I don't need 110. I can use a cheap mig if I need that.

My budget is sub 1000. Because I still need gas and all that stuff.

750 would be ideal, hence the eastwood I linked.

Looks like Roda likes his AHP, it's out of stock on Amazon though.

I have a cheap eBay plasma cutter/tig welder that was around that price. It runs off 110v, at least that is what the stock plug is. I will check the exact model tonight. I should hook it up one of these days and give the TIG part a try to see how it compares to my Lincoln 175.

Honestly if you are not in a huge hurry then watch CL for a good tig welder. I bought my Lincoln 175 for about $900. It was used 4 times for stick welding only, came with an argon bottle, mask, welding stuff, and a cart.

subbing here, looking at getting a tig/plasma combo or whatever.

I have never welded before...Anyone have a good source on beginner Tigging? also if I buy something like everlast 205s, what am I missing to start welding? Argon tank? what other consumables are required?

<p></p><p>Tungsten and filler.</p>

<p>Yep, I also bought a kit from amazon that had different gas lenses and cups (though the Everlast comes with a gas lense and 2 cups). &nbsp;I also needed to go to Menards and buy a dryer cable and a 220 outlet to make an adapter to plug it in to my dryer outlet. &nbsp;</p>

Please do- and post up the results compared to a "real" TIG machine. I searched youtube/google for some comments on TIG'ing with these and there's nothing but reference to cutting with them.

So anyone have some insight into the AC tig welding? I know its mostly for aluminum, but looking at the price difference between the 165 and 205s, is the adjustability worth it? I do plan to do some aluminum welding and would rather not close (or severely limit) that option.

<p>AC is necessary for aluminum welding from what I know.</p>

Not really, AC is really only used for Aluminum. It maybe the close association of TIG/Aluminum that makes it seem like that. Everlast offers DC only tig welders btw.

<p>Damn it thats what I meant. AC is required to TIG aluminum.</p>

lincoln also has DC only tigs. I dont see the point for a hobby scale tig to not have AC. It would totally make sense for an industrial scale machine that'll go in a shop that only does steel and/or stainless.

This.

For a motorsport hobbyist it really doesn't make sense not to have AC.

For an update, my AHP Tig is still going strong. I've used it for a few projects here and there, mostly steel. Still practicing on AL when I have time and materials, still need more practice, LOL.

I would avoid combination units. All my research pointed to combo units not being as good as standalone welders or plasmas.

<p>Yeah I think I'm pretty set on this eastwood:&nbsphttp://;http://www.eastwood.com/tig-...dc-welder.html</p>

$50 more gets you adjustable AC frequency and pulse in the AHP:

^ This. I just ordered one. It will take a few weeks to get here tho. After using an Eastwood for 4 years I reached its limits pretty quick. I'm looking forward to the adjust ability that this unit has.

<p>Damn, now thats my new favorite.</p>

My 211 autoset mig has served me well until i got in the big kid game. If i loose my shop access i'll be dropping coin on a used Miller Dynasty 200 more than likely. I've used one in the past and it does very well. pricey though..

Bought a 200DX or DV as its called now.

Looking at consumables. So I understand larger tungsten means more amps before it breaks, but larger weld pool?

From reading online I should be using 2% thoriated for steel and 2% lanthinated for AC welding and Aluminum.

Is it common to have multiple sizes for both? also a few people said they just have the lanthinated type and use it for everything (and vice versa with the thoriated).

I'm using Thoriated and Lanthanated as noted above, in 1/16, 3/32, and 1/8, depending on the thickness of the material.

You'll also want a gas lens kit, probably stubby, for better maneuverability...

Stubby Gas Lens Kit , Metal Welding, Welder Supplies, Accessories for Welding | USAWeld.com

hmm, I don't think so. Pretty sure it comes as part of the "consumable kit". That's what I understood from ebay listings/sales and the manual. Is there something missing from Everlast's kit that is in this kit?

Nope, according to your manual it looks like it comes with a standard 17 torch, and a few ceramic collets in std length.

