# So, i want to buy a used tig welder **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Off Topic\ **Created:** [September 1, 2009, 10:59am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/so-i-want-to-buy-a-used-tig-welder/72937 "2009-09-01T10:59:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![n20junkie](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/n20junkie/32/7396_2.png) [@n20junkie](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/n20junkie)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 5:38pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/so-i-want-to-buy-a-used-tig-welder/72937/21 "2009-09-01T17:38:51Z")
> [@newman](#): > > If you’re gonna do aluminum make sure it has high frequency it make a HUGE difference. Um, welding without high freq is pretty much impossible on aluminum. ALL major brand welders will have high freq, what you need to look for is that they have square wave adjustable high freq, which most any good one does. I recomend the smaller Miller synchrowave or the small Lincoln unit. Both are square wave, I have built entire cars, aluminum intercoolers, roll cages… all with a 180 amp machine. Aluminum takes the highest amps, but the 180 will do anything you wana do. They are air cooled torches, which unless your doing huge ammounts of aluminum, won’t be an issue, just wear gloves. Oh, remember, anyone can weld aluminum or steel flat, it takes years and years of experiance to do quality out of position round work. ---
**Author:** ![n20junkie](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/n20junkie/32/7396_2.png) [@n20junkie](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/n20junkie)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 5:44pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/so-i-want-to-buy-a-used-tig-welder/72937/22 "2009-09-01T17:44:00Z")
> [@Viper966](#): > > [http://cgi.ebay.com/Miller-Diversion-165-TIG-T-I-G-Welder-HeliArc-907005\_W0QQitemZ110419157460QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH\_DefaultDomain\_0?hash=item19b57ea1d4&\_trksid=p3286.c0.m14](http://cgi.ebay.com/Miller-Diversion-165-TIG-T-I-G-Welder-HeliArc-907005_W0QQitemZ110419157460QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item19b57ea1d4&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14) > > [http://www.millerwelds.com/products/tig/diversion\_165/](http://www.millerwelds.com/products/tig/diversion_165/) > > Kind of seems prefect for what i want to do with it… and 1200 for a brand new machine isnt THAT bad, especially that i can get 10% off via ebay I am telling out honestly, that machine is too small. Its only 165 amp, and its duty cycle is 20 percent. Which means that at max (and with bigger aluminum pieces, you totally will be) you weld for 2 minutes, and it has to rest for 8 to cool down. You need a COIL based machine, which will give you more bang for the buck, and can handle alot bigger duty cycle. $2095 with all the stuff minus the bottle and skills to use it. BELIEVE ME, this is the machine you want. The extra 900 dollars will be so so worth it. Or Can be had with all the parts minus the bottle for $1995 Get a different machine for less, and you will regret it. I promise. ---
**Author:** ![Hass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/51bf81/32.png) [@Hass](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Hass)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 6:37pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/so-i-want-to-buy-a-used-tig-welder/72937/23 "2009-09-01T18:37:29Z")
Then again, that’s double his price range ;\ could just go with a used 180SD, they can do around 200amps on 220v @ ~60% duty cycle me thinks. But then again I still don’t really see him hitting the duty cycle that often on that diversion. I would rather spend the 1.2k on a used machine, rather than a new one though… Since 1.2k can’t really buy all that great of a new machine. But can buy a pretty good used. The Millermatic 350P I bought a while back, was used from a local weld shop… no issues with it yet, other than being super fucking dusty. I bought a Trailblazer 302 new though, from an authorized seller on ebay. No issues with that… just need to make sure if you buy one from someone on ebay, that they’re an authorized miller seller, otherwise the warranty is void. ---
**Author:** ![mike125k](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mike125k/32/7282_2.png) [@mike125k](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/mike125k)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 7:51pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/so-i-want-to-buy-a-used-tig-welder/72937/24 "2009-09-01T19:51:43Z")
> [@Hass](#): > > snip I meant squarewave varies the frequency. I have a Syncrowave 180 SD, it’s great. If you plan to do a bunch of aluminum its worth spending a few extra dollars on a squarewave machine. ---
