Reddit mentions: The best tig welding equipment

I am a 30 year novice, but this AHP tig welds very well for under $1000. A good tig machine will weld aluminum just fine. Just be aware, welding thin aluminum is not easy, but you don't need a really expensive machine to do it. Many of the prominent welders on youtube use this AHP machine with success. I have one and I can weld aluminum with it, but not well. Aluminum is just more delicate and harder than steel. Please check out youtube for this machine and welding aluminum. Please show us your creations when you get to that point, good luck! :)

https://www.amazon.com/AHP-AlphaTIG-Stick-Welder-WARRANTY/dp/B076BSD6PG

I'm going to stick with recommendations based off new equipment (used is tough because you could find a really good deal but it's a total luck of the draw thing).


In my personal opinion, I think that your budget will point us away from the big industry names (Miller and Lincoln). The big names will have units under $2000 but they will be very bare bones.


I own an AHP Alphatig 200x.. I believe I purchased mine for $750 (same price currently at that Amazon link above). Going this route will leave you lots of additional money to pick up an argon tank, filler material, and whatever else you might need. AHP also has an upgraded model of this welder, the Alphatig 201dx. This new model is currently on sale through the website for $720!


The other brand I'd recommended is Everlast. Some quick recommendations that probably fit your requirements: Powertig 200dv or the Powertig 255ext.

Google both of those brands, check out their websites, and do some additional research to see if there are better options for you.

The main reasons (I think) these brands will be better for you are:

1. Price point vs. available features
   
   
   
2. Anticipated use (you don't require a high duty cycle for a low production environment (although both of these brands have machines with really good duty cycles considering their price points), you're not lugging this around a construction site/through mud/banging it up so you don't need the absolutely most durable piece you can find.)
   
   
   
3. Ease of use and adjustability
   
   
   Everlast has several even lower price point models that might fit your criteria as well. The models I chose (including AHP) have AC/DC capabilities (allows you to weld aluminum one day as well as some other more exotic metals if you ever get bored), dual voltage capabilities (can run off a standard wall outlet 110 V or off of 220 V), and tons of other features to fine tune your output.
   
   If you get into all this and have any more questions, shoot me a message. Good luck!

I usually use the BSX black TIG gloves for Thin TIG welds and on my fill hand, the BSX Black patch or similar for MIG and Stick, or the heavy glove on whatever hand I'm holding the torch with while TIG welding thick materials, also often with a TIG Finger XL or similar to help protect me and allow me to slide along surfaces better.

Most important for me is finding that line between feeling what I'm doing and protecting myself. I'm super pale and burn very easily, so I am fairly invested in PPE

if you just want to get in hours and add welding to your garage I would totally recommend a dual voltage HF start tig welder. buy off amazon and get a 3 year protection plan with good reviews and don't sweat the haters. my Buddy has had a great experience with this one. you will need a bottle and a foot pedal.
https://www.amazon.com/EVERLAST-PowerARC-160STH-160amp-Voltage/dp/B00H2VETB6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1538001782&sr=8-3&keywords=tig+welder+everlast

then there is this one, no idea on quality, id buy one for fun and see how it goes. just get a warranty. if it only lasts three years it cost you like 30 cents a day.
https://www.amazon.com/Torch-Inverter-Welder-Voltage-Welding/dp/B06XD7TCGN/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1538002117&sr=8-5&keywords=dual+voltage+tig+welder

That looks like it should do pretty much every thing you need, but I would check craigslist or similar for a used welder first because you might be able to pick up something cheaper or better for around the same price (like a used synchrowave, etc.) especially if you don't mind if it requires 230V.

Edit: I haven't used that specific welder, but the Amazon reviews are pretty good https://www.amazon.com/Square-Wave%C2%AE-200-Welder-K5126-1/dp/B017DQ8DJ8/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8.

Thanks for the tips-- I didn't realize that Amperage was so important.

I was looking at Everlast brand welders and they seemed like they had good reviews at my price point. They have a 200A one right at $400: http://www.amazon.com/EVERLAST-PowerARC-200amp-Welder-Voltage/dp/B00K1LVS8Q/ref=sr_1_22?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1418365111&sr=1-22&keywords=welder#customerReviews

Do you think that that would be enough for a trailer? If not, it'd probably be better to wait.

What is his favorite welding process? If it's MIG I recommend a nice pair of welding gloves, If he is a TIG guy, I recommend the TIG finger XL.

You can pull them off with your fingers, but you will never get all of them off.

Replacement value for 4 is $9

If i'm fooling around with small magnets and picking up shavings, i put them in a bag like a glad wrap lunch bag. Once i've got off the excess, i just pull the bag inside out, and the shavings come with the bag. Won't work for OP in a welding environment though.

Awesome - no worries on the length I need the input.

I have been told that if I am not dipping my tungsten in the puddle while I am learning that I am too far away. Short and tight arc - I will try and stay focused on the arc. The pedal is actually one of the things that I upgraded when I bought the machine based on the advice in the reviews.

I watch a ton of Jody's videos! He is the man.

I will post back here once I've gotten some more torch time in.

Thanks!!!

How about stainless steel welding rods? I.e. the ones like these, should also be available from a hardware store. You could bend them with pliers and I think it would be easier to keep it straight than wire.

I'd avoid the personal stuff like gloves and hood. I'm guessing he already has the most basic tools, so my suggestions are the second tier of tools that make the job easier. You can get all of the following for under $100.

