Best TIG Welder Reviews – List, Comparison and Guide
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What to Look for in the Best TIG Welder
When looking to buy a new TIG welders is not as simple as buying a smartphone.
Since you are at looking for the top TIG welder on the market, it is safe to assume that you are a skilled welder. TIG welding requires more skill than using a MIG welder.
You not only need to have good hand and eye coordination in using a TIG welder, but you should also practice a lot to be able to master the use of this unit.
Related:
Best used for highly cosmetic applications, the TIG process is a very precise process. It yields very clean welds without spatter and nominal smoke.
It is more appropriate for welding light metals like copper alloys and aluminum, which require precise heat control to avoid warping or burning.
What is the Best TIG Welder to Buy (Features and Cost)
Everlast PowerTIG 255 EXT Digital Ac Dc Tig Stick Pulse Welder
- Easy to set up and get going
- Super smooth arc
- Up there with extremely expensive professional machines
1. Everlast PowerTIG 255EXT AC DC TIG Stick Pulse Welder
This is another TIG and STICK machine that both hobbyists and professionals alike will love.
It comes with:
- A work clamp with a 10-foot long cable
- Foot pedal
- SMAW electrode holder
- A six-foot long cable for the power input
It is not only versatile but also very powerful.
Its power starts at 5 amps all the way up to 250 amps, with a high 60 percent duty cycle. Your weld jobs should be faster to complete when you have this unit.
You should have no problems operating this welder thanks to its user-friendly interface. Its controls are also color coded for ease in access. It can weld a maximum ½ inch of steel and aluminum metal sheet in one pass.
The usual complaint about this product is that the torch hose is stiff. Other than that, it’s a very solid choice for a TIG machine.
The Everlast PowerTIG is really one of the top TIG welders on the market now.
Pros
- Lots of adjustment options
- Competitive with professional TIG welders
- Very nice manufacturer warranty
- Can take a beating!
- Great customer service from Everlast
- Comes with several extras and tons of add on should you choose to invest in the Everlast brand
Cons
- The most expensive on this list
2. Lotos Technology TIG140 140 Amp DC TIG/STICK Welder
This is a very versatile machine that is also budget-friendly. It not only offers DC TIG, but also DC stick welding. Included in the briefcase-like package are TIG torch, stinger, collets, ground clamp with copper contacts, and a pigtail conversion that can be plugged into a wall outlet.
You can work on all types of metals with this unit, from steel, copper, and alloys. It is also very lightweight, weighing just 10 pounds.
It also has a very basic control panel, with a power button and a couple of knobs. There’s also an owner’s manual that you can refer to if you are unsure of how to operate it.
It also comes with a one-year warranty and a 30-day money back guarantee.If there’s something I don’t like with this welder is that it can’t weld aluminum.
Plus, it doesn’t have a foot pedal.
Pros
- Very portable
- Dual voltage
- Comes with a few accessories
- Good for hobbyists
Cons
- Reports of it being under powered
- Reports of it not working well in cold weather
3. Lotos CT520D Plasma Cutter and TIG Welder
Rounding out our list is this 3-in-1 unit from Lotos. Like the other items in this list, it is a very versatile machine.
Not only can it switch from TIG to STICK easily, it can also be used for cutting different types of metals.
With a weight of 32 pounds, this is TIG machine also a very portable unit. Although the foot pedal is optional, you can buy one if you desire to have more control in your operations.
You just have to be extra careful in using this machine as it is not the most durable.
Repair is also very expensive especially if the one-year warranty limit lapses.
Pros
- Really the best value for money on this list
- 3 in 1 air plasma cutter, stick and TIG
- Quiet and not overly noisy, (Great for those at home)
- Quiet and not overly noisy, (Great for those at home)
- Easy to lay a smooth bead
Cons
- No pilot arc for the plasma cutter
- No pedal included
3. LONGEVITY TIG Weld 200sx - 200 Amp AC DC TIG/Stick Welder
If you need a TIG machine that you can plug into a 110 volt and 220 volt wall outlet, then this is the unit that you should get.
You can switch power voltage with a simple flip of a switch. The unit can give you an output of 200 amps.
This also has a foot pedal that gives you more control over your welding operations by letting you set amperage limits. It has an easy-to-use dial, with enough spacing between the knobs so that you won’t make mistakes. And you can even make adjustments to the units while you are in the middle of a job.
The problem with this unit is its torch may be a bit big if you are to weld small materials.
Pros
- High frequency start option
- Very portable with carry handle
- Comes with tig torch, stick handle, ground clamp, regulator, and plugs
- Simple heat control
Cons
- Poor instruction manual
- Very conflicting reviews, with some saying it breaks after only several uses, (I have left as orange so that you can make your own decision, because the good reviews are great and the people we contacted have all agreed that it is a great little machine)
4. AHP AlphaTIG 200X 200 Amp IGBT AC DC TIG/Stick Welder
This is a machine that you can use for small home repairs and even for your small welding business.
