Everlast TIG

[Tigerstripe40]

So I am thinking about getting a TIG welder.
I'd like to do some stainless welding (I'm a home brewer and would like to do some welding for myself and possibly other home brewers.

AC is desirable so I can do aluminum if necessary, which doubles the cost of the unit.

I am thinking about this machine: An Everlast PowerTig 200DX-D

While I'd LOVE to get a Miller Dynasty 200SD tig welder, that welder is nearly 3x the cost. Which I can't really justify for hobby use (If it were something I was using for a paycheck, that would be a different story).

FWIW for welding mild steel, I have a MillerMatic 175 w/ gas bottle and it's been a GREAT welder.

Any input?

 

[Pin_Head]

For a hobbyist, I would cruise Craig's list for an older transformer type AC/DC Tig welder made by Miller/Lincoln/Linde/Airco. I see them listed fairly regularly for a lot less than the new Chinese machines. A lot of them come fully equipped too.

 

[danxcsp]

I sell a lot of industrial TIG welders in fab/production shops and quite often one of the guys will want a machine for home / side-job use. The Everlast / Chinese question comes up quite a bit; it's hard to ignore the $$ difference. A few weeks ago a good customer was comparing the Eastwood because he could get a deal through his tool guy. I loaned him my Dynasty 200 for a few days and he now is saving his $$ for a Miller Diversion 180 even though it's a close to 2x more.

I think Miller did a great job with the Diversion 165 and 180 TIG machines they are priced right and the guts of the 180 are real similar to the Maxstar 200 so it's a stoutly designed inverter. These machines are surprisingly capable and they close the $$ gap fairly well. Plus when you factor in the 3 year warranty via a known national name brand most guys usually go this way. So far I haven't had a complaint or warranty claim and I have quite a few of these sold.
http://www.millerwelds.com/products/tig/product.php?model=M00337
http://www.millerwelds.com/products/tig/product.php?model=M00325

For AC/DC TIG I prefer the inverters because they start so clean, the low amp arc is so precise & stable, plus they don't pull much power. Plus they actually do a very good job on 115VAC.

On the industrial side it seems once one of my shops pops for an inverter TIG they stay with them even though they cost more and are not as durable as the old style Transformer machines. My biggest complaint for the 200 Miller Dynasty is it's too small and light and easy to steal.

Hope this makes sense!

 

[alia176]

For a hobbyist, I would cruise Craig's list for an older transformer type AC/DC Tig welder made by Miller/Lincoln/Linde/Airco. I see them listed fairly regularly for a lot less than the new Chinese machines. A lot of them come fully equipped too.

Unfortunately, these transformer machines are 400+lb, takes up enormous space and requires a 50amp/240vac service just to run the f'ing thing.

 

[Pin_Head]

Unfortunately, these transformer machines are 400+lb, takes up enormous space and requires a 50amp/240vac service just to run the f'ing thing.

This is true, but OTOH, your friends won't ask to borrow it. I got my Linde Heliarc 250 for about $500 fully equipped and it has been great for a hobbyist. The Linde is merely 250 pounds.

 

[Tigerstripe40]

Unfortunately, these transformer machines are 400+lb, takes up enormous space and requires a 50amp/240vac service just to run the f'ing thing.

this is my biggest issue with getting a transformer type machine.
I don't own the house I'm living it, so I don't want to spend the $$$ to run in a 50 amp circuit. I've been running my MM175 on a dryer plug with a 100' 10/3 cable.

 

[Pin_Head]

The transformer type welders will run on a 30A dryer circuit; it just won't run at the full 300A. More like 150-175 A.