After 15 long years my 110v mig welder just doesn't do like it used to on the thick stuff. I mean I am really seeing the 20% rated duty cycle and it is pissing me off. So I'm ready to get a Tig Welder, Miller 180SD comes to mind, and I want to look at used equip to try and save some bucks and/or get more welder.

I've been looking at ebay but Im in the middle of a project and don't want to wait for the right welder to come along. Anyone have a good online or otherwise source for quality used welders?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1770745001

Welder-Miller Syncrowave 180SD Tig Runner PK
Item # 1770745001

what all is tig good for as far a thicknesses and materials?
Good point and bad points?

Originally posted by bronco78
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1770745001

Welder-Miller Syncrowave 180SD Tig Runner PK
Item # 1770745001

That's a lot of friggin help :flipoff2: :flipoff2:

MOD: TiG is the finest way to weld tube and it also works as a stick welder for heavy stuff.

I've been looking at ebay but Im in the middle of a project and don't want to wait for the right welder to come along. Anyone have a good online or otherwise source for quality used welders?
Don't know of any online sources for used besides ebay but for new you can check out these.

http://www.welders-direct.com/merchant2/merchant.mv

http://www.cyberweld.com/index.html

what all is tig good for as far a thicknesses and materials?

Tig is a slow but very precise way of welding most any weldable metal and is well suited for very thin material in the right hands.

check out this thread.
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=72707

rich

For someone who wants to just play around in the garge and build some projects for themselves and friends stick to a mig welder. Tig are a whole different world if you are not used to them. A 180 would be a good machine, all of my machines are Millers. Its like ford and chevy....find the best deal and buy it. I sold a smaller Hobart 220v mig too a couple years ago and see if he will sell it beacause I know he has not ever used it. I just sold a syncrowave 180 in great shape for 1g also. The thickness of what you can weld with any given machine depends on the experience and knowing the right ways to burn them together.

www.weldersdirect.com

Ben

I'm no expert, but if I bought a TIG, I'd want it to have a provision for arc welding, as well. Would seem only natural.

Bryan

Originally posted by florida4x4
After 15 long years my 110v mig welder just doesn't do like it used to on the thick stuff. I mean I am really seeing the 20% rated duty cycle and it is pissing me off. So I'm ready to get a Tig Welder, Miller 180SD comes to mind , and I want to look at used equip to try and save some bucks and/or get more welder.

I've been looking at ebay but Im in the middle of a project and don't want to wait for the right welder to come along. Anyone have a good online or otherwise source for quality used welders?

Originally posted by florida4x4


That's a lot of friggin help :flipoff2: :flipoff2:



Hmm, you asked for a Miller10SD Tig, and I found ya one, You asked for a used one, and I found ya one, you implied Ebay was an option for you, and I found you one on ebay, you stated you did not want to wait for one, and you dont. Ummm, nope, that post of mine was no good at all, sorry for the waste of bandweidth...

:flipoff2: :flipoff2:

Thanks BRONKO78. Maybe I wasn't clear enough. Next time I'll say "I have seen all ebay has to offer and even though deals are to be had there are none right now and I want something fast".

JKOZ: Thanks for the advise. I am a "retired" pro I used to sit at a TiG torch 10 hours a day welding aluminum tubing (a freaking pile of handrails for aluminum tool boxes). The old MiG welder will still do light stuff but it overheats real quick on the 130A setting. With a TiG box I can do the best job possible on my roll cage and stick weld heavy stuff too. The Miller 180SD is just a thought. I probably will try for more amperage...

Best Regards to all!!

Originally posted by florida4x4
I am a "retired" pro I used to sit at a TiG torch 10 hours a day welding aluminum tubing (a freaking pile of handrails for aluminum tool boxes).
Best Regards to all!!

