The machines selected for the Tig welder reviews are dual voltage models that operate in both Stick and Tig welding modes. These machines have compact builds and are easy to operate, easy to transport, and are known provide excellent and precise welds.
Any one of these models can be a good investment for homeowners and farm operators that routinely engage in small fabrication jobs, or prefer to do their own vehicle and farm machinery repairs.
EVERLAST PowerARC 140amp Lift Start TIG / Stick IGBT Welder
The EVERLAST PowerARC 140 is a dual-voltage Tig and Stick IGBT welder with a compact build and a carry case. The machine is designed with an IGBT converter that facilitates the shift from either power supply voltage, so you can easily take it around to perform repairs without worrying about the availability of a suitable power supply socket. At 240 volts, the maximum output is 140 Amp for Tig and Stick while at 120 volts the reduced outputs are about 85 for stick and 95 for Tig.
Pros
- Dual voltage IGBT design
- Torch handle with a built-in manual gas valve
- Adaptive arc force control
- Automatic hot start
- Excellent performance for both Tig and Stick welding
- Work clamp and Tig starter kit included in the package
- Compact design
Cons
- Flimsy gas hose
- Gas regulator for Tig welding not included in the package
- Power cable is mounted with a plastic cord grip that is easily damaged
EVERLAST PowerARC 140 easily shifts from Tig to Stick welding, providing excellent welding performance in both modes. In the Stick mode, it can weld electrodes with a thickness of 1/18 to 1/16 inch, while in the Tig mode it can weld 3/16-inch thick metal plates in a single pass.
Features like the adaptive arc force control and automatic hot start that reduce electrode sticking support efficient completion of welding jobs. The machine has digital display settings for repeatability and easy to connect DINSE 25mm style connectors.
LOTOS TIG140 140amp DC TIG/STICK Welder IGBT Dual Voltage
The LOTOS TIG140 is a dual voltage Stick Welder that also functions in the Tig welding mode. It meets the industry standard duty cycle of 35% at the rated output of 140 amps, and welds copper, ferrous metals, mild steel, stainless steel, and other metals.
The welder is easy to operate from a user-friendly control panel with the basic buttons for the machine settings for both Stick and lift-start Tig. With its easy to carry 9.9 pound weight and 120-volt/240-volt capabilities, the welder can be operated in a location with a standard power supply outlet.
Pros
- 120/240-volts dual voltage welder
- Analog controlled IGBT inverter
- Pulse Width Modulation and Advanced Inverter Technology
- Control panel with a simple design and a protective cover
- Easy to carry and move around, with a convenient built-in handle on top
Cons
- Unable to hold stable arc at 35 amps for welding thin metals
- Flimsy torch hose, resulting to leaks
The LOTOS TIG140 delivers excellent performance and high efficiency in DC Stick and DC Tig welding modes. The dual-voltage unit has a compact design with a handle on top and weighs about 10 pounds, making it easy to carry and move around in different welding locations. It is recommended for welding 18-gauge to ¼ inch thick stainless steel and mild steel and also welds ferrous metals and copper. The maximum output of the welder is 140 amps at 240 volts.
AHP AlphaTIG 200X 200-Amp IGBT AC DC Tig/Stick Welder with Pulse 110V and 200V
Pros
- High quality, precise welding of thinner gauge aluminum, mild steel, and stainless steel
- 110/220 volts for convenient dual voltage operation
- Foot pedal for Tig welding
- IGBT and Advanced Inverter Technologies
- Features Pulse Width Modulation
- Simple to operate and setup
- Durable construction
Cons
- The power switch is located at the back of the machine
- Tig torch tends to spin in the handle, and is connected with a single wire
- Gauge style gas regulator has no flow meter
The AHP AlphaTIG 200X is a versatile AC/DC machine that allows aluminum welding in addition to stainless steel copper, and other metals welded with DC power. The foot pedal that it is equipped with comes in handy for better control of Tig welding operations. The machine welds 3/8 inch mild steel and ¼-inch aluminum plates, and works well with E6013 general purpose rods as well as with E7018 for structural work. For aluminum welding, it utilizes a square-wave inverter to better withstand large currents and high voltage ratings.
Conclusion – Which is the Best TIG Welder?
Tig welders are convenient machines to have at home and in farms for performing repairs and fabrication work. The criteria for choosing the best welder among the reviewed models are versatility, quality of weld, and ease of operation.
The AHP AlphaTIG 200X is the best choice among the dual-voltage, Tig and Stick welders featured in this review. The machine is the most versatile since it operates with AC/DC power, which allows aluminum welding in addition to other commonly used steel and stainless steel materials. It performs precision welding on thinner materials, and the small foot pedal provides better control for more precise welds
Other Compact Welders
The next choice is the EVERLAST PowerARC 140 that performs excellently in both Tig and Stick welding modes. This portable machine is ideal for homes and farms, or in small fabrication shops. It handles most metals like steel, stainless steel and copper with an industry standard duty cycle of 35. The machine comes ready to use out of the box, with a work clamp and a starter kit of consumables for Tig welding included in the package.
Finally, the LOTOS TIG140 140amp DC TIG/STICK Welder IGBT is a compact, dual-voltage Tig and Stick welder with IGBT features for efficiency and excellent performance. The unit is packaged with welding accessories like a ground clamp with copper contacts, Tig torch, chipping hammer, and a 240/120V pigtail adaptor. It runs smoothly and is easy to operate from the simply designed, user-friendly control panel that intuitively guides the user to the correct knobs.
