Which tig to go for?

[Ron67]

I'm looking into getting a tig plant.
It will have to be 240v or able to be 240v/415v, ac dc and I guess a minimum 200amps with a good duty cycle.
I'm new to tig welding so advice would be appreciated.

 

[Richard.]

No doubt your thread will be moved to the "buying a welder" section. What's your top line budget for an AC/DC tig welder.

 

[Ron67]

I'm new to forum stuff, so learning as I go ;-)

Realistic I'd say around £1750 but if it has to increase so be it. I'm not welding for a job just a hobby but not wanting a cheap crap unit.

 

[HughF]

That will get you some top rate 2nd hand gear... There's a complete fronius setup on eBay at the mo for about 1250 second hand

 

[Richard.]

That will get you some top rate 2nd hand gear... There's a complete fronius setup on eBay at the mo for about 1250 second hand

Are you talking about the castotig 2002. Yes they are awsome machines. I have the exact same one badged fronius.

 

[didsthewelder]

r tech .. simply awesome in my opinion

 

[HughF]

Are you talking about the castotig 2002. Yes they are awsome machines. I have the exact same one badged fronius.

Yep, looks like a good setup, but I think someone clicked buy it now as I can't seem to find it again.

 

[HughF]

However, just found an old kempi 150a 3-in-1 machine for 375... Might be handy for someone

 

[Richard.]

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/111642968705?nav=SEARCH

I have this machine so I can vouch for it's excellence. A lot of welder for the money. Water cooler on there too.

 

[HughF]

That was the one I was looking at, guess it didn't sell. Email the seller and offer him 1200

 

[norlander]

Always think if you are new to the skill, it might be best to get a new or recon machine from a reputable supplier, buying a s/h top end pro machine, might have too many bells and whistles for a beginner.
Drop a PM to Jim Davey, there might be a model in the GYS line up that would suit your needs, he should be able to advise on best bet for your skill level/use/budget etc.

 

[Richard.]

There is another guy on here who has that exact machine and very pleased with what it can do. The only thing to bear in mind is the extra bits cost an arm and a leg. I bought the original pedal and pulse remote for mine and they are very good quality with a price tag to match.

 

[Richard.]

Always think if you are new to the skill, it might be best to get a new or recon machine from a reputable supplier, buying a s/h top end pro machine, might have too many bells and whistles for a beginner.
Drop a PM to Jim Davey, there might be a model in the GYS line up that would suit your needs, he should be able to advise on best bet for your skill level/use/budget etc.

It's got no more bells or whistles than the Gys 207 but is probably built with higher quality components. I can vouch that fronius still support that machine with parts and repair as I have had a board fitted to mine only a few months ago. I think with machines of this quality risk is minimal with regard to warranty as they are built to last.

 

[norlander]

if its second hand and out of warranty on ebay it has no warranty, and maybe sold as seen/listed, but generally, from what I see, most sellers are pretty straight. But I find the constant references to reliabilty etc tiresome because I am not referring to that, I am referring to after sales advice and guidance if you are a new user of a machine or novice, and then, there is the subject of adapting the machine to your needs, with maybe a different torch set up etc or other accessory.
Then there is advice on helmets set up aids etc etc, and often offered with a bit of discount if you bought the machine there, its called old fashioned service and with the onset of ebay, Amazon, etc its going to disappear, at the moment you can still buy from somebody who can answer queries and solve problems from personal knowledge, not from mouse clicks on a screen, or once the sale is done, has no further interest.

 

[500e]

Both Weldequip & R Tech seem to have good customer support, a little harsh norlander but I understand where you are coming from

 

[norlander]

Both Weldequip & R Tech seem to have good customer support, a little harsh norlander but I understand where you are coming from

Good point- I forgot about R Tech-their staff appear to be on the ball for product knowledge, plus they do the return to base thing and, if you are so inclined, you can spread the cost of the kit on their payment plan.
Forgot about weldequip because I always think of him for MIG, but of course he does TIG kit as well, plus he does that Dronco kit for grinders-I'm a crap welder but reet handy wi a grinder.

 

[Richard.]

£1500 for a brand new gys 207 with 2years warranty, a demo and and a telephone number to call if you have a problem. Or £1500 for a second hand fronius magicwave no warranty with water cooler a demo (I would demo it for the buyer) no tel number mind. I see what your saying but I think this after sale thing is only usefull if you have a warranty issue and a machine of that level if it's looked after is low risk. Forget RTech it's not at gys level and it's a mile away from high end brands. The level of after care is great but you wouldn't notice this great level of after care if the machine didn't break down. Buy the fronius you won't regret it. I got mine second hand.

 

[daleyd]

But without knowing what your buying, ie for an inexperienced guy with little/no knowledge of welding or welding machines, that 1500 quid could quickly turn into 1500 quid plus another 800 quid for a new control board and someone to repair it etc etc, and then you tie yourself in knots with the huge range of adjustments available.

Unlikely, I know as you say fronius is quality kit (Ive worked at Cameron's in Leeds which is full of them welding subsea valves) but it's still a big lump of used complex electronics.

IMO there is a place and market for both, if you know the machines and exercise a bit of "caveat emptor" you can for sure get a quality machine secondhand.

 

[Richard.]

But without knowing what your buying, ie for an inexperienced guy with little/no knowledge of welding or welding machines, that 1500 quid could quickly turn into 1500 quid plus another 800 quid for a new control board and someone to repair it etc etc, and then you tie yourself in knots with the huge range of adjustments available.

Unlikely, I know as you say fronius is quality kit (Ive worked at Cameron's in Leeds which is full of them welding subsea valves) but it's still a big lump of used complex electronics.

IMO there is a place and market for both, if you know the machines and exercise a bit of "caveat emptor" you can for sure get a quality machine secondhand.

It's a very fair point and I guess it's difficult because I'm imagining what I would go for and why. As Norlander and yourself say if you are buying second hand there is risks involved and more so if you ain't able to understand the functions properly as you wouldn't know if it's working as should be or not. I do agree I would never buy new off eBay but I occasionally browsing through the used section hoping one day a triton turns up at the right price.

 

[daleyd]

It's a very fair point and I guess it's difficult because I'm imagining what I would go for and why. As Norlander and yourself say if you are buying second hand there is risks involved and more so if you ain't able to understand the functions properly as you wouldn't know if it's working as should be or not. I do agree I would never buy new off eBay but I occasionally browsing through the used section hoping one day a triton turns up at the right price.

I bought my rtech and at the time it was the right thing for me, as I knew very little about welding, now having it for a while though I would feel much more confident in buying second hand, mainly from advice on here from the likes of yourself.

If I get round to getting an ac tig I would probably try and go for a secondhand "good" make, if available. But as I say, I can see the attraction of "cheaper new" and wouldn't dismiss the advantages that this brings.