Inexpensive TIG?

[ImpManiac]

Hi. Newbie here.

I am looking at getting tooled up for a little TIG action, now that I am progressing reasonably well with my MIG. Looking around at what's on the amrket for cheap (under £200-ish) TIG sets, does anyone on here rate the Clarke 131?

Which sets should I be looking at? Secondhand is no problem. Also, what else do I need? For example, what type of gas regulator, etc.?

Many thanks. This is a GREAT forum!

Paul

 

[will123thomas]

Hi Paul and welcome to the forum, the clarke is an inverter type stick welder which can be used for scratch start tig, for this youll need a tig torch with a gas valve like this: http://www.thewelderswarehouse.com/Welding/Tig_Gun_17v_Scratch_Start.html, with this the gas lead connects straight up to the regulator, the gas you need is argon.

it is a dc machine which will allow you to weld mild/stainless NOT aluminium which i imagine you wont be (this requires an AC current which will cost alot more) for more money you would be able to get a hf tig but not for that budget.

personally i cannot comment on the clarke as ive never used one, i would however advise against cheap ebay chinese units, the amount of use it gets will also affect how much you should spend, as i was told; buy cheap, buy twice!

 

[pre67]

im thinking about geting one but cant find a good 160amp upwards dc set

but i only relly want to spend 200quid

loads of posts like this but cant seem to find a good answer and less you spend a couple of grand one a 3phaze set but not evey ones got 3phaze in there garden shed

 

[matt1978]

There are plenty of really good 230v 160-180 amp DC tigs.............they are just not available for £200!

If £200 is your max budget, then you'll need to have a look on Fleebay, but if you want something with a HF ignition then even on Fleebay I think you might struggle.

If your happy with a MMA Inverter, that also does Scratch DC tig (Very basic tig function) then you may get something.

If you can stretch a a bit, PM Weldequip or take a look at R-Tech website, they will have something around £400-£600 mark and you will be assured of a great aftersales service.

 

[ImpManiac]

Thank you for your replies. I shall have to hunt around for secondhand TIG purchasing opportunities, whether via ebay or elsewhere.

Paul

 

[pre67]

been looking at some of these but may be need to save up a bit first and have a good excuse to buy a tig if im going to spend that much i mite as well get a ac/dc

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?p=160284#post160284

 

[will123thomas]

been looking at some of these but may be need to save up a bit first and have a good excuse to buy a tig if im going to spend that much i mite as well get a ac/dc

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?p=160284#post160284

that link is to this thread

 

[busastars]

There is the same cheap Giant tig as mine on the RD forum, ive posted a few threads down about mine.

http://www.yamaha-rd.com/forum/topic-61734.html

 

[poprivet]

cheap welders tig...

Hi there.
Ive not long joined this site but hrer goes my experience with tig welders.
I work as a stainles steel balustrade tech and also work from home. At home i use a $600 aust dollar token tool welder dc high freq button start pulse as well, so far its made me $13,000 in income and is still going strong well and truely paid for itself, it may not have the bells and whistles as the name brands but the figures stand as there own testimony, $600 purchase price versus $13,000 in income made.....Token tool welder off ebay.
We also have one at my work place now and its fine paid for itself already its the newer version and has digital readout not supper acurate but if you weld enough you get a feel for the amps. Perfect for learners or serious tradies ... no i dont sell them my self just use them to make money. so ponds for dollars it would be cheap

 

[ImpManiac]

^^ True but, looking around on ebay at the Chinese products, freight to the UK is of the order of the same price as the welder itself! So you might as well go and buy a European-built machine in the first place!

EDIT - I mean, if you live in Europe, as I do!

Paul

 

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