Tig reccomendations

[seanc]

I'm branching out to do stainless exhausts/manifolds etc. Aswell as other thin wall stainless and aluminium work !
I'm looking for a decent tig machine of around 200-250 amps max with around a £1500 budget, I've seen portamig do some and I've used there migs before which I like but I see very little about there tigs.
Got a feeling anything miller/lorch etc will be outside my budget for the moment and then there's r-tech at the cheaper end

Any advice on what to look at ?

 

[jimmyspeed]

i use a Thermal Arc at work and its been heavily used for 5 years and still going strong, good on most stuff apart from chunky aluminium

 

[Arcoftheearth]

jasic tig 200 ac/dc being discussed in a few places on the forum - weldequip sell it too

 

[michaelrad]

Seanc, I cannot tell what to look for in a Tig Welder but I have a link where you could find a tig welding machine set http://trademachines.com/solder-4-miller-dynasty-dx-200-tig-welding-set. Its in auction and it can be a lot cheaper than £1500.

Cheers!

 

[norlander]

I have TIG-1x lift start on my arc set, and a full on AC/DC 200 set (its a GYS).
I am a novice TIG welder-especially with all the bells and whistles like the HF/2T/4T/slope up n down and then there is pulse and frequency etc in AC.

First up I would say the machine must be able to accept a pedal.Some kit might not, some kit only accepts their own pedal I think.
For the AC and aluminium, you need one of the boys on here that are experienced to tell you what a decent frequency range is for welding ali-I believe there is the odd TIG set about with a less than practical frequency range.
But, you should have the above qualified by boys who are pro TIG welders.
Above all, I'd say buy from someone who you can talk to on the end of the phone about what you want to weld and whats available in your budget.
I'd suggest giving weldequip, migtigarc, Rapid welding and R Tech, I've dealt with the first three, and R Tech are well thought of by most on here.
They may not be able to get as low as e-bay prices, but they are not going to gallop off into the sunset once they have sold the kit.
Thats a bit of unfair comment as there are stand up suppliers selling welding kit on the bay but just do a check on who is actually selling it and where they are.
As ever, don't forget you need gas, regs and tungstens/cups/collets etc- not just the welding plant itself- so budget for that stuff n all.

 

[Minh Anh]

I think you can consider Hobart PowerPro 256S. It deserves with request the price you offer.

*Mod: link removed*