I am looking for the best tig welder for under a grand. I don't really car about name brand. Looking to have capability to do aluminum as well, all though i may not be able to touch that for my budget.

Keep a eye on the local equipment auctions I scored a Miller syncro wave 250 at one a while back. 600 bones with all the bells and whistles with spare parts too. It'll weld anything ya ever need to weld.

i dont think youll find a new one for under 1000 thats worth it.

yeah, nothing new is going to be worth it for under a grand

I'm starting to find that out. I think the best bang for the buck so far is a Miller econotig.

only ac/dc for around 1300.00

if you want a tig that will do aluminum i would be thinking closer to 2000 price mark, i would look for used and you will probably find a some thing cheeper if you look at wire feed welders,

I'm starting to find that out. I think the best bang for the buck so far is a Miller econotig.

only ac/dc for around 1300.00

I have a lot of experience with a miller sincrowave, it is a REALLY nice welder, but I think the new pricetag is about 2 grand.

If you raise your budget I hear lots of good things about the Miller Syncrowave 180SD.

I have the 180 and runner. I recommend it, if you shop around you can pick it up for ~ $1600.

John

Try harbofreight, I don't know crap about welders but here is a link.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=91890

Yeah, good luck. My mig was about 800. Lemme know when and where you find a good tig for that money.

I'm starting to find that out. I think the best bang for the buck so far is a Miller econotig.

only ac/dc for around 1300.00

no such thing as bang for the buck with welders - you gotta pay $1500+ for a nice tig, anything less will be a waste of money. I'd recommend either the Miller 180 or the Thermal Arc 185(never heard a bad word about either) - the Econotig just really isn't worth the money.

Like James Vick said, search for used if you can - $600 for a Synch 250 is amazing (I learned on that machine and it's about all you'll ever need). But if you have to get new then make sure you spend a few hundred extra on a good machine rather than pissing away $1k+ on something you'll outgrow in a week (keep in mind though the only features you need are HF start and AC balance, you don't need a pulser).

btw - what do you plan on using it for, manifolds, STB's, seam welding? I take it you've never tigged before? If so, try to get some experience if you can before committing to that kind of money

you could also try hobart welders there nice

i just sold my syncrowave 300, and bought a syncrowave 180.. its a good welder for the house and garage. you will be able to do most of the things that you would want to do.. i bought mine for $1700 with the runner kit.

Thanks for the advice. I will probably just save up more and get the 180 then. Yes i have tigged before, been a couple years though.

The best welder under $2k in my opinion is the Thermal Arc 185tsw. It is the only welder in that price range that is an inverter, runs on 220, and does aluminum. It has all the fancy bells and whistles and plenty of power. They can be had on ebay for around $1700 including torch, pedal, regulator, etc. Just add bottle and rod. The cheaper inverters are weak and forget aluminum. Buy used if possible, but expect a bigger non-inverter welder. I also wouldn't bother with anything that runs on 110.

andris