Cheap (?) TIG - Is it worth it?

[Stuart Walker]

Hey all,


Just saw this on DealsDirect
TIG-160 Inverter Portable DC Tig Welder - Welders & Accessories - DealsDirect.com.au Australia

Skillmeister Tig 160 inverter portable DC Welder....

Am I correct that these are the ones that need a hand fed filler? (but are good for thin metal and different metals)

Does this one look any good (anyone else got one?)

Value?

Cheers,

Stu

[Matt Dyne]

Stuart,

This is a useful thread that might help

Review - Cheap E-bay TIG

Cheers,
Matt

[Warps]

I have a similar one that also has a stick and plasma cutter. It's great for stick, and not bad for TIG (although I'm still learning)

Is is HF start of scratch start - that's probably the biggest issue on these cheapies. Yes, you will need to manually feed the filler - surprisingly easy. Also as it's DC, you can't weld alloy. I struggle with really thin stuff (panels etc) and I keep blowing holes in it. It's great for 16GA and up though.

[Ben Wilson]

That isn't a bad little unit for the price. HF start, but DC only. It would be really nice on thin (1.6-3mm) mild and stainless. Perfect for exhuast systems and it wouldn't be bad for cages at a guess. Not so good for body work, as they like a perfectly clean surface to get a decent weld.

It will be a lot slower and harder to learn than a MIG.

You've also go to take into account things like gas costs etc.

[BT#581]

hi guys ESSETTI's are a very good brand of TIG at the lower end of the market in brand names we use a 170amp dc one along with a $5000 machine doing pipeline work for the petroleum/aviation industry. we have just finished a new refinery pipeline install at sydney airport and both of our machines were used to do the welding which all passed xray defect testing 100%.

search ebay for TOKEN TOOLS, he has a warehouse/shopfront at wyong on the central coast. with patience you will win one at a very good price, i have used his 200amp ac/dc tig and 40 amp plasma and found both to be good machines, the owner has an electrical background and did testing on most of the machines available out of china/taiwan and has made changes to them and now has them made to his spec. BOC range of welders are rebadged KEMPPII'S a german machine which are fantastic to use although i havent had a run on the boc branded version.

[Steerer]

I just bought an ebay special with 2 mates. we got it for 900bux.

Its a 200amp AC DC tig, plasma cutter and stick. Yet to turn it on though! will let you know how we go.

I have bought a 300 dollar special Mig from ebay about 2 years ago, it is a 160amp and hasnt missed a beat, does fantastic welds too!

[coxy]

Just thought I would update this thread for everyone's information.

Cheap Ebay etc Chinese tigs,the brand to look for Is manufactured by Shezough Riland so look for genuine riland as these get good peer reviews on the Welding forums I'm on

Try to steer clear of Combination machines as there are reliability issues with the circuit design of combo Tig/Plasma machines

Everyone will always advise you to go for the most powerfull machine you can get,Fine if you can afford that or your use justifies it.

There are options when it comes to the power requirements for Tig or Mig Welding that you will not be told by a salesman.
For welding Aluminium where the thickness is beyond your machines abilities you can use Welding grade Helium rather than Argon as it has less cooling effect and allows you to weld thicker alloy sections.
That is why you hear Yanks refer to Tigs as Heliarc welders as that once was the standard gas used.

Remember when welding Stainless steel it will require about 35~40 percent less heat therefore lower amperage settings than welding steel,so a smaller machine is not such a disadvantage in that regard.

Mig welding is similar as CO2 welds hotter than Argoshield (Argon~CO2 mixed gases),the most important thing with Mig welding though is to remember Weld penentration is much better and more trustworthy when welding upwards rather than downwards as a cold weld will look OK on the surface but failure can be critical when it comes to Roll Cages and Suspension components.

So as you can see the capabilities of the machine will vary with the gas you use the materials you weld and with the welding technique,All the Major Established manufacturers have available in printed form and online welding tips and instructions.
This is one area where I cannot stress too much Read The Manual and never assume anything,Check and Double Check the life in your hands may be your own.

[Ben Wilson]

Originally Posted by coxy

This is one area where I cannot stress too much Read The Manual and never assume anything,Check and Double Check the life in your hands may be your own.

Reading the manual on mine was an exercise in futility, hopefully there are some manuals online now for rebranded versions..