Tig Machine

[Highwang]

Can anyone tell me if Miller makes a portable Tig welder in the $250 to $ 400 price range. I am going to weld some Chrome-Moly tube that is .100 thick, and how many amps would be best for full penatration. I have been told to rent a welder but I would like to own a good welder, Thanks for your TIME!!!!

[dyn88]

I dont think you can own a tig welder for less than 1000 dollars. If you can swing it you may want to look at ebay and thermal arc power supplies. if the tubing is only one hundred thousanths thick you will only need a reliable 100 amps. You would probably be best off renting though.

[Blown S-10]

just the stuff to go with a tig machine can easily run over $400.

[wrench3047]

I've been doing alot of internet searches for welding equipment and supply stuff trying to get a feel for prices, equipment features etc... Well my point is there a lot of little machines out there for the hobbist. I'm not endorseing this machine but it's a complete setup, the closest to the price range you mentioned that I've seen.

http://tigdepot.com/products/p35TD-I90STSInverter.htm

[eric75]

I may be a little off here, but 100 amps seems low for .100 steel. It will definitely weld, but to get full penetration you would have to move fairly slow.

Then again, I use a foot pedal and only hold it down 3/4 of the way once I get the puddle going. Never been able to look at the display when I'm welding.

[dyn88]

loose rule of thumb is 1 amp per .001 of material thickness. of course this is not set in stone but a good base. Here comes the onslaught of critizism.

[Paul Seaman]

Dyn88:
There should be no criticism, you simply put a fact that is a known baseline starting point. The faster someones work habits the more amperage they will need for the given material, this can go the other way also slower= less amperage.
Peace,