small dc welder for scratch start tig

[muddstopper]

I have been thinking about buying a small 110v welder to make a scratch start tig rig out of. This will be used for very thin carbon and maybe some thin stainless tig welding. I have a 250amps stick tig rig already, but it isnt exactly portable. I just need something I can take with me, doesnt need a lot of amps, and doesnt need to be 100% duty cycle. Will mostly be using in the 40-80 amp range. I just need recommendations for a cheap DC only machine. I dont mind an import for this situation, I dont want to buy something that is totally junk either.
Lets hear what users of the smaller machines suggest.

 

[k0ua]

I use my Everlast PA160 for scratch start TIG and it is ideal, but my model is not 120 volt. However the newer models the PA160sth are HF start also.. But you could look at the Everlast PA140ST, small, comes equipped with tig torch and is 120/240 volt. Has digital readout of the current and come with a carrying case. Give it a look

POWERARC 140ST | Everlast Generators

 

[muddstopper]

Actually, I have already looked at the PA140st. Little more machine than I had planned on, but in a reasonable price range for the extras of 240v and the tig torch included. I already have a couple of small tig torches, I just need something to hook them to. Now if that thing popsup on Amazon with a big discount, I am all over it. Since the last 2 amazon everlast deals, I have found myself checking them at least once or twice a week. LOL

Really, I pretty much have everything for a scratch start tig, except the small welder. Those small import el-cheapos HF machines sort of scare me, but in reality, something el-cheapo is what i am really looking for. Just dont know which ones to really avoid and which ones might be ok

 

[Arc weld]

I don't know if Everlast has something or not but Thermal Arc which is now labelled Tweco has some small inverters than run on 120 volts. They have standard models and TIG models. I think the smallest one is 95 amps or something close to that.

 

[muddstopper]

I think this is the Thermal Arc machine you are referring to. Thermal Arc 95S Stick Welder Package W1003202 . I dont know much about them, but it would seem to me for the money the EverLast 140st would be the better buy, plus it does give you the 240v option if you need it. Anyways, still not what I am looking for. I am wanting cheap, cheap, cheap, since this machine would only be used for limited amounts of welding. If I need a bigger machine, I have that already.

I am kind of leaning toward this Inverter Arc Welder - 80 Amp. It goes on sale everynow and then for about $89.

 

[k0ua]

I don't think you are going to find much of anything cheaper than that little harbor freight inverter. And you said cheap was your main criterion for the selection, so there you have it. Give it a try, and tell us how it worked.

 

[Furu]

I am wanting cheap, cheap, cheap, since this machine would only be used for limited amounts of welding. If I need a bigger machine, I have that already.

I am kind of leaning toward this Inverter Arc Welder - 80 Amp. It goes on sale everynow and then for about $89.

Harbor freight list its capabilities as
18 gauge (3/16 in.)

That alone makes me question everything they say as 18 gauge is not 3/16th.

You get what you pay for and I think you will be disappointed but it is "cheap cheap cheap" as you say.

Keep look on CL maybe something else will come up. It appears you are looking at less than $100 price range????????

 

[MinnesotaDaveChalmers]

I bought one of these little century inverters on a whim once just to see what they would do.

$100 new in the box. Stick welding was ok, nothing great, but ok.
But when I clipped a tig torch to it for laughs, it welded really nice who would have thought...

 

[k0ua]

I bought one of these little century inverters on a whim once just to see what they would do.

$100 new in the box. Stick welding was ok, nothing great, but ok.
But when I clipped a tig torch to it for laughs, it welded really nice who would have thought...

View attachment 387603

Very similar looking to the HF unit. Knob placement is different, but gotta wonder if they didn't come out of the same plant.

 

[Big Barn]

I bought one of these little century inverters on a whim once just to see what they would do. $100 new in the box. Stick welding was ok, nothing great, but ok. But when I clipped a tig torch to it for laughs, it welded really nice who would have thought... <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/welding/387603-small-dc-welder-scratch-start-image-jpg"/>

Good to know. As you say, 'who would have thought'.

Terry