TIG welders are designed for the Gas Tungsten Arc Welding process (GTAW), which is commonly referred to as the Tungsten Inert Gas process (TIG welding). The TIG process derives the heat for welding from an electric arc established between a non-consumable tungsten electrode and the part to be welded. Filler metal, if used, is manually fed into the weld puddle when TIG welding.
The process requires an air or water-cooled torch to hold the tungsten electrode and is connected to the TIG welder. The TIG welding process also requires an external shielding gas, typically argon, helium, or a mixture of the two to protect the molten metal and electrode from atmospheric contamination.
A qualified TIG welder can in most cases do better welds compared to the MIG and ARC methods. The TIG welding process also has all position welding capability and is excellent on very thin materials. Additionally, a TIG welder makes welds that have outstanding appearance, and clean-up is fast and easy since there is no slag and essentially no spatter.
In this MIG comparison table you can find specs and pros/cons of the best welder machines for your needs
Our rating EVERLAST PowerARC 160STH High Frequency Start TIG / Stick IGBT Welder 110v/220v |
Features
Short review Welder comes with adapter for 220v to 110v input, stick stinger, 17 Tig torch with finger switch, work clamp, regulator, hard case, hose, and some consumables. Better to run the machine at 220V – has better duty cycle. With 115V will pop the 20 amp breaker easily EVERLAST PowerARC 160STH has very nice finish, HF start, built in gas solenoid, smooth ARC both GTAW and SMAW, hot start and auto arc control. The newer units (after 2014) allow you to limit the output current on the welder panel i.e. set welder to 60 amps at machine panel and the pedal will go from 0A and stop at 60A. Older models (2013 and older) have 22k pedal and newer units use a 47k pedal. Cons. The welder has not AC output, with DC one welding aluminum is much harder (limited to certain expensive aluminum rods for stick welding). The gas regulator leaks. The gas hose is a cheap vinyl hose, it works but is cheap. Overall, PowerARC 160STH does a good job, cant be beat for the money. However if you are used to a red or blue machine this will be very different. |
Our rating |
Features
230V, single-phase TIG AC/DC Welder
Short review Welding package that offers a single knob control making it the easiest AC/DC TIG welder to use. Just plug it into 230 VAC, connect the shielding gas, select the material and thickness, and you are ready to weld. The welder does all the work in automatically setting up parameters: AC or DC, the current levels, pre- & post-flow and other. Included: EZ-TIG with primary cord and plug attached, 12.5 ft Legacy 17 Weldcraft TIG torch, foot-operated control, 12 work cable with clamp, gas regulator/flowmeter and shielding gas hose. One switch control AC output for superior aluminum welding, DC output for mild and stainless steel. HF start to allow for a non-contact arc start to eliminate tungsten and material contamination. Auto-postflow to provide optimum shielding based on welding amperage without waste or need for adjustment. The torch is air-cooled, welder better to use with 50A single phase breaker, but the unit will operate fine on a 30 amp circuit Overall, the machine looks like Miller Diversion 165 with Hobart badges and cheaper than the Miller. It is the very similar welder with most the same parts and accessories. This portable Hobart is more than enough for the average weekend fabricator. Unlike the cheap Chinese TIG welders the Hobart will last a very long time, has great warranty and customer service |
Miller 951766 Millermatic 255 MIG/Pulsed MIG Welder w/EZ-Latch Running Gear- 208/240V Our rating |
Features
Short review Millermatic is easy-to-use and versatile welder. Pulsed MIG welding delivers higher quality Lower heat input for less distortion on thin materials, less spatter minimizes post weld grinding and rework allowing more welding time. Color screen featuring Auto-Set Elite. This all-in-one welder connects to 120 or 240 volt input power. Welds up to 3/8 mild steel. The machine does not have HF. For DC tig welding Miller has a good lift start process. That’s why no one has hf on these type of welders. Miller as an advantage of the model over the Lincoln and Rebel has a better spool gun available in the Spoolmate 150. It gives you additional top end power and increased duty cycle that can’t be added/changed on the 200. Wire diameter The arc characteristics of miller’s tig welders are smooth as can be. Clean weld with no pinholes or spatter. Material thickness: Al 18 ga. (1.02 mm) – 1/2 (13mm), Mild Steel 24 ga. (.51 mm) – 1/2 (13mm).
|
Our rating AMICO POWER XYST20502018 ST-205 Amp Lift-TIG Torch/Stick/Arc Welder, Red |
Features
Includes:
Can weld carbon steel, stainless steel, copper and other color metal, and you can use it for traditional electric welding. Short review The TIG torch is good quality, but the positive lead bends a little when gets hot. Hinges on front plastic cover break easily.
It’s a simple lightweight start inverter. Machine works well for light & medium type of work. Will be fine for occasional use. For a under $300 price this is the best machine.
|
A TIG welder, also known as a tungsten inert gas welder or gas tungsten arc welder, is a subcategory of arc welders that is effective in the welding of stainless steel and other nonferrous materials. Aluminum and magnesium are the most common materials used, but copper alloys are also often welded using a TIG welder.
A TIG welder works by using a shielding gas, such as argon or another inert gas, a filler metal and a constant-current power supply. It creates a column of plasma which conducts energy to the base material, causing it to melt. Such a welder requires a high level of expertise, but in trained hands, it offers greater control than many types of welders. This specific welder is a particularly good choice for welding thin pieces of metal that require precision.
There are several options out there for someone wanting to purchase a TIG welder. Smaller inverter models that get their power from a circuit board, can function on a mere 110-230 volts. A TIG welder with less power does not have the precision of a larger model, but is portable and is often kept on hand as a back-up or for small home projects. A larger inverter TIG welder may require up to 460 volts to operate. Because it is larger, it is less portable, but features increased precision. Many people prefer a larger TIG welder because it offers an incredible amount of control over the arc. A rectifier or transformer TIG welder generates its current using a transformer and requires much more power than its inverter counterparts. Rectifier welders have been around longer than inverters, which are relatively new to the market, and remain a popular choice amongst professionals who have trusted their power and precision for years. A rectifier TIG welder may weigh as much as 150 pounds, however, and is therefore not as portable as an inverter TIG welder.
Thank you.
I bought Amico 200 – nice and compact DC welder with TIG.
I was impressed with the quality given the price, reasonably priced setup with stick&tig.
I have Miller Multimatic 215 machine and it is a wonderful unit.
I’ve thought about getting the Lincoln 210mp, but purchased this Miller instead because it has 2 gas inputs!
Super easy to setup and weld!
I have Miller and it is fantastic. I’m a hobby welder. I make things in the weekends. It strikes really easy. For the weekend warrior this is a great little machine. Much better than the harbor freight machines. I haven’t tried the TIG attachment yet but it seems okay. All in all, worth the money.
It sure feels GREAT when the welds all come together.
Definitely a feeling of accomplishment!
My TIG welder is one of my favorites, one of the best products in the business.
Thank you for review.
I’m going to buy the unit and your table is useful for me.
Amico is a great machine! Works great and the price is reasonable.
If you don’t weld oil pipes 24/7 🙂
Writing great articles like this should take a lot of time.
Great and ruly special website!
I have Miller 951674 Multimatic kit – great multiprocess machine. I wouldn’t want to live without it!
Great review, thanks