Welding Tips and Tricks

I'm looking to get a 'starter' TIG machine. Have to have AC because I want to weld aluminum. Thinking about the AHP AlphaTIG 200X. $800 on Amazon is in my price range, and I've seen some very good reviews of the machine. Anybody here with any experiences with one? All info appreciated.

I don't have experience with the Alpha, but the garage journal is having a group buy on it. They are trying to get a very low price and consumables. The thread is :
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/show ... p?t=285092

roy.s wrote:I don't have experience with the Alpha, but the garage journal is having a group buy on it. They are trying to get a very low price and consumables. The thread is :
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/show ... p?t=285092

No matter how cheap a product is listed people still want things cheaper!

I have one. I love it.

Not sure how much of a group buy you will get when AHP still had a ton of backorders selling at retail price. Folks over there are wanting a $200 AC/DC TIG stick, MIG, plasma, microwave DVR machine with coffee rewarming torch that works like a $4000 Dynasty.

gamble wrote:

roy.s wrote:I don't have experience with the Alpha, but the garage journal is having a group buy on it. They are trying to get a very low price and consumables. The thread is :
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/show ... p?t=285092

No matter how cheap a product is listed people still want things cheaper!

I have one. I love it.

Agreed. Then spend what they save on some hokey, overpriced consumables kit. Sounds like Mr. TIG's home turf.

I had one, it was a good TIG welder, but a terrible stick welder, so I got rid of it. Didn't suit my purposes. I personally didn't like the foot pedal or the torch which are common beefs. A new torch costs $100-150, a new foot pedal will cost $150-$170. So, be sure to add an extra $300 into your budget. Then you have to start to think if I am spending $1100, are there better choices? I tend to think maybe an Everlast starts to come into the picture.