Stepping up from a 110v Mig

[GoingOffRoading]

So I am minutes from purchasing either a 200+ amp lincoln/miller/hobart welder or considering a Tig. Yea a mig is super handy but it seems like more adn more people are going to tig. What do you guys think? Should I steup up into a larger Mig or spend some money on a Tig?

[cebby]

You need both. :flipoff2:

[u2slow]

Miller XMT 304 or 350. mig, tig, or stick... does it all. (On single phase power too :D )

[mj]

a good tig is huge $$$ compared to a miller 251

[CrustyJeep]

I can't see having just a TIG. Can you imagine doing ALL your welding, tacking, everything with a TIG?

[u2slow]

Can you imagine doing ALL your welding, tacking, everything with a TIG?

My FIL does with a Syncrowave 180SD. He doesn't get into large heavy-fab projects though. A co-worker has the same machine and uses it for repairing aluminum transmission and t-cases. That model is cheaper than a Millermatic 251.

Another buddy has a 251. In hidsight he'd rather have gone with a smaller MIG and also have a TIG for the street-rod/custom fab he's doing.

I only suggested the XMT because its a multi-capability machine and I saw it on sale in the Acklands-Grainger flyer :p

[cybergeek23851]

Miller XMT 304 or 350. mig, tig, or stick... does it all. (On single phase power too :D )


x2 I have been talking with the welding teacher at the college I go to. He said that the 3 xmt 304's that are in the shop are going to be set up when they remodel the shop, with the rest of the stuff needed to convert them to mig and tig. :smokin:

[CrustyJeep]

Miller XMT 304 or 350. mig, tig, or stick... does it all. (On single phase power too :D )And costs how much? I mean, if money is no object, who the hell's going to be talking about millermatics :p

[PAToyota]

All depends on what you are doing. If you're going to be doing a lot of aluminum, stainless, and such -- TIG all the way. If you're mainly working with mild steel and running a lot of bead -- MIG all the way.

[mountain4x4]

a good tig is huge $$$ compared to a miller 251

There are a few exceptions, the one I bought I still believe is the best deal going, the Thermal Arc 185 TSW, which is now on sale for $1650 with tig package:

http://www.oxarc.com/desc.ydev?prod_id=10704

I also have a Lincoln Powermig 200, and I agree you need both, but I'd keep the tig if I really had to choose. They can also do stick for when tig is just too good for what youre doing. :D

[DavidVanVorous]

I can't see having just a TIG. Can you imagine doing ALL your welding, tacking, everything with a TIG?

Dunno its worked fer me for the last 30 or so years... :flipoff2:

On a practical note though each process has its place and one really needs to look at ones selections based on dominant usage.
Im kinda partial to the XMT304 (or equivalent) for a multipurpose unit if only because it does give all the abilities so one can 'grow" into each as they are required, by the same token it is a $3k (new off the shelf) unit...

D.

[TheRipper]

If you are not worried about welding aluminum then get the mig.You can weld a project up much faster with a mig than a tig.