow of current. I, honestly, don't know the ins and outs of it, but it will have an effect on anything that isn't shielded.
I have a Miller add-on hi-freq (I don't think the make them, anymore) that I use with my portable Miller Legend, and people have complained about TVs, computers, telephones... etc. being screwed up.

I just put my old computer out in the shop, I'll let you know if I kill it.

As far as welders go, I like any and all of the Miller products.
Lincoln would be my second choice.
If you go with Snap-On or MAC tools brands, you'll just be paying extra for the name and getting a regular brand, anyway, so don't bother.

Is the syncrowave air or liquid cooled?
I'm planning a tech post on turning an air cooled TIG welder to liquid, as soon as I get some part numbers, so if anyone ends up with an air cooled machine...
The total cost, including the liquid cooled torch, pump, etc. is about $150-$200
Chillers can cost upwards of $500, and unless you're welding for hours on end, mine works slicker than snot on a doorknob. I burn some heavy aluminum, too.
I'll post it, soon.

JOE

 

The Syncrowave comes with an air cooled torch too...I think. I was going to use it for a while and see how it holds up. I was thinking I would make my own cooler when I got around to it.

And 37Kid, I'd say steels a lot easier than aluminum. The arc is a lot smoother with DC, and the puddle is a lot easier to control.

 

I've got an older Miller 250 with high freq and love it. The first machine I started out with didn't have the high frequency or the foot control, it seemed O.K. but after I got the machine that I have now, I don't think I could ever be without the foot control or the high frequency start. My torch is an air cooled one and does fine unless I try to do aluminum or a whole lot of welding continuously, then the torch does tend to get hot. You just cant beat the looks of a good tig weld. Good Luck!

 

I have the Lincoln Squarewave 175 Pro,

I'm just learning and it's the only tig I've used so I have nothing to compare it to but,

I just got a hand Amptrol for it and like it a LOT better then the foot pedal.

Paul

 

Just got an Esab 161. It is small and user friendly. Haven't really used it enough yet to tell you the pitfalls. You could say we're still in the honeymoon stage. But I do like the watercooled units, cause the torch of the gas cooled units tends to get a little warm after a while.

 

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I just got a hand Amptrol for it and like it a LOT better then the foot pedal.


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What the heck is that? Like a slot car trigger? That would be ***S.
If I'm welding under a pontoon boat or almost any vehicle, I run my foot pedal with my knee and sometimes the back of my knee or elbow... I've even run it with my head... whatever works. It kinda ****s, sometime, but I'm used to it.

Tell me about this hand job of yours, Paul.
I might have to get one. How much are they? Do they hook right to the torch?
Are they adjustable under load or do you have to break your arc?

JOE

 

like I said I'm just learning so I'm prolly not the best source of advice here,

I looked at a couple different styles and went with this one because it was in the price range

I was expecting (about two and a half yards) and is the same brand as the welder.

it clips on the torch handle, I played with it so I could work it with either the finger or thumb and seem to have best control using the thumb.

it works just like the foot control, you can adjust it as you weld.

looks like this

 

makes the torch a little more ***bersome and the cable just a heavier,

but after a little while I hardly notice that,

it just seams easier

 

Thanks, man! I'm going to look into one. That's perfect for welding under boats, and places where you can't drag a pedal.

Thanks for the time and the pix, too.

I should mention... I live about 100 miles from an actual "welding supply", and haven't seen the inside of one in about 8 years. I buy my gas at Car-Quest (30 miles) and my steel from the guys that run the s**** yard (45 miles)... They get what I need when they haul s**** to a bigger yard.
I, honestly, didn't know these existed.

JOE

 

if it's important to you (not to start any debates) millers are made in America.

if cost is not an issue go with the miller dynasty DX it's the cadillac of TIGs.


if you want a welding meesage board go to http://www.hobartwelders.com/mboard/.
lot's of good info there.


later jim

 

It all comes down to $$$ if ya got it spend it. If you dont later down the road you'll be wishing you had. Also, it depends on what kind of duty is this rig gonna see. If your going to use it alot get one that will hold up for long welds, if your getting it just to ****** welp up some Alum. and stainless go for a cheepy and stick your cash into some other part of your project. Thats just my two pennies worth.

 

I have a Miller Syncrowave 180 SD. It's a great machine for small production. If you have a welding business or going to weld Thick aluminum, the 250 is the way to go. I'm TIG welding FED Ch***is so the 180 is all I need.

 

DOes that hand control use a slider to vary the amps? The only one I have ever actually seen with my eyes was one that was like a rotary knob with maybe about 110 degrees of it exposed.

I grew up with a foot pedal so I couldn't see myself getting used to the thumb/finger control easily. I got pretty good at using pretty much anything except my feet to control the pedal.

Also, do you still have to scratch start, or can you just crank your thumb control to a zero amperage, then go from there?

 

Has anyone on here used one of the Miller Dynasty machines. I've used a Powcon (I think) AC/DC inverter machine at work and loved it. I'm not on an unlimited budget but am considering one. I've thought about welding as a side job might not be a bad investment. And at 45 lbs is a lot more portable than a traditional 250 - 450 lb. machine.

 

I've been TIG welding with my Econotig for a couple years now and it really did a fine job on any steel up to 3/8" that I could throw at it. I started doing some projects in 3/8" aluminum with the machine and found it simply lacking in the power department though. It served its purpose valiantly, but my needs pretty quickly outgrew the little machine.

A couple weeks ago I was fortunate enough to pick up a new Syncrowave 250DX TigRunner setup. There is one word for this machine: Beautiful. Every part of it screams "High Quality" from the torch to the control panel. It can handle just about any job I can think of ever wanting to do from sheet metal to 1/4"+ aluminum with ease. If the Syncrowave 180 is anything like the 250DX i would highly reccomend it.

As for the Dynasty machines, I personally haven't used one, but I've heard nothing but good things about them. If the Dynasty is the Cadillac of TIG welders, the Syncrowave would be the Mack truck. Built like a rock and doesn't stop for anything.