Whats the best Tig welder for the money?

I have Everlast PowerPro 256S, the welder that 3-in-1 function included Stick, Tig and plasma cutter.
This is the best tig welder.!

 

I just blew a circuit board on my miller and the factory wanted $800 for new one. Got mine repaired by Nyco systems in Cal. for $286.

 

If your serious about tig welding, get a machine with Pulse, You can get that cool stacked dime look to your welds and it helps with sheetmetal because of the cooling effect between pulses. It's possible to manually pulse but takes a lot of skill.

 

I suspect it would be Best not to listen to anything like this when manually ( foot-ually?) pulsing .

 

I'd also 2nd looking for a good used unit.
Don't be in a rush. Take your TIG class, get accomplished and try out as many units as you can. Look for something that has low miles. Maybe an auto repair shop or machine shop that's closing or a well outfitted home shop that has a TIG that didn't get a lot of use, rather than a production shop that ran the machine daily.
Talk to the guys at your local welding supply. They may have demonstrators that come up for sale or may be selling a new TIG to a customer who wants a newer/larger TIG and has their older unit on the market.

 

Just went through this exact same decision making process.

Buying new, after all my research, on a budget I would pick the Miller diversion 165/180.
If you are willing to spend a bit more, the Miller Syncrowave 210/250 are the next step up, but its a big step.

As for what my final choice was? I found a Lincoln Square wave 175 with a massive tank, regulator, and cart for $800. Thing is in perfect shape. Buy used but stick with Lincoln/Miller and you'll be happy.

 

The shop I worked in for 22 years had 12 Miller machines of different varieties, from 220s to 351s all great machines. After I retired I wanted a TIG machine, but only need it occasionally, so I purchased an Eastwood machine and I am very happy with it, although it does not have the exact control on the foot pedal like the more expensive machines do. I am also concerned about replacement parts. Don't get me wrong, if I was doing a lot of work, or building a new car, I would have purchased a Miller, Lincoln or other production machine.

 

The best is the one you only have to buy once. Stay away from the old Miller syncro's, as the circut boards and other componants are very hard to come by and very expencive. When it became a problem I dumped it and went with a MILLER 350 Dynasty but its completely out of your range and skill level right now

 

I had a lincoln years ago,when I would try to weld make fuel tanks out of 1/4 aluminum I would regret not having a bigger machine and a water cooled unit.Aluminum seems to eat up a lot of power.

 

Guys, this thread is almost 4 years old. I would think the OP has a machine by now.

 

No, it isn't.

 

Lincoln Square Wave 175. Never a problem with it. Hundreds of hours of superb service.

 

You'd be correct
I like something by Bo diddley myself

 

Still plenty of useful info, some threads are worth a bump

 

Yep- I'm looking for info. ^^^