Which welder recommend?

[Harlok67]

Please help me in 'purchase of the welder.

MIG is less expensive, easier to use. You can weld small parts such as screws and washers to the frame? MIG that I'm interested in your opinion is: TELWIN: MIG/TIG/MMA Welding machines, Spot welding machines, Plasma cutting systems, Battery chargers and starters TECHNOMIG 150 DUAL SYNERGIC 230V code 816050

TIG is very expensive, it is more difficult to use, but allows you to weld small parts. This is an alternative TIG. : TELWIN: MIG/TIG/MMA Welding machines, Spot welding machines, Plasma cutting systems, Battery chargers and starters FORCE TIG 170 230V KIT PLASTIC C. CASE code 816214

 

[rcmedic]

The Everlast 140st is what I use to weld my cage. Awesome quality, can weld up against hobart's all day and you can't tell the weld difference. Biggest difference is it's side, and it's crazy low price

 

[Bogncrawl]

Thermal arc 95s tig is very affordable

 

[wings_of_fire]

I haven't welded mild steel using tig and have no idea if it can do it well. But I do use a dc tig to weld stainless steel only. AC tig is used to weld aluminium.

Mig is used on mild steel but the results are poor on stainless steel even though you change the gas and filler material.

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For DC tig make sure the machine has base current setting.
With a machine that has base current setting, you will be able to weld considerably thin sheet metal. When an arc is initiated, the current surge is quite high that can make a hole in thin sheet metal. To avoid this the machine initiates an arc with low current which is the base current and after few seconds autmatically switches to normal current setting.

 

[Calderwood]

Thermal arc 95s tig is very affordable

Thermal Arc is great. I have a Thermal Arc 185 AC/DC inverter tig. IMO it's a nicer machine than the red/blue competition.

 

[wings_of_fire]

Thermal Arc is great. I have a Thermal Arc 185 AC/DC inverter tig. IMO it's a nicer machine than the red/blue competition.

Have you tried welding mild steel using tig? if yes what were the results like?

 

[Calderwood]

Have you tried welding mild steel using tig? if yes what were the results like?

Yeah, I have tig welded mild steel exhaust tubing. There weren't any issues but they would have been better if it was back purged. I have welded a bit of mild to chromoly. Most of my tig time has been welding chromoly tubing when building 25-1e race cars.

 

[wings_of_fire]

Thanks Sam

For OP here is a nice link I just found.
Welding Tips and Tricks - TIG, MIG, Stick and a pantload of other info

 

[redcatkrawler]

It all depends what you will mostly be welding. Mild steel mig is best, you can tig. Stainless steel, you can mig, tig is best for small intricate parts. Aluminum needs ac. If your just doing mild steel, a miller or Lincoln flux cored would be good. No gas. Or one with gas setup for hard wire. Nicer welds. Also can run off 110 power vs 220 or 240. It all depends on what you want to do. A 110 welder will not weld as heavy guage as a 220, also look at duty cycle of the welder. 100% duty cycle is the best. 80% duty cycle means you can weld for 8 minutes, then need to let the welder rest for 2 minutes. 20% duty cycle, you can weld for 2 minutes, then rest 8 minutes. This doesn't mean you can't weld for more than 2 min nessacerilly, but your welds will start to look bad, most likely no penetration.

 

[redcatkrawler]

Thermal Arc is great. I have a Thermal Arc 185 AC/DC inverter tig. IMO it's a nicer machine than the red/blue competition.

These are good machines. I also haven't had any problems with my harbor freight tig welder, although I did have to rewire the plug to fit my dryer plug.

 

[Pixelfantasies]

This is the machine I was considering, I haven't made a decision. It's still being considered, but I have been brazing my few chassis together so I might just keep doing that. I have lots of other uses for it. But, this was going to be my main use. But, can't tig brake line very well so i've heard. So haven't made a decision since I don't know if it's worth it or not.
---------------
GENERAL OVERVIEW

Make: LOTOS
Year: 2013
Model: LTPDC2000D (5th Generation with improved HF board) The cover of the machine is red.
Type: 3-in-1 IGBT Pilot Arc 50A Plasma Cutter 200A TIG Welder, 200A STICK Welder
Condition: BRAND NEW (In Sealed Factory Box)
Status: IN STOCK (Ships in 2 Business Days)
Features:
• 50A plasma cutter.
• Dual Voltage (110/220), DUAL Frequency ( 50Hz/60Hz )
• Robust Infineon (By Siemens) IGBT Power Drive Matrix with PILOT ARC Plasma Cutter
• Brand new yet double function tested and performance tuned prior to shipping
• PAPST cooling system from Germany
• 3 Years Warranty on Parts and Labor from Lotos operated by Zion International Inc or other Authorized Lotos Dealers/Repair Centers.