Like the Lotos model, the ahp alphaTIG is a versatile machine as it can be used for stick welding as well as TIG operations.
But unlike its competitors, the ahp alphaTIG can handle aluminum. If you’re curious about this unit welding aluminum, you can weld the said material up to .25 inches thick with passes from both sides.
Another difference of this unit from the Lotos model is that it has a foot pedal, which makes it more suitable for TIG operations.
Not only does the foot pedal adds to the convenience in using this unit, but further makes this welder more user-friendly. The ahp alphaTIG torch is also replaceable.
This could have been the best in this list if not for some flaws like the LED readouts that are too small to read.
Pros
- Fantastic value for money
- Good duty cycle
- Great manufacturer warranty
- Very nice flow meter regulator
Cons
- Mixed reviews of it staring to show signs of wear after a couple of months
A Note About Negatives
I will color code some of the negatives about each machine, with RED being what I consider to be a serious flaw, ORANGE being somewhat serious and GREEN being mild annoyances
How do our Options Stack Up?
Serious Flaw
Somewhat Serious
Great Choice
Top 5 TIG Welders
What Features to Look for in the Best TIG Welder
There are tons of TIG machines available online, which can put you in a daze if you are to choose just one unit because they have so many features.
But I have made a shortlist of the most recommended TIG’s today so you will have an easier time in choosing one machine:
Amperage
You should choose a TIG welder that features a wide amperage range. You don’t want to be stuck with a TIG machine that has a narrow amperage range because it would limit the variety of materials that you can work on.
Consider getting a TIG machine with a range of 5 to 230 amps so you can work on many thin materials, from a 24 gauge stainless steel to a ¼ inch thick aluminum.
Remember that aluminum needs higher amperages compared to other metals like stainless steel or mild steel.
You should have a machine that has at least 200 amps so you can take on aluminum of various thicknesses.
Simply put, the wider the range of the welder, the more applications that you can perform. This is especially true with steel.
Good Controls
You also need to have good heat control with a TIG welder. As you may know, heat control is critical in TIG operations. It is particularly important on thinner materials, as it can reduce warpage.
Pulse weld is one of the ways to control heat input without compromising weld penetration. In pulse welding, the unit switches between low background current and high peak current to maintain the ac and allow the joint to cool. Some units have an integrated TIG pulser for good heat control.
You must think about the power output also. The power output is how much power it will output and therefore how strong a weld will be.
User-friendly features
While it is a more complicated process than mig welding, that doesn’t mean you will get a unit that is complicated to use. In fact, the really good TIG welders are very easy to use. These units have very user-friendly features.
One feature that should be in the unit is foot pedal amperage control. It should be made of metal to ensure you of its durability. This feature lets you increase or decrease the amperage, as needed. This is an essential especially if you are to weld aluminum.
There are also units with hand amperage controls, but a foot pedal amperage control is a lot easier to use.
Power Source
If you are to weld metals like magnesium and aluminum, you’d rather have a unit that plugs into an AC output. Should you opt for an AC TIG welder, look for a unit that has an AC balance. This feature allows you to tweak the setting of the arc depending on the application.
But if you are to deal with stainless steels, the machine would plug into a DC output. A combination AC/DC welding machine is more recommended if you are to weld various metals.
Other Factors to Consider in Choosing a TIG Welder
Well a good machine for home usage will have 1 major benefit: Cooling
A good TIG welder has a thermostatically controlled fan to provide cooling when needed. A fan that constantly runs isn’t recommended because it can draw in dust that may damage that internal components.
The highest quality TIG welders will be pretty robust, but you don’t want to risk it.
- Quick change removable torch - lets you switch from small, long or pencil torch depending on your needs. Being stuck with a unit that has a permanently wired torch can also be frustrating because your applications are limited.
- Duty cycle - pertains to the amount of time that you can weld, based upon a 10-minute period.
- Kind of arc start - there are three types—high frequency arc, lift start arc, and scratch start arc. The former is best for welding units with AC and DC options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TIG welding difficult?
Why are TIG welders so expensive?
Do I need a TIG welder?
Can you TIG weld without gas?
Final Verdict
TIG welding is more difficult than MIG welding.
As such, it is only reasonable that you buy a reliable, easy-to-use machine. This is very much true if you’re not that confident yet in your TIG skills.
And even if you’re an expert in, you would still love to have an easy to use unit. It can make your work faster and yield more precise, clean welds. The good news is that there are many TIG welders that should suit your requirements.
Consider getting any of the five models I listed in this article. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for the top TIG welding machine.
Related
- Best TIG welding gloves
- What is a TIG Welder?
- Best TIG welder by price range
- What factors to consider when you are shopping for a suitable tig welder: Read this post here
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