After some thought, I think I want to buy a tig welder. On a budget. People say get 470v 18billion amp stuff, because you can never have enough.. but I don't have that kind of cash. I want to drop ~400-500 on one, and don't really need to weld much more than exhaust and intercooler piping. Anything to look for? I've seen some decent no-name 120amp welders for that price... and used Miller welders for the same.
So.. can anyone give me a rundown on buying a tig welder? I searched, and most of the threads ended with "I can weld better than you". /sigh.
-Jeff

 

they make nissan welders?

 

i would get the used miller, or a lincoln.
ive got a cheaper lincoln, and never had any problems.
other than wire binding up, and little stuff like that.

 

general car chat....

 

if you have wire binding up then you have a mig not a tig.


I am not sure were you are going to find a tig setup complete for around $400-500. If you do let me know. I'd like to pick one up too. In my searching I have found new nice little tig setups for around $1000-1200, but that doesnt include a bottle.

 

oh yeah shit.
its early, and im retarded.
i have a mig. nevermind.

good luck with finding a tig for that price range though.

 

unless it's stolen, or the guy doesn't know waht he has, you won't be able to get into a tig welder, even a basic one like a miller econotig (that does A/C) for less than 1000.00 and you still need a torch / accessories / lines/ fittings / regulator / TANK OF ARGON / visor / etc

 

depends on what you want to do with it. will ultimately dictate what you will need to buy. I have tried many different types, inverter types and more some that are hobbyist machines. Do you already know how to weld? Yes or no may also help you decide, since lots of higher end machine have alot of adjustable features that can help or hurt you. If you have to do lots of aluminum production or really thick material runs you may want to go with a bigger inverter machine, in which case you should try to buy a used machine (unless you have 3000-4000 laying around). i have an old lincoln unit and love it however i want to go bigger. Mainly for the more adjustable features altering a/c freq, longer duty cycle, pulsing, etc... check out the hobart welding forum. Lots of debates are ongoing there on which is the better "beginner" machine along with just comparison tig machines.

 

what are the limits of mig ? and tig ?

mig you can convert to do aluminum and you dont have to have a high voltage receptical around . argon is cheap too eh .

can you do heavy jobs with mig ? as in roll cages and exhaust ?

 

As I said. I have no use for a/c aluminum welding. Just mild and stainless steel for exhaust and intercooler piping. And as I said, for $450 on Ebay they sell no-name 130amp TIG welders with everything sans bottle, mask and pedal. Just wondering if that would be a major issue. I'm not out to win Welder of the Year with a $400 box... however, welding up a friends IC piping and other minor jobs would be right up my alley.
-Jeff