[scrimshaw]

I was wondering if anyone here has experience with the Miller Econotig and could give their opinion on it? Thanks.

[SuthnCustoms]

Ive personaly never had any hands on with it but being a Miller..you can count on it being high quailty

[Mike H]

Spend the extra and get a syncrowave, Every econo tig I have used has transformer problems after a year or so of use. They are just built too light.

[mike6845]

You sorta got to ask yourself a question as to what you are going to use a TIG for? The Econotig is a low end AC/DC machine and is limited in its capabilities. If you do want it for aluminum welding, you will be limited to thin materials only because of the Econotig's max current ratings. Like wise for mild steel welding. For the amount you will be spending on the Econotig, you could find a better used machine. I made the same decision and ended up with a Syncrowave 180 and I am happy with the choice. Oh, by the way Miller will probably be phasing out the Econotig with a new model soon which will have more beans.

Goodluck.

[scrimshaw]

Thanks for the replies.

It seems like more people are unhappy with it than satisfied. Its not just the cost that makes this machine more attractive but the size. The syncrowave and equivalents are just so big and heavy and I was hoping for a bit more portability. As for used ones they are very difficult to find, I have been looking for several months without any luck. I can only find very old ones.

[powerrodsmike]

I bought a minimally used one from a mobile welder guy who thought it was going to be a good thing for him to have, but he found it almost worthless and sold it to me for 200.00. IIRC it was in the 130 amp range.

I found the handle was big and got hot, the duty cycle was way too low to be of any use as any kind of production welder, it would have been an OK welder for sheet metal with a smaller water cooled torch, but there seemed to be no provision for a water solenoid.

As was stated before, welding aluminum would have been limited.


I used it on a couple of welding jobs but ultimatley found no reason to keep it. ( I do have a 300 amp Hobart square wave that does everything I need with no preoblems.) I sold it for 200.00 to a guy who uses it now on his kid's go-kart repairs.

He's all happy with it...I guess.


At least he hasn't asked for his money back. Hahahahah



A friend of mine recently bought a small thermal dynamics inverter tig...cutest thing I ever saw, carry it with one hand. I need to call him and see how he likes it.

Later, mikey

[Mike H]

I have used the TD inverter Mike is talking about is is pretty mean for a little machine but it is not cheap. The guy told me he gave around 2300.00 for his and I about fell over a little more and you could buy a base 250 Syncrowave and have a welder most of us would never catch the duty cycle on. I have a 180 Syncro. and an old Lincolin 300/300 and it will do anything you ask it to but sit down when you get the power bill. If I was going to buy new again I would look at the 185 Lincolin (it may be a 190 now but a few years ago it was a 185 squair wave) it has some of the features the 250 Miller does at just a little more than the 180 Miller.

Have fun with the new toy what ever you buy.

[scrimshaw]

Thanks again for the replies.

I have decided to take the advice and wait on it. Also I was able to do some tig last night with a Miller Dynasty DX and will be able to use it in the future. (Now I am dreaming about a Dynasty!)

[mike6845]

Heads up on the Econotig's. Miller is introducing a new model for us hobbyists called the Diversion. It is a 165 amp stick and ac/dc tig which means you can do aluminum and weighs around 50# meaning it is an inverter type of welder. It is somewhere around $1400 if you shop around. It looks like a real winner, to bad I recently picked up a 180 syncrowave otherwise I'd probably go for this one.

[oldred]

Originally Posted by mike6845

to bad I recently picked up a 180 syncrowave otherwise I'd probably go for this one.

Yeah what a thing to get stuck with, we all should have such bad luck!

[Augusto]

old thread I found here but since I own a Econotig I decided to post that I'm very satisfyed with the machine, I've done most jobs I ever needed in the shop with it, I have even welded some cracked engine aluminum heads with it, I used helium to help penetrate this thick castings, of course the duty cycle must be kept low so the machine won't burn up, even titanium is easily welded with this machine.

the only task I haven't mastered with it yet is brazing, I found that a special rod is needed for this job but I can't get it over here.

In stick mode I love the way it starts and keeps the arc lit, I use this mode mostly for welding cast iron with nickel rods.

for the rest of the jobs I use a Miller 185 MIG welder that I really love, I'm a very satisfyed customer of Miller products.

just my 2cents.

[flamefront]

I too have a Miller 185 and it just keeps working perfecto...Picked up an Econotig. Welds steel real nice, but my Alum welds look awful. anybody have a good class otn tig process they liked? thanks

[Augusto]

you need to weld alum in AC mode, use the green dot non toriated electrode, most of the time you'll have to use almost full power, pedal to the metal to start melting the aluminun, then ease off the heat, you should practice, practice and practice, it takes some time but I'm sure you'll end up loving welding aluminum with the econotig. I found the dipping of the rod the hardest part, this is what makes the weld look good.

[monster76]

i do not like the econo tig id rather spend money on a used syncrowave 250 than a new econo tig just my .02 its more of a hobby machine that good for steel and thin aluminum, my set up for tig is a bit different i have an old miller aead200le with a high frequency box and an air cooled torch that i scratch start i work mainly construction sites farmers fields repairing old heavy equipment and ag equip and implements , post a pic of your aluminum welds there is many things that can contribute to an ugly alum weld and you would be surprised what kind of things can contribute to an ugly weld. also tell us how you prep your electrode for aluminum and your typical arc length how gas flow filler material and metal prep

[flamefront]

thanks. will keep trying...the Econotig seems to work fine. Operator error i guess. Any experience with the orange tungsten?