Welding Tips and Tricks

I was given a old Century AC stick welder that dies last night. I have a $500 budget. What welder would you suggest that is TIG capable be it lift or pedal. I don't know much about TIG so I really do not know the advantages of either but I can learn on either as well. I am looking at the Longevity TIGweld 200D.

I've never welded with the Longevity, but it has been discussed and reviewed to death here, and the concensus is that it is a good machine. Good for the price point, and good support from the company.

I'm sure this is not the last opinion you'll get, though you might see them over several days.

Steve S

http://www.everlastgenerators.com/Power ... 90-pd.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CblpZF54_uM

ironmanjay wrote:I was given a old Century AC stick welder that dies last night. I have a $500 budget. What welder would you suggest that is TIG capable be it lift or pedal. I don't know much about TIG so I really do not know the advantages of either but I can learn on either as well. I am looking at the Longevity TIGweld 200D.

[quote="WerkSpace"]http://www.everlastgenerators.com/Power ... 90-pd.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CblpZF54_uM

Well after three days of weighing options and pricing, I decided upon the Everlast 160STH. I looked at it this way. The Hobart Stickmate LX 235/160 is $499 at TS and I could rig a TIG to it for more money and I could not touch a good TIG in my price range. I like stick welding and most pros who are getting paid well are either doing stick or TIG from what I could tell. I am new and have a lot to go before I can be charging someone to weld but I believe that this machine is the best bang for the buck and it will be able to last me well until I am ready to move up into a welding truck rig.

I am 47 and a corporate guy screaming inside to get out and be on my own before my cube becomes my coffin...hopefully welding is the answer.

Ain't it amazing?

When you realize the corporate cube farm world is not what satisfies you?

I own some very expensive suits. I now wear them for weddings and funerals. I prefer dirt under my nails. I'm just happier that way...

Steve S

I also bought an Everlast. I went for the PowerTig 200DX. Sweet machine. Robust with lots of power good low end, pulse and a host of other features.
I've used it on a host of materials and it hasn't let me down yet.

Well I pulled the trigger today and got the Everlast 160 STH. My next question is do I need the peddle to TIG or is that only for variable amps during the weld? I am assuming that I can set a amp and TIG with it.

Jay,

The pedal is very useful, especially when you're ready to learn aluminum, or weld very thin material.

Just to start, though, It's not needed, and you'll learn more about puddle control without it.

I would recommend a remote start switch, at the least, so you can take advantage of HF start, if that machine has it. (All the beautifull work TamJeff posts is done solely with an on/off button on the torch.)

My two cents...

Steve S

Otto Nobedder wrote:Jay,

The pedal is very useful, especially when you're ready to learn aluminum, or weld very thin material.

Just to start, though, It's not needed, and you'll learn more about puddle control without it.

I would recommend a remote start switch, at the least, so you can take advantage of HF start, if that machine has it. (All the beautifull work TamJeff posts is done solely with an on/off button on the torch.)

My two cents...

Steve S

If I am not mistaken the torch has a button to start the arc. At least that is hat I see in Jody's video on WTAT.