TIG welding is a popular welding method that offers multiple versatile applications. Hence, it is a bit more demanding to master. But once learned, it will allow you to do all sorts of varied welding projects.
TIG requires time and patience. It signifies Gas Tungsten Arc Welding or GTAW. TIG uses a welder, but it does not weld using a wire filler running through the welding machine. Instead, the torch will strike the arc with heat, and TIG rods form the welds.
You can obtain beautiful welds using TIