I wasn't looking for this, but I found a guy on CL selling a Miller Dialarc HF welder for $150.

I haven't used a TIG welder before, only MIG and Oxy-Acetelene, but I've heard that TIGs are good for more accurate welding, and welding SS and Aluminum. I'd likely be welding only SS and CS though.

Also, at the moment all I have to power anything 220V is a dryer outlet. I would have to check the amperage available in the circuit. I only plan on welding sheet metal up to 16 gauge, so hopefully I can get what I need from that.

I don't know much about TIG welders, but this seems to be a good deal even if it needed a bit of repair work. Here's the link: http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/va...129823922.html

What do you guys think?

 

$150 .. Unless it's 3 phase, grab it with both hands

 

No. It will will be difficult to learn on and not have the ajustability to need to work on automotive type stuff.
A good used TIG is going to be $1500-2000 and expect to have another $1000.00 you will tie up in consumables and accesories.

 

http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb...arc-hf-165153/

This one comes with the foot pedal already. Both hands I say... if it's working and not 3 phase

 

I just bought a Mig-Pak 180 from lincoln at Canadian tire not too long ago.

I know it's not a tig, but so far it' sbeen able to weld through anything.

And you can buy the aluminum spool gun if you want.

 

I had a hard time reading the specs from the pic. Go to Miller site and read info, manual if available.
If it runs, has torchhead, cables and footpedal, it's a steal. But buying sight unscene and shipped it is a risk. If I saw it at a garage sale, I grab it even not working.

 

Thanks guys,
Richard's comment about the consumables kind of raised a red flag. I don't want to get into something that will cost me a whole lot. I might just stick with my MIG. Just because it seems like a really good deal though, I still sent the guy an email asking for the model number.

 

That unit looks BIG. You may not be able to use it for sheetmetal and small stuff.

Good price, though.

How much room have you got? You can't have too many tools.

- Eric

 

You're right, it sure does look like overkill for what I'd be doing. I'm assuming the adjustments would let me work on the small stuff, but I'm waiting for more info on it to confirm that.

I haven't heard back from the seller. This unit might be gone already. Gotta love it when they keep the ad up even though it's sold.

 

He marked it sold pending .... he's waiting for someone who called to show before closing it. It would go low enough ... but it's a whole lot of machine. With that, you'd never lack ... but your electric bill at the end of the month might make you cry.

Tig doesn't take much. You can grab the tail of a tig torch lead with your SMAW (stick) stinger, work your gas release manually from a bottle of argon and scratch starting is no harder than starting a stick ... there's nothing magical about it Given the lack of sparks and splatter, it's definitely worth knowing when you're welding up an exhaust inches from the gas tank. You don't need all the fancy bells and whistles to get the job done on cold steel.

 

Here's a photo of my welder.

originally i bought a crappy 120V stick,

This puppy can chew through my frame quicker than oprah on a baked ham.