BURLEIGH Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 Obviously I'll have to get a torch and other items, but... What do you think?? Thanks in advance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike C Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 The Spoolmate 200 is a constant voltage machine to run the spool gun, ie a MIG welder. You need a constant current machine to TIG. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BURLEIGH Posted December 3, 2009 Author Share Posted December 3, 2009 I figured the answer was no... I don't really know anything about TIG welding, but I've been looking at some cheaper lower amprage machines. I would like to learn how, but I wonder if it will be worth getting one of the cheaper machines to learn on and then invest in a "bigger, better" one later... Do any of you have experience with one of the TIG machines in the $400ish range??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apollyon12 Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 Somebody sells a TIG welder for $400? The cheapest ones I have heard of are the Millers in the $1800 range... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
letitsnow Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 I've tig'd with an arc welder as a power supply, it was a pain in the nuts because there's no on-the-fly current adjustment, it's scratch start, and lift stop then bring it back to let the weld cool under argon for a bit before reaching over and turning the valve on the tank off. It was just an experiment that I had maybe $100 in. I'd mig any day over using that setup, my schools nice miller tig is another story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike C Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 You might be able to find a Thermal Arc Dragster. I Googled real quick and didn't find any for less than $650? It is an 80 amp inverter type DC stick box with scratch start TIG optional. I bought a closeout from Sears a couple of years ago for $269 complete with the TIG package except the gas bottle. They used to be on eBay for $450 all the time brand new. Here is what looks like the replacement, less than $300 but you will need to add a TIG torch, flowmeter, and gas bottle: http://www.brweldingsupplies.com/shop/products/thermal-arc-95s-95-amp-dc-stick-tig-welder-w1003202.cfm EDIT: Here it is on eBay, $410 with free shipping. http://cgi.ebay.com/THERMAL-ARC-95-S-TIG-STICK-WELDER-PKG-W1003203_W0QQitemZ230398803026QQcmdZViewItemQQptZBI_Welders?hash=item35a4d6bc52 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BURLEIGH Posted December 4, 2009 Author Share Posted December 4, 2009 I've seen quite a few lower amperage, off brand machines that range anywhere from $300-$600. Would one of these be OK to learn on or should I just wait for a good deal on a decent used machine? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike C Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 That's for you to decide IMO. You can get a used Syncrowave 200 for $1200-$1500 reasonably easy if you can wait awhile. You can get a new Hobart Tigmate for $1500 or as you mentioned, any number of others. I'd start out by saving $ and if I came across what appeared to be a real deal on an older Miller/Lincoln/Hobart/ESAB/Airco/Heliarc I'd buy it and practice with that. You can sell it for what you paid for it usually when you are ready to upgrade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josh817 Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 These things don't depreciate unless things start breaking, it appears... I was curious too and looked at Harbor Freight. They have two but I don't understand the whole voltage/current thing and duty cycle as far as whats good and whats not good... http://search.harborfreight.com/cpisearch/web/search.do?keyword=TIG&Submit=Go 100% duty cycle @ 98 amps I don't even know what to think about that? I think I've seen 100% @ 200 amps before so I guess the lower the worse? Anyway, that one was in the $300 range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike C Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 Stop. Don't buy any equipment. Start by reading this and buy the Miller Student Guide package. http://www.millerwelds.com/products/helpmechoose/selection-guide.html http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/tools/basket.php?action=A&id=211630&qty=1 Best $25 you could ever spend with explanations of process, instructions, weld calculators, and catalogs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BURLEIGH Posted December 6, 2009 Author Share Posted December 6, 2009 Stop. Don't buy any equipment. Start by reading this and buy the Miller Student Guide package. http://www.millerwelds.com/products/helpmechoose/selection-guide.html http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/tools/basket.php?action=A&id=211630&qty=1 Best $25 you could ever spend with explanations of process, instructions, weld calculators, and catalogs. Thanks Mike! I have just ordered some litterature on the subject that should be here shortly. I may consider getting that too if what I get isn't as informative as I hoped. I won't be buying anything until I am a little more comfortable with the process... I have been learning a little at a time by experience and asking questions on the MIG welding, but I would really like to get into TIG. Thanks for all the input! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.