17 replies to this topic

[HARBER07]

Thought I'd ask on here as I know there are a lot of welders on here. I've always wanted to learn to TIG, and IMO there is not better way to learn than to teach myself.
I've done a lot of OT on the build up to Xmas, and now the minis sold I have a few pennies to play with. It's got to be an AC/DC machine. I suppose the absolute limit to my budget is £1500, but would obviously like to spend as little as possible within reason.

So can anyone recommend me a machine?. I'll worry about accessories later.

Thanks,
Tom.

[Shifty]

Theres a nice range here

http://www.migtigarc...tig_welder.html

I like the

http://www.migtigarc...tig_welder.html

Looks a nice solid unit and well within your budget.

Also available here..

http://www.mig-weldi...tectig-acdc.htm

I think this one may be a bit better spec.

Nice units and not chinese invertor crap either.

[HARBER07]

Pro's and Con's of tranny based vs inverter based?

I was looking at THIS as well. I'm kinda favouring the compact size of the inverter based ones to be honest. I'd like to keep the MIG for bodywork and stuff, but if a TIG is too big then I'll have to get rid of the MIG.

[Shifty]

Invertor stuff is good, right up to the point it goes wrong.

If I were spending decent money I'd go with a tranny one, easy enough to fix, less to go wrong.

[HARBER07]

Does the inverter stuff break very commonly then?. Expensive to fix I guess?. The R-tech one has 2 years Warranty which is another plus.

Edited by HARBER07, 03 January 2011 - 08:43 PM.

[Shifty]

I've popped open the plasma cutter before and it scared me!!

I just think that a few years down the line, when it had some knocks/been stored in a damp garage it could be a bag of nightmares.

Its a lot of money to pay for 2 years welding.

[HARBER07]

Granted it's a lot of money, but it's 2 years I haven't gotta worry about. I'm still favouring the inverter machines for the size if I'm honest. I won't mind if I have to pay to get the machine repaired in a couple of years.


I'm gonna see if I can find out what the reliability on those units is like.

[Shifty]

Its probably pretty good, but I just think of what happens in 10 years time when parts are hard to find?

The tranny ones can be fixed by just about anyone.

Have a look at weldequips shop on mig-welding, there some nice stuff on there.

[ANON]

i usually ******* chinese welders off but i got a tig from cobel welding off ebay a couple of years ago. was a cracking set, used it loads for about 12 months then solid it to a mate of mine who's had loads of use out of it and its still going strong.

[HARBER07]

Ahh thats promising then.

I'm not gonna worry about the availabilty of spares in 10 years time Shifty

[Shifty]

Ahh thats promising then.

I'm not gonna worry about the availabilty of spares in 10 years time Shifty

You say that now!!

I can remember 10 years ago like it was yesterday!!

Its not a long time, honestly!!!

[rosco454]

I was going to recommend the portamig but shifty has beaten me to it.Second vote here for the portamig.

Cheers Ross.

[Shifty]

Yup, its the one I'd buy!!

[HARBER07]

Thats more votes for the Portamig then. It's made me consider it twice, but the power consumption is horrendous! 32A input for the 180A version. Looks like a solid enough machine, but the power consumption and size of the transformer based machines has pretty much put me off them.

Just to be awkward...

Any more for any more?

[GreaseMonkey]

Portamig!