[john5469]

Would this 200amp be a good one? I saw one (Miller) for $1,400 last year and this one is $900 with free shipping. Wonder who makes it.

http://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-s-...EM0548+2-25-2011+TIG+Welder+Promo++3+Products

 

[Dogshark]

That looks like a good one for general use. One thing you may want to check is if it has a water cooling option for the welding head. If it does, I would buy it if I didnt already have one.

 

[JWagner]

For most jobs, the water cooled torch is not necessary, but it is nice to have. However, if it is stored in an unheated shop, then it might take some extra care when winter arrives.

 

[john5469]

JWagner, there you go again, are You pickin on us poor cold weather folks up here ?

 

[JWagner]

Back in the 70's I lived in the suburbs of Detroit. I bought a nice new 300 amp Lincoln tig welder and got the air cooled torch for that reason. My shop had no source of full time heat.

 

[Dogshark]

Simple solution for water cooled in an unheated shop. I dont have water in my shop so I used an old 50 gallon water tank, some antifreeze, and a circulator pump.

 

[Molly's 70]

I have always used a 50/50 mix of distilled water & anti freeze. Never had a problem. I have a Lincoln 255 square wave w/ water cooler. Weldcraft torch. It gets cold here in Kansas every year. I have no heat in my garage. I've had the machine for around 15 years. I have changed the coolant out about every 5 years. IIRC I think the detructions that came with the welder/watercooler said to do this.

Where I work, they just run well water. However, it's a heated shop.

 

[Schurkey]

If it's like their MIG welders, it's straight out of Communist China.

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=322672