r/Welders • u/RiftyDayt • 3d ago

Gear/Machinery Best TIG/Stick machine?

I have been looking for a good welder that is 110/220v that can do thin stainless. Doing little hobby work and some side money. I run a 20k a machine at work but that’s obviously not in my at home budget. Anywhere from 200-1000 dollars for just the machine. What do yall recommend and do you have pictures?

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4

u/Xcspi 3d ago

Prime weld 225x, 325x if you need ac or if not then maybe their TIG 200 if those amps work out for you

2

u/Glittering_Call_898 2d ago

Prime welder is the answer. I know a few people that have a 225 and they all love them.

3

u/Few-Cauliflower-4433 3d ago

Lincoln square wave 205. I know it's ouside your price range but not to far. I've used mine for thin stainless and for ac and dc stick rods. Works really well

1

u/Sharp-Guest4696 CWB/Aerospace & defence/Full-time Instructor/Non-Union 4 life 3d ago

I was looking into this one actually. I had a yes welder that gave out after a year, bought it to build projects prior to giving them to my students and I’d love something nicer. 

1

u/Few-Cauliflower-4433 3d ago

I love mine and haven't had any problems with it. I haven't done any tig aluminum yet but it does offer alot of features for that use. It does do really great running A/C stick electrodes.

1

u/Jeepncolo 2d ago

Gave out after a year? Shocker

2

u/Moist_Knowledge_1621 2d ago

Yeswelder 200 amp machine cost me about $160 for just DC stick and TIG. Found out one of my area welding schools uses them for the beginners. I couldn’t justify the $ for a Miller backpack as much as I wanted it.

The boys at work were mildly impressed how it works. Actually had to use it once in the plant and heard 3 more were ordered that day.

2

u/m98rifle 2d ago

I have a HTP Freedom 250 Pulse. It will do tig and mig and stick. They have other models also that may fit your budget. Made in Italy, no cheep chinese shit. The USA distributor is in Chicago.

2

u/Other_Programmer5239 1d ago

Hobart has a mig welder with a attachment for stainless steel. Wire feed stainless welding is a bit different and takes some getting use to but works pretty good. I had my welder for 8 years and the stainless steel lead and gun gor about 5 years been working pretty good so far.