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Shop Talk - Tool and Shop Discussion! Tool and Shop Discussion! |
11-14-2014, 12:20 PM
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#1
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Name: AHall
Title: Hobbyist
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Western Slope, CO
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 4,603
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Entry level TIG welder
Looking to get into tig welding. Only as a hobbyist doing small fab jobs, working with tubing, compound piping, and just something i've always wanted to do. Need A/C for aluminum. Any recommendation on a good machine? So far I'm leaning towards a Thermal Arc 186. It has more features than other lower end models. After my research I found the Miller Diversion 165 is the same unit as the Hobart Ez-Tig 165i. The hobart is just cheaper and comes with a foot pedal.
http://www.weldersupply.com/P/776/Th...Fabricator186A
http://store.cyberweld.com/hotigweez16.html
http://store.cyberweld.com/midi165tigwe.html
Curious of your thoughts. I'm sure a few people have settled for one and wished they spent the extra cash for another.
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11-14-2014, 12:23 PM
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#2
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Name: oldestof11
Title: Drag racer
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Dixon, IL
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Posts: 9,084
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From my reading, thermal arc is a trusted brand. Look up welding web and search.
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Jon
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11-14-2014, 12:30 PM
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#3
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Name: turbom700
Title: Too Much Time
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: minneapolis mn
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Posts: 1,186
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I have a thermal Arc 185TSW thing has to be all of 15yrs old. LOVE IT I have had no issues with it.
They make two models the TSW is more for Alum welding where you can change duty cycle, pulse, etc. Just keep that in mind.
Mike
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2001 Ford F-350 CCSB The usal stuff
1997 s10 2wd 350sbc 4l80e
2000 vw gold tdi
1999 Sportsman DIESEL
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11-14-2014, 01:05 PM
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#4
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Name: Ghostman
Title: 24v crazy
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Victoria, tx
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Posts: 2,819
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Entry level TIG welder
I have the miller 165 and its a nice machine. I actually prefer the thumb wheel adjuster because your not always welding where you can confidently place your foot on a pedal, well at least I'm not. The thumb wheel adjuster is very easy to use IMO. Only thing is I wish I had a bigger machine lol. I also want a water cooled torch.
Also, it doesn't have all the fancy features on it, but for 80% of what I use it for its not needed either. Although I do wish it still had the features.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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2002 4wd towing truck
2002 2wd grocery getter
2001 4wd 12v - retired
2006 QCSB 4wd - EFI Live
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joesixpack
VE vs VP....isn't that like watching retard's fight?
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Last edited by Ghostman; 11-14-2014 at 01:07 PM.
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11-14-2014, 06:56 PM
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#5
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Name: 92dak_r6
Title: Too Much Time
Status: Not Here
Join Date: May 2010
Location: TN
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Posts: 382
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I really like my Everlast powertig 250ex. Before that I had an alpha tig 200 ($800) it was a really nice machine for the money.
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_00' 12v Dakota CCSB currently in pieces_
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11-14-2014, 07:42 PM
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#6
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Name: myusername
Title: Too Much Time
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Central Ohio
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Posts: 292
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I've been looking at getting my first tig welder myself, and have been eyeing the HTP Invertig 221 and the miller syncrowave 210. I believe USA weld has a "black friday" sale going on right now on the HTP. I think they are a little more expensive than the ones you have listed, but they might be worth taking a look at
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11-14-2014, 07:50 PM
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#7
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Name: Turbo Performance
Title: Comp Diesel Sponsor
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: SE Idaho
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Posts: 2,300
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 92dak_r6
I really like my Everlast powertig 250ex. Before that I had an alpha tig 200 ($800) it was a really nice machine for the money.
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Im glad to hear you say that. I'm in the same boat as OP and figure I might as well get an ac/dc tig/stick/plasma cutter combo if I'm gonna get a tig. Everlast's warranty and reputation seems solid as far as I can tell and the price for the size of welder is awesome.
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11-14-2014, 07:54 PM
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#8
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Name: camarokiller
Title: Too Much Time
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: south of pittsburgh
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Posts: 747
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Eastwood and HTP both have very nice reasonably priced machines. HTPs are top notch, and one will probably be my next welder purchase
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UMWA Local 1702
1995 RCSB 2WD wh1c/47rh-4k and 60# springs-fuel system by me- low and slow
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11-14-2014, 09:34 PM
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#9
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Name: crackerman
Title: Too Much Time
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Jan 2010
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Posts: 1,800
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I second the powertig 250ex. I love mine. Super handy.
I am not super excited about the quality of the hoses and torch, but after arket ones can be used just fine. I also have the cooler. It allows me to weld aluminum over 200a for hours.
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11-14-2014, 09:57 PM
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#10
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Name: kjpcummins
Title: Too Much Time
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: leon, ia
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Posts: 2,322
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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.
