Hey there I am looking at purchasing a tig welder soon and I was looking for peoples advice on what to buy for under two grand. I learned how to tig weld on a square wave 175 from lincoln. I want to start fabrication exhaust manifolds and roll cages but still would like to be able to do aluminum welding as well. I will also be doing a few solid axle conversions in the future. So I am just trying to make sure I buy something that I will be well off with.

 

i would look for a used machine as some thing for 2k with cooler and all will be hard to find some thing that you will meet all you needs/wants. honestly though i use a dynasty 200dx at work and a really old 1973 miller dialarc hf-p at home and i can produce the same quality welds with both machines

 

Go work a deal on a sync 200. I was able to get mine for just under $1800.

 

Interested in this thread also since I will be buying a Tig next month.

How is the Diversion 165? I have had my eye on that one a while and a price tag of $1300 makes it hard to overlook. Any pros or cons?

 

I had a harbor freight air cooled tig that just did DC.. surprisingly enough it worked pretty gd good for 280 bucks.

Granted the torch is huge and the control for turning the current on and off is on your index finger.

I accomplished this about 4 hours into my tig learning experience.
Also you might want to take a look at the everlast 250ex tig.
I ended up spending 3400 on a miller 200dx with water cooler.

Best of luck!

 

id definitely look for a sync 200!

 

those are some pretty good looking welds from the harbor freight i was thinking about geting one just to get some practice.

 

anything specific u desirefor tig? u r most welcomed...keep it touch...

 

you're weird..

 

learning on a junk machine is going to make you worse off

 

what about the portable 180sd?

 

I looked at a couple different TIG machines before I decided on the Lincoln Precision TIG 225. It came to $2000 canadian, so you should be able to get it for less in the US. I'm very happy with it. A decent amount of power for any aluminum work you might do (one of the drawbacks of the Diversion was JUST enough power for lighter aluminum work) The sync 200 looked good, but was harder for me to get a good price on in my area.

 

i have got a miller syncrowave 200 forsale 2008 model pm if your interested shoot me a pm ill cut you a deal, i upgraded to a dynasty 350

 

Everlast 250EX $1600

 

I have an old Miller Sync 180SD, and I don't have any problems with it. Except it doesn't like to hold an arc on low settings with A/C. But I do have an older one (2003'ish)
Other than that, It's been good to me. Got it used for 1k with tons of extra's.

 

how much? I plan on buying one of these after the holidays.

 

I would look for a used Syncrowave 200 or 180SD or if you liked the Lincoln and 175 or 225, look around and you an pick up a clean few year old machine for $1000-$1400 all day and a lot of time with accessories.

Also if you dont mid a larger machine you can get syncrowave 250's used in your price range and have a lot more options and amperage. Just harder to find one non abused but its not like they have many reliability issues.

I picked up a 2008 Model 180SD(newer version) roller for $1200 with tank and accessories last year, The guy never arc welded with it and didnt even use half of a 80cu ft tank! Still had the tags on it and a receipt for $2200.

 

You have one? How do you like it? Almost bought a powerarc 160 just for something really portable but a buddy of mine got me a really good deal on a thermal arc 95S.

 

hey my choices are for the syncro 200 and lincoln 225 the machine will be used for fabrication purposes only, I will be doing aluminum welding but that will be your avarage aluminum work nothing heavy heavy heavy duty. The thing that has me beat right now is the 25 extra amps from the lincoln. I have used a water cooled 225 and loved it, but would rather go millers direction if it is an over all better machine.

 

witch one for roll cages, back halfs, suspension components and stainless manifolds ?

 

You say you have used and like the Lincoln..so there you go.

 

i am going with the miller syncro 200, ill go and order it on thursday

 

check cyberweld.com super cheap

 

2150 out the door for the tig runner package with out cylinder at my local dealer is that a good deal ?

 

I paid 2500CDN after taxes for mine and that was a smoking deal at the time. I'd say that's a pretty good deal.