What TIG machine do you experts recommend for 2k?

I will have a single project boat. 1/4 aluminum sheets is the biggest I will weld. My budget is 2k USD. What do you recommend?

CKP

 

Miller MIG/TIG/Stick 200 or 300 amp. It's nice being able to use MIG and TIG both, I never use the stick, don't even know how, but the best for aluminum is MIG and TIG anyway, MIG if you are in a hurry, TIG for the pretty welds that are stronger too. I don't think Lincoln is a very good brand personally, and avoid those off-brands like Clarke and Chicago Electric like the plague.

 

thanks for the info

I'm leaning towards Miller.

 

I don't think you could find a (new) decent mig setup for under two grand, since in addition to the welder you also need a spool gun or push/pull gun to weld aluminum.

At my local community college, which has a top notch welding program, they tend to prefer Lincolns for mig and Millers for tig.

 

I saw a Miller Mig/Tig/Stick 600 amp welder/generator on Ebay go for under 700 last summer and it was in great condition from a good seller, so that is the place to go. There are sellers that also have new units that go for way less than a retail store. My experience with a Lincoln was with a small 110 amp MIG unit, it wasn't very good, but their bigger units are probably nice. Hobart is another brand that is good. There is a Miller Maxtron 450 amp on Ebay at $1800 right now btw.