• Input Voltage: 200~250 VAC
• Input Power Frequency: 50 hz / 60 hz (Better performance under 60 hz)
• Insulation Grade: B
• Housing Protection Grade: IP21
• Size: 15.5'' L x 8'' W x 12'' H
• weight: 43 IB, with ped: 52
• Certification: CE, CCC, CSA and ISO-9001 certification
• Power factor: 0.93
• Power efficiency: 85%



Accessories:
• Larger 60A Heavy Duty Plasma cutting torch. with Pilot Arc function and simple guide (not shown on the picture), (you can disconnect one cable to disable pilot arc function for this torch, all CNC users must use Pilot Arc function). (12' 2")
• 3 pieces are pre-installed on cutting torch.
• Tig Welding Torch WP-17 (with long and short caps) (12' 1")
• Air Filter/Regulator with accessories and brackets
• Air Hose (9' 3")
• Argon Regulator (U.S Standard Argon Regulator with CGA580 Connector
• Stick (ARC) Holder (10')
• Ground Clamp & Cable
• 220VAC Power Plug
• User Manual (Click Here)

• Quick Setup Guide (Click Here)



Warranty:
3 Years (Parts and Labor)

For Warranty Policy, Click Here.

ABOUT LOTOS
Since 2000 Lotos operated by Zion International Inc introduced Inverter Technology in welding and cutting machines. Lotos' latest high frequency inverter technology utilizes IGBT to deliver a far more constant, concentrated and precise current to the cutting surface. This technology has been substantially reduced in size and weight of Inverter Plasma Cutters. It helps you to easily achieve smooth, clean cuts of wide range of surfaces and material (e.g. stainless steel, alloy steel, brass, aluminum and other conductive material) with minimal heat input and without distortion of metal. Lotos Plasma cutters are designed especially for businesses and DIY (do-it-yourself) users, while fully accommodating the demands of professional operators.

SPECS:


Plasma Cutting
• 220~240VAC, 50/60HZ
• Duty Cycle: 60% at 50 amps and 100% at 35 amps
• Rated Input Current: 27 amps
• 3" Per minute @ 1" Steel (Severance Cut)
• 7" Per minute @ 3/4" Thick Steel
• 17" Per minute @ 1/2" Thick Steel
• Air Pressure Required: 60~70 psi @ 3.6 CFM

Tig Welding:
• Output Current: 15-200 Amps
• Power Usage 17 Amps @ 220VAC
• No Load Voltage: 62V
• Can Weld: Steel, Stainless, Moly, Ferrous
• Duty Cycle: 60% @ 200 Amps 100% @ 105 Amps
• High Frequency Start / HF Welding
• Working Voltage: 16.9V
• Gas Flow: 2-5L/min (using Argon supply)
• Footpedal fully adaptive. (Footpedal NOT included in the package)


Arc/Stick/MMA Welding:
• Output Current: 15-200 Amps
• Power Usage 23 Amps @ 220VAC
• No Load Voltage: 62V
• Can Weld: Steel, Stainless, Moly, Ferrous
• Duty Cycle: 60% @ 200 Amps 100% @ 95 Amps
• High Frequency Start / HF Welding
• Working Voltage: 25 Volts
• New Feature Added: Aluminum Welding for Stick Welding ONLY (patent pending)

 

[Calderwood]

But, can't tig brake line very well so i've heard.

You heard wrong. Brake line is easy to tig. The only complaint I had was how much gas you use in post flow since it takes so many short welds to complete a chassis.

 

[7echo]

I can't speak to those brands as we are running all Miller stuff currently. As for process 'tho, TIG is much more useful for RC scale things. If you want to fix your lawn mower deck and fab a trailer go MIG. If your main focus is on small and detailed things get a TIG setup.

 

[Pixelfantasies]

We have an industrial MIG for all of our large builds, this was mainly for small repairs, possibilities of tigging small aluminum projects, and of course tigging chassis. I'm definitely considering it. Anyone have suggestions as to the one I posted as to wether it is worth the cost? My dad has welded for many years and what I don't know he does. The stats seemed substantial enough for hobby use, just curious as to anyone's opinions on it or wether I should look into another. Perhaps better for the money, or if this should be capable of all I'd need and more.

 

[redcatkrawler]

I think thermal arc would be hard to beat besides a Lincoln or Miller.

 

[Harlok67]

I can't speak to those brands as we are running all Miller stuff currently. As for process 'tho, TIG is much more useful for RC scale things. If you want to fix your lawn mower deck and fab a trailer go MIG. If your main focus is on small and detailed things get a TIG setup.

That arc that I have now does not allow to weld small parts, the melts!.
I've seen some videos that clearly show how the TIG can weld small parts and does not heat up as much. I think I take the TIG "thumbsup"

 

[Hylander]

I can't speak to those brands as we are running all Miller stuff currently. As for process 'tho, TIG is much more useful for RC scale things. If you want to fix your lawn mower deck and fab a trailer go MIG. If your main focus is on small and detailed things get a TIG setup.

I have used my MIG for some small stuff but is not ideal. As 7echo states TIG is much easier for the small stuff.

TIG has a longer learning curve if you have never used one.

 

[spankbomb]

Where have you picked up your Thermal Arcs? I've tried purchasing online once already but the dealer had a shady reputation I was unaware of until after I placed my order.

Thanks!
Jon D.