doublegunshop.com - home Forums Thread Like Summary - Sorta OT but gunsmithing: New TIG setup

I'm tempted by some of these cheap import multi process welders. They get good reviews on YouTube and Amazon. Products like YesWelder, Everlast, etc. However, my welding mentor said don't ever buy anything unless Miller or Lincoln are painted on it. Anyone have any experience with these imports? I hated my Harbor Freight welder...I threw it in the recycling. It would not have been kind to give that piece of crap away. I'm very skeptical. But I've heard they have gotten better in recent years. Thanks.

A friend has an Eastwood 200A tig I have used which is very nice. Also, a well known machine gun gunsmith, who is a friend as well, had his Miller go out and bought a weldpro until the Miller was repaired. He likes the Weldpro so much he continues to use it.

One of the first machines I bought was a good TIG welder. I went with Thermadyne and have been very happy with it. Priced right and very capable. I would think that they have likely improved since I bought mine nearly 20 years ago, You are more than welcome to come by and try out my welder.
Steve

Thanks for the input. Ya'll have given me some things to think about. Turns out a local welding supply has a school connected where one can test drive machines. I'll head down there.

I've never had an issue with duty cycle except when I made a stump bucket for my tactor which was a lot of welding of plates together. That took most of a spool. I don't (can't) make big stuff because it gets too heavy for me to manage. Concrete embed plates are a common request -super easy. Maybe this can be my retirement gig.

Thanks again.