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TIG welders are among the best welders that are capable of making clean welds with an unmatched level of precision.
If you’re looking for the best TIG welder under $1,000, you’re in for a treat! Today, I’ll walk you through the top 5 options to go for. Also, I’ll provide you with everything you need to know before picking your ideal fit!
Welders are available in a wide variety of types, specifications, and price ranges. For that reason, Finding a good TIG Welder isn’t a walk in the park.
To make the process of finding the best TIG welding machine more streamlined and easier, I’ve compiled this list. Read on to find more about the best options available out there!
Kicking off the list with one of the most popular options out there for all the good reasons. AHP AlphaTIG 200X is the company’s latest addition to its series that specializes in TIG welding options.
AHP trusts in the quality of their products. That’s why the AlphaTIG 200X comes ready with a three-year warranty for a worry-free purchase.
Whether you’re a hobbyist or a professional, this welding machine will be a handy part of your workspace. It’s capable of welding different metals easily while providing smooth and clean results consistently.
The main welding unit weighs around 69 pounds and has dimensions of 19 inches length, 23 inches width, and 12 inches height.
As you can see, the device isn’t cumbersome, and you can move it around easily using the top handle. However, if you’re walking large distances, you might need a cart to move it around.
For example, the AHP AlphaTIG 200X comes with modern inverter technology. This advanced system allows the machine to control the wattage and power to consume lower energy and give higher output.
Additionally, the advanced inverter technology is also powered by Pulse Width Modulation and Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) technology. All these specifications boost the welder’s efficiency and aren’t available in even some higher-end models.
The first impression you’ll get about the AHP AlphaTIG 200X is the large number of buttons and switches it has.
While this doesn’t necessarily mean that the device is easy to use, these buttons and switches are all nicely labeled. In my opinion, despite packing having a noticeable amount of switches and buttons, you’ll still be able to operate the welding machine without issues.
In addition to TIG welding, the device is highly versatile and can operate on different welding disciplines.
For instance, the AlphaTIG is also able to perform stick welds just fine and without using additional tools. It comes with a 9-feet stick holder as well as a 14-feet WP17 Flex Hose TIG torch, so you won’t have to buy them separately.
Moreover, it’s also compatible with both DC and AC current. This means that you can use aluminum in addition to steel and stainless steel.
The machine comes with a powerful 200 amp motor that works wells on 220 volts. However, it can also work on 110 volts to produce 150 amps. The power makes it able to work with 0.25-inch aluminum sheets and up to 0.38 inches of mild steel.
The package includes other features such as a TIG foot pedal and an argon gas regulator. Also, it features a high-frequency start for a greater level of control while operating the welder.
What’s impressive about the Lotos LTPDC2000D is that it packs a lot of features that you may only find in the high-end welding machines. However, the device comes at a relatively much more affordable price.
Besides the impressive price, the unit is also backed with Lotos’ trust. It comes with a 1-year warranty of limited warranty and 30-day return policy for a hassle-free purchase. It might not be the best warranty system, but it’s a warranty nonetheless.
The device’s dimensions are 17 inches length, 8 inches width, and 12.5 inches height. As you might’ve noticed, the welder is significantly smaller than the AHP AlphaTIG 200X. This means that it won’t eat up space in your workshop or garage no matter how small it is.
Also, it weighs only 42.3 pounds. This makes it an ideal choice for anyone who moves around a lot with the welding unit. The super-compact unit isn’t only relatively lighter than many models, but it also has a large handle that has a super comfortable grip.
As for the layout, you’ll notice that it has fewer buttons and switches when compared to the AHP AlphaTIG 200X. This makes it even simpler and more straightforward for a beginner welder.
One of the best things about the Lotos LTPDC2000D is that it isn’t just a TIG welder machine. Instead, the device works as a multipurpose welding unit that offers 3 different devices in one.
For example, in addition to being a TIG welder, it also works as a non-touch Pilot Arc plasma cutter.
The Pilot Arc utilizes up to 50 amps to efficiently cut through different types of surfaces while producing a minimal layer of slag on top.
According to Lotos, it can work even or rusty, painted, and other forms or rough surfaces. It works with a variety of metals, including mild and alloy steel, copper, stainless steel, and aluminum.
