TIG welders

[Robby]

I was looking at TIG welders on E-bay, no real know brand names, and relatively cheap, $3-5 hundred. Are these good machines or more frustrating than they are worth? Maybe better to save up and get a name brand, like Lincoln? This is for small stuff, like altering locks, t-guards, and the like. No real production. I was hoping someone might have some experience with these. Thanks!
Robby

 

[Stubert]

Go to a welding supply store, ask, look, listen, then buy the best you can afford, it is a tool. the better you buy, the better you get. My 1st mig welder was a 115 volt P.O.S. my second was purchased from Snap-on tools (miller brand). I have had it for 20 yrs.

 

[JMinnerath]

Stubert's right.
There's so many cheapo TIG and MIG welders sold, it's a crap shoot buying one of those.
You might even luck out and find a good price on a used unit at a welders supply.

 

[rootsy]

When you visit your local welding supplier ask about demo machines and refurbished machines... Also be aware that most industrial welders are going to be setup for 480 3 phase... For your shop, unless you have industrial power, you are going to want 220 single.

On top of the initial cost you also have consumables and everything else that goes along with it, including a tank of gas, mixture depends on what you are joining and how.

 

[ohio ramrod]

Go with a name brand such as miller. And remember evan a good machine has a learning curve. My problem is that I do so little welding since I retired that by the time I get "the feel for it". I am either finished with a lot of grinding to do or have burned up small pieces. :surrender:

 

[Birddog6]

I have several friends that have bought the elcheapo no-name brands & they all had troubles with them.
Get a Lincoln or a Miller. Use the Argon mix bottle with it & it will serve you well & you can get any part you need for it WHEN you need it.

I first had a 110 volt wire welder & people kept borrowing it. Sold it & got a 220 volt one & it has not been borrowed in 12 years since I bought this one. Did the same thing on my a/compressor..... It has not been borrowed since either, cause it is 220.....
It doesn't bother me they borrow it, but it always come back damaged or out of wire or out of gas or whatever.....
Last trailer I bought, bought a gooseneck trailer. 17 years & not borrowed yet. They kept coming back with lights torn up, flat tires, jack on front bent, etc. I ended that problem.... :wink:

Keith Lisle

 

[jerrywh]

I have heard nothing but bad stuff about the cheap tig welders, I bought a 175 lincoln square wave tig and I love it . Never had one problem with it. When I bought it it cost $1275.00 and I'm not one bit sorry. You will be sorry if you buy a cheapo.

 

[Robby]

Thanks fellows. I guess I kind of knew the answer. Once and a while, a company will come out with a low cost machine, that will actually do the job, and that is what I was hoping for in this case. Guess I'll just have to bite the bullet.
Robby

 

[matt denison]

I have several friends that have bought the elcheapo no-name brands & they all had troubles with them.
Get a Lincoln or a Miller. Use the Argon mix bottle with it & it will serve you well & you can get any part you need for it WHEN you need it.

I first had a 110 volt wire welder & people kept borrowing it. Sold it & got a 220 volt one & it has not been borrowed in 12 years since I bought this one. Did the same thing on my a/compressor..... It has not been borrowed since either, cause it is 220.....
It doesn't bother me they borrow it, but it always come back damaged or out of wire or out of gas or whatever.....
Last trailer I bought, bought a gooseneck trailer. 17 years & not borrowed yet. They kept coming back with lights torn up, flat tires, jack on front bent, etc. I ended that problem.... :wink:

Keith Lisle

I had a similar problem but it went away when I switchedd to cheap light beer. Now they bring their own... :rotf: :rotf: :rotf: