As per title, I've done lots of welding over the years with oxy/acetylene and MIG, and can weld in either of these disciplines to a competent (no expert, mind you!) level. Did attend a course at college in my yoof to learn how to gas weld, but taught myself on the MIG.
I really fancy a TIG, but it would have to be AC/DC as I'd want to weld ali with it - the main reason for wanting one really. However, as it would only get occasional use, I'm struggling to justify the cost of at least a grand if I go for something like The R-Tech 160 amp machine.
So, my question really is this (I suspect I aready know the answers I'm likely to get!): are the sets we've all seen on eBay for £500/£600 really crap? Makes such as Stahlwerk, Apex, Sip, etc. There's currently an Apex one on there with AC/DC, 200A, built in plasma cutter, has all the features you'd want (as far as I can tell anyway) and is just over £600. Am I really throwing my money away on something like this? And do I just have to accept that I'm not going to get anything worth having for less than the grand I'll have to spend on something like an R-Tech? Bear in mind that I'm not about to set myself up welding ali 8 hours a day - it will be occasional use only.
Any input appreciated!
I really fancy a TIG, but it would have to be AC/DC as I'd want to weld ali with it - the main reason for wanting one really. However, as it would only get occasional use, I'm struggling to justify the cost of at least a grand if I go for something like The R-Tech 160 amp machine.
So, my question really is this (I suspect I aready know the answers I'm likely to get!): are the sets we've all seen on eBay for £500/£600 really crap? Makes such as Stahlwerk, Apex, Sip, etc. There's currently an Apex one on there with AC/DC, 200A, built in plasma cutter, has all the features you'd want (as far as I can tell anyway) and is just over £600. Am I really throwing my money away on something like this? And do I just have to accept that I'm not going to get anything worth having for less than the grand I'll have to spend on something like an R-Tech? Bear in mind that I'm not about to set myself up welding ali 8 hours a day - it will be occasional use only.
Any input appreciated!