I am looking at getting a new machine. As the title states I am bouncing back and forth about which way to go TIG or MIG. Wife says that it can be a B'day present.:cool2:
The reason I want a new/different machine is Aluminum. My current Stick machines will do great at whatever thickness I need. I have been doing scratch-start Tig (thanks to Shield Arc) so I can TIG steel and am good with that. I am looking for more flexibility and the ability to do Aluminum. (and I don't want to have to get a Helium bottle.) Thus the search for which to focus on.
I am not the type to be satisfied with getting a low powered MIG (of course low powered Mig's might have a bit of a problem with Aluminum anyway) because if I have it I will also want to use in on thicker steel and it just won't do it. If I get a Mig I would have to have a spool gun or a real short feed and even then that might have a problem. A higher amperage Mig will run into very serious money or so I believe (especially with the spool gun).
If I go TIG the simpler/less expensive ones won't work, as the DC only TIGs won't allow me what I want. I have an argon bottle so no new bottle if I get a dedicated AC/DC Tig where with MIG I would need a new bottle.
What other trade-offs does the collective have to bring up to "help" the decision?
What other issues have I not addressed that I should?
First,
Establish your maximum budget for whatever you want to spend. I think that is of utmost importance. Try to establish a range in your budget. What you like to spend. What you could spend if you needed, and the absolute max price you'd pay that would keep you out of the dog house.
That will help guide you into what you need to consider.
Second,
Determine how thick you will actually weld in DC and in AC. That will narrow things down a bit further.
With that said, I'll put the balance of my 2 cents worth in.
You should look at inverters. They are the only thing that makes sense from a price and performance perspective. Ever wonder why you don't see a lot of "NEW" transformer machines introduced, and why many are being replaced by inverter models. Yeah, the durability thing and all the other things you hear about transformers make them look appealing, but honestly, anything made in the last 20 years will have electronics in them...even transformers. Anything really old will have many obsolete parts, and consume large amounts of electricity, AND require a visit to the back doctor after moving just once by yourself.
MIG/TIG/Stick units do not offer AC TIG. But they can offer a decent solution to times when you have a need to do aluminum, with a spool gun option.
Unless it is an Everlast, you typically won't find items like HF start in TIG, built in preflow/postflow control, no pulse or whatever, so you wouldn't improve the TIG function from what you already have been working with for the most part, but it would still be there as an "add on" when needed.
My simple recommendations are:
If you are willing to look at a company like ours, we can offer both a reasonably well equipped and powerful MIG with a spool gun and a decent AC DC TIG for still about half or less of any other brands inverter TIG. And still cheaper than many MIGs in the performance range you are looking for.
This would give you the ability to be flexible and do anything you would like without much restriction.
If not or if you have the budget, Craig's list around to see if you can find an almost new Miller or Lincoln inverter with some warranty left. It's possible to get a few hundred dollars off, and the liklihood of getting one now is better than ever since Miller has ditched the 200DX in favor of releasing the new 210DX. People will trade their nearly new iphone bought a few months ago just to get the latest model, and it's not much different with SOME welders...so you might, just might find a deal. Lincoln has the new 200 as well, but it is fairly limited on features...but still a relatively well priced unit from a major company...at least until they get everyone hooked and jump the price.
Anyway, those are some options to consider.