The technology allows you to cut through the surface without touching the tip of the metal. This results in a cleaner and smoother cut that stays functional for a much longer time.
With the dual voltage and the easy Arc start features, you’ll be able to use the device with ease to produce smooth welds.
Unfortunately, this device is a DC only device. This means that it can’t TIG weld aluminum like the AHP AlphaTIG 200X. So, if aluminum is your main material to weld, this one isn’t the best option to go for.
The main package includes more than the welding unit. It also comes with the torches for TIG and Sticks welding as well as a plasma cutting torch. It also has clamps and an air filter regulator, which adds to the overall value of the product.
Everlast is one of the biggest names in the welding machine industry that offers different products suiting all price ranges. The PowerTIG 185 DV is one of its best entries in the under $1,000 price mark.
Despite being one of the priciest on the list, it delivers one of the best performances in terms of welding quality and efficiency. So, it’s well worth its price. Let’s see why!
First, this unit comes with one of the best warranty policies around. Everlast supports their welding machine for up to 5 years including the labor and all the parts that you might need to repair and replace.
Yet, the unit isn’t as bulky as some models on the market and won’t take a huge space in your working space. It has dimensions of about 24 inches length, 9 inches width, and only 17 inches height.
As you can see, it’s slightly larger than the super-compact Lotos welder. However, it weighs about the same and has a strap top holder that allows you to carry it in any way you prefer.
I find the layout on the PowerTIG 185 the best one around. It’s perfectly balanced between variety and simplicity. It also has a digital screen for a clearer readout.
All the buttons and knobs are labeled with either a clear description or a drawing. This enables you to know what each one of these buttons does without leaving anything to chance.
Similar to the AHP AlphaTIG 200X, this one also has the IGBT Infineon module. Moreover, it’s an inverter-based welder, which allows for faster switching and high efficacy while consuming less power to operate.
Moreover, the device can work as a stick welder. Similar to TIG welding, it can produce up to 105 amp thanks to its powerful motor that uses 110 volts.
Also, you can adjust it between 10 and 185 amps with a voltage of 220 volts. This allows it to weld up to 0.25-inch on steel allow on a single pass. Also, it can weld up to 0.6-inches of steel on a single pass.
In both voltages, a duty cycle of about 35%. This means that it rests for about 7 minutes for every 3 minutes of continuous welding.
One of the highlights of the Everlast Powertig 185 DV is that it produces a smooth welding arc on both AC and DC currents.
This makes it one of the top choices for aluminum welders, as it can pull off the job with ease and weld aluminum from 0.25 inches all the way to 0.38-inches.
The package includes a 12-feet air-cooled Everlast 17 TIG torch. Additionally, it comes with 35 series DINSE-style connectors. While the tungsten electrode isn’t included, it contains an argon regulator for a controlled flow of inert gas.
If you’re looking for a welding unit that’s highly versatile and powerful at the same time, the CT-520D from PrimeWeld should be on your radar.
With multiple features that come at an astonishing price, this welder will give you the most bang for your buck. Let’s have a look at this welder and see what it’s all about.
What makes PrimeWeld CT-520D different is that it comes with a generous 3-year warranty despite being highly affordable.
This makes it an excellent value for its price already! The company has a big name in the industry and a lot of users found the customer support team highly knowledgeable and helpful.
One of the main assets of the PrimeWeld CT-520D is its portability. The welding unit weighs a bit less than 32 pounds, making it one of the lightest welders of its class in the market. It also has a handle that makes it easy to carry and walk around with.
While the unit doesn’t have a specific inverter technology built into it, it still consumes less energy to produce a significant amount of welding power.
This is ideal for both professional and worksite welders, as it’ll help them lower the operational costs, which adds to their final profits. It can also be beneficial for hobbyists because it’ll cost them much less to get their DIY projects finished.
It has a simple user interface with a limited amount of switches and knobs, making it simple to use for beginners. However, this might be a bit limiting to the most advanced welders.
Similar to the Lotos LTPDC, this one is a 3-1 combo device. This means that it also can perform a wide variety of welding applications. In addition to TIG welding, it can also work as a portable plasma cutter and a Stick welder.
One of the main downsides of the CT-520D is that it doesn’t support dual voltage welding. It only works with 220 volts currents to produce a 200-amp welding power. It has an impressive 60% duty cycle, so it can weld continuously for 4 minutes before taking a 6-minute rest.
