Hello everyone! I'm new to the hobby as well as the forums.
I've been doing lots of reading and watching YouTube videos and I think I have narrowed down what I want to an AC/DC TIG machine. Not the cheapest of choices for a newbie, and initially I will be welding mild steel box sections to make some home gym equipment, but I definitely want the option for aluminium as I do some model plane building and this would open up a lot of new ideas for me!
I was initially looking at something like the Parweld XTM 211DI AC/DC Multi Process Welder, but I read a few reports of questionable component choices by that brand (although the after sales support in the UK seems to be very good from what I've read on here?), which made me lust after the ESAB Rebel EMP 205IC AC/DC for a bit, but that's way out of my budget!
Then I thought some more and realised I wouldn't really want to be dealing with two different gas cylinders when I can do everything with TIG anyway, and shortly after, I saw a video from The Fabricator Series mentioning the PrimeWeld TIG225X AC/DC TIG, which after looking into more, has rave reviews (I've not been able to find a single negative one). Seems like a lot of machine for $799. I tallied up the delivery, VAT and duty and it'd be around £975 to get one to the UK, which still seems very good value? The guy in the original video I saw said he gets sent lots of machines but he puts them through hell and none of the other budget ones prior to this survived for him to recommend. His only gripe was the pedal, which PrimeWeld have since changed in response.
If there are any other machines around this price range that you'd recommend, I'd appreciate any suggestions! I'm the kind of person that likes to buy once, so I'm not averse to paying a bit more if it means I'm getting a more capable and reliable machine I will be able to use for the foreseeable future and one that holds on to its value reasonably well.
I also realise I'm jumping in at the deep end with TIG, but I like a challenge and I'm persistent!
I've been doing lots of reading and watching YouTube videos and I think I have narrowed down what I want to an AC/DC TIG machine. Not the cheapest of choices for a newbie, and initially I will be welding mild steel box sections to make some home gym equipment, but I definitely want the option for aluminium as I do some model plane building and this would open up a lot of new ideas for me!
I was initially looking at something like the Parweld XTM 211DI AC/DC Multi Process Welder, but I read a few reports of questionable component choices by that brand (although the after sales support in the UK seems to be very good from what I've read on here?), which made me lust after the ESAB Rebel EMP 205IC AC/DC for a bit, but that's way out of my budget!
Then I thought some more and realised I wouldn't really want to be dealing with two different gas cylinders when I can do everything with TIG anyway, and shortly after, I saw a video from The Fabricator Series mentioning the PrimeWeld TIG225X AC/DC TIG, which after looking into more, has rave reviews (I've not been able to find a single negative one). Seems like a lot of machine for $799. I tallied up the delivery, VAT and duty and it'd be around £975 to get one to the UK, which still seems very good value? The guy in the original video I saw said he gets sent lots of machines but he puts them through hell and none of the other budget ones prior to this survived for him to recommend. His only gripe was the pedal, which PrimeWeld have since changed in response.
If there are any other machines around this price range that you'd recommend, I'd appreciate any suggestions! I'm the kind of person that likes to buy once, so I'm not averse to paying a bit more if it means I'm getting a more capable and reliable machine I will be able to use for the foreseeable future and one that holds on to its value reasonably well.
I also realise I'm jumping in at the deep end with TIG, but I like a challenge and I'm persistent!