Does anyone know the main differences in the TIGMATE offered by Hobart and the Econotig offered by Miller? They look like the EXACT same machine just with differnt names...(seeing that Miller owns Hobart it struck a wonder in me)...Hobart-1200$...Miller- 1500$ Thankya

 

yes the tigmate and econotig are the same thing , i have used a tigmate and it works great i think,

 

I have an econotig and its a good little machine for the money (used)

 

If you plan on welding aluminum dont buy the econotig. it dosnt have enough power and also dosnt have arc assit. i had an econotig. and honestly it was the biggest POS. i now have a miller 180 which is 100X better. just save up and get a decent size welder.

 

miller... just say miller... never had a problem with one of their machines.

 

If you are looking for a real nice TIG unit and you dont mind spending a little more $$$ you might also want to check out the Thermal Arc 185TSW which is on par with the Miller Dynasty 200, but costs less. I have the TA185 and love i so far. A few other users on the fab-forum also use the TA185 and love it. This machine will give you the ability to grow with your skills, but not outgrow the machine.

http://www.thermadyne.com/news...d=220

I got mine from this site for $1650shipped. Just ask for Bill he gave me great customer service!!
http://www.aaaweldingsupply.com

John


Modified by 1fastVX at 11:00 AM 8/13/2004


Modified by 1fastVX at 11:01 AM 8/13/2004

 

awesome...right now money is kinda hard to get... I am only 17...but I can somehow come up with it...I was looking at the Thermal Arc 185TSW on ebay and that is where i bought my Lincoln MIG...the Indiana O2 compant has the Thermal Arc...same company that I got my lincoln from...pretty good deal too at 1680$ shipped i thought...but thanks for the info and I will prolly end up callin Bill

 

Oh here are some pics for you

Here is a pic of my unit up close


Some of my first welds with it (I had never done TIG before)

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by FastEK9 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If you plan on welding aluminum dont buy the econotig. it dosnt have enough power and also dosnt have arc assit. i had an econotig. and honestly it was the biggest POS. i now have a miller 180 which is 100X better. just save up and get a decent size welder.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I have an Econotig, and have found it works fine for aluminum. In fact, I've done a lot more work with it on Aluminum than steel. It seems fine for 1/8" wall tubing, but does need to be turned nearly all the way up to do it, so I imagine it can't do much thicker than that.

You should be able to get an Econotig for around $1200.

-Chris

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by FastEK9 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If you plan on welding aluminum dont buy the econotig. it dosnt have enough power and also dosnt have arc assit. i had an econotig. and honestly it was the biggest POS. i now have a miller 180 which is 100X better. just save up and get a decent size welder.</TD></TR></TABLE>

you must have had an old econotig. my econotig has arc assist and works great for aluminum. its no squarewave machine but it does everything i need it to do

here is a pic





econotigs no slouch!

 

Miller

Rich

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by legendboy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

you must have had an old econotig. my econotig has arc assist and works great for aluminum. its no squarewave machine but it does everything i need it to do

here is a pic





econotigs no slouch! </TD></TR></TABLE>
looks very nice