• Pair of 11' Vice grip clamps (no swivel pads, they get in the way)(get two)
  
• Welper (I buy cheap brands because they get lost/stolen, buy a better brand if your Bro is more responsible than me)
  
• Fillet weld gauge set (definitely not a need, but he probably doesn't have and they will make him cooler than other welders)(link is to cheap brand, buy a higher quality if you don't plan to lose them)

Nice price, but No aluminum with that one. :(

I got the AlphaTig 200 and am pretty happy with it.

If you can't go over $1000 look at the AlphaTIG 200X or the PrimeWeld TIG225X for an AC/DC machine. You need AC for aluminum but if you find a good multiprocess AC/DC machine for $1000 you'd be getting a steal. I just don't think there are any out there.

I'm personally just getting into tig welding with no experience and I bought the PrimeWeld machine when it was in stock (it seems to be popular and running out often). So far it's worked for me, most of any issues I've had have all been operator error since I'm new. I did spend another $100 to get a better foot controller for it though, the one that comes with either of the machines I linked are pretty bad, but still usable. I always felt like I had to slam it to get my max amp setting.

Also you asked in another comment about DCEN and DCEP. For aluminum, you need AC because you need to "clean" through the oxide layer before you can make a puddle. Using AC uses a cycle of both DCEN and DCEP as DCEP is what "cleans" through the oxide layer and DCEN is what actually makes the puddle. Inverter machines like the ones I mentioned above you can usually set the balance of this cycle for either more cleaning or more penetration. Too much cleaning (DCEP) and you'll burn up your tungsten, too much penetration (DCEN) and you won't get a nice, clean, uncontaminated puddle and it will all go downhill from there. Hopefully I illustrated that correctly/easy enough to understand.

https://smile.amazon.com/AHP-AlphaTIG-Stick-Welder-WARRANTY/dp/B076BSD6PG

If your boss doesn't already know of them. They are great for the price.

9 bucks. Surely you can afford that?

It's worth noting that Everlast now sells a MIG/TIG/Stick machine that does AC/DC TIG. As far as I know, they're the only company offering this. Their website doesn't list it yet. It's only been out a couple of months, and they always seem to keep new products off their sit until they've been out for a few months, but here's an amazon link if you want to read over specs. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075H41B11

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07LCSXYN5/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_3?smid=A2MS8SHOMSQ9EP&psc=1

Found this one for 700 was thinking about getting one myself. Good lick

I just found out that is thanks to u/GeorgeOlphin 's comment

Here is a link to the welder

Figure out how much aluminum you would potentially be welding. You can get lots of welding machine if you only need DC (TIG/GTAW) for under 1k. For MIG/GMAW you need a spool-gun to do aluminum. Get a machine capable of doing aluminum now if you want to in the future.

I've been saving up for an AC/DC machine for a while and I'm torn between getting the AHP 200X from weld.com to take advantage of the bundle they have with accessories or go with something like an Everlast Powertig 200DX for a bit more money and some better features.

If I was going to buy a hobby MIG machine with a spool gun I would do a Hobart 210MVP or a Hobart 190.

This is all just my opinion as someone who has been having thoughts about buying something for similar applications. Also, do you have a beefy 220V circuit in your work area? The dual voltage machines are a nice in between if you don't yet but might later. Also for MIG and TIG, budget for buying a gas supply. Can you weld at all with oxyfuel or do you only cut? If you can weld at all decently you might find moving to TIG not such a hurdle.

Assuming your power supply is like 90amps, you will want a 120amp (9 series) torch with gas valve. The Ck part is ck9v-12 for 12’ or -25 for 25’

https://www.amazon.com/CK-CK9V-12-RSF-Torch-Valve-Piece/dp/B00JMG453G/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=ck9v-12&qid=1556883994&s=gateway&sr=8-1

You will then need a ground lug to attach your argon hose to and clamp your stick electrode holder to:

https://www.amazon.com/Weldmark-105Z57-15PCA-Power-Adapter/dp/B0711BKF7Q/ref=mp_s_a_1_fkmr2_1?keywords=tig+torch+ground+lug+ck&qid=1556884235&s=gateway&sr=8-1-fkmr2

The torch hose goes in the smaller opening.

You could also get a torch that plugs directly into your machine with a gas pigtail but I don’t know what fittings your machine has if they are 3/8” dinse:

https://www.amazon.com/9V-Cooled-Torch-1-Piece-Connector/dp/B07KRPGRKH/ref=mp_s_a_1_15?keywords=9v+tig+torch&qid=1556884503&s=gateway&sr=8-15

I would suggest going with ck for the torch and their braided hose.

You could get a Longevity AC/DC for 900, an Everlast for around 1200 or a ThermalArc for about 1700

AC TIG machine are more expensive than straight DC ones.

Or here is links to 2 packs on amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/WeldingCity-ER308L-Stainless-Steel-Welding/dp/B007JCQSWQ?crid=2Z3W4UDZ0IKT4&keywords=1%2F16+tig+filler+rod&qid=1537992917&sprefix=1%2F16%22+tig&sr=8-10&ref=mp_s_a_1_10

https://www.amazon.com/ER308L-16-stainless-steel-welding/dp/B07BSW2B1H?keywords=1%2F16+tig+filler+rod+stainless&qid=1537993368&sr=8-5&ref=mp_s_a_1_5

Would this soldering iron from Amazon work on my Pi? http://www.amazon.com/Lotos-TIG200-DC-inverter-Welding-stainless/dp/B0118HQMUK