Above kit comes with gas lenses for the 4 std tungsten sizes, and short ceramic collets. With the shorter ceramic collets you can get in tighter areas with the torch. The gas lens is to better distribute the shielding gas around the arc.

Ok gotcha. the shorter cup and the short back cap help with the tight spaces. Gas lense directs the argon flow.

Thanks.

Do you guys have suggestions on clamps/tools to hold pieces together? the only experience have had before is a mig with an automatic feed, so I could tack weld the two pieces together pretty easily before the weld. I am assuming generic stuff should work just fine, but before I do something stupid...

I honestly just bought a shit ton of different clamps and such from HF. Tack welding things together can be the hardest most annoying thing with TIG. I have almost broke down and bought a MIG welder just to tack things together under a car.

I just use 3/32 thoriated for everything and vary my grind based on what I'm doing. Welding steel under 80amps? Make a very pointy tip. Doing the same for aluminum? Cut a trapezoid at the tip. Buy that stubby gas lens though, best fucking thing ever.

<p>Ok so after the good reviews I think I've settled on this one:</p><p> </p><p>I need the dual voltage because I'm renting houses for a while. How much will I be spending on all of the gas, bottles, tungste etc? I've tig welded before (built my own manifold) but it was on a friends machine so I'm a newb to all the setup.</p>

<p>Are there any &quot;gotchas&quot; about that one that spending another 2-300 bucks would fix? I really don't want to have purchase regret in a year when it doesn't do what I want.</p>

<p>Also, what is the difference between these 2:</p><p> </p><p>Nvm answered my own question. So an extra 80 dollars gets me the 2015 version.</p><p>How is the duty cycle on these? 50%? Have any of you run into issues with that?</p>

I have the first AHP you linked and its been great in AC and DC welding.
I didn't shop around at all: 40cf tank was $250, gas is $55 per fill. I think 2% thoriated and 2% lanth 3/32 10 packs were like $30 a piece on amazon prime?

<p>Hmmm, maybe I'll wait for it to be on prime.</p>

Any incidentals/consumables are going to cost about the same regardless of which welder you buy. I think I spent $180 on a large gas cylinder, ~$50 on a gas lens/stubby torch kit, plus tungstens. I also spent $150 on an HF welder cart, but you could do without. I needed to be able to move it around due to space limitations, and the storage is handy for the foot pedal, and all the incidentals.

I have not had any issues running out of duty cycle, but I've only been working on smaller projects so far.

<p>I figured that. Looks like the AHP comes with a lot of good stuff.&nbsp;</p><p>What does this part mean: &quot;seperate tig control switch is supplied for those who wish to add the trigger switch to the torch&quot; in the description.</p>

Mine came with a switch you can use on the torch to toggle the arc on/off. I've been using the foot pedal, as with the torch switch, you can't vary the power as you go. It's just on/off...

<p>Ok, I guess the wording just confused me.</p>

I just bought this AHP TIG for the home garage. Should be here in a couple days (thank you Prime) Looking forward to not having to transport TIG projects to another location to finish them up. The specs look good. I'll admit I'm just hoping that the Miller Dynasty hasn't spoiled me to a point of disliking this more affordable unit..

-Ryan

If it was prime I don't think it was the 2015 model. But holy shit. Its on sale for 700 shipped. Buying it right now :)

Smokin' deal!

IIRC mine shipped from the Bay area in CA, and I got it in 3 days, without Prime.

Attachment 237704
<br />Much excite

I opted for the $750 one on Prime (listed as 2015 model), of which it was listed as only one left in stock. A little bit more, but I didn't want to wait a month to get it, got some projects coming up soon. Amazon charged sales tax for CA, so I came in at $810. Still seems like a great deal, $710 is a steal.

-Ryan

Interesting. I never saw the 2015 on prime. But if the description said so awesome.
<br />I'm in no rush to get mine. Its the middle of track season. No time for fab.

<p>What am I looking at for gas bottles?</p><p>Rent?<br />Buy?<br />Buy used?</p>

I rent from the place I buy my gas from.

It's just easier.

