Choosing a TIG welder

• If you're wanting to purchase a TIG welder, but unsure on the most suitable one for you, we're here to help! With the advancement of inverter technology and innovation at the forefront of the machine manufacture, choosing the right welding machine can be difficult. The level of technology now available is mind blowing.

• One of the first things you should consider is budget. The more you spend, the higher quality machine you will get in terms of features and build quality. Let’s compare some TIG welding machine features to demonstrate this. Remember, it’s DC for mild steel & stainless and AC for aluminium.

• The entry level DC machine is the Miller STH 160 TIG inverter. A single-phase welder with a pulse TIG feature, facilitating the welding of stainless steel 25% quicker than normal. If you wanted a DC set with more power & the added bonus of multi-voltage input, you’d move up to the ever-green Maxstar 210DX.
• The latest single phase kiddy on the block though is the EWM Tetrix XQ 230 DC TIG. It’s LED status bar, heavy duty click wheel and choice of comfort & expert panels make it the leading set in it’s field. It’s currently the go to machine for industry professionals. You can add modular cooling & trolley to this platform, everything goes together beautifully.
• When it comes to AC/DC, you’d be tempted to stick with Tetrix XQ platform. The Tetrix XQ 230 AC/DC offering a choice of comfort & expert panels. Just dial in the type & thickness of material and away you go. The ease of use, arc condition & reliability are second to none.

When we look at 3 phase AC/DC models, a good starting point would be the Miller Syncrowave 300 AC/DC TIG Runner. An all-in-one water-cooled plug and play package, incorporating AC balance control providing oxide removal, creating high quality welds. The sets DC TIG feature can increase travel speeds and sits alongside fan on demand, and wind tunnel technology. This robust welding machine is slightly higher on the pricing spectrum, which is justifiable through the long array of features.

The material that you are welding will play a factor in the choice of TIG welders available. If you are welding aluminium you would need to purchase an AC/DC TIG machine, as DC only TIG welders will not weld aluminium. AC/DC options, are slightly higher end on the pricing spectrum. You don’t want to rule out the choice to weld more materials, so purchasing a machine that can weld more materials may be a wise option.

One of the more important aspects to look at is the electrical supply you have available to you; this supply will determine the machine you purchase. If you are running 110volts, make sure you have enough power to translate into output. Inverter based three phase TIG machines will need 32 amps, make sure you have it.

As a standard most welding machines come with a warranty period, some maybe longer than others. We would consider a 3-year warranty as a minimum requirement & as an indication of build quality.

Unsure on which gas to use for TIG welding? For TIG, only inert gases are allowed, as reactive gases will ruin your work piece. The preferred shielding gases are dependent on the material and intended use. Pure Argon is the desirable choice as it can be applied to various material types, it is generally more affordable and helps provide a consistent arc. Pure helium, allows TIG welding at higher voltage settings, reducing welding time, but this is generally more expensive. You can have a mix of both shielding gases, producing higher heat inputs, whilst maintaining a consistent arc. Hydrogen can also be used, but primarily when TIG welding stainless steel.

• We know you want the best TIG set for the job & with our expertise we’re confident we can supply & recommend. We are an experienced technical organisation with an engineering team invested in supporting all plant sales. Find out more here Service & Repair | Foster Industrial
• We supply an array of TIG welding supplies on our website, with a fuller range available to our Trade customers. From TIG welding wires, torches, accessories/consumables, cleaning products and PPE, we can provide your quality TIG welding supplies to compliment your machine.
• Deciding on the right TIG welder, can be overwhelming, especially with the realm of choices on the market. Call us for more information or to arrange an onsite equipment demonstration.