Econotig discontinued?

[barkerw]

Anyone know if miller is discontinuing the Econotig as of recent? I didn't think so but i went to my local welding shop to get a quote and they told me that they thought they heard that and couldn't find it in their catalog.

If that is the case though, would you veteran welders advise against buying a welder that is discontinued?

[urch55]

Econotig or not Econotig that's the question

Anyone know if miller is discontinuing the Econotig as of recent? I didn't think so but i went to my local welding shop to get a quote and they told me that they thought they heard that and couldn't find it in their catalog.

If that is the case though, would you veteran welders advise against buying a welder that is discontinued?

Yes I heard the same thing. As far as buying one depends on the price and if the machine will do what you want it to do. and I would think torch parts would be available for it. But if some thing major goes wrong parts should be available at least for a while after that consider you got your moneys worth out of it and scrap it.. My opinion for what ever it's worth....Bob

[iliyahamovic]

econtig is not discontinued they just make them in small quantities, since technology went foward econtig stayed behind and now new machines with newer technology are out replacing old ones.

[kcstott]

Econotig is still in production but for a bit more money you can get a Syncrowave 200. I got mine in a tig runner for $1800. With filler, gas, torch parts and tungsten it was $2500 and some change. Much better machine for tig

I used an Econotig at the day job for some time a got that machine to do some amazing stuff but when I got my Sync it was a night and day difference. I had the amps to weld aluminum and the advantages of square wave form.

If you need a basic machine the Econotig is fine and is a very durable machine. But doesn't do thicker aluminum well at all and it will not run 1/8 7018 despite being 160 some amps rated. At least I had not luck with it. welds were cold and very convex. For a basic once in a while use it's more then enough. but if you plan on doing any serious welding it is not the right machine it's to small.

[tanglediver]

Econotig is still in production but for a bit more money you can get a Syncrowave 200. I got mine in a tig runner for $1800. With filler, gas, torch parts and tungsten it was $2500 and some change. Much better machine for tig

I used an Econotig at the day job for some time a got that machine to do some amazing stuff but when I got my Sync it was a night and day difference. I had the amps to weld aluminum and the advantages of square wave form.

If you need a basic machine the Econotig is fine and is a very durable machine. But doesn't do thicker aluminum well at all and it will not run 1/8 7018 despite being 160 some amps rated. At least I had not luck with it. welds were cold and very convex. For a basic once in a while use it's more then enough. but if you plan on doing any serious welding it is not the right machine it's to small.

That sounds very interesting, I just used my E-tig in stick mode for the first time last night with some 3/32" 7018's. I burned those up real good, too! I'll have to try some 1/8" rods very soon and see for myself.

[tanglediver]

OK, I got some time in with some fresh 1/8" 7018 Forney brand rods last night. Not all 7018 rods are going to burn the same and moisture is never going to help these rods, but I did what I could. They burned fine. Other than needing to practice with these more, they did just fine with the Econotig on electrode positive and set at 90% or better on the dial. I was aiming for 105 amps output, anyway here are some pics of the project. The material is 1/8" thick 2" X 3"rectangular tubing and a 1/4" thick piece of 3" X 10" channel.









In fact, I like the way they burn, very stable!

[tanglediver]

Here are a few more.

[Desertrider33]

The EconoTIG is not in the 2009 Miller product catalog. Neither is the Trailblazer Pro 350D. When that happens, it means Miller is no longer offering that product, which means production of those models is over and once current inventory is sold, new sales of those models will be over too. The EconoTIG was replaced by the Diversion 165, just like the Passport was replaced by the Passport Plus, Millermatic DVI, 210 and 251 were replaced by the DVI2, 212 and 252, respectively, and the TB Pro 350D was discontinued in favor of the Pro 300 and Pipe Pro 304. Out with the old, in with the new.

[deafman]

econotig is still available as a hobart

Last time I looked the Tigmate was still listed on the hobart website and northern tool catalog.

[urch55]

Eat Mooor 7018 yum yum

Tanglediver: I think your welds look great, It does look like the Econ-o-Tig likes 7018 for a snack. What was the project you were working on.??
.......Bob

[kcstott]

Well thats thin tube and thin plate, where your heat is used to melt the rod due to not needing as much heat to melt the base metal. Try it on 3/8" or 1/2" plate and see what you get. The heat required to melt into the base metal is much more and the bead is much more convex.
I tried to build a welding table and was just trying to tack down a 1-1/2" plate as the top to some 1/4 wall square tube. Fillet welds all around and the bead looked like I used a 110 volt mig welder Lots of cold lap and very convex.
What I'm getting at is the Econtig is rated at 140-160 amps depending on the model you have well 1/8" 7018 should run just fine at 125 or so amps. Well not with our Econotig.

OK, I got some time in with some fresh 1/8" 7018 Forney brand rods last night. Not all 7018 rods are going to burn the same and moisture is never going to help these rods, but I did what I could. They burned fine. Other than needing to practice with these more, they did just fine with the Econotig on electrode positive and set at 90% or better on the dial. I was aiming for 105 amps output, anyway here are some pics of the project. The material is 1/8" thick 2" X 3"rectangular tubing and a 1/4" thick piece of 3" X 10" channel.









In fact, I like the way they burn, very stable!

[tanglediver]

I see...

OK, the rod is run at a rating that falls within the parameters set by the manufacturer and found written on the box. Your machine should put that amperage out just fine, that is the only point I have.


Concerning 3/8" or 1/2" or 1-1/2" steel, that is entering the realm of structural thickness and as such will naturally require more prepwork than just whipping out the ole stinger and running beads. Time to bevel edges and preheat for sure! I would have to do the same whether it be with the E-tig or my XMT-304. Bevel the edges, clean to bright and shiny and bring the temperature up to 150 degrees with a torch and start with a fresh box of 7018's. That should flatten your beads out nicely!

[kcstott]

I see...
OK, the rod is run at a rating that falls within the parameters set by the manufacturer and found written on the box. Your machine should put that amperage out just fine, that is the only point I have.

That's my point The welder says it puts out X amount of amps but in reality the welds I was trying to make were not hot enough. I should not have to pre heat half inch plate. The 1.5" piece was just the table top resting on the tube frame, I was just trying to keep it from sliding off, no prep needed on a blanchard ground piece with fillet welds. Now my Syncrowave at home will run 1/8" 7018 with no problem amps set to 125-130 DCEP With the Econotig cranked wide open it would barely run them.