<p>Figured I would start with that. While shopping for other alternatives.</p>

Beware buying used, bottles must be certified, plus if they come from a different supplier some places just flat out won't accept them for refills/recerts.

Oh, and if you get a used setup, be sure to check for leaks in the regulator (soapy water) - I drained half a tank after forgetting to close the main cylinder valve. Wups.

Edit* Beat me to it^

From what I was told, even if you buy a used tank they need to test and certify it. Which costs money. If you buy new, it will cost more than renting the bottle and unless bought new from that store they still may need to test and certify it.

<p>Hmmm, good points. I have a friend who owns his cylinder and he got it used. I will talk to him.</p>

I own my smaller 80 cu.ft. bottle. I am pretty sure it gets exchanged when i need a refill. So as long as i exchange prior to the cert date, no cert fees. My larger tank i own the rights to use it but dont own it. I can take it back and they will refund 75% of what i paid for the rights. Same thing with cert fees for the larger bottle.

<p>I think I'm going to rent while I putz around with it and learn stuff. If I ever get around to doing a manifold again or something I will buy one.</p>

Shop around. Prices were all over the place here. I got a great deal on the larger bottle. Refills are reasonable as well. I didnt get as good a deal on the smaller one but the dude who runs the shop has been a huge resource for a welding noob.

<p>One welding shop is like 3 minutes away from me, I will try them first.</p>

Guess it depends on the shop - the place I use (BOC gasses, Oshawa, ON) refused to even look at the tank (granted the one I had didn't have a supplier label on it and was kinda scuzzy looking).

I own my cylinder. It paid for itself already compared to renting. At least with my local place. My place just charges more for refills for a rental, so once you get filled like 5 times the largest tank they sell to non-commercial accounts it paid for.

Well no one around will rent without an account. Going to look into used for a bit and then just buy. Will they buy it back?

<p>Unnggg</p><p>Attachment 237619<br />Attachment 237620<br />Attachment 237621<br />Attachment 237622<br />Attachment 237623<br />Attachment 237624<br />Attachment 237625</p>

Less pictures, more weldy

I want to know how that thing works.

I bought a short 3ft tank and just swap it for ~$50, I can walk out back to my welding supply store though, so that's cool. It is a little small if welding all weekend.

<p>Real welding pictures. As far as I can tell this welder is freaking awesome. Definitely not limiting me at all. More skill on my part is definitely needed.</p><p>Attachment 237608<br />Attachment 237609<br />Attachment 237610<br />Attachment 237611<br />Attachment 237612<br />Attachment 237613<br />Attachment 237614<br />Attachment 237615</p>

Sorry, I'm late to the party. I've had this same model for a couple of months. I had the Eastwood Tig 200 for about four years before I bought the AHP. Both are very capable with the AHP having more controls. Both of these units could use better tig heads which is no problem since they use an industry standard coupling. You will want to invest in tungsten in .040, 1/16", and 3/32" for thicker and thinner material. The 2% Lanthanated tungsten is the way to go as it works well for both aluminum and steel. For really thin welding wire you can buy a small spool of mig wire and use it when 1/16" wire is too big. Whenever possible, hold the tig head like a pencil and your wrist/arm against something for maximum steadyness. Practice, use cleaned metal, and the tightest weld joints you can get. Acetone is good for final cleaning on aluminum before welding.
My 2 cents.
-JB

Why did you go to the AHP? More controls? They're the same price and same warranty. I know Eastwood stands by their product. Unsure of AHP- no personal experience. But the unit has endless positive reviews on amazon.

I have had great luck with my last two argon and 25% mix bottle purchases, I bought real small bottles (20cuft), but by the time I go back for a refill my welding shop just gave me free upgrades to the next size up. They hate dealing with the tiny bottles. I have two 80cuft bottles now one for Lincoln 180 MIG and one for Eastwood 200 TIG. I can get a lot of welding done between refills. I would not get anything smaller than 40 cuft.

<p>I'm currently hunting on cl.</p><p>My friend is letting me borrow his extra 40cf CO2 bottle, that I'm going to go fill with argon until I find my own.</p>