A little about myself I started out as a weekend wheeler building my jeep as I could.After several years im rebuilding my rig full tube frame, portal axles etc etc.I was layed off several months back and decided to make a go at raising my dogs fulltime and fab/automotive work in the shop anything that will pay the bills for now weither its a waterpump or a full blown build.So tig welding has definitely become a need for many reasons.And I need a plasma cutter I had a borrowed one at one point now I just have oxy torch.I have a Miller mig but I just cant afford Miller or Hypertherm for above obvious reasons and im not buying used I have my reasons.I do not know how to tig weld but I have a friend that will help me and or im going to take a small class.I need to be able to tig pretty for lack of better term.Im getting into full custom axles and such that require nice looking welds.As for the plasma I want to be able to cut 3/8 pretty easy and tig aluminum and steel up to or around 1/4".I guess my biggest concern is do I want pulse control on my tig? Will it help that much?Is the mosfet vs IGBT a big deal with these cheaper machines? I have narrowed my search to the following opinions are welcome.New to the board want to thank everyone In advance def a place I will visit often.Im staying in that $1500 range spending I will say I plan this to be a starter set in couple 3 years I will look to upgrade both
Everlast 250x tig and colossal tech 50a plasma approx $1300 tig $400 plasma
Pluses and minus in my eyes in this package IGBT plasma (so it says) 5yr warrenty on tig 2 year on plasma
Pulse control, top of my budget,plasmas kinda a cheapy
Eastwood package deal tig and 40amp plasma $1200
Price is right 3 yr warrenty good customer service, No pulse control and mosfet instead of igbt
Everlast 256 multiprocess tig/plasma $1700ish
IGBT, pulse, 5 yr warrenty, convenience of carrying one machine but I've always read combo units arent as reliable and if plasma breaks you lose your tig also and vise versa if you have to send it off for repairs.
Thanks again for any advice
Something you didn't mention: aluminum. That may save your budget. No aluminum = no AC = cheaper welder.
As for multi-process, even Everlast will steer you away from them. Realize that the input gases need to be changed up when you switch between plasma and TIG, there can be issues with moisture in the line when you switch back to TIG, and lighting up in the wrong mode can damage parts.
I'd say you're probably in the right neighborhood at 250A, but realize that's water-cooler territory - the welder will probably come with a water-cooled torch. Air-cooled, a 17 torch is rated to 150A, and I recall a 26 is 200A, though I've known folks to push a 17 torch to 225A for periods.
MOSFET = less durable than IGBT. Pulse isn't needed, but it helps - for thin material, it's prevents burn-through; it can also substitute for skill to get that stack-of-dimes look.
Take a look at these:
http://www.everlastgenerators.com/produ ... arc-280sth - $1050, digital, 280A, pulse, high-frequency start
http://www.everlastgenerators.com/produ ... rarc-200st - $400, analog, 200A, no pulse, lift-start
http://www.everlastgenerators.com/produ ... rplasma-50 - $850
See what kind of deal they'll cut you when buying a pair of units.
Cheers,
Richard
As for multi-process, even Everlast will steer you away from them. Realize that the input gases need to be changed up when you switch between plasma and TIG, there can be issues with moisture in the line when you switch back to TIG, and lighting up in the wrong mode can damage parts.
I'd say you're probably in the right neighborhood at 250A, but realize that's water-cooler territory - the welder will probably come with a water-cooled torch. Air-cooled, a 17 torch is rated to 150A, and I recall a 26 is 200A, though I've known folks to push a 17 torch to 225A for periods.
MOSFET = less durable than IGBT. Pulse isn't needed, but it helps - for thin material, it's prevents burn-through; it can also substitute for skill to get that stack-of-dimes look.
Take a look at these:
http://www.everlastgenerators.com/produ ... arc-280sth - $1050, digital, 280A, pulse, high-frequency start
http://www.everlastgenerators.com/produ ... rarc-200st - $400, analog, 200A, no pulse, lift-start
http://www.everlastgenerators.com/produ ... rplasma-50 - $850
See what kind of deal they'll cut you when buying a pair of units.
Cheers,
Richard
Grinding discs... still my #1 consumable!
- dynasty200sd
-
Guide
-
Posts:
-
Joined:Sat Mar 08, 2014 10:39 pm
-
Location:Holley, FL
Another thing to factor with amperage is the thickness you want the machine to do in a single pass. For my first tig machine I decided on starting out with a Miller Dynasty 200SD (purchased about 3 years ago; which machine prices have increased since). I have been using a WP17 style air-cooled torch with it due to the machine's duty cycle at 200amps is for only 2 out of the 10 weld minutes.
I built/welded up from online purchased blueprints an air/hydraulic rotary-draw tube/pipe bender using my Dynasty and the WP17. The bender frame was 1/4" thick steel square tube, and 200 amps suited me fine with a few 1st degree burns from the torch heating through the glove when trying to finish out a weld while trying to take the pain; that zen state you get in focused on the arc that mesmerizes you. Which leads me to today where I soon will fab-up a DIY Watercooler for a CK20 size torch.
I built/welded up from online purchased blueprints an air/hydraulic rotary-draw tube/pipe bender using my Dynasty and the WP17. The bender frame was 1/4" thick steel square tube, and 200 amps suited me fine with a few 1st degree burns from the torch heating through the glove when trying to finish out a weld while trying to take the pain; that zen state you get in focused on the arc that mesmerizes you. Which leads me to today where I soon will fab-up a DIY Watercooler for a CK20 size torch.
Ah, I missed that. Not only does aluminum need AC, but it also pushes you toward a bigger welder because a) aluminum wicks away heat much faster than steel, and b) AC is less efficient at putting heat into the joint. So, those cheaper welders I linked won't do the job.tazer15 wrote:Yes I do need AC/DC welding aluminum is a must.Thanks for the info its greatly apreciated!
Grinding discs... still my #1 consumable!
Ya I have been looking at the 250DV i believe it is, I said EX in my first inital post.That machine really stretches me money wise I found an older lady my neighbor knows her husband passed away 4 years ago and had a tig she was wanting to sell.He said he thought it was a miller and would take 750 for it.But i dont always believe what I hear. 
What about plasma I know this is the welding section but I hate to make 2 threads.Are the ebay specials lotos, colossal, simadre really IGBT?If its true about the little old lady with a $750 Miller ill probably buy it and an everlast plasma and call it good for a few years.
What about plasma I know this is the welding section but I hate to make 2 threads.Are the ebay specials lotos, colossal, simadre really IGBT?If its true about the little old lady with a $750 Miller ill probably buy it and an everlast plasma and call it good for a few years.