TIG welder (and related equipment) suggestions?

[grouchie77]

Hey everyone, I'm looking for suggestions for a good (read: reliable) TIG machine. I have 120v15A in the garage. Not planning on doing aluminum, just carbon steel and stainless.

I've almost settled on a Lincoln Sprinter 180Si. Looks to be able to do what I need it to do. Not looking for anything that I can weld all day with. That being said, I do NOT want some POS China garbage. I've had excellent history with Lincoln, and the price is pretty good.

That being said, I am open to other brands as long as they have a good support system/warranty, and are otherwise well known for not breaking down after 3 months.

https://www.airgas.com/product/Welding-Products/Welders-&-Accessories/Multi-Process-Welders/p/LINK5584-1

Thanks all!

Edit: I should add that I could care less about the stick capabilities of the machine, if I could get a TIG machine that does just TIG and does it well and that's all it does then all the better.

 

[Charles13]

Have you looked at the newer laser welders? tig is nice especially the new pulse machines but laser makes a very pretty weld.

 

[grouchie77]

I have TIG and oxyfuel experience. No means an expert but I really want a TIG machine.

 

[Ratranger]

Any tig machine can stick. Just like you can tig with a stick machine. It's just a matter of leads and gas flow.

I have a harbor freight protig 205. I've been running it on 110 for the last 4 years. It's worked pretty well from aluminum to stainless. I did a ton of practice on mild steel scrap, and used it to do the exhaust on my XS. *I know, it's chinese. But there's a chance the lincoln is partially or fully made in china with just final assembly here. Not much is fully US made anymore.*

 

[grouchie77]

Any tig machine can stick. Just like you can tig with a stick machine. It's just a matter of leads and gas flow.

I have a harbor freight protig 205. I've been running it on 110 for the last 4 years. It's worked pretty well from aluminum to stainless. I did a ton of practice on mild steel scrap, and used it to do the exhaust on my XS. *I know, it's chinese. But there's a chance the lincoln is partially or fully made in china with just final assembly here. Not much is fully US made anymore.*

What amperage outlet are you running it from? When I had my MIG welder I kept popping the breaker in the garage.

 

[Ratranger]

It's actually plugged into a surge protector, so 10a tops. No issues welding up to 100a. I got the protig because it was ac/dc. I wanted to be able to do some aluminum, but didn't want to spend $2k+ for a big name machine.

 

[grouchie77]

I originally looked at the Titanium 200 but people were saying they don't seem to last.

 

[Ratranger]

I've had good luck with the vulcan protig. But I know it has a lower duty cycle than the big name welders.

 

[Jim]

I bought an Alpha TIG 200 back in 2016. So... going on 9 yrs now. Never had a moments trouble with it. They're advertised as 110/220 with automatic switching. I've never plugged it into 110, so I can't really say how well it works.

The welder, argon bottle and the metal to build the stand came out to about $750-$800. I'm not a fan of Chinese electrics... and that's being kind, but this was a good purchase. If it ever dies, I'll prolly get another.

 

[Jim]

Here's the latest version, the 225. Still a very reasonable price.

 

[grouchie77]

Looks like that has a 3yr warranty... this pleases me.

 

[grouchie77]

Why the 225 over the 203 @Jim?

https://ahpwelds.com/collections/frontpage/products/alphatig-203i

Was it because of the higher amperage the 225 offers?

Looks like the 203 might be a good choice for me too.



Edit: I'd like to expand my original requirements to include aluminum.

Also, I may ask for my neighbor's help in the spring to add some more electrical capabilities in the garage. He's an HVAC and electrician for the local school district so I'm reasonably certain he's certified to add some outlets and 220v capability for a welder.

 

[bosco659]

Not familiar with the brand @Jim has but if he says it’s good I’d believe it. I’m a hacker welder at best and years ago my wife bought me a Lincoln 210MP welder. It does mig, DC Tig and stick. The majority of the use it’s seen is hardwire mig. I’ve messed around with the Tig but haven’t attempted a complete project yet. I never thought I’d have a use for stick but it actually is nice if you need a portable welder and don’t want to haul a gas bottle around. That said I suppose you could use fluxcore wire with the mig. It’s a nice machine, runs 110/220. I have 220 in the garage so that what is use. Two downside are it’s pricey and it would be nice if it had ac Tig.

 

[atom4488]

There is an Amazon-sourced YES Tig welder in my shop; AC/DC, 110/220. Seems reasonably for what it cost. Need the welder capability curve to align with the welder (machine) capability curve!

 

[bosco659]

There is an Amazon-sourced YES Tig welder in my shop; AC/DC, 110/220. Seems reasonably for what it cost. Need the welder capability curve to align with the welder (machine) capability curve!

I’ve heard lots of good things about Yeswelder products. I’m looking to buy one of their true colour helmets that have received good reviews (good cost / performance ratio).

 

[grouchie77]

I have an Amazon list of maybe 4 or 5 different welders, YESwelders are on there. Trying to narrow it down before I buy a machine.

This will be in my garage, as a home hobbyist welder, maybe fixing something for my neighbor or something. Mainly to do exhaust or thin ⅛ carbon steel, stainless or aluminum, but the capacity to go to ¼ aluminum be nice if needed for when I want to build a 1-2 intake. Not looking to open up my own welding shop by any means, but basically repairs and fabbing for the bike(s).

 

[Paul Sutton]

I was kind of OK at stick welding then bought a TIG. My TIG skills proved to be not so good so had a go at stick welding again after a couple of years break. Now I am crap at TIG and Stick(MMA). So you won't get any good advice from me...

Have fun.

 

[bosco659]

I was kind of OK at stick welding then bought a TIG. My TIG skills proved to be not so good so had a go at stick welding again after a couple of years break. Now I am crap at TIG and Stick(MMA). So you won't get any good advice from me...

Have fun.

I’m in the same boat as you re: skill level or lack there of. It’s all about practice though with different materials and thicknesses. When I took my welding classes a few years ago all we used was 3/16 or 1/4 mild steel. Pretty forgiving when you turn up the juice. Now hen I get into lighter gauge materials my workpiece looks like a piece of Swiss cheese before I can get my machine dialed in. My welds won’t win any awards for looks but I’m pretty sure the joints won’t fail. I leave important stuff to my more skilled friends.

 

[Jan_P]

I would not rule out Chinese products
for a home user .not a professional out on the road or extensive many hours use.
Provided some ratings are available Often other brands are manufactured there anyways.
They at times have the whole range from the worst to the state of the art in some products and services
And sometimes their cheapest ones are surprisingly good, I would not go for the cheapest here.

I Use a small Telwin transformer a lot .. almost shoe box size .. it is weak and difficult to start worthless Only taking small sticks
But it is small and easy to take to the neighbor or so often solves it, But of course not a TIG replacement

 

[Sosso]

Have you looked at the newer laser welders? tig is nice especially the new pulse machines but laser makes a very pretty weld.

Does anyone has experience these laser welders? I have experience with stick and MIG and as I was a good boy looking for a TIG for Xmas ( which year!).
But these laser welding rig seems to be too good to be true