COOL! When you get over to Texas, drop us a note... and we'll get you to sit down with a few beers, and show us some tips & tricks! :D

As to finding used TIG machines... those old Linde, Hobart, Miller machines are great... catch is it took me a YEAR to find a decent used one. 20 year old analog (heavy transformers) Hobart for $1000 (been a while). 250Amp 100% duty cycle... probably weighs more than 800#. On this thing, only maintance is to use a emery file on the HF contacts, and regap them every five years!You'll have to search locally for something like that. Odd thing about this old analog machine... only TIG welder that I can get to weld down INTO a tube... arc will bend 90 degrees and keep purring along... strange!

My "Fancy" water cooling unit is nothing more than a pump and a 5 gallon bucket of water! Asked an "old timer" one time about what coolant/corrosion prehibitors, etc, to add to the cooling water. His reply was "boy, you want to play or weld... just fill it with water and WELD!" :)

For the newer electronic switchers... that 180SD runner pack for $1600 seems the way to go. They seem to hold the resell values, as I have seen used ones going for $1200 or so!

Oxjockey.... have you ever SEEN a TIG that didn't arc weld? :)

SIDE NOTE: Don't overlook LINDE welders. Most folks don't realize they are now called ESAB, so you can find parts and decent deals. Spotted this puppy on eBay Linde 300A TIG/ARC (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1772030694)

Tom

Look for a good used unit in your local recycler or trader newspaper because the freight cost on shipping one will eat you up. Out here on the left coast, there is always 1 or 2 for sale. Right now, there is a 300A P&H on www.recycler.com for $600 with all the accessories except the argon bottle (search under "home improvement").

Another place to look for a good used on is welding suppliers. I got my Linde Heliarc 250 for free from a local machine shop (w/o torch and bottle) because it had a burned out main transformer. All it took was $60 of 9 ga magnet wire to get it back running. I had to haul it away and lifting 300 pounds was a PITA.

Originally posted by roundrocktom


COOL! When you get over to Texas, drop us a note... and we'll get you to sit down with a few beers, and show us some tips & tricks! :D


Well I dont know what tips I can pass along but I'll give you fair warning :cool:


As to finding used TIG machines... those old Linde, Hobart, Miller machines are great... catch is it took me a YEAR to find a decent used one. 20 year old analog (heavy transformers) Hobart for $1000 (been a while). 250Amp 100% duty cycle... probably weighs more than 800#. On this thing, only maintance is to use a emery file on the HF contacts, and regap them every five years!You'll have to search locally for something like that. Odd thing about this old analog machine... only TIG welder that I can get to weld down INTO a tube... arc will bend 90 degrees and keep purring along... strange!

Let me take a very wild guess and say the magnetism created by striking an arc in the tube bends the arc. Sounds like the arc and mag. field is ssssupperr stable if it don moove around wildly. For an experiment grab a strong magnet and try to weld a bead near it. I tried to hold a couple pieces of sheet metal together with an old, BIG, hard disk magnet once. Thought I was having a flash back till I thought of the magnetic influence :D :D


My "Fancy" water cooling unit is nothing more than a pump and a 5 gallon bucket of water! Asked an "old timer" one time about what coolant/corrosion prehibitors, etc, to add to the cooling water. His reply was "boy, you want to play or weld... just fill it with water and WELD!" :)

Woo Hoo! They don make them like they used to. Everyone round here is too afraid of a lawsuit or something :D

For the newer electronic switchers... that 180SD runner pack for $1600 seems the way to go. They seem to hold the resell values, as I have seen used ones going for $1200 or so!


yep. I think this is the way I'm going...


Oxjockey.... have you ever SEEN a TIG that didn't arc weld? :)


The big difference is the high frequency and flow control. Probablly be a relativly easy conversion to a MiG welder... too bad I dont have time to think about this one :p


SIDE NOTE: Don't overlook LINDE welders. Most folks don't realize they are now called ESAB, so you can find parts and decent deals. Spotted this puppy on eBay Linde 300A TIG/ARC (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1772030694)

Tom

Union carbide/LINDE and hobart is what I used in school. takes me back to the friggin 80's. Damn I'm old enough to remember the dawn of MTV like it was yesterday :flipoff2: :D