Tools & Fabrication - What's a good reasonably priced tig welder?

Like title says what's a good reasonably priced tig welder?

miller dynasty all right but make sure you have ear plugs in if you are welding aluminum cause the arc will deafen you.
I have Lincoln precision tig 275 and love it but I have 6500 into it with water cooler and pulse panel
Beaudacious

You're going to start a war with a question like that. Miller and Lincoln Electric are the two big names that everyone is going to recommend. Probably followed by Hobart. The fairly reliable china brands people would recommend would probably be Longevity and Everlast. I know Longevity has a 5yr warranty and it seems like people are generally happy with them even if they have to send the machine back 2 or 3 times to get one with no problems (it's not real common, but does happen). Everlast I've read less about. The selling point with the china machines is you can get a TIG/stick and plasma cutter in one. I believe your looking at 1500 or so.
In contrast with the Miller and LE machines, I want to say your looking at around 1100 to get something that has a max of 3/16ths. A more serious machine is probably going to be 15-1800. Hobart seems to float a couple hundred dollars less.
I've read that some of the Miller and LE machines have some china components, but largely they are a USA machine. Hobart seems to be largely made in China but is still popular.
Miller and LE are probably going to be easier to service since you'll probably have a local store, availability of consumables should be easier to get with the Miller or LE, but some guys have commented they can get consumables for their Everlast or Longevity machine at their local welding supply.
Warranty work seems to vary in length and inclusiveness between the different companies.

Miller and hobart are one in the same just about hobart parts come in a miller bag sum parts are made out of the states i had to replace diodes on a miller mig they were made in india not a big deal for me regardless there both qaulity as is thermal dynamics and lincoln. I use a thermal dynamics 185 at work its awesome and small also have there cutmaster 42 plasma also awesome and small. I use a lincoln 175 at a buddys shop and the thing is the balls super simple to use where the thermal dyn. Has a ton of setting to play with which isnt a bad thing if ur comfertable with them. If u can pick up a lincoln 175 or 225 off of cl and have room for it there awesome miller diversion 165 is a great lil unit that takes up little space the lincolns used are between 800-2000 depending on whats with um a miller diversion is lk 1800 brand new iirc The china stuff has its place i guess but i like sinkin money into a company that is well known and has been around for awhile also shippin a welder in for repair aint to cheap there heavy

you mite find 1 for a good price at Eastwood .

What are you looking to spend and what are you looking to be able to weld? Aluminum or just stainless and mild stuff?

miller diversion 165 here. got it from airgas for 1200

stumbled onto this thread. :)

Reasonably priced and good are two words that are very opinionated; however, the base line for what MOST diy fabricators would consider a good machine will be around $1200.

Yeah it sux but you adjust from there... $800 = not as diverse (no HF) shorter life span....$2500 = all the bells n whistles , ROCK solid....NEVER need another welder....ever...til death..

Miller's diversion series or Lincoln precision tig 175 are both good units on a budget, or if your not against buying a used machine you may be able to find a deal on a slightly used machine on craigslist, I have a miller syncrowave 180SD I bought off of there for $1000 and it included gas cylinder and consumables and was practically in brand new condiction.

I am in with a Diversion 165. It is all I have ever welded with.

save a little longer and get a miller tig. Diversion 165 is the lowest i would go but still a very very nice tig. I use one for a while works great.

I finally stepped up to a 200DX very very nice but i dont have the skill to use it to the fullest so my welds come out just as nice as with the Diversion 165 I got a little longer weld time with the 200 but not much for auto welding stuff. what i mean is i yet to have the miller shut off on either one but the torch head gets alot hotter on the 165

Thanks guys! I'm also in the market and there are some great recommendations here. The days of trying to borrow a friends welder are over.

saw a ad for a tig and a plasma cutter from east wood for $1300 for both with a cart.saw it in car craft .

MOSFET tig burn up frequently. Newer versions have Igbt transistors and last longer and don't burn up.

Everlast, their multi process units can do so much its incredible.

If you're looking to weld thicker gauge metal: Everlast 256, TIG welder (AC and DC), Arc welder and plasma cutter all in one machine. Uses IGBT transistors, water cooling is an optional add on. I've seen these go for around $1,400. A heck of a lot cheaper to buy this unit than to buy the 3 of these machines separately.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHksIgEmwSQ&feature=plcp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oQ5qLsaIQU&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQoOP9DHJJQ&feature=plcp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syiNvWs0kEY&feature=relmfu

Eastwood uses mosfet. Google TIG mosfet reliability and see the multitude of failures.

interesting to learn about the mosfet power.

I get to use a Syncrowave at work so I don't need a welder. lol