I want to buy a tig welder to teach myself how to tig weld for an upcoming project… im going to put the thing in my garage on a newly built workbench.
Sooo where do i go to figure out a good beginner tig welder, im not opposed to buying used, budget is ~ 1k for the welder…
i know im going to have to run 220 into the garage, how much of a PITA is that going to be? i have access to the basement where all the electrical stuff is, so running it into the attached garage shouldnt be TOO much of a pita…
If you go miller or lincoln your gonna spend alot, even used
I bought a used thermal arc 185 used on here a few years ago, it works awesome. You might want to try to find one of those machines used. I think new they run around 2200. Maybe check out mills welding/praxair on delaware to see if they have anything used.
220V lines are easy to run, the only hard part is manuvering/routing the heavy-gauge cable.
I ran one to my detached garage, and ran one in my dads house to an attached garage. Same as any other house wiring, just another feed wire to hookup; just be safe with electricity as always when you do it.
I’d say Craigslist like everyone else has said is your best bet. Look between Cleveland to Syracuse and you’re bound to find something.
Good welders dont pop up on craigslist locally very often, more likely to see crappy stick welders and overpriced migs. I was shopping for a used mig for awhile and found nothing, then just went and bought a new machine. The price of my new machine wasnt far from what people were asking for used units. Who knows you may get lucky and find something.
A squarewave is nice for doing aluminum, but finding one will cheap will be tough. I got lucky on mine. They’re not really required though if you’re just doing light work.
Sir, You can only aluminum weld with continuous high freq.
Each time the Current is switching from +/-, the arc is extinguished…
Which happens 40-800 times per second, so it’s actually impossible to weld otherwise.
If it has an AC setting on the machine, it will have continuous high freq.
Some automatically switch to continuous, some you have to do it manually.
Miller Squarewave machines are great to weld Aluminum on.
Cost a little bit, but they’re great.
Newer miller machines you can run on 110v.
Like the Dynasty 200DX and such.
I’m not sure about the older ones.
Just need to redo the plug on the new guys.
It sure limits your output, but you can still get ~100amps on AC and 120amps on DC for an average 15-20amp service.
Starts and maintains the arc.
Diversion 165 isn’t that bad.
Econotig…
Works, runs on 110.
Miller warranty.
Miller product, so you know it’s going to last for ages.
Just don’t be cheap and buy some Chinese 5 in 1 welder on ebay.
Those are fucking horrible.
I’m sure lowlyoilburner is floating around and will chime in with some good suggestions.
Don’t forget though, a good quality gtaw torch, cords/pedal (unless you use torch controlled), argon tank+argon fill will set you back a few hundred more unless you cheap out on it.