Recommendations & feedback on TIG welders |
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Recommendations & feedback on TIG welders |
draganc |
Feb 24 2018, 08:12 PM
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#1
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 725 Joined: 2-November 09 From: central new jersey Member No.: 11,000 Region Association: North East States |
Hi Folks!
Looking for first hand experience with AC/DC TIG welders for Al and Ti. I'm looking to weld mainly 6061 up to max 1/4", some thin wall Ti and anything in between. Budget-range $1500 to $2500 max. Currently dialing in on Miller and ESAB but to recommendations. Thanks in advance!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) dc PS: open to used units in the tri-state area, just in case someone is selling. |
bretth |
Feb 24 2018, 10:21 PM
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#2
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 899 Joined: 23-June 15 From: Central TX Member No.: 18,882 Region Association: Southwest Region |
I purchased a Lincoln square wave tig 200 last year after alot of research. In general it seems that the Miller units are known for great torches and Lincoln is the better welding unit. The things that made me buy the Lincoln over the Miller was that the Miller units in the price range I was looking at ($1500.00) did not allow for changing different individual settings. Everything was automatic on the Miller but individual settings can be changed on the Lincoln without effecting other settings. To me more automation seems more limiting. Miller offers many different torches which is great but the Lincoln torch that came with my unit has a great flexable head to get into tight places too. The other reason I got the Lincoln was that it ran on 120 and 230v. Miller were 230 only. The only thing I don't like about my Lincoln is that you cannot adjust the post flow time and it runs a little long kind of wasting your gas. I almost didn't get it for that reason but all other benefits outweighed this issue for me.
Brett |
jd74914 |
Feb 24 2018, 11:15 PM
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#3
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Its alive Group: Members Posts: 4,772 Joined: 16-February 04 From: CT Member No.: 1,659 Region Association: North East States |
Currently dialing in on Miller and ESAB but to recommendations. I'd highly recommend looking at HTP, the Invertig 221 is an awesome welder. They run ~$2400 and are worth every penny. I've got probably 2000 hours welding on one over the last 10-ish years and have been really impressed. I haven't welded any Ti, but have welded carbon/stainless steels, inconel, a bunch of different aluminum alloys (incl. the casting alloys), and magnesium from soda can/razor thicknesses to about 3/16 inch. For reference, I've spent a considerable time running a Miller Syncrowave 300 and bit of time with an Econotig. The HTP blows both out of the water. After welding on it I've really become a strong believe in inverter (vs. transformer) machines. Perhaps a Dynasty would be better, but one with comparable control settings is significantly more expensive. Edit: Running 1/4" 6061 single pass requires a lot of power and really pumps heat into the torch. If you're going to do that regularly I think you need at least a 250A machine and water cooler. The max I've done single pass is ~3/16" without preheating. |
jd74914 |
Feb 24 2018, 11:27 PM
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#4
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Its alive Group: Members Posts: 4,772 Joined: 16-February 04 From: CT Member No.: 1,659 Region Association: North East States |
Besides the welder, don't forget more toys...
A gas lense kit can be really helpful. Both being able to see better with a pyrex cup and push out the electrode a bit better with additional the flow straighteners is nice in some situations. If you're doing a lot of tight work, a CK #9 torch is also a nice piece of kit. A ton of my hours were doing roll cages and one proved indispensable vs. the more standard #17. |
Mike Bellis |
Feb 24 2018, 11:33 PM
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#5
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Resident Electrician Group: Members Posts: 8,345 Joined: 22-June 09 From: Midlothian TX Member No.: 10,496 Region Association: None |
I just bought an Everlast digital stick/TIG with pump/tank/water cooler for $1900 on sale. I've used TIG on stainless and aluminum. I've also burned a ton of stick on it. It works great. I'm very happy with the purchase and it has way more features than I will ever use. I love the HF start!
I even managed to get a free bottle of gas from Airgas. The kid only charged me for a refill and threw the tank in my truck. He told me he was supposed to charge me a $400 deposit on the bottle and asked if I worked for corporate. I said no and he said have a nice day. |
draganc |
Feb 25 2018, 12:02 AM
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#6
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 725 Joined: 2-November 09 From: central new jersey Member No.: 11,000 Region Association: North East States |
I just bought an Everlast digital stick/TIG with pump/tank/water cooler for $1900 on sale. I've used TIG on stainless and aluminum. I've also burned a ton of stick on it. It works great. I'm very happy with the purchase and it has way more features than I will ever use. I love the HF start! I even managed to get a free bottle of gas from Airgas. The kid only charged me for a refill and threw the tank in my truck. He told me he was supposed to charge me a $400 deposit on the bottle and asked if I worked for corporate. I said no and he said have a nice day. which model did you get and wehre did you get the "sales" deal? Everlast was actually my number 2 welder, but i heared poor reviwes about their warranty/service support. apparantly if it works, it works great but any reapir is a 2-4 weeks turn-around. +1 ony the features and spec sheet! |
draganc |
Feb 25 2018, 12:03 AM
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#7
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 725 Joined: 2-November 09 From: central new jersey Member No.: 11,000 Region Association: North East States |
PS: and thanks to all the other inputs!
