Welding Tips and Tricks

So, I am new to welding and am looking to buy my first welder. I want a TIG welder. I have a budget between $800 - $1600. Looking to buy something once ( may upgrade down the road ). Any help would be much appreciated.

Buying something “once” usually means buying the “best”. A budget restriction of $1,600 won’t get you the “best” that down the road won’t drive you to upgrade.

Name brands TIG boxes that are fully featured and “upgradeable via software” run closer to $3,500. So, at your budget, you can buy a very good quality DC TIG, or you can buy an second or third tier brand AC/DC TIG. And there’s nothing wrong with those machines, other than the nameplate and some warranty inconvenience.

There is an import TIG, Primeweld, sold via eBay that gets unusually strong reviews, and runs right around $1,000. If you’re a hobbyist, and want a capable machine to support you learning DC and AC TIG, it should be a strong candidate. You can save the balance of your budget for a quality helmet, consumables, and accessories as these will cost more than the welding machine.

Also take a look at the AHP AlphaTIG 201XD, they seem to get good reviews

If you're looking to "buy something once," buy a transformer machine, not a Chinese lunchbox that you have to replace like lightbulbs...

Lightning wrote:If you're looking to "buy something once," buy a transformer machine...

That's a "legacy" idea. Sure transformers are well built, but they're old technology, won't support features and upgrades, and in the near future, not likely to have manufacturer Support. Not to mention the power draw... Even pipeliner machines are/have converted to Inverter technology.

There's plenty of quality boxes out there, in all kinds of price ranges. The OP just have to determine his threshold for risk/budget.

ijchase281 wrote:So, I am new to welding and am looking to buy my first welder. I want a TIG welder. I have a budget between $800 - $1600. Looking to buy something once ( may upgrade down the road ). Any help would be much appreciated.

Want to buy once? triple your budget, and then lets talk.

If your just learning then I’d recommend this.
https://www.weldingsuppliesfromioc.com/ ... der-907710

It’s a great stick and tig machine. You can get a foot pedal or a torch mounted amp control. It is dc only so no aluminum but it’s more than enough for SS and steel. I have one on my work truck that’s run hundreds of pounds of filler.

https://www.weldingsuppliesfromioc.com/ ... e-w1006301
This might be an option if you want aluminum capabilities.