I've never TIG welded before only MIG. I really want to lean but in no way can I afford a Miller. Has anyone used this TIG? Are there any other TIGs out there about the same price range I should look at? These run about $900.00.

Thank for any advice!

 

Couldn't you save a bit more an buy a used Miller?

 

The TIG/plasma combo they sell has always seemed like a decent deal to me. However, I've never used one of their machines so I can't comment on its performance.

 

I would get an everlast if I couldn't swing the miller. http://www.everlastgenerators.com/Po...o-3910-pd.html

 

i have the Tig 200/Plasma combo from Eastwood and i love it. was my first time ever even touching a tig torch, but with lots of practice, it has yeilded great results. amazing for the money, even said so by a 30 year welder with over $20K worth of welders and accessories...and i've used it on 115V so far

 

Thank you guys for your input on this. It has like 65 positive reviews on the 200 amp AC/DC, the other one will not weld aluminum. So I figured I should go with the better one.

 

There is always the miller diversion group... Alittle more then 900 but better starting platform

 

The eastwood tig is amazing for the price. Have one myself as we'll as several friends. Nothing but good things to say.

 

I've had an Eastwood Tig 200 for about a year now and am glad I pulled the trigger. I read a ton of reviews on low end ac/dc machines and received a lot of responses suchs as "save for a Miller / Lincoln". Unfortunately, the Craigslist in my area is lame, and finding a deal on a used Miller tig from a person who is willing to ship is difficulty, not to mention you're more than likely not going to find a Miller tig for under $1500.

Get the Eastwood for now, upgrade in a couple of years when you're sure you'll stick with it. I'l probably be picking up a Miller within a year, but still use the Eastwood regularly.

 

They seem to have really good reviews. Anyone that had gotten anything from Eastwood, says they stand behind their product and replace with no questions asked!

 

I'm new to the forum, so here's my contribution.

I am with the Miller guys. I sold my Miller Econotig for $700 on Craigslist, so you can certainly find them in your price range. My current tig machine is a sturdy, water-cooled Miller DialArc HF.

In DC mode, a tig welder is not much more than a transformer and a few valves and switches. In AC mode, where your aluminum work is done, it is a whole other story. You will hate life if you can't strike and maintain good AC arc. There, you want to pay for quality.

Second part of the story... Miller is awesome with customer support. Just look at the info on their web site, it's really amazing. Lincoln, on the other hand, routes all of their profit to their shareholders, not reinvesting in supporting the end-user (I just might have an inside perspective here). So when my 30- year old DialArc HF started acting up, I emailed Miller's tech line. The tech dept sent me a .pdf from the old prints of the welder schematics and a list of part numbers. Using the schematics, I troubleshot my way down to a faulty relay and a bad rectifier. A phone call to my local dealer and three days time, I had my welder back up for about $30 in parts. Where will Eastwood (or Harbor Freight, or...) be when you need some support?

Also, the name-brand welders use name-brand components- you can find Tweco and Victor parts at any welding shop- cups, collets, gas orifices, repair parts and consumables. What comes with the Eastwood welder?

Just something to ponder while you decide.

 

The Eastwood uses standard WP-17 torches, which is a more than satisfactory air-cooled torch, and has consumable part available everywhere...my only complaint, along with many others, is the pedal. i would personally like a smoother setup like those that come with the Millers, but it works okay for me

 

I just picked up a Thermal Arc 186 with a Victor cart (thing is boss) for $1377 shipped. Tough to beat that price for what this thing can do. It's that price for this month:

http://www.ntxtools.com/network-tool...-W1006301.html

 

I use the throttle pedal at the bench, but for automotive I find a thumbwheel to be more useful (like roll cage or chassis work). It's hard to maneuver into position while trying to keep a pedal functional. It's an inexpensive option.

 

The Eastwood TIG comes with a pedal and a finger trigger, you can use either. I'm not buying anything just yet so I'll for sure do some more research before. Of course if I run across a nice Miller I will jump all over that, but for what I plan on doing, I think the Eastwood will be fine.

 

I don't know about eastwood but I saw on youtube the Everlast uses the same Dinse torch Connectors as Miller so you can run any torch the miller can

 

i stopped using the finger tigger almost immediately. the pedal is nice to modulate amperage as you go along, the trigger sucks since you can only use what you set it to on the machine...i've actually changed out my torch already for the WP-17F and fitted it with a large gas lense

 

well finger switch is nice when you are upside down trying to do a rollcage

 

true, but you may still want that modulation...i've seen guys use their elbow on the pedal while welding the door bar to the A pillar bar. to each their own

 

thighmaster deluxe

 

I've had the eastwood tig for almost a year and I'd say its a steal for the money. It will weld 1/4" aluminum. I've used it to weld a ton of manifolds, intakes, intercooler pipes, resurface heads, soda cans, razor blades etc. Their customer service is top notch too, I accidentally tore a tole in my torch line and ruined the connection to the machine in the process and they sent me a new unit which I had in less than a week and I didn't have to pay anything. I have a lot of hours on my machine and I'm very happy with my purchase. A Few of my friends have the diversion 165 and Hobart ez tig 165i I'd have to say I have the better machine considering the higher duty cycle, amps, pre/post flow controls, and ac balance.

 

^ good info!

 

I had two Eastwood Tig welders. The first one lasted about 30 seconds before it shut off and wouldn't turn on again. They did send me another one right away so I have no complaints on the customer service. Then the 2nd one kinda worked but not like it really should have. When on DC it would start out welding fine but then drop off dramatically. I would have to crank the welder all the way up to weld 1/8" steel for more than a minute. Then when on AC it would not really weld. It would strike an arc but if I gave it any pedal at all then it would throw the thermal overload on the machine. I used it for a little while until Eastwood customer service called and said they wanted paid for it. Apparently they refunded my money, to my paypal which I didn't use much at the time, when they received the other welder and then forgot to charge me for the new one. At that time I told them the issues and they offered to just pick up the welder.
I then bought a Syncowave 200 which I am very happy with. I would like to have an Inverter welder but will probably keep this one as a backup or extra welder around the shop. The Eastwood one does look good for the money but after getting a Miller I don't think I could recommend that welder to anyone. Everything on it felt very cheap and it came with no manual at all. The miller comes with a book including all the details about the machine and settings. It just one of those things that comes down to "you get what you pay for". If I was just using it for hobby stuff I could probably live with an Eastwood if I received on that worked to begin with.

 

I have seen they're sometimes hit or miss but will do exchanges with no questions asked.

 

Mine is solid. Had it for over a year and got it heavily discounted when they switched the case from blue to black.