TIG welder suggestions? | Tools Equipment | Forum

BillyO,

Good morning! 

In reference to your question regarding a good tig welder, I use the Tig200 by Lotos Technology.  I've had it for several years and have done a fair bit of tig welding with it on both steel and aluminum with excellent results.  It's great for the home workshop.  Not for anything really heavy duty as it only has 200 amp max. setting.  Nice thing about this is that it can operate off 110VAC & 220VAC.  I have found, though, that it performs better on 220.

https://store-n37vtomhd0.mybigcommerce.com/tig-stick-square-wave-inverter-ac-dc-aluminum-welding-tig200-200a-welder-with-pedal-and-mask/

While I haven't used one personally, the Titanium brand welders from Harbor Freight have really good reviews.  I've even seen some welders whom I consider "pros" using them. They offer a 200 amp model for about $130 more. 

If you're only going to be welding steel, you can save some money by getting a setup that only does DC welding and with lower amp rating.  You can find a variety of these with good reviews.  I saw this one on Amazon and it looks pretty decent.  The inverter technology welders coming out of China today are vasty better than those in previous times.

keywords=Multiprocess+Welder&qid=1609177118&rnid=2941120011&s=hi&sr=1-23

Having read the intent of your welding - basically fabricating your own cans out of 1080 - a MIG welder would work just as well.  With either method, the key will be to get a continuous solid bead (no gaps, porosity or voids in the weld) the length of each seam.  

Good luck.  Hope this helps.

Rob Newcomer

Well, if you don't want to add any filler it means you just need focused, welding heat right?  How are you at Oxy-Acetylene welding?  But, yes, it sounds like you need a Tig setup.  On the upside, the Tig units usually have stick as well so you could potentially sell off your current stick setup (if it's the equal or less to what is with the Tig welder) and offset some cost.

Rob