To buy or not to buy

[bhearts]

I'm looking at ac tig welders alot lately, the big question is buy the cheap but great reviewed Chinese brand welder, or wait maybe a whole year to save up enough cash to buy a Miller goody. I'm mainly concerned about current capacity since I'll be welding on half inch plate aluminum. If I bought the cheaper welder isn't it an option to pre heat the piece with a propane torch or something, get it up to operating temp so then it would have better penetration throughout the weld. Is it worth the hassle for saving 2 to 3 thousand dollars? But maybe not having a superb reliable welder

[nonamekid]

Buy a Miller, Lincoln, or Hobart, but don't buy cheap Chinese. I have bought both and hated the Chinese one. Had it for about a month before I went and bought a nice used Lincoln welder. Mind you these are MIG welders, but it should carry over to the TIG world. My MIG has the option to add a TIG welder to it. I am still trying to master MIG welding before I try my hand at TIG. It is also really nice to go to my local welding store and they have the liners and all the other parts I need right on the shelf. The guys there are really nice and helpful. You will probably end up getting gas from them anyway, so you will be there often enough.

[Hot_Wheels]

I've heard good things about longevity and eastwood. Some people say there junk but I personally have seen god results from the eastwood tig so I may try that. Unless I find a good deal on a used name brand.

[drddan]

Eastwood ...good brand from what I hear. I have a Clark, has served me well for years. Made in Italy.

[jayber]

Miller end of story!

[zoom zoom]

You get what you pay for!

[Eaglefreek]

Miller end of story!

I've got a Hobart and a Miller is going to replace it someday. I'd buy a stick welder before I would buy a Chinese welder. Especially since you plan on welding thick material.