Ive been looking throu the old posts and really didnt find much on preferred TIG welders just methods of use.

Anyway am looking to purchase a new tig welder within the near future and need a push in the right direction on which one. Its been 5-6 yrs since I last tig welded so am kinda out of the loop on good welders. Am looking to spend around 1700 on a good tig. Basically want one for sheetmetal welding, and maybe doing some frame work, I want to make my 72 chevy truck into a short bed. I prefer a blue machine but in all reality want a good tig that will perform. Thanks for any help...Eric

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...item=7513991593
Lincoln precision 185 tig

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...item=7513753335
Miller Syncrowave 180SD

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...item=7513754909
Miller maxstar 200str

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...item=7513751757
Miller ecnotig

Also looking at the Esab line of tig welders, any good?

check this out
http://www.millermotorsports.com/mb...display.php?f=3

Ive been looking at them also and talking to welders at work,a good friend of mine loves the miller maxstar 150.when its hooked up to 220 he says you can weld 1/8 7018 all day long and it only ways 13 pounds.In canada here the set up with the tig and stick runs around 1700.Even comes in a nice little case.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...item=7513511999

It really depends on what your going to use it for.
If your running a fab shop and it's a vital for your living. Get a water cooled head model as they do get hot running one.
That Miller 180 SD is a great machine for the $$$$ A friend recomended it as he know's because he's a fabricator for an aircraft co. here.
But it's really a shop piece as it's heavy.200lb's
The Maxstar 200 DX is a great portable rig.
Myself,I'll probly get the Econotig or simular as I do just hobby work and as long as it will do thin Aluminum it's my choice.

Is the Maxstar 150, AC rated as well or just DC?

Bee4me I will use for home use doing sheetmetal work and fab. The time I get into aluminum would be making gas tanks. Planning making some for the chevelle and 72 truck.
The thickest metal Id do would be frames, making the 72 into a short bed and installing IFS on the 49 chevy.

The Maxstar 150 and 200 are dc machines, I really like the dual voltage input, 110/220 and small package size.

I got on the Miller site and found alot of the guys suggested thermal arc185 which is around 1600.

I have a Mitec (chinese) 200 amp ac/dc hf welder, bought on ebay for $900 It does everything I need as a hotrod builder/hobbyist welder. Smooth quiet and small (inverter) foot pedal etc. Love it, my budget couldn't handle the econotig (second choice). Riland is same welder. Used it to build the exhaust for my deuce roadster and frame for my "t" project.

Ive been eye-balling the hobart tig they have priced around 1400 bucks through northern tool. i have a hobart iron man 210 mig welder and i have not one complaint.. everyone that has used it says its a great welder too... only problem i had with it had to do with the trigger assembly.. and they fixed it for free and i didnt even have a reciept for proof of a purchase date.. good customer service is a good thing.

Have you guys checked out the DIY TIG thread in the garage forum? Pretty interesting.

http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/my-...lder-77730.html

Vince

The latest TIG machines from Miller, forgot the model designation is fabulous.