AC/DC Tig/Stick Welder...

**Dave___in___CT** · 03-02-2004, 07:28 AM

Hi...

Looking for recomendations/comments re. a top-tier-brand welder less than $1300 street price...
Make/model/price... and input circuit requirements for 230v...

I'll take the plunge on the Miller Maxstar 150 STL if I don't find a suitable AC/DC unit... I think I will miss not being able to Tig aluminum with it though...

Looking at the Miller Econotig at $1245... AC/DC Tic/Stick... but the owner's manual says it needs an 80amp input circuit !!!

...with a "dissconnect device"... (whatever this is and cost?) The main electrical panel is 100amp service... and I can remove the 30amp 220v electric range breaker space for the welder's breaker... (no electric range)

...also... there's special grounding requirements shown on pg 20-21 if "high frequency" is used... need to ground everything within 50 feet of the welder !! These requirements are a show stopper since the welder will be in a garage under the house with water pipes... electric/telephone wires etc...

Is this a concern with the Econotig ?

Other makes/models comparable/better than the Econotig ?

Thanks...

Dave...

**arcdawg** · 03-02-2004, 09:43 AM

dave, check out the new precision tig 185,from lincoln...... i have used the 175 and its a great begining machine... they have updated it to extra 10 amps and has a built in pulser, for around 1500.00 on ebay ac/dc tig stick and you can put on a watercooler

brian

i guess that ct is going to take this board over !!!!

**Ed in Ga** · 03-02-2004, 11:35 AM

Dave,
Any of the tranformer type machines (Miller 180 SD or Lincoln PT 185) require a higher input current than the inverters. The only AC/DC inverter close to your price range that I'm aware of is the Esab 161.
HTH
Ed

**Orgalmeister** · 03-02-2004, 03:39 PM

Dave

Grounding for high frequency is not a concern with the Econotig. It doesn't have high freq. Nor have I encountered ant high freq. problems with my current machine.

Transformer welders do require higher imput amperage. But you have to think about how you will be using it. It will only draw full amps at max welding amps. If you are planning on welding at that much power often I would look into a Bigger machine. I welded with my Econotig at full power off my 50amp circuit but not for long periods of time and the breaker didn't pop or get warm. What are you looking to weld? How well a machine does on the bottom end is just as important as the max end IMHO. I can always prep and run multiple beads on thick stuff. It's the thin stuff that hard to do and where tig shines.

Steve

**Dave___in___CT** · 03-03-2004, 06:43 AM

Thanks guys...

I ordered the Miller Maxstar 150 STL package...

Figured if I get into aluminum etc. I might want more capabilities than the Econostar... I have no experience w/ Tig yet...

Dave...

**arcdawg** · 03-03-2004, 07:28 AM

dave i think that the maxstar is a dc machine only, so i dont think that you will be able to do aluminum with it...... thats why they are so much chaeaper then the dynasty, check out miller site it will provde the proper info .

brian

**Orgalmeister** · 03-03-2004, 05:40 PM

Dave

The Maxstar series is DC only. Not going to do aluminum very well, if at all. Also the Econotig has a little more top end but less on the bottom. To keep within your budget you might have to look for used machinery.

Steve