Hello,
Looking for a TIG welder for aluminum welding and the Econotig looks nice for $1,325. Anyone have any experience with this?

Anything better for close to the same price?

I'm looking to do hobby car type projects, manifolds, IC piping, etc. all the usual fun stuff.

Thanks,
allen

 

Youll outgrow it in a week. Get a syncrowave 180 or the new 200 at least. Youll be much happier in the long run.

 

Depends on how thick of metal you are going to be welding. The econotig welds up to 14 gauge to 3/16 in (1.8 to 4.8 mm) aluminum. It's def. the low end of the miller tig welders. If you think you wont outgrow it whatever floats your boat.

 

I posted the same thread about 5 months ago, all they said was its a good learning tig but you will grow out of it extremely fast.

 

I had one for two year.
it's really a great machine for all purpose TIG welding.
cheap, reliable and still a Miller machine, wich are the best in the industries to me.

for Al welding, the econotig is not a full feature welder, wich mean it dosn't have a squarewave output patern, no ballance control. it mean A LOT on AL welding.

if your main goal if AL welding, get the Sincrowave 180, it will be cheaper now that the 200 is out.

Btw: I currently own a Miller Syncrowave 200. and I can honnestly tell you that this machine weld aluminium like crazy. it lay smooth, consistent and shiny bead. with still amazing penetration. This thing is really great for AL fabrication.

one last thing though : the econotig will weld 1/8 aluminium plate without any difficulty going full penetration on 2 pass.

hope this help
Kranked

 

Buy the Sync 180. The 200 is way overated, and still way too expensive. Go to your local shop, and see if they will price match it from an online source...mine did...and not only an online store, but eBay! Got it for $1566 out the door, and that was the runner package.
Good luck!
Kyle

 

the econo tig sucks , get a 180 sd

 

Man and i've had my 180SD for 6 months and i'm already out growing it. Time to look at a dynasty. If you want a welder just to learn on, I would highly recommend the 180SD.

 

It seems very limited, especially for aluminum. Id look for a used older syncrowave 250 or 300. Or for somthing more compact like a new syncro 180 or 200.

 

I think the Miller Syncrowave 180 might be the best for my needs and budget.

Thanks for all the tips,
allen

 

I own an econotig (3yr) and a syncro 180 (1yr)

I love my econotig. I have it at home now, I would never sell it. Its a great machine, it did everything i needed it to do in steel and aluminum. Its funny people say the econotig sucks for aluminum, you need to learn how to weld lol

tell me this sucks





The 180sd is nice too. It has a bit of ac arc shaping capabilities but nothing to write home about. My 180 works great too. I donno what to say, their both great little machines imo.