Entry level TIG welder

kjpcummins said:
I have a htp 221 which is the best machine in the 200amp size range for what features has and comes with a ck torch but i wouldnt call it entry level. I would get an everlast hands down as an entry level machine. Great machines that are priced low and have alot of features and the highest 5 year warranty everyone else is 3years.
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Just curious, is there any reason other than price that you wouldn't consider the htp entry level? I have no experience with tig, but I'd rather spend more money for a machine that will do what I want to do now rather than buy a lower priced unit and have to deal with upgrading later if I need to. Although after doing some research, the everlast 250 looks pretty promising
 
Im only referencing price when considering entry level. The htp starts getting into a higher price range than some of the cheaper tig welders. The everlast will outperform an equal size miller and do it alot cheaper. The htp is a bit more cost than the everlast but you get a better torch imo and the independent ac amp adjustment which is something you dont get until a miller dynasty 350. If everlast adds independent ac amp adjustment to their 325ext i will be switching to that because i would like a larger unit but not spend 8k on a miller. Why spend twice the money on machine that has less features and doesnt weld aswell. Hope this answer your question.

I have a htp221 dual voltage water cooled unit. I use millers at work. Black friday sale going on right now and is the best time to buy htp units.
 
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Buy more amps than you think you'll use. I'm happy with my Chinese unit for hobby work, but Firepunk isn't super impressed with theirs for true production work.
 
What tig do you have and which does firepunk have. What dont they like about it for production work. I believe the millers are made china. As long as you get a invertor tig welder you will see hardly any difference one brand to another far as weld quality just different features.
 
I'm saving my pennies for a miller syncrowave 210. It's an inverter hybrid or something...don't know what that means. But when I use them it I can lay pretty decent welds for my lack of experience. But for aluminum I have a hard on for the dynasty's.
 
kjpcummins said:
What tig do you have and which does firepunk have. What dont they like about it for production work. I believe the millers are made china. As long as you get a invertor tig welder you will see hardly any difference one brand to another far as weld quality just different features.
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I have a 2009 Longevity Weldall 205, they have a 2013 Longevity weldall 250. In theory they're roughly the same machine, but the build quality on theirs suffered for some reason. The first one was damaged out of the box and it seems to do weird stuff when you turn it on. If you power cycle it, it works fine.
 
Good info. Ive never used or know anyone that has a longevity. I guess the only problem with the htp is it wouldnt let me use it when it was -15 outside but its the only machine ive had in cold weather. Anyone else run into cold temp error with their welders.
 
What type of tungsten are you guys having the best results with? I'll be placing an order Monday and would like to get whatever I need to get started
 
If you have any other welder at home you may want to consider a High Frequency TIG box that you add onto an arc welder as you sure learn a lot for using one. I started with a Airco High Frequency TIG box and then moved to Miller HF251 with foot pedal. I will say the learning curve was quite steep with these machines but it was the cheapest route as I picked up each TIG HF box for around $300 off of Craigslist with torch usually. The other nice thing is that you are never short on power as I have found with entry level TIG machine.

The other route was to pick up an old Miller Econo Twin, not the Econo Tig, to learn as you can not hurt those machines which can be important when learning. Probably the same money to give you an idea what you would want in your next machine.

The only thing I will suggest is if you want a new High Frequency TIG, get something in the 200 amp range as that should take care of most of your needs especially with thicker aluminum.
 
I'll put in another vote for Thermal Arc tig machines. With enough practice scratch/lift start is fine. I'm a pipe welder and do a lot of high purity welds without HF start. Of course I really don't have the ability to use HF start in a lot of the places I weld. I run 2% thoriated tungsten also. I make sure to keep it out of my pants most of the time. Sure don't want to radiate anything important! Lol
 
Thats one nice thing about these newer inverter machines is you can weld alum and keep a point on the tungesten, goes along ways when welding thing alum.

Mike
 
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