FREE Welding Guides with Tons of Videos

Best TIG Welder for Beginners

Buying Your First TIG Welder – Avoid These 5 Mistakes

click on topic to jump to it

1. Overpaying for features you don’t need
2. Warranty requires you to pay shipping both ways if there is problem
3. No AC balance or AC frequency settings
4. Crappy tig torch
5. Crappy foot pedal

HOW TO TIG WELD BLOG PAGE

HOW TO TIG WELD CARBON STEEL

ONE PAGE HOW TO TIG WITH RULES OF THUMB

HOW TO TIG WELD ALUMINUM

How to tig weld stainless

Best AC DC TIG Welder under $1000

1. Overpaying for features you don’t need

The main features you will use are pre flow, post flow, ac balance, and ac frequency. 

Pre flow helps a lot with cleaner aluminum arc starts, adjustable post flow saves argon and is also almost a must have if you ever weld titanium.  

AC balance and AC frequency have become standard equipment much like intermittent wipers on a car.  Yes you can do without, but why would you?

Features like different AC waveforms,  spot timer, saving programs in memory are nice to have but not at all necessary and sometimes just add confusion.

2. Warranty requires you to pay shipping both ways if there is problem

Some manufacturers offer a 5 year warranty but then require you to pay shipping both ways to get your machine fixed if there is an issue. And sometimes make you wait several weeks to get your machine back.  That type of warranty is just offered to make the sale and if you ever need to use it, you will have a bad taste in your mouth.

There are very few manufactures known for their great customer support and where most of the time, if there is an issue, they send a replacement machine right away. and that is the very reason I only sell Primeweld and CK worldwide tig welders.

3. No AC balance or AC frequency settings

Any modern AC DC tig welder should have AC balance and AC frequency settings. 

AC balance allows fine adjustment of cleaning action to accommodate different situations and different levels of oxidation on aluminum.

AC frequency allows for setting a more focussed arc.

These settings have become standard features and I would not recommend buying an ac dc tig welder without ac balance and ac frequency settings.

4. Crappy tig torch

There are still companies who include a crappy tig torch with their tig welding machines to save money. But there are 2 companies that include a CK tig torch with super flex cable.  Sure you can make a crappy torch work Ok but if you ever weld with a really good tig torch like a CK or WeldTEC, you won’t ever want to go back. 

And by the way, no matter what machine you buy, do yourself a favor and get a weldmonger stubby gas lens kit. It will be a huge upgrade.

I have created a No BS TIG workbook for you to help you learn to TIG weld...and its free

Download your Free TIG workbook here

Download your Free TIG workbook here

5. Crappy foot pedal

A crappy foot pedal that creaks and is too tall makes tig welding less fun.

You don’t notice it at first but after a few minutes, you start to feel it in your leg.  Like a pair of work boots that don’t fit right. 

Some manufacturers like primeweld and CK have figured this out and include a low profile smooth foot pedal.

Others are still trying to save a nickel with a crappy foot pedal.