The plasma cutter has a power of about 50 amps, which is more than enough to cut through a wide variety of metals. These metals include cast iron, mild and alloy steel, copper and its alloy, aluminum, magnesium, stainless steel, and more!
The CT-520D is one of the best options to go for if you’re looking for a mild and alloy steel welder, as it can work with metals up to 0.5 inches thick. However, since it lacks AC current support, it’s not the best unit for welding aluminum.
Last but not least, Mophorn is one of the reputable names in the welding industry, producing quality welding equipment consistently like the TIG200. Let’s have a deeper overview of the features that come with this unique welder.
This welding machine has a lot to give despite not being the priciest on the list. For example, it has a relatively decent set of dimensions. The main unit measures about 19.3 inches in length, 9.1 inches in width, and 20 inches in height.
The slim construction of the welder helps it to fit almost anywhere in your workshop, garage, or storage area without being a huge bulk in the way. It might be a bit heavy, but nothing too difficult to carry around, especially that it has a plastic durable carrying handle.
This TIG welder isn’t the flashiest of all the others. Although the control panel isn’t super intuitive, it has a layout with multiple knobs and switches to adjust things and get the job done. Also, it comes with a small digital screen for the readouts.
The only problem in terms of ease of use is the lack of a good instructions manual that walks you through everything. It won’t feel like a problem for an intermediate welder but a beginner might feel a bit overwhelmed.
One impression that you’ll have about this welder is that it’s highly efficient in energy consumption. According to the Mophorn, the welder has an efficacy level of up to 85%.
This is possible because it has an advanced inverter technology along with pulse width modulation technology. Not only do these technologies lower energy consumption, but the noise produced as well.
It also comes with a wide selection of handy features that makes welding a lot better. These features include an easy arc start and a footswitch. However, I’d have loved it if the switch was replaced with a pedal for better current control.
It has strong heat dissipation fans and air vents to provide anti-overheating protection. Additionally, it has over-voltage protection, so you don’t have to worry about that.
This welder is also a 2-in-1 unit that works as a TIG welder and an MMA stick welder as well. You can easily switch between argon regulator and Stick welding using the knobs in the panel.
Mophorn TIG200 is also a dual voltage welder that operates on both 110 and 220 volts. This allows you to fluctuate your amperage up to 200 amps.
The device is one of the few in this price range to offer an AC current compatibility. As a result, in addition to different steel and nonferrous metals, it can also weld aluminum.
The main package includes an argon gas meter, an earth clamp, a TIG torch, an Arc electrode holder, and a TIG collet as well as a welding helmet.
There you have it. A complete guide with detailed reviews about the best TIG welders under $1,000 in the market.
As you can see, each one of these TIG welders is ideal for welders of different needs and preferences. However, I think that AHP’s AlphaTIG 200X takes this one home.
The multipurpose TIG welder is a great option for anyone who’s looking for the best all-round TIG welder in the market. It has an excellent set of features along with being future proof thanks to its three-year warranty.
Additionally, It has a noticeable amount of buttons and switches to control all its features, and they’re many!
While a beginner might think it’s not easy to operate, all these switches are labeled clearly, and getting the hang of it is just a matter of time.
Now that you have enough information about TIG welders, you should also know that they come at different price ranges.
In the following section, I’ll walk you through some of the crucial points that you need to check before being your ideal welder.
Now that you have enough information about TIG welders, you should also know that they come at different price ranges.
In the following section, I’ll walk you through some of the crucial points that you need to check before being your ideal welder.
Always check the dimensions of the TIG welder and make sure that it suits you. Ideally, you need to make sure that you can store it easily.
Also, you need to check the net weight of the unit and make sure that you’re able to carry that weight around. That’s why a carrying handle is a crucial piece in any welder’s construction.
No matter how many nifty features you have in a TIG welder, they’re useless if you don’t know how to use them.
A good welder must have a selection of features. However, it also needs to have a clear description of what each button or switch does.
Most households have an input voltage of about 110 volts. On the other hand, most industrial zones and machines operate on a 220-volt system.
If you’re going to use your welder in a single place, you can make it with a welder that supports a single voltage input.
However, investing in a welder that has adapters to work with both power inputs is always a great idea.
