I am thinking about getting one of these tig welders. I have a Lincoln 135 and I'm debating on a tig or a bigger mig. In the 200+ amp range. Any thoughts, cries, shouts of joy? Thanks

I have a chassis that I am tacking together with my Lincoln 135. I like the precision of a tig. Time doesn't bother me. I would also like to be able to weld aluminum. I have also looked at the esab migmaster 250 as a mig welder.

I have a Miller Syncrowave 200 Tig, I use it at home and it works great for me, I know most of the big Fab Shops run a 350 that is water cooled, if your not going to work it 8 hours a day it should work out great. I paid 1800.00 for mine, we buy a lot equipment. I guess I got a good deal, I also have a 210 Mig. I guess you could say I'm a Miller fan. :p

If you are proficient with a mig welder, the 135 can handle whatever HAS to be mig welded. You don't need a bigger machine to get most jobs done, but it is nice to have. So you can go with the tig if you really want (although I would still probably get a bigger/better mig machine first).

The synchrowave 200 is a good machine, pretty versatile. If you are going to be using it for much aluminum, really thick steel, or just long periods (like welding an entire chassis all at once) you will need the water cooled torch - ~$800 upgrade if I remember right.

I don't do a lot of tig here at the shop (maybe 15-20% of the welding is tig), and this has proved a worthy tool for its somewhat limited use. Nice to be able to do aluminum for sure.

I can get the TIG for $1700 and comes with the following: tank, auto helmet, gloves, and rods. The welder was bought in Oct of 07 and use once.

My other option is to buy a esab migmaster 250 brand new for $1750. (welder only)


I still have the lincoln 135 for little BS stuff and to tack with.

Which one should I get? (I do need to do Al once in while)

Thanks

I woukld go TIG, cause I already have a 220V Mig :flipoff2:
I have lots of uses for a tig, if you already have a small mig then go for the TIG machine.

I can get the TIG for $1700 and comes with the following: tank, auto helmet, gloves, and rods. The welder was bought in Oct of 07 and use once.

My other option is to buy a esab migmaster 250 brand new for $1750. (welder only)


I still have the lincoln 135 for little BS stuff and to tack with.

Which one should I get? (I do need to do Al once in while)

Thanks

Thats a good deal if it was just used once. I got more money in mine than that. I would go for the TIG Welder, since you already have a MIG. :D

-Ethan

My six year old son can mig weld. His welds look as good as can be expected from a mig welder. Just break down and buy a tig you'll never need anything else. It may be a bit slow but whats the hurry?