__________________
1997 2500 4x4 5spd
2011 2500 4x4 6spd
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11-14-2014, 10:08 PM
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#11
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Name: kjpcummins
Title: Too Much Time
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: leon, ia
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Posts: 2,322
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Also do not buy miller they are way over priced for what you get.
__________________
1997 2500 4x4 5spd
2011 2500 4x4 6spd
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11-15-2014, 12:29 AM
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#12
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Name: R1raptor
Title: Diesel Enthusiast
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: North florida
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Posts: 127
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I got a everlast 200dx great welder for the money.kinda regret not going with the 250 ex.
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11-15-2014, 05:37 AM
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#13
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Name: newsmoke
Title: Too Much Time
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: New Hampshire
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 1,501
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I'm happy with my Miller welders, a trusted brand that sponsored all of my school competitions and has some amazing technology in their multi process machines also.
I own a Miller syncrowave 200 AC/DC TIG/STICK welder, I managed to buy it new on sale for about $2,250 and have had 0 problems with it. I've used it quite often over the past two years. Great machine.
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Jared
2014 F350 powerstroke
2014 Cruze diesel
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11-15-2014, 05:54 AM
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#14
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Name: 92dak_r6
Title: Too Much Time
Status: Not Here
Join Date: May 2010
Location: TN
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 382
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Turbo Performance
Im glad to hear you say that. I'm in the same boat as OP and figure I might as well get an ac/dc tig/stick/plasma cutter combo if I'm gonna get a tig. Everlast's warranty and reputation seems solid as far as I can tell and the price for the size of welder is awesome.
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I've got a combo like that. That I use just for the plasma now. If you're not going to be switchingfrom tig to plasma a lot it may not be that bad.. when I was using that machine for both it would get a little annoying to swap back and forth. Might try and save up to buy 2 machines. It's $300-400 more but it's less hassle.
Also guys don't forget if you get a big machine. Most of time you have to buy a water cooler. Unless you buy a aircooled torch. But then you are limited on amps.
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_00' 12v Dakota CCSB currently in pieces_
Last edited by 92dak_r6; 11-15-2014 at 05:56 AM.
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11-15-2014, 07:18 AM
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#15
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Name: John Robinson
Title: Too Much Time
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Weatherford, Tx.
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Posts: 2,384
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I've got a miller 165 & love it, easy to use & cheap
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11-15-2014, 07:57 AM
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#16
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Name: turbom700
Title: Too Much Time
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: minneapolis mn
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Posts: 1,186
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kjpcummins
Also do not buy miller they are way over priced for what you get.
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For this type of welder I would agree, but if you have ever welded with the new 350 dynasts you would change your mind. It is unreal how well they weld alum together. Granted that welder fully set-up is 8k.
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2001 Ford F-350 CCSB The usal stuff
1997 s10 2wd 350sbc 4l80e
2000 vw gold tdi
1999 Sportsman DIESEL
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11-15-2014, 08:32 AM
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#17
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Name: kjpcummins
Title: Too Much Time
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: leon, ia
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 2,322
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8k is not very entry level so why mention it. I have used a 350 dynasty along with all the other miller tig/mig welders at work. The everlast has smoother arc and better low amp starts than the millers. For the price range of the welders listed i would do the powertig 250dex. Its what i would have got if everlast had independent ac amp adjustment like the htp221.
http://www.everlastgenerators.com/pr...powertig-250ex
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1997 2500 4x4 5spd
2011 2500 4x4 6spd
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11-15-2014, 08:37 AM
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#18
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Name: Joesixpack
Title: Pull'n it.
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Apr 2008
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Posts: 4,118
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All Miller here as well and it's hard to go wrong with their gear. You guys think you get ****ed on the price try up here.
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Basically stock if I would have built it at the factory.....
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11-15-2014, 09:23 AM
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#19
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Name: adamsmarshall
Title: Drilling Crooked Holes
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Brenham, TX
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 1,915
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Another question from a TIG newbie, is the HF start worth the extra as far as TIG?
I would assume so as it limits the risk of tungsten contamination but figured I'd ask regardless.
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2008 Chevy 3500HD DRW - Matilda the Tow Pig
2004 Dodge 2500 - Under Construction
RIP Dex and Chive On
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11-15-2014, 09:31 AM
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#20
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Name: kjpcummins
Title: Too Much Time
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: leon, ia
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 2,322
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Quote:
Originally Posted by adamsmarshall
Another question from a TIG newbie, is the HF start worth the extra as far as TIG?
I would assume so as it limits the risk of tungsten contamination but figured I'd ask regardless.
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Yes i would get one with hf start. Generally most of the cheaper invertor tig welders already come with hf start.
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1997 2500 4x4 5spd
2011 2500 4x4 6spd
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