AC/DC TIG welders.

[Homestar]

Yes, another welder thread! After any information people have who have bought cheaper AC/DC TIG units. I can’t afford the $6K plus for a top brand unit, and not needed either, but I am looking to spend up to $2K which limits my options from what I’ve found.

There seem to be a lot of units around the $1000 mark - all Chinese as you’re expect, and all with pretty similar specs, and aweful duty cycles. I’m not inclined to purchase one of these.

This one has better specs and in my budget is an everlast unit - PowerTIG 200DV TIG Welders (http://www.everlast-welders.com.au/product/PowerTIG_200DV)

There’s also this one - Weldarc 200i AC/DC | WIA (https://www.welding.com.au/equipment/view/weldarc-200i-ac-dc) which is slightly cheaper, but not much and much lower duty cycle.

Anyone used either that has some useful feedback?

Before anyone asks - Yes I need an AC/DC unit, must be single phase, HF start, needs decent controls re pre and post flow, ramp up, ramp down and pulse. The ones linked above fit the bill, but does anyone know of any others that would meet these requirements?

TIA.

[Don 130]

I bought a Unimig 180 for myself (now out of production I think)and a Unimig Viper 185 for work. Both are just for general work, Nothing structural or needing x-ray.
The Viper 185 will do MIG, STICK and TIG and it's a 10 amp machine, so handy to plug in anywhere. Unimig maintain parts for all their welders for 15 years after production ends

VIPER 185 MIG/TIG/STICK - Unimig (https://unimig.com.au/product/viper-185-mig-tig-stick-welder/)

Edit, I now see you're after an AC/DC machine, so this probably doesn't suit

Don.

[Homestar]

Thanks - yeah, needs to be an AC machine.

I already have Lincoln multi process machine that I primarily use for MIG, but have done DC TIG work with it too. I also have an older MMA inverter machine which is my go to stick welder. Need to round out the set now with AC TIG as I have a fair bit of upcoming work where I’ll need this.

[CU55TM Disco]

The Yanks seem to love their everlast stuff, assuming its the same as here.

Ive seen quite a few Utube welders using everlast gear.

[dero]

I have never seen the one you mention , but all the WIA welders I have ever used have been good .

[big harold]

I bought a Cigweld 200 and am happy with the results.
I looked at WIA but was told by the distributer that they had issues.
Make sure you get a foot pedal.
Mark

[Homestar]

I bought a Cigweld 200 and am happy with the results.
I looked at WIA but was told by the distributer that they had issues.
Make sure you get a foot pedal.
Mark

Thanks - The Everlast comes with a pedal, not sure on the WIA. Is this the unit - Buy Cigweld Weldskill 200 Ac/Dc - 200A Arc/Tig Plant Welder | Total Tools (https://www.totaltools.com.au/84807-cigweld-200a-ac-dc-welding-plant-w1006200)

That meets all my requirements and has slightly better duty cycle than some others I’ve looked at, but not quite as good as the Everlast, but it’s $400 cheaper so that’s a plus. I know all of these are made in China now, which doesn’t bother me as long as it’s got decent quality control. My old inverter MMA unit is a CIG unit and that’s gone to hell and back and still works fine.

[big harold]

Thanks - The Everlast comes with a pedal, not sure on the WIA. Is this the unit - Buy Cigweld Weldskill 200 Ac/Dc - 200A Arc/Tig Plant Welder | Total Tools (https://www.totaltools.com.au/84807-cigweld-200a-ac-dc-welding-plant-w1006200)

That meets all my requirements and has slightly better duty cycle than some others I’ve looked at, but not quite as good as the Everlast, but it’s $400 cheaper so that’s a plus. I know all of these are made in China now, which doesn’t bother me as long as it’s got decent quality control. My old inverter MMA unit is a CIG unit and that’s gone to hell and back and still works fine.
Yep thats the one.
$370 for a foot pedal though.
I have welded stainless, aluminium & steel no problems.
I think they are a rebadged Essab.
Mark

[Homestar]

Yep thats the one.
$370 for a foot pedal though.
I have welded stainless, aluminium & steel no problems.
I think they are a rebadged Essab.
Mark

Thanks - that brings it up to the same price as the Everlast unit, but that one has much better duty cycle and a 5 year warranty.

Appreciate everyones input, think I’ll go the Everlast - will give them a call in the morning to check availability.

[Homestar]

So, ordered the Everlast machine. I sent them an email last night and the National Sales Manager replied immediately. Had a quick email conversation to clarify some details and the order was placed and paid for - very easy to deal with, unit should be here by the weekend.

Better go buy a bottle of Argon now, another chunk of money, but that will set me up for some time then. 👍

[Homestar]

For anyone interested, I’ve just finished my first project with the unit - which involved several hours of welding 5mm steel. Very happy with it, it is very precise as you’d expect and I think TIG is my new favourite welding process even though it is a bit slower. Accuracy of welds, no splatter and precise heat input for what I’m doing are big pluses.

Have been running the unit quite hard up around 140 amps and I know the cheaper units with 15% duty cycles up at that range would have quit with what I did. This one runs 100% duty cycle at 160 amps, so and only drops to 80% duty cycle at 185 amps.

For heavy work I now see why a water cooled torch is a plus - While I don’t need to run out and buy one now, it may be on my shopping list at some point.