**Author:** ![Viper966](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/viper966/32/7268_2.png) [@Viper966](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Viper966)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 8:23pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/so-i-want-to-buy-a-used-tig-welder/72937/25 "2009-09-01T20:23:22Z")
Im going to be building a R1 powered Locost… so not a TON of heavy duty stuff, mostly square tubing and then some roll cage work (which i could always mig if tigging a cage is going to be a PITA) so i only need to be able to weld that tubing… What are teh model numbers on that lincoln and miller? Right now i swap my bottle at mills welding for my mig welder, i assume that service is available for tig machines as well right? I COULD stretch to 1500 for a used machine, but i kind of liked that 1k price point Is this that lincoln? [http://cgi.ebay.com/LINCOLN-ELECTRIC-PRECISION-TIG-185-WELDER\_W0QQitemZ350244654026QQcmdZViewItemQQptZBI\_Welders?hash=item518c354bca&\_trksid=p3286.c0.m14](http://cgi.ebay.com/LINCOLN-ELECTRIC-PRECISION-TIG-185-WELDER_W0QQitemZ350244654026QQcmdZViewItemQQptZBI_Welders?hash=item518c354bca&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14) ---
**Author:** ![turbociv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dfb087/32.png) [@turbociv](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/turbociv)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 9:50pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/so-i-want-to-buy-a-used-tig-welder/72937/26 "2009-09-01T21:50:04Z")
yea, high freq isnt needed to tig aluminum and neither is ac. DC is straight polarity and doesnt have the cleaning effect that a AC machine will have. Square wave is nice but also not necessary. Many people get by welding aluminum with DC and scratch starting so keep that in mind while searching as well. Just takes longer to heat up the aluminum and its not as pretty when completed. But obviously id rather spend the xtra few hundo and get a decent ac/dc machine. Also ALOT of people have great luck with some of the china build machines that are selling at a fraction of the price as your name brand lincol,hobart,miller, etc. They all use the same name brand electronics on the inside as the name brand machines. Im in the same boat and have been doin alot of research on what to and what not to buy. ---
**Author:** ![Viper966](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/viper966/32/7268_2.png) [@Viper966](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Viper966)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 9:53pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/so-i-want-to-buy-a-used-tig-welder/72937/27 "2009-09-01T21:53:22Z")
I think I’m gonna bid on that Lincoln tig on eBay , I’ll sell my mig if I get it. ---
**Author:** ![mike125k](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mike125k/32/7282_2.png) [@mike125k](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/mike125k)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2009, 4:41am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/so-i-want-to-buy-a-used-tig-welder/72937/28 "2009-09-02T04:41:28Z")
Biggest downfall of that Lincoln is its very low duty cycle. If you’re doing a lot of aluminum, you’ll usually be running at high amperage and that 15% duty cycle will really start to become annoying. ---
**Author:** ![KENLUDE97](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/kenlude97/32/7464_2.png) [@KENLUDE97](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/KENLUDE97)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2009, 4:43am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/so-i-want-to-buy-a-used-tig-welder/72937/29 "2009-09-02T04:43:52Z")
> [@Viper966](#): > > Im going to be building a **_R1 powered Locost_** … so not a TON of heavy duty stuff, mostly square tubing and then some roll cage work (which i could always mig if tigging a cage is going to be a PITA) > > so i only need to be able to weld that tubing… :bigclap: Im currently building a VG30ET (Nissan 3.0l Turbo V6). powered Locost. You on [www.locostusa.com](http://www.locostusa.com) ? track only? Ive been able to make my Lincoln Handy mig work up to this point. What chassis are you going to make? ---
**Author:** ![POOPRA](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/poopra/32/7188_2.png) [@POOPRA](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/POOPRA)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2009, 5:38am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/so-i-want-to-buy-a-used-tig-welder/72937/30 "2009-09-02T05:38:12Z")
I would keep the mig too if your going to be doing alot of fab work still ---
**Author:** ![drvnkd](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/drvnkd/32/109615_2.png) [@drvnkd](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/drvnkd)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2009, 6:46am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/so-i-want-to-buy-a-used-tig-welder/72937/31 "2009-09-02T06:46:43Z")
I get an employee discount @ praxair welding supply… Equipment prices after discount are about the same as online prices, but you could buy locally. Edit: Who are you kidding… you know this is the welder you really want… and its on woot [http://kids.woot.com/](http://kids.woot.com/) ---
**Author:** ![boardjnky4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@boardjnky4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boardjnky4)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2009, 6:48am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/so-i-want-to-buy-a-used-tig-welder/72937/32 "2009-09-02T06:48:58Z")
Why not just build the car with a MIG welder? Just trying to learn TIG for the hell of it? It’s an awful lot of money to spend(not my place to speak to that though, just sayin) ---
