Tig welder to purchase.

[Cooper]

Originally Posted by RCP57

Keep in mind I know nothing, I'm not a welder, and I have no training. I started out with a Miller Diversion 165 TIG(inverter type). They no longer make it as it was upgraded to a 180 I think. It does AC/DC and welds really nice for a beginner machine. I started building headache racks for trucks and it was maxed out constantly to weld 3/16 so I started looking for a bigger welder. I came across a 3 month old Lincoln Precision 225 TIG for sale locally. The guy had it bought it for a job thinking there would be more jobs but there wasn't. Him and his GF were moving and he needed cash. It was literally brand new. I called the local Lincoln rep and asked him what it was worth first and then made the offer. I ended up getting it for $1000 less than retail and it came with a bottle on top of that. It is big heavy welder as it is a transformer type. It has a few options but nothing like a full blown pro welder. More than I need though. The diversion had more than enough stank to weld up toys. I built my boat, Euc and parts of my excavator with it. The 225 does have more power but I rarely use more than 120amps working on our stuff. Keep in mind that buying a larger one will let you weld heavier things and that may come in handy(wheels larger frame pieces ect). I wouldn't take that and go out to buy a 400amp welder though either.lol I have a couple of different torch heads. 150 amp that the machine came with and a 200 amp for larger stuff. Whatever you buy I'm sure you will be welding like a pro in no time. I'm not very good at it really so the only advice I can give is be patient and don't use too much heat!

Thank reg, guess I'm going to keep looking a little bit

[Bo Wallen]

A little stronger machine runs better on all the lower settings. As soon you reach max settings it starts to get funky like a small weak car going uphill struggle. you will newer need 500 amp but just a little bit more amp than you think. Like lathe and mills first size you think of is soon too small.
And Reg remember i got the PUP and i watch your welds.......you got some serious skills in that area too. RW what ever you decide ...do not rush in keep calm buckle up and you will be happy making new wonders we all can admire.

[Bo Wallen]

And if you got bored and need to hide for a while watch this guy.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucFK...em-subs_digest He knows a thing or two........Its my source when i forgot what i was supposed to do. witch happens a lot

[RCP57]

Something else I forgot to mention is that the transformer welders eat a lot of power. My 225 is rated to suck 60amps at full pop although I have never had it trip the 50amp breaker it runs on. I'm not sure what power you have in the garage but it is something else to think about. A good friend of mine that is a welder by trade swears by the Miller Dynasty series. They were just out of my price range when I got the Lincoln. Even if I were buying a new welder now I'm not sure I would buy one just because they are so adjustable. I prefer the KISS method.lol

[JAMMER]

Hello Cooper may I suggest Eastwood Tig 200 welder. I have one it is 110 or 220 volt welds aluminum stainless or steel. I had a guy use it that welds stainless for a living and said for light stuff it works great on 110 volt I do not have 220. It has adjustments and recommended setting on a chart on it it about $ 729.99.00 and is on sail. Eastwood is a place foe car enthusiast that want to do the repair them selves. Ed

[RCP57]

I am surprised to see that the 225 is almost the same price in Canada as it was when I got mine a few years ago. I am really happy with this one but as I said before I do not have much experience. I can say that if you want to do 1/2" with it don't expect to make long passes. It's duty cycle at full pop is not very good and it will shut of with the thermal protection. It will however weld 3/16" or less very well. One thing I should buy is a flex head 150amp torch! I have one on the 200amp torch and it is nice but the body is too large for welding small stuff. It's a money pit just like all the rest of this stuff! It's expenses like this that some people don't think about when they question the cost of our hobby! To outfit and maintain a hobby level machine shop costs tens of thousands! Pretty cool what we can build with all of it though!

[Cooper]

Originally Posted by JAMMER

Hello Cooper may I suggest Eastwood Tig 200 welder. I have one it is 110 or 220 volt welds aluminum stainless or steel. I had a guy use it that welds stainless for a living and said for light stuff it works great on 110 volt I do not have 220. It has adjustments and recommended setting on a chart on it it about $ 729.99.00 and is on sail. Eastwood is a place foe car enthusiast that want to do the repair them selves. Ed

Thanks Ed, I'll look into that one also. (Great more things to look at . ) lol!!

[Bo Wallen]

I'm on the plane back to ct I will help you the best I can later this evening