Welding Tips and Tricks

I'm sure this has been beat to death, so I apologize in advance for asking again...

I have a Miller EconoTIG that a friend gave me to play with. (I also have a Miller 180 MIG machine that I love). I work primarily on old car stuff, so a lot of sheetmetal and body repair - thin metal stuff. I have found the EconoTIG to be really difficult to use on 18GA & thinner. I think the specs say that it only goes down to 30amps? I'm wondering how much of it is ME and my poor (still learning) technique, vs. fighting the equipment & trying to use it for something it's not really intended for.

Would a different TIG welder that has a better low end range make it easier on me and be a worthwhile purchase? And to expand on that, I've been eyeing the Miller Dynasty 210 machines. I don't need water-cooled etc... as I'm just a dedicated hobby guy, not a full on production shop. I appreciate having good tools that are dependable, durable and perform well etc... - is the Miller worth the extra $$ over an Everlast or AHP or HTP? I live in the middle of nowhere and can get local support for Miller more easily than any other machine, but they do seem like twice the price...

This recent thread is helpful : http://forum.weldingtipsandtricks.com/v ... f=5&t=8579

I'd never heard of HTP before. Is Miller the standard by which all the others are judged?

Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it.

Tom

TDab wrote:I'd never heard of HTP before. Is Miller the standard by which all the others are judged?

Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it.

Tom

As someone else said, yea pretty much in North Americal, Miller is [arguably] the top-dog with respect to inverter-based TIG welders.

HTP is just a company/brand name that is badged onto their welders, which are imported from Italy from a company called Stel. Supposedly they are one of the better European-based manufacturers of welders, and I believe them, and the rest of the internet does too.

Granted they are not as wide-spread used as Miller or Lincoln welders, but you won't find a single negative review on their Invertig line of TIG welders. That's a very tall order in today's society with the instantaneousness of the internet. That's not to say that not a single one has ever had issues, I'm sure there have been, but the rate is that low that you won't find any documentation of such occurrences. HTP is known for good customer service, but at the same time they are the sole importer of such machines and they are their own dealer/distributor based in Illinois, which means if by a very very slim chance you have an actual issue that is the machine's fault, it would have to be returned for service.

As if you couldn't tell, I am very happy with my Invertig 221. Fully loaded with dual-voltage capability and water-cooled torch setup ran me $3200 shipped during their Black Friday sale a couple years ago. Full Price would be ~$3500. Still not a bad deal at all. Goes down to 4 amps in DC and AC. It is a very high-quality machine that the batches received sell out several times a year. I also want to add, that eventually I would like to own a Miller 210dx or 280dx, if the finances ever permit it.

That being said, any good AC/DC machine with a stable low-end ouput would suit the bill. Most only go down to 10A, which should suffice unless you're working with REALLY thin stuff. Pulse capabiility is also desireable for thin sheet welding as you can find settings to puddle quick and still limit heat input into the base. The Tweco/Thermal Arc 186 is also a decent machine for the price.

Oscar,

Thanks for the info. You mentioned in your response that you'd eventually like to own a Miller 210DX or 280DX. What do they do differently or better than your HTP machine?

Thanks,
Tom

They have a few more options with the optional software upgrade that adds AC functionality.

TDab wrote:Oscar,

Thanks for the info. You mentioned in your response that you'd eventually like to own a Miller 210DX or 280DX. What do they do differently or better than your HTP machine?

Thanks,
Tom

Local service and support, more advanced arc control features. Haven't used a an HTP, but the Dynasty arc characteristics are fantastic