patriotformula

iTrader: (28)

So I've done basically every other type of welding... Taken classes and stuff, but never moved to tig. I decided I'm going to teach myself, similar technique to gas welding. What is a good entry level tig welder, will probably buy it new. I know theres a lot out there on the market, but something 1500 and less it looks like.

vanillagorilla

iTrader: (1)

Miller and Lincoln both make a AC/DC TIG under 1400 bucks. I think the Lincoln comes with the cart, but they're both rated up to 200amps I believe.

patriotformula

iTrader: (28)

Do the lower end ones like these have low duty cycles?

jakebdb56

iTrader: (25)

My buddy zach has a Miller syncrowave 180 sd and it's a pretty fine machine. you can TIG anything really, having high-freq is convenient for aluminum. only 1 gas for 3 metals

flash2211

I have the econotig and the syncrowave...both pretty good machines, since you can stick-weld with both also.
Depending on what you do, the econotig should be enough for you....60%DC
I own a fabrication shop and the econotig never gets used, because the syncrowave can handle a little more.

GFORCE1320

iTrader: (15)

I had a Lincoln Ideal-Ark 300 amp, it was an older unit, heavy as hell but dam it was a good welder. You can pick them up fairly cheap too.

patriotformula

iTrader: (28)

Sounds like the syncrowave or something similar is the route to go... I'll have to look into them

Ari G

iTrader: (25)

160amps is pleanty for hobby,check out summitracing or ebay

mrdragster1970

Miller 250, we love it.

TchargedLS1TA

iTrader: (9)

Miller Syncrowave 180 here...
I taught myself to use it in just a few days.. TIG welding just takes practice, and lots of it. Try to find yourself some scrap exhaust or metal and practice on all types of metal.. The carbo, 409 and some 304 are pretty similar and easy to weld. Getting into 321 and aluminum gets tricky. The biggest thing you need to teach yourself is heat control. When I first started, all I wanted to do was crank the heat up and use the pedal to control it. Best thing to do is remember where a good heat range for a metal is, then set that range as your max, so when you go WOT on the pedal, you dont burn the metal.. If that made any sense..

xfactor_pitbulls

iTrader: (16)

The easiest way for a beginner or novice welder to control heat is to not use a pedal, rather use a dial wheel on the torch. You have the same control, just less sensitivity to deal with. Welding mild steel is gravy, just dont try and run aluminized exhaust tubing right away. It tends to crack and pop much more than convention steel. Stainless is fairly easy as well in 304-308 form, the more dense and specialized alloys just take some more TLC.

Brandon

patriotformula

iTrader: (28)

thanks for the advice fellas... I'm excited to get started on tig welding

Dragframe

iTrader: (14)

tig is easy... i can kinda stick weld.... can't wire feed believe it or not... but i can tig like a *****! lol

pwrtrip75

iTrader: (8)

Dont try to do it without a pedal, learning this is all about control and coordination, mastering it is an art. I was a x-ray pipe welder for 7 years.
I have a new Miller syncrowave 200 and dont really care for the start on it. Im used to using a lincoln squarewave 355 and a miller syncro 350. But the 200 works great for home.
200 model replaced the 180.

antz01ta

iTrader: (3)

i just ordered a Lincoln Precision TIG 225. i cant wait to get it. i have never TIG welded before but i have done quite a bit of arc and MIG so i think i should pick it up pretty quick.

xfactor_pitbulls

iTrader: (16)

Good choice. That will give you enough versatility to do basically any project. If you can arc pretty well you be able to weld very quickly. Just dont expect to make perfect beads for about 5 years

Brandon

Armageddon

iTrader: (41)

A friend and I got the Syncrowave 180. It truly is a fine machine. We also had the Lincoln Ideal-Ark and as the fella said above... it was heavy as hell.