Welders, in general, consume a large amount of electric energy. Saving some energy is important whether you’re a professional who’s trying to cover their expenses or a DIY hobbyist.
Luckily, at this price range, you’ll find multiple TIG welding options that also support power-saving technologies.
For example, AHP AlphaTIG 200X and Mophorn TIG200 have an inverter technology along with a pulse width modulation to save a significant amount of energy.
A lot of TIG welders on the market are multi-purpose welders that are capable of doing more than just a single welding method.
Some of these welders can also double as a Stick welder or a MIG welder provided that you fit them with a suitable torch.
PrimeWeld CT-520D is one of the best examples of versatility. It’s a 3 in 1 welding machine that can work as a TIG welder, stick welder, and even a plasma cutter to cut through different types of metals.
As you know, welders require high voltage to operate. However, many brands make their welders compatible with both 110 and 220 volts. This also adds to the level of versatility and compatibility of the device.
As a rule of thumb, you need a welder that can generate up to 180 to 200 amps on the maximum voltage. This high power is able to weld at least a 0.25-inch through mild steel.
Lastly, the materials you’re going to weld will have a strong impact on your choice. Welders use DC current to produce the heat required to melt the metals.
When it comes to aluminum, you’ll need an AC/DC TIG welder. Aluminum requires high heat to melt, which is produced from DC current.
However, it also requires AC to counteract the oxidation effect that results in an extremely weak final structure.
Steel and stainless steel are easy to weld because they only need high heat. That’s why you can do quite everything steel-related with a DC-only TIG welder.
However, opting for an AC/DC device will always be a good investment that allows you to worry about the metal you’re going to weld.
There are different types of Arc welding methods. However, they all share some similarities in concept with slight differences that make each one of them unique.
Arc welding depends on generating high heating power due to using an electric arc at an extremely high voltage. This is where the arc welding got its name. The heat generated due to the electric arc is so immense that it’s able to melt the metals.
When that happens, you create what’s known as a “weld pool”. In this pool, the molter parts of the metals can be used to join different parts together and solidify again as they cool down.
Now that you know what arc welding is, it’s time to dig deeper into TIG welding and how it works.
TIG is short for Tungsten Inert Gas Welding. It’s one of the best methods for welding, as it’s known for its exemplary smoothness and clean welds. Also, the final structures are characterized by being super durable when compared to other methods.
The reason for its nomenclature lies in the material used while making its electrode and other components.
In arc welding in general, you pass the current through an electrode made of a specific metal, this current is high enough to melt both the electrode ends and the base metal you’re welding.
In TIG welding, the electric current passes through an electrode made of tungsten. What makes tungsten special is that it has a remarkably high melting point.
When a high heat current passes through it, it’ll be able to meet the base metal all the while preventing the tungsten electrode from melting along with the base metal. In some cases, you might use a filler rod to melt with the base metal.
The high temperature can also trigger the oxygen and nitrogen in the air. This induces some reactions with the metal, such as oxidizing it and forming a layer of slag on top of the pool. This can weaken the structure of the weld.
As a result, you need to use inert gas to form a protective cloud above the weld pool to prevent it from reacting with the molten metals.
There are different disciplines of welding, including Metal Inert Gas arc welding (MIG), Stick welding, and Flux Core welding.
These forms also use the same concept but with different parts. For example, MIG welding uses electrodes made of metals other than Tungsten. Also, flux core welding allows you to weld without using inert gas shielding.
As you can see, TIG welding is one of the most complete forms of welding. It’s by far the easiest and most precise method of welding. For that reason, it can be a bit pricier than the other.
This also doesn’t mean that it can replace all the other types in all situations. However, having a TIG welder means that you can achieve more while maintaining smooth welds with durable structures.
TIG welders use a Tungsten electrode to heat the base metal. Also, they use inter gas reservoirs to form a protective cloud above the weld pool. This cloud protects the weld from oxidation and reaction with air.
These features make TIG welding one of the best methods if you’re looking for a clean cut. As a result, opting for a TIG welder is a great investment.
Not only do they produce extremely higher quality welds than other methods, but they also do it with an easier process.
If your main line of work depends on the visible weld part, you’ll also benefit from a quality TIG welder. They can work on a very low amperage to weld paper-thin metals with excellent results and noticeable durability.