TIG Welder

Hey there. I have a winter project that's going to need a lot of welding. I'm looking at a maxstar 90 tig welder right now. I've only learned mig but am a little familiar with soldering. Any strong arguments against this welder? It doesn't have a foot pedal (I guess the torch regulates the temp) and is scratch start. They are selling it on CL for 325 but I'm going to see if they'll take 275....

http://syracuse.craigslist.org/tls/5903504598.html

 

Not sure just how this played out The Maxstar 90 in welder life is a very old machine .

I hope you passed on this one

Learning to Scratch Start on your own can be very frustrating and expensive.

No remote means you set the output on the machine

Maxstar also means DC only no AC for Aluminum

 

I did end up buying it. I know it's not the best machine but I'm sure there are things I will learn. Eventually I'll get a decent mig welder but hopefully down the line I can invest in a ESAB rebel 215ic. Maybe even convince my job to pitch in. It came with some filler rods and tungsten tips so at least I have that going for me.

 

I would take a broke Miller Maxstar over any new Esab any time.

It took 2 months to get a fan Motor for a new out of the box Esab welder

If you go to Miller Welds.Com you should be able to download the operators manual

 

Damn that's ridiculous.

Thanks. I was just about to start looking for the manual right now! Glad I came on here first.

 

You should look at the new dynasty 350... pretty good for the budget minded

 

I want to know what the winter project is.

 

I would tell you mine but it would take all day to type!!

 

Then start welding it and take pics instead lol

 

I bought a 96 Tacoma 4x4 2.7 5 speed. At this point I'm just wanting to fabricate some fender flares. Patch up a bit of the frame that has rusted. Outside of that I was thinking about making a front bumper and either fix the bed of the truck which has the most rust or fabricate something for the back. I won't even go into details of that plan. Nothing too interesting to be honest. Just trying to learn and slowly build something that I can be proud of.

 

That's work for a MIG welding unit...a lot cheaper and easier to master than TIG welding. Just my opinion.

 

I uhmm think that one is a bit out of my budget. If anything my next welder is going to be around the 1500 range. I rather spend that type of money of suspension and tires for my truck.

 

I completely agree. I should of gone that route but here I am with a machine sitting in my room. I tend to do things the hard way. I'm hoping it will make me a better welder...or at least help me to make better choices with my next welder purchase.

 

I don't want derail your thread, but if it was me, could not sell the TIG unit fast enough. 30 years of MIG welding and I can't even think of a situation that required me to have something TIG welded.

 

I keep saying I am go to practice my Tig Welding Machine is all set up just open the Argon Cylinder turn the disconnect on.

Only been 3 or 4 years now .

Really Tig a vehicle Building with all New Material not bad 10 plus years old you will prep for 4 hours for 5 minutes of welding

 

Not a bad price range. IMO mig machines are best for 95% of the welding needed to be done on a vehicle.... although tig looks really nice when done right. Keep in mind tig welds are considerably more heat affected than any other welds.