Trying to learn how to tig weld stainless/aluminum. where would be a good place to get a cheap but good welder for me to start?

 

good AND cheap? lol

 

you cant have both

 

I got my used/practically new Miller Econotig for 1k off ebay. Has worked terrific for me for over a year so far.

 

Get a Miller Diversion 165. Seems the best for the money.

 

econotig does ac? i forgot...too lazy to look up specs.

i vote for a used sync 200 :D

 

When I started looking around everyone suggested the Sync 200. But for the price, the EconoTig and the Diversion 165 seemed great. The EconoTig just seems to offer more adjustments such as wave balance and hertz.

I used a Dynasty 200DX at school and they seem really nice. Lots of $$$ though.

 

As I posted in another thread, look around on craigslist and at your local welding supply place. I was able to get my Sync 500 for $600, sure it's more than you need, but you get the idea. They pop up on CL a lot, and they tend to stay around since there isn't a huge market of people looking for TIGs.

 

The sync200 offers plenty of adjustments there just not as obvious and the buttons when used along with the **** give you all the adjustments you need. It also has a pulser built in. I have used an econotig and it left me wondering why miller built it. The aluminum ability on a econtig isn't even close and you still have a machine with less capacity.

Your not talking about a $500 machine and a sycrowave200 can be had new for $1906 from IOC ready to work and delivered. Best for the $$$$$ hands down. The little thermal dymanics machine was also a very good choice till the $'s went crazy.
Haven't messed with a diversion but why would you buy something that limits you so much.

 

I saw the Diversion when I was in the welding supply store and it looked like a toy, especially the torch setup

 

tig welders are great but not having good luck looking on cl for some reason

 

California and Arizona will never have that stuff cheap, I mean, it's practically the fabricating capitols of the universe. We have offroad and tarmac! Suckers.

 

a good priced welder is the miller Diversion 165. get it with the foot switch and your good to go. i got mine about 3 weeks ago and man its fun! heres day 3 on aluminum.

 

I've been looking at the syncrowave 200's lately, looking to buy a nice Tig to finish the work on my chassis that I'm skipping out on the shop doing it to save some money and learn for myself.

 

What about the miller maxstar? any thought? lol

 

might as well buy a econotig or diversion

 

Hahah i'm just saying...lol

I'm saving up for a Syncrowave or Dynasty. lol =p

 

DC only machine NO aluminum

If you buy less then a 200 you will kick yourself and pretty much everyone here don't need a dynasty The only real advantage to the dynasty is its smaller/lighter portability and it will run on 115 but with limited output.

 

Those are the reasons why I'm looking into the Dynasty 200DX.

BTW, would you guys get a custom Tig torch or get the Miller contractor setup for the Dynasty 200DX. I already have a good flowmeter and ground clamp. I think the only items I would need would be the tig torch and foot and/or finger control.

 

i looked and looked, and the diversion is a great welder for things like, manifolds, cages ext. great lil welder IMO

 

what do you guys think of this? http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/tls/960914636.html

 

if you are going to spend that much money, why limit yourself with that pos?

 

why thank you for calling my new welder a POS..... works ****ing great for what im doing!

 

no problem

 

I have a Dynasty and would have no problem getting a Diversion I saw it last week and it was a nice little package