Recommendations for A Small TIG Welder for Aluminium

[Machine]

Vpt - How much control does the Lincoln 175 provide if you wanted to weld very thin wall aluminum? I'm thinking about getting one (or one of the Millers mentioned) to use for fabbing up lightweight bicycle frames, which can have beer can-like wall thicknesses.

[vpt]

With the foot control it can be turned way down and can weld very thin stuff. I haven't tried the pop can weld but I did attempt a razor weld once. If I would have tried a few I could have got it nicer, this was my one attempt.

[J Tiers]

I have a ThermalArc 300GTSW. They are made by SanRex in Japan. It is a good machine, for the most part. I can't remember how many IGBTs I have replaced in them.

Well, THAT is certainly not a 'ringing endorsement"...... unless it is the vendor's head ringing.........

About what I figured......... TANFL

[derekm]

these work very well on aluminium, but you need local support which luckily I have.

and like other invertors you have to stop them eating conductive dust a filterless solution is best

[BigBoy1]

I appreciate the inputs received so far. I went to my local welding supplier and asked about small TIG welders. Since he is a Miller dealer, he was pushing Miller products. His recommendation for my needs was the Miller Dynasty 200 DX. He said it would do all I wanted it to do. Then he quoted a price of $4,450 which included all of the cables, valves, holders, etc. and a tank or argon gas. I was totally blown away as I didn't realize welders were that expensive!

I realize that a quality machine is not going to be given away but that is way out of my buget range. I was thinking more of something in the $500 to $1000 range. Am I out in left field? Would something that inexpensive work or would it be money thrown away because after a while I have to get the more expensive machine to do what I want to do? I envision the welding I'll be doing is tack welding, putting two parts together so they won't move relative to each other. Somenting like tacking a 1/8" sheet to a 1/2" dia rod to make a wind chime sail. No long weld beads.

[kennyd4110]

You may want to check out the Everlast Welders, probably a little closer to your price range:

http://www.usawelders.com/m1-Everlast.html

[BigMike782]

You kind of have two choices.
1)name brands like Miller or Lincoln.Known quality and support but higher price.
2)lesser known imports like Everlast,Harbor Freight or Longevity.Closer to your price point but quality and support can be sketchy.

You want small and the ability to do aluminum and those together require an inverter which is still fairly new technology and therefore can be pricey.

[vpt]

With the budget I would watch craigslist for a used rectifier machine. It may be big and heavy but if you don't have to move it around you won't know it.

The inverter machines will be expensive.

[DHACK666]

Hi new to the forum. Have been lurking for a few months. Looks like a good place to hang out. I'm from Ontario and metal working is only my hobby.

I know a lot of people swear by the two main names in welding and don't care for the china made units but I purchased an Everlast unit about 8 months ago and have not regretted it. I'm not a welder but have used a couple of Lincolns.
I have a 5 year old Lincoln Mig welder and it has paid for itself. But when looking into a tig welder for hobby purposes I could not justify the price. I was looking for a reasonable priced unit but with a good warranty as well as support.

Everlast has a 5 year warranty in the US and a 3 year in Canada. The 3 year is do to the price. They kept the price the same as the US but lowered the length of the warranty. They have a great forum and support. They have issues with shipping and damage to the units but have replaced them ASAP. There is a guy on YouTube search "welding tips and tricks" his main units are millers but he also runs an Everlast unit.
Here is a coke can weld video...http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/...g-machine.html

no matter which machine you go with, the tips and tricks site is very informational.

I know this is a bit long winded but I just thought it is worth looking at.

http://www.everlastgenerators.com/

Cheers

[Machine]

Quality welders are very expensive. But no way no how should you need to pony up that kinda cash for a new welder. You're not doing aircraft welding or architectural structural members were you need exacting weld penetrations down to the gnat's ass. You're only doing artistic, ornamental welding as a hobby so you don't need the latest-greatest stuff a pro would need. As soon as these welders are purchased, they depreciate by 1/3 as soon as you load it into your truck. You should be able to pick up a lightly used, quality Lincoln/Hobart/Miller welder in very good condition in your local classifieds or especially craigslist for around a $1000. I look for them all the time and am just waiting for the right one to come along for my needs. I suggest you do the same.

I appreciate the inputs received so far. I went to my local welding supplier and asked about small TIG welders. Since he is a Miller dealer, he was pushing Miller products. His recommendation for my needs was the Miller Dynasty 200 DX. He said it would do all I wanted it to do. Then he quoted a price of $4,450 which included all of the cables, valves, holders, etc. and a tank or argon gas. I was totally blown away as I didn't realize welders were that expensive!

I realize that a quality machine is not going to be given away but that is way out of my buget range. I was thinking more of something in the $500 to $1000 range. Am I out in left field? Would something that inexpensive work or would it be money thrown away because after a while I have to get the more expensive machine to do what I want to do? I envision the welding I'll be doing is tack welding, putting two parts together so they won't move relative to each other. Somenting like tacking a 1/8" sheet to a 1/2" dia rod to make a wind chime sail. No long weld beads.