TIG welder advice

[HoleshotHolset]

I'm looking into buying one... . hopefully a good used one.



Souces?

Info?



Or maybe someone will talk me into buying a MIG instead... .



I want to be able to weld exhaust pipe, up to 1/4" thick steel, stainless and aluminum.



I love to weld (even though I'm a novice... . ) and I'm sick of Dad's old buzz-box stick welder... . can't weld thin materials with it at all.



I'm looking at this welder:

Miller Syncrowave 180 SD



But I'm open to other suggestions.



I'd really don't want to spend more than $1500... or around that area.



Time to go check the temperature of my credit card... .



Matt

 

[rkressg]

Check this out, Lincoin makes great products

http://www.mylincolnelectric.com/Catalog/equipmentdatasheet. asp?p=7066&isolocale=EN

 

[Boomer II]

I'd stick with Tig for the versatility

 

[willyslover]

Matt... are you going to do more bench welding ? [small & fine work]



IMHO a stitch welder is more user friendly / uses



iff'in ya have the $$ I'd have both buy the power supply and accessories for both

 

[metal tech]

The 180 Synchrowave should be excellent for what you describe. Here's a source to purchase from, BR Welder. I got my MillerMatic 210 Mig from them, they ship for FREE, and have a web site.



Al

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Al: I was on BR's site... . and I don't think they had prices.....



I was kinda hoping to find something used... but so far - no dice.



So far I have a few votes for a TIG... . and one for a stitch welder... . which I have NO idea about... . EXPLAIN!



I intend on making exhaust headers (purely experimental... . of course!), intercooler pipes, and other stuff.



The reason that TIG attracts me is the ability to do LOTS of different metals and the ability to make really nice welds.



The only thing that I'm wondering about is if a TIG would be overkill... . or would be cost prohibitive to operate. I have been reading about the torches... . some are water cooled!!?? This sounds like it is introducing a lethal compound to an already hazardous situation.



Any and all information up to now, and here on in is appreciated..... you guys rock!



Matt

 

[aharrow]

hey matt you would benefit from the tig it will cover all applications you will come up with i have a syncrowave 250 with a cool-mate 300 water cooled torch only draw back with this unit is it draws a maximum 90 amps so i put it on a separate meter and box but it can get costly i bought mine used from a factory that was going out of business for 1200 bucks in perfect shape so check around there out there hope this helps later. aaron

 

[HoleshotHolset]

90 AMPS!



I only have 200A service @ home!



And the welder plug is 50A... . hrmmm... time for 3-phase power!



Keep the ideas coming... . the Syncrowave 180 is still looking good... . I don't need anything too big... and don't have the room for a cooler and all that other stuff.



How good is the Econotig from Miller? Seems beefy enough for me...



Matt

 

[willyslover]

Matt. . a stitch welder is an old name for MIG... mostly in the body and fender business



again most of what your talking about can be done easily with MIG , as well as frames,trailers,racks for garage / shop. . ad a ton of other things. . most pipe & tail pipe / headers are MIG welded... not trying to disuade you just looking at a the big picture of uses... guess they both are about even just what you will use lol

 

[jmadden]

The Miller 180SD is great... I've had mine about 2-years and would do it all over again! I didn't have much luck finding used ones becasue the all want to change for shipping on them if they aren't local... and none of them were. For new equipment try: http://www.cyberweld.com. If you go with a tig just don't buy the Econotig... I've heard less than positive things.



jm

 

[83 crew cab]

matt I have the sync wave 180 60 amp 220 breaker the 90 amp is the reson I did not go with the 250



water torch is good if your going to be doing long welds for acouple of hours at a time



I have tried alumian with a mig it sucks at least my set up did



there is a place on ebay that has some good deals on the 180 all the time they are out of phoenix I thank



if you can wait. every year for the big hot rod show in louisville they have a big sale on miller weilders at louisville weilding supply I will see if I can find there web page I got mine for around 1200 shipped for free with the sale



like jmadden said stay away form the econotig we have one we ship out base if we need something weilded on a plane and cant get it back home the weilders dont like it at all

 

[CWebster]

Used welders

Auctions are the best place to get used equipment. WElders, hand tools, work benches, vises, hoists, etc. for cheap. Here is a link:

http://exchange.e-steel.com/CommunityBase?reqProcessorName=equipment

Also, check your local paper, there have been so many shops go out of business that fab equipment is going for dirt cheap these days.



Chris Webster

 

[Boomer II]

You can buy a couple of submarines there too

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Okay... I'll stay away from the econotig... .



How about the Hobart Tigmate?



I'm having zero luck with used stuff... . I called just this AM on a few new ads... . they're already sold.



Thanks for all the help... . I'll check out those links.



Matt

 

[metal tech]

I think you can go to BRWelder's "Special" section on their web site, for prices. You'll get very lucky if you can find a tig machine used. These things go quick, since they are usually pretty cheap. Might want to see if someone is going out of business, they might be auctioning their equipment off.



Al

 

[HoleshotHolset]

I was just on their specials page... .



The Hobart Tigmate is starting to look almost as good as the Syncrowave 180SD.



Anyone have any insight on water cooled torches? I think the Tigmate and the 180SD use gas cooled torches - correct?



I like the Hobart Tigmate because I can get it with the fingertip control for less bread than the 180SD.



I just don't want an overkill machine that I will use a few times/month, if even that much... but I don't want to buy a POS either.



Matt

 

[83 crew cab]

Matt the 180 can use eather water cooled torch with cooler installed ( or you can make one with a water pump and 5 gal bucket or the air cooled torch t comes with the gas is used to shield the weld ( you will know if you for get to turn on the bottle) the air torch will got hot to the touch I dont ever rember a water torch getting very hot but that was at work manly alum. or thin stanless so not the heat like I am useing on the roll cage or the time

 

[HoleshotHolset]

George... I'm pretty much sold on the Miller Syncrowave 180SD... . now just searching for the best possible price with shipping... . some places have free shipping/some don't.



210# welder!!



Again - you guys rock and thanks for helping me make my decision. For the guys that wanted me to get a MIG... that'll be next... . I'll make Dad buy that one.



Now I gotta research helmets... . Speedglas 8000 is nice... .



Matt

 

[83 crew cab]

here is some off ebay thats not to bad I just have a hobart auto darking hood http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3310539563&category=34099 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3310459158&category=11774 not sure if you have checked them out yet or not George

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Thanks for the help George!



It seems like the going price is about the same everywhere I look..... The eBay links are good prices, but they charge shipping... . so I'm right back at the usual price.



Matt