Affordable Tig Welders

I get asked all the time…what is a good affordable tig welder for a beginner…or "are there any affordable tig welders for under $1500?  ...or "I have an old school Tig welder. Would I benefit from getting a newer inverter?"

lots and lots of questions like that.


watch part 2 here

So..this is going to be a series of videos on tig welders….a playlist that will probably take 2 or maybe even 3 segments.

I am going to be talking about and showing some of the capabilities of lots of tig welders starting with the most basic scratch start rig …to advanced full featured tig welders with all the bells and whistles…and lots of welders in between.

here are some of the welders I will talk about in the coming videos.
  • Miller Thunderbolt XL AC/DC stick welder set up for scratch start tig
  • Everlast 140st lift arc tig/stick welder
  • AHP 160t lift arc tig/stick welder
  • Everlast 160sth high frequency start tig welder and stick welder
  • Lincoln 210mp lift arc tig, that also does mig and stick
  • AHP alpha tig 200 AC/DC tig welder
  • Lincoln Square Wave 200 AC DC tig welder
  • Everlast 200 dx
  • Lincoln Square Wave 175 simple transformer welder
  • Miller Dynasty 280dx
  • Everlast 255ext

Affordable Tig Welders


miller thunderbolt xl ac dc   104 lb  230v  50 amp breaker  $655 on millerwelds.com.
if you already have one …or any other DC stick welder, this might be the best way … but it might not be because some of the newer inverter packages come with torch, and regulator...and are very affordable at less than $300 with free shipping in most cases.  The Miller thunderbolt xl is a very durable machine but it weighs 104lb and requires a 50 amp breaker to get full power.


everlast 140 st   269 free shipping amazon  140 Amp, Dual Voltage 120/240V. (85a amp max output on 120V.)  shipping weight 25 lb  unit weighs about 15 lb.  This tiny welder will go up to 85 amps on a 120v 20 amp circuit.  A 30 amp circuit using 230v will get the full 140 amps.

Its a good little stick welder too.

uses…practice learning tig.  also capable of portable tig welding for pipe roots, socket welds, or on site fabricating of 1/8” square tubing

ahp 160st  welder and price not available yet but should be coming soon to amazon  word is around 250 or welder and stick stinger plus ground.

This tiny welder will go up to around 85-90 amps on a 120v 20 amp circuit.  A 30 amp circuit using 230v will get the full 160 amps.

runs a 3/32 or 1/8" 7018 great.

uses…practice learning tig.  also capable of portable tig welding for pipe roots, socket welds, or on site fabricating of 1/8” square tubing

Everlast 160sth  High frequency start and foot pedal compatible. This simple tig inverter has post flow setting and a switch for lift arc or hf start. 


runs a 3/32 or 1/8" 7018 great.

uses...  in addition to all the things you can do with lift arc, Once you step up to high frequency start, that opens up a lot of possibilities for doing precision welding for machine shops etc.

Lincoln Powermig 210mp  the MP stands for multi process. This welder does lift arc tig, stick, and mig.  It also does a great job with dual shield flux core using knurled rollers and c25 gas.

dual voltage machine that comes with pigtail adapters for 120 and 230v.

lots of features and will burn a 6011 or 7018 rod well.

my buddy JD uses his 210 mp on the job site for pipe welding, building mezzanies, work platforms, ladders, and handrails.