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sithot |
Feb 25 2018, 06:20 AM
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#8
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Member Group: Members Posts: 446 Joined: 25-October 06 From: Virginia Member No.: 7,090 Region Association: None |
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mb911 |
Feb 25 2018, 07:24 AM
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#9
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914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 6,748 Joined: 2-January 09 From: Burlington wi Member No.: 9,892 Region Association: Upper MidWest |
I felt it important to note the standard heads on torches regardless of what brand are not movable. They are just copper tubing and can easily break. The I heads are really the only ones that are designed to move..
Regarding brand miller holds 65% of the total market within north America.. That in itself says allot.. I personally like the dynasty 210 but the invertec 205 is good as well.. |
draganc |
Mar 2 2018, 03:25 PM
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#10
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 725 Joined: 2-November 09 From: central new jersey Member No.: 11,000 Region Association: North East States |
Thanks for all the inputs, and to my own surprise, I did end up with a Lincoln Squarewave 200. Whereas I still believe that the ESAB is the "better" welder due to the fact it has more adjustability, it lacks service support in my area.
Also, on a 1:1 comparison the Lincoln is equall with the Miller but $400-800 cheaper. Super happy with my first AC Al welding experience! Still have to figure out how to deal with the clear anodization, but I think I have found a way - oven cleaner. |
gothspeed |
Mar 2 2018, 04:08 PM
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#11
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,539 Joined: 3-February 09 From: SoCal Member No.: 10,019 Region Association: None |
Fantastic choice! I have been running a Lincoln Square Wave for 10+ years with zero issues! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif)
If you do any sanding or metal cutting around your TIG machine, the only precaution I would take is to apply a light gauze or fine sheer fabric over the fan/ventilation grates (I actually taped on some 'used dryer sheets' for a time (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) ). It goes a long way towards reducing dust build up inside the unit. I decided to do this after the first time I vacuumed/cleaned inside the machine (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) . This 'filter' has had little to no effect on air flow or cooling, as I rarely ever go beyond 60% amperage capacity. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif) I have not had good experience with the one time I decided to 'switch' and buy a Miller Inverter TIG. I had to take it back after only 3 days of 'trying' maintain a steady arc. Come to find out the machine was defective right out of the box. The dealer tried it, called the Miller rep and he tried it and they both reluctantly agreed it was defective. They wanted to 'fix it' under warranty and they said it would take 4-5 weeks to repair (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) . I paid for it in full, had it for 3 days and they wanted me to wait a month+ to get it fixed?? ... uhhhh .... nope, give me my refund!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ar15.gif) |
Mike Bellis |
Mar 2 2018, 10:41 PM
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#12
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Resident Electrician Group: Members Posts: 8,345 Joined: 22-June 09 From: Midlothian TX Member No.: 10,496 Region Association: None |
I just bought an Everlast digital stick/TIG with pump/tank/water cooler for $1900 on sale. I've used TIG on stainless and aluminum. I've also burned a ton of stick on it. It works great. I'm very happy with the purchase and it has way more features than I will ever use. I love the HF start! I even managed to get a free bottle of gas from Airgas. The kid only charged me for a refill and threw the tank in my truck. He told me he was supposed to charge me a $400 deposit on the bottle and asked if I worked for corporate. I said no and he said have a nice day. which model did you get and wehre did you get the "sales" deal? Everlast was actually my number 2 welder, but i heared poor reviwes about their warranty/service support. apparantly if it works, it works great but any reapir is a 2-4 weeks turn-around. +1 ony the features and spec sheet! Bought direct from their shop in South San Francisco. Crazy Russian guy. CASH talks. 250ex... |
Mark Henry |
Mar 3 2018, 04:57 PM
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#13
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that's what I do! Group: Members Posts: 20,065 Joined: 27-December 02 From: Port Hope, Ontario Member No.: 26 Region Association: Canada |
I basically have the same machine as Mike but mine is a 256 Si which also has a 60 amp plasma cutter.
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