TIG machine
 

Welders, I am in the market for a TIG machine. This will be for personal, hobby usage, not production usage.

For reference, I have a Hobart 230 MIG that is an excellent machine. Does Hobart have a good TIG machine?

Other suggestions?

Re: TIG machine
 

My preference is Lincoln, and by a wide margin. Their 175 is plenty for most people, it will handle a chrome moly chassis and cage with ease.


Be aware, Weldcraft has the best TIG torches, and you do want water cooled. You also want a gas lens for the torch, and a pretty decent selection of cups, collets, and tungsten.


I strongly suggest "Performance Welding" by Richard Finch.

Re: TIG machine
 

Larry,

I will also recommend the Lincoln 175. When I was looking for a TIG machine my brother said they had 4 of these machines in their shop and all the welders loved them. As luck would have it when I went looking for a machine I found a dealer with 10 of them coming off lease. I got a terrific deal: machine, new cables, new torch, cart, and a 1 year guarantee for 1/2 of new price. Shop around, you might get lucky.

I added a Furick cup which is probably about the same as the glass cup Alan recommended. These are a great tool. You can stick that tungsten way out there, get into tight corners, and have a wonderful view of the weld puddle. We have done several roll bars, a roll cage, and all kinds of brackets and other stuff. I am very happy with this machine. Good luck.

Re: TIG machine
 

Furick does make the gas lens and the cup I was talking about. They sell a wide selection of good products.


I also strongly recommend a top drawer auto darkening helmet, with the biggest lens you can afford, and maximum adjustability. The good ones, like Lincoln, are even capable of accepting "cheaters" for us old guys who need glasses of some sort.

Re: TIG machine
 

Surfing the web, it seems that Lincoln no longer makes the 175. I see a 180 and 200.

Re: TIG machine
 

The Square Wave TIG 175 is commonly available used, and for under $1K.