Cheap TiG welders
For plain 'ol stainless welding that doesn't have to
be super artistic, wouldn't a MIG suit you better?
Surely easier for on-car work, one hand and wire
fed for you.
If it were me I'd be hitting the local welding shops
looking for a used square wave unit taken in
on trade or refurbed. But I'm a bottom feeder....
I actually have a torch head lyng around here
somewhere and had the notion to just do the
power supply myself, but haven't ever gotten
around to it. You only need the AC for aluminum,
everything else uses DC anyway. If you have a
DC buzz box then you could get by (at the low
end) with a "flywheel" inductor & rectifiers, and
scratch-start, and a used torch head.
be super artistic, wouldn't a MIG suit you better?
Surely easier for on-car work, one hand and wire
fed for you.
If it were me I'd be hitting the local welding shops
looking for a used square wave unit taken in
on trade or refurbed. But I'm a bottom feeder....
I actually have a torch head lyng around here
somewhere and had the notion to just do the
power supply myself, but haven't ever gotten
around to it. You only need the AC for aluminum,
everything else uses DC anyway. If you have a
DC buzz box then you could get by (at the low
end) with a "flywheel" inductor & rectifiers, and
scratch-start, and a used torch head.
Adkoonerstrator
iTrader: (4)
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 21,420
Likes: 0
From: Deep in the seedy underworld of Koonerville
If you don't want to weld Aluminum, DC tigs can be had for around $750 on Ebay from several reputable companies.
For an inexspensive A/C unit you're looking at over $1000.
Those are brand new prices so I'm sure if you look hard enough you could find some used ones for a good price.
For an inexspensive A/C unit you're looking at over $1000.
Those are brand new prices so I'm sure if you look hard enough you could find some used ones for a good price.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,648
Likes: 0
From: F.H,Waterford,Port Huron, MI
I was lookin at the top end snap-on and Miller and they run 1000-3200!
For that price it better do every metal in the world! But I know nothing about them so I need to look around more! Is there one that can do everything or do I have to buy 2 or 3 of them!
For that price it better do every metal in the world! But I know nothing about them so I need to look around more! Is there one that can do everything or do I have to buy 2 or 3 of them!
Thread Starter
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (48)
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,354
Likes: 1
From: Columbus, ohio
I used to Tig weld for my job a while back, and for what i plan on doing, also i need the option to weld aluminum.
any links to some good inexpensive AC welder? $1000 wouldnt be to bad.
any links to some good inexpensive AC welder? $1000 wouldnt be to bad.
Adkoonerstrator
iTrader: (4)
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 21,420
Likes: 0
From: Deep in the seedy underworld of Koonerville
Goto www.ebay.com and search for "tig welders"
There are a few used ones on there right now for less than $1000, lots of days left on bids though.
Also check out www.brwelder.com for GREAT prices on welding machines.
Here is a Hobart for $1280
http://www.brwelder.com/indextemplat...SubCategory=12
Here's a Miller Econotig package.
http://www.brwelder.com/indextemplat...&SubCategory=3
I believe brwelder has free shipping for outta state folks also.
Check out Indiana Oxygens online Ebay store also for some great prices on new stuff.
http://stores.ebay.com/Welding-Supplies-from-IOC
There are a few used ones on there right now for less than $1000, lots of days left on bids though.
Also check out www.brwelder.com for GREAT prices on welding machines.
Here is a Hobart for $1280
http://www.brwelder.com/indextemplat...SubCategory=12
Here's a Miller Econotig package.
http://www.brwelder.com/indextemplat...&SubCategory=3
I believe brwelder has free shipping for outta state folks also.
Check out Indiana Oxygens online Ebay store also for some great prices on new stuff.
http://stores.ebay.com/Welding-Supplies-from-IOC
Last edited by XLR8NSS; May 4, 2004 at 08:09 PM.
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What thickness would you be working with? The econotig can do pretty much anything.
If you want something with a little more power, the Dynasty would be my next reccommendation.
The Syncrowave 175 is nice, cheap ( 1400) does AC/DC, but it is BIG. Harlan has one of those.
If you want something with a little more power, the Dynasty would be my next reccommendation.
The Syncrowave 175 is nice, cheap ( 1400) does AC/DC, but it is BIG. Harlan has one of those.
You may consider a mig machine as if you have never used a tig before, you will more then likely have a poor looking and functional weld.
Consumables aren't inexpensive. With poor welding skills, you'll be replacing your tungsten quite often due to contamination. I wouldn't skimp on inexpensive stuff...do it once and purchase a good one to start with. My recommendation is to pick up something very small like a miller 175. For our tig welding, we use a syncrowave 250 dx w/pulser and sequencer in addition to it being watercooled. I think something like we use may be a bit extreme for the occasional welder...unless you have ~4000.00 to burn in setup costs.
If you pick up the miller or other comparative unit, you can even do some aluminum mig work with a spool gun. Mig'd aluminum is very good for fast repetitive work at a very reasonable cost. If you do choose to purchase a mig machine and want to do aluminum DO NOT PICK UP ANY TYPE OF UNIT THAT DOES NOT HAVE THE CAPABILITY OF USING A SPOOL GUN! Most machines that say they can run aluminum that travels through their liners have much to be desired. Birdnesting is a problem as well as consistant travel speed. I believe with the 175 you can use one of their small ~150 amp spool guns.
BRwelded.com has some fairly good prices....you can check them out.
Hope this helps,
Steve
Pres.
Consumables aren't inexpensive. With poor welding skills, you'll be replacing your tungsten quite often due to contamination. I wouldn't skimp on inexpensive stuff...do it once and purchase a good one to start with. My recommendation is to pick up something very small like a miller 175. For our tig welding, we use a syncrowave 250 dx w/pulser and sequencer in addition to it being watercooled. I think something like we use may be a bit extreme for the occasional welder...unless you have ~4000.00 to burn in setup costs.
If you pick up the miller or other comparative unit, you can even do some aluminum mig work with a spool gun. Mig'd aluminum is very good for fast repetitive work at a very reasonable cost. If you do choose to purchase a mig machine and want to do aluminum DO NOT PICK UP ANY TYPE OF UNIT THAT DOES NOT HAVE THE CAPABILITY OF USING A SPOOL GUN! Most machines that say they can run aluminum that travels through their liners have much to be desired. Birdnesting is a problem as well as consistant travel speed. I believe with the 175 you can use one of their small ~150 amp spool guns.
BRwelded.com has some fairly good prices....you can check them out.
Hope this helps,
Steve
Pres.
Here is the cheapest way to have a tig welder.
http://www.turbomustangs.com/forums/...0&pagenumber=1
http://www.turbomustangs.com/forums/...0&pagenumber=1
Originally Posted by Louis
The Syncrowave 175 is nice, cheap ( 1400) does AC/DC, but it is BIG. Harlan has one of those.
Only downfall is it's like 400 lbs 
not a one man job to load it in the old pickup.One thing i haven't done yet that i really need tom, is get a water cooled torch. Having to stop and let things cool when doing an intercooler or radiator sucks. IC's are the only thing i've had to turn it all the way up for on aluminum.
I've had really good work form my miller products, we got the syncrowave 180, the cutmate 350, and the millermatic 135 MIG at the shop. Never miss a beat
But we do need more 220 plugs 