Miller Econotig?

[PaullyB]

Just starting to do my homework on the Miller Econotig machine.I'm looking to put a AC/DC tig in the home shop and just wanted to know if anybody had any experience with one.Thanks for any info.

[bobdog]

I would pass on the econotig. Look into spending a little more or look for a better used setup. I would look closely at Thermalarc's 185.

[PaullyB]

The Thermal arc looks like a nice set up.What do you see is holding back the Econotig?

[planet x]

\What do you see is holding back the Econotig?

Amp to dollar ratio.

[slm222]

Ive been using the econotig and its just not worth the price tag on tig its on rated for 3/16 penetration under full power. i would highly suggest the multimaster650 from esab its a tig stick and mig all in one. very very good machine right around 3000 though.

[PaullyB]

Ive been using the econotig and its just not worth the price tag on tig its on rated for 3/16 penetration under full power. i would highly suggest the multimaster650 from esab its a tig stick and mig all in one. very very good machine right around 3000 though.
OK I thought that the Miller looked a little weak but the price had my attention.I'd like to go cheap with a DC only machine but there a real good chance to bring in some Al work around here.I already have a "squirt gun" and 3k is a pretty long putt.(a lot of green)thanks for the info.

[planet x]

OK I thought that the Miller looked a little weak but the price had my attention.I'd like to go cheap with a DC only machine but there a real good chance to bring in some Al work around here.I already have a "squirt gun" and 3k is a pretty long putt.(a lot of green)thanks for the info.

That Esab is a DC only machine anyway, assuming I am thinking he meant the Esab 260 multi .

[shopteach]

i had an econotig for a few years before i stepped up to the precision tig 275 from lincoln. there is about 3000 difference. the econo is good all around for the price

[redrangie]

you really can't get around the dollar per amp thing on ac. It takes BIG dollars to do al.

[PaullyB]

you really can't get around the dollar per amp thing on ac. It takes BIG dollars to do al.
Yea, I hear you there.I was just hoping (dreaming)there was a cheeper way.So now it's finding the most "bang for the buck" in an AC/DC machine.I can tell this is going to turn into a battle with the wife.Thanks for all the replys.Anyone looking to upgrade there tig?lol

[slm222]

In my opinion the econotig will work and its nice to have ac to work with AL, but besure and bevel all the welding edges, before welding. I have welded 1/4 inch steel and beveled the edges using a 80,000 pound tig filler and it held up to a beating with the hammer. it did eventually fail but only because we hit the side of the metal a couple times and it ripped the weld apart, i do sustain, though, that the weld never "broke".(this was welding 2 5x4 1/4 inch strips together one side beveled, tig welded both sides.)

[HaWiiLuVeR]

sorry i dont know specs off hand, but if the econotig can only do 3/16 steel, then i wouldnt bother with it for aluminum. thats only gonna be able to do 1/8 maybe a hair more if you are good. ive got the dynasty 200dx from miller full setup for just about 2600. had it for about a year now and have done many projects with 1/4 aluminum and have had no problems.

if you cant justify that, stick with dc only for now and worry about ac later. miller makes a nice inverter dc only called maxstar. very similar to the dynasty in features other than ac, but quite a bit cheaper.

[redrangie]

if you cant justify that, stick with dc only for now and worry about ac later. miller makes a nice inverter dc only called maxstar. very similar to the dynasty in features other than ac, but quite a bit cheaper.

I think my local linweld was doing 1300 out the door for the lincoln, but that was with no foot control.

[PaullyB]

bobdog has planted this Thermal arc 185 seed in my head.If I could pick that up with a finger tip control for around 1800,I could be in buisness.Most everything I could find about this machine seems pretty positive. Looks like I'll be tossin and turning the next few nights.Thanks again for your replies.

[cbrogers]

I got my econotig on e-bay for $800 used, but not very. Still looks in new condition.

You can find it new there for $1350 shipped all day. Watch the auctions and the used ones come up from time to time. Not a bad deal when you can get it.

Now that being said TIGing thick stuff is usually not done. I like TIG for fine work or very thin stuff because you can really control the bead. If you are welding thicker stuff then either Stick it or go with a MIG welder.

If you really want to do aluminum then look at a spool gun for a mig machine. The millermatic 210 can be had with the gun included for a good price. If you are looking at a smaller welder then the Lincoln SP175+ can be boguht with the aluminum kit which is a teflon liner and different rollers. And this works pretty good.

So at my shop I have a big millermatic 200 for big steel, and EcoonoTig for fine work and tacking stuff, and the Lincoln with a teflon liner for work on my aluminum tub.

Carl

[slm222]

If you really want to do aluminum then look at a spool gun for a mig machine. The millermatic 210 can be had with the gun included for a good price. If you are looking at a smaller welder then the Lincoln SP175+ can be boguht with the aluminum kit which is a teflon liner and different rollers. And this works pretty good.


I agree with him totally. i just bought a millermatic 210 and its great for all around work. unless you are welding coke cans together, then i would suggest a mig. add a spool gun for the aluminum.

[XtremeJ]

I have a pretty heft Mig which gets used 95% of the time.

I have the EconoTig that gets used about 3% of the time, and a smaller Mig I use for sheetmetal.

For my uses the Econotig is perfect. With the correct prep (bevelling edges) I have welded 3/16th Al. Mostly it is used for thinner stuff though.

Putting max amps through the welder heats the electrode holder pretty quickly so expect lots of downtime on the duty cycle.

It's not ideal, but I traded for it from one of the race shops I worked at - so i have about $500 into it, bottle and regulator included. I'd really like a fancy square wave, water cooled, bling welder but I can spend the $3K more effectively elsewhere.

For customer work, I Tig the stuff together then send it over the fence to my neighbor who has welded for 35 years.

[PaullyB]

I found an Econotig through a friend to take for a test ride.I thought it tiged and ran the stick pretty well.I realize it's not the "All Powerful Machine"that some people are looking for ,but for the home shop I think it could fill the bill.I already have a mig in the garage and it's fine. I'm looking for a reasionably priced AC/DC tig for the home shop.I'm still looking for a Thermal Arc 185 to test run,none of the locals seem to carry them in stock.I just prefer tiging most things since I've been doing it 98% of the time ,for too many years at work and it's just so pretty.Thanks for all the information.