**Author:** ![Viper966](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/viper966/32/7268_2.png) [@Viper966](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Viper966)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2009, 7:31am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/so-i-want-to-buy-a-used-tig-welder/72937/33 "2009-09-02T07:31:44Z")
> [@boardjnky4](#): > > Why not just build the car with a MIG welder? Just trying to learn TIG for the hell of it? It’s an awful lot of money to spend(not my place to speak to that though, just sayin) Because ive always wanted to learn how to TIG, and i am going to be doign lots of little suspension brackets etc… and i have a whole winter to teach mysefl… ill probably try to keep my mig to have, its a nice quick tool and i dont think i could get more then 300 for it anyways, so it may not be worth it to sell it > [@KENLUDE97](#): > > :bigclap: > > Im currently building a VG30ET (Nissan 3.0l Turbo V6). powered Locost. You on [www.locostusa.com](http://www.locostusa.com) ? track only? Ive been able to make my Lincoln Handy mig work up to this point. What chassis are you going to make? Yes im on [locosutusa.com](http://locosutusa.com) ive already started this project once, had the motor and a bunch of other parts, then found the deal on the SC for my m3 and sold the motor for more then i bought it for… and never even had to ship it to my house it will start off “track only” but i may get it registered for the street… but thats a LONG way off, im planning a 1 year build on it so i can slowly chip away at it… I am building a book chassis with miata IRS so the back half will be completly differant, i think i also have to go wtih ta +4 chassis as well to fit the IRS in the back ---
**Author:** ![KENLUDE97](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/kenlude97/32/7464_2.png) [@KENLUDE97](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/KENLUDE97)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2009, 7:49am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/so-i-want-to-buy-a-used-tig-welder/72937/34 "2009-09-02T07:49:26Z")
> [@Viper966](#): > > Yes im on [locosutusa.com](http://locosutusa.com) ive already started this project once, had the motor and a bunch of other parts, then found the deal on the SC for my m3 and sold the motor for more then i bought it for… and never even had to ship it to my house > > it will start off “track only” but i may get it registered for the street… but thats a LONG way off, im planning a 1 year build on it so i can slowly chip away at it… > > I am building a book chassis with miata IRS so the back half will be completly differant, i think i also have to go wtih ta +4 chassis as well to fit the IRS in the back Did you ever start a build log there? If so whats your SN there? I don’t think that legally you can reg a BEC for the street, I know that a few have been able to as they are not asked what kind of engine it is… just a FYI. 1 year build, i WISH! lol… Its been much longer than that for me, but i only get out to my garage now once a week if im lucky with the baby. Yes i think that a +4 is needed to fit a miata rear end and suspension in there. Good luck on your build:pimp: ---
**Author:** ![Viper966](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/viper966/32/7268_2.png) [@Viper966](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Viper966)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2009, 8:01am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/so-i-want-to-buy-a-used-tig-welder/72937/35 "2009-09-02T08:01:47Z")
> [@KENLUDE97](#): > > Did you ever start a build log there? If so whats your SN there? > > I don’t think that legally you can reg a BEC for the street, I know that a few have been able to as they are not asked what kind of engine it is… just a FYI. > > 1 year build, i WISH! lol… Its been much longer than that for me, but i only get out to my garage now once a week if im lucky with the baby. > > Yes i think that a +4 is needed to fit a miata rear end and suspension in there. > > Good luck on your build:pimp: my SN on there is Viper966, but i never started a build log, cuz i never stuck anything together, just bought the motor and some parts from a donor miata Do you know a site where i can lookup the regulations for building a custom car in NY? i couldnt find much on the site ---
**Author:** ![KENLUDE97](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/kenlude97/32/7464_2.png) [@KENLUDE97](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/KENLUDE97)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2009, 8:41am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/so-i-want-to-buy-a-used-tig-welder/72937/36 "2009-09-02T08:41:36Z")
Oh i see. Well i hope that you can build one! It would be cool to have more around. You can call the DMV and they will send you a packet, there is also some information on there website. [http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/homemade.htm](http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/homemade.htm) I have recieved there packet. I did all of this before i started as i want my car to be street driven. Let me know if you need anymore info 🙂 Ken ---
**Author:** ![Hass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/51bf81/32.png) [@Hass](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Hass)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2009, 8:48am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/so-i-want-to-buy-a-used-tig-welder/72937/37 "2009-09-02T08:48:45Z")
> [@turbociv](#): > > yea, high freq isnt needed to tig aluminum and neither is ac. DC is straight polarity and doesnt have the cleaning effect that a AC machine will have. Square wave is nice but also not necessary. Many people get by welding aluminum with DC and scratch starting so keep that in mind while searching as well. Just takes longer to heat up the aluminum and its not as pretty when completed. But obviously id rather spend the xtra few hundo and get a decent ac/dc machine. Also ALOT of people have great luck with some of the china build machines that are selling at a fraction of the price as your name brand lincol,hobart,miller, etc. They all use the same name brand electronics on the inside as the name brand machines. > > Im in the same boat and have been doin alot of research on what to and what not to buy. Juat? Are you seriously telling someone to half ass a life saving device? (rollcage) ---
**Author:** ![Viper966](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/viper966/32/7268_2.png) [@Viper966](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Viper966)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2009, 9:56pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/so-i-want-to-buy-a-used-tig-welder/72937/38 "2009-09-05T21:56:13Z")
I just got a great deal on a used Lincoln Tig 185… [http://tig185.com/](http://tig185.com/) It doesnt come with a torch or regulator though… but it does come with a foot pedal and the grounding clamp any suggestions on an air cooled torch under 100 bux? also where around here should i get the cylinder/consumables? ive always used mills welding supply because it was right near my parents, and my mig tank is leased (swap program) but perhaps there is somehwere else? ---
**Author:** ![n20junkie](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/n20junkie/32/7396_2.png) [@n20junkie](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/n20junkie)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2009, 6:16am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/so-i-want-to-buy-a-used-tig-welder/72937/39 "2009-09-06T06:16:37Z")
> [@turbociv](#): > > yea, high freq isnt needed to tig aluminum and neither is ac. DC is straight polarity and doesnt have the cleaning effect that a AC machine will have. Square wave is nice but also not necessary. Many people get by welding aluminum with DC and scratch starting so keep that in mind while searching as well. Just takes longer to heat up the aluminum and its not as pretty when completed. But obviously id rather spend the xtra few hundo and get a decent ac/dc machine. Also ALOT of people have great luck with some of the china build machines that are selling at a fraction of the price as your name brand lincol,hobart,miller, etc. They all use the same name brand electronics on the inside as the name brand machines. > > Im in the same boat and have been doin alot of research on what to and what not to buy. Scratch start tig? Hello 1950 Ok you can gas weld aluminum too, but why buy a welder if your going to get a POS welder thats nothing but a crappy dc power supply. Really, I can tell you don’t do any quality welding, because if you did…you wouldn’t say these things. ---
**Author:** ![n20junkie](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/n20junkie/32/7396_2.png) [@n20junkie](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/n20junkie)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2009, 6:20am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/so-i-want-to-buy-a-used-tig-welder/72937/40 "2009-09-06T06:20:16Z")
> [@Viper966](#): > > I just got a great deal on a used Lincoln Tig 185… > > [http://tig185.com/](http://tig185.com/) > > It doesnt come with a torch or regulator though… but it does come with a foot pedal and the grounding clamp > > any suggestions on an air cooled torch under 100 bux? > > also where around here should i get the cylinder/consumables? ive always used mills welding supply because it was right near my parents, and my mig tank is leased (swap program) > > but perhaps there is somehwere else? Mills has a good selection, and they are the local Lincoln dealer. I would go there. You will LOVE that machine. If you need help setting up a push button for doing roll cage work, let me know. The machine wasn’t setup for easy pushbutton installation, but it can be wired and its great for doing inverted roll cage work. Once you go tig, that mig will sit in the corner un-used. My brand new millermatic 210 does, and its a $3,500 machine with its spool gun and stuff. [Previous page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/so-i-want-to-buy-a-used-tig-welder/72937.md?page=1) [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/so-i-want-to-buy-a-used-tig-welder/72937.md?page=3)