Which TIG welder & where to buy

Homewrecker · #1 (**permalink**) 12-03-2002, 07:50 AM

Do you guys have any advice about which TIG welder to buy & where to get it? It will be used mostly for Aluminum.

I have done a search for this, but most of the info seems to be geared towards MIG welders.

Thanks for any help you can give me!

kountzecobra · #2 (**permalink**) 12-03-2002, 08:22 AM

Dave, if you are really serious about buying a good TIG welder, go to your local welding supply and check out Miller's Syncrowave series welders. They are smoothe and reliable but not cheap. One thing to remember is heliarcing aluminum requires considerable amperage, so don't buy too small of a machine. I would be leary of buying an off-brand welder. Stick with Miller, Lincoln, Hobart or any well known brand name. I have seen some pretty good prices on the web, but you will need to decide on exactly what you want. However there is something to be said about purchasing locally from folks you can get service, info, and advice from. Hope this helps.

scottj · #3 (**permalink**) 12-03-2002, 08:39 AM

Try www.MillerWelds.com or www.lincolnelectric.com. Lincoln has a dealer in Grand Rapids (616) 942-8780. I use the Miller Syncrowave 250.
Scott

Steve Jones · #4 (**permalink**) 12-03-2002, 10:37 AM

Dave,

I have a friend that has two used single phase Miller Aircrafters for sale. The Aircrafter was a machine targeted at the aircraft industry. I believe it is rated at 300 amps continuous duty with a 470 amp max current. The guys are right, the Miller Syncrowave's with their squarewave AC balance controlable output and high freq stabilization are one of the best machines on the market for aluminum or steel. I have a Syncrowave 300 and the Aircrafters have almost all the same controls and use the same squarewave technology. About the only thing the Aircrafters don't have that the Syncrowave's do is the spotweld timer/controls. The Aircrafter is slightly more compact than some of the older Syncrowaves ( I would estimate the cabinet size as 2.5x3x3). Don't know what he wants for one, but you're if interested I can find out and/or post some pictures. You didn't say what sort of aluminum welding you want to do, but if your planning on welding anything thick (3/16-1/2 inch plate) you will probably need something in the 250-300 amp capacity.

Steve

Homewrecker · #5 (**permalink**) 12-03-2002, 01:02 PM

My local welding supply sells the synchrowave 180SD from Miller and the Squarewave 175 from Lincoln. He sells either one for ~$1500. Add a cart and a tank (and tax) and I'm into it for $1950. That's the worst I can do. I'd rather be closer to $1500 for all the same stuff, but that may not be possible. If your friend is anywhere in that range, I would take a look. Really though, I don't plan to do much over 1/4" aluminum, and the 175 would do headers and most other jobs quite well for me.

Thanks,
Dave

shnookie · #6 (**permalink**) 12-03-2002, 07:33 PM

Miller 180 Syncro.
I have one and love it.
Might want to try AIRGAS.
I picked mine up for $1390.00
I'm planning on building my own cart someday. Thats what I have a MIG for.

southernfriedcj · #7 (**permalink**) 12-03-2002, 08:12 PM

I can't give you any tech advise, but nobody beat www.cyberweld.com 's price when I purchased my Millermatic 185 last year. And they delivered to my door in a couple days.

Brent Mills · #8 (**permalink**) 12-03-2002, 08:44 PM

I second www.cyberweld.com

I got a Hobart handler 175 last year from them and love it. Still can't weld for crap, but I'm working on it.

RICK LAKE · #9 (**permalink**) 12-06-2002, 06:54 AM

Dave, Miller and Hobart are the top of the line. If you do alot of heavy welding or TIG they are the best. I have a Dayton Mig that is great for medium work. The cooling system is smaller but it gets the job done. I can tig 3/8 alum with it. It is 200.00 to 400.00 dollars cheaper than the others. I don't have their E-Mail. Rick Lake I have use of a Miller at the shop and have a Dayton in my garage.

Homewrecker · #10 (**permalink**) 12-06-2002, 11:56 AM

Thanks guys!
Your information was very helpful.

Michael C Henry · #11 (**permalink**) 12-07-2002, 10:50 AM

I aasume that these are home shop installed 220 . How big a breaker do they take?

kountzecobra · #12 (**permalink**) 12-07-2002, 12:46 PM

Breaker size depends on each model . Usually in the range of 50 to 80 amps.

GREENSNAKE · #13 (**permalink**) 12-07-2002, 03:44 PM

Hey I run a Syncrowave 250 & 185 Best Welder for the Buck Also if your running your welder with Max amps you might want to go with 100 Amp breaker or you Will be popping the Breaker a lot thats if you have the Heavy duty Electrical Wire in your Shop If not you might melt your Electrical Wire. Later Lonny

Cobra #42 · #14 (**permalink**) 12-07-2002, 06:24 PM

I agrre with the Miller recommendatios. Miller product is definately the way to go, the only thing to think about , is if you are going to be using this torch for an extended period of time, the air cooled torch handle gets very hot, even with a glove . You might consider one of their water cooled torch, just don't know how much welding you are planning to do. And a water cooled torch system is more money.

Jeff Hamilton · #15 (**permalink**) 12-07-2002, 08:21 PM

I got the Lincoln square wave 175 and it has done everything I wanted very well. I don't know anything about the Miller or how it compares. I think I gave $1350 plus the cart and tank for mine 1 year ago.
Jeff Hamilton

Mike Braddock · #16 (**permalink**) 12-08-2002, 02:00 PM

I concur about the syncrowaves. I have a Miller 250 and it's a fabulous machine. I've also used a Lincoln 175 and it's comparable, so you won't go wrong with either unit. The Miller is more expensive but seems to be a little more popular. Kind of like Snap On tools--not necessarily "better" but more expensive.

What gage aluminum do you plan to work with? This will determine what size (amperage) machine you need and hence what size service you need to run it. A good rule of thumb seems to be 1 amp for every 0.001" of material thickness. So you can weld 1/4" aluminum with a 250A machine. The Miller 250 syncrowave is actually a 310A machine.

If buying new, the best price I've found on welding equipment is from brwelder.com . Plus they offer free (drop) shipping on most of their stuff. If you are looking for more of a hobby machine, you can pick up older machines for between $400 and $800. These machines are strictly high frequency AC and don't offer the arc control/stability and tunability of the newer squarewave machines (like the Miller and Lincoln), but they are very good machines nonetheless. Personally, I don't use a lot of the adjustment on my 250 and neither do a lot of pro's. You can often find deals on these older machines at local schools and machine shops.

Another good source for used machines are your local welding stores, as they often take in machines on trade. Oddly, they don't seem to advertise the used stuff they have in the back, so you have to ask. It never hurts.

I know Esab makes a beautiful machine as well, but a little more expensive than Miller.

Mike

mickmate · #17 (**permalink**) 12-19-2002, 08:54 PM

The earlier and more affordable square wave machines are the way to go. They give control with the square wave with the arc stability of a good heavy transformer. You can score deals especially at auctions for tooling. I saw a 300 amp Airco sell for $240 recently with a couple of torches, pedal, cooler etc. Stick with a good brand so you can get service, parts and consumables. I have an older Miller Syncrowave 250 that works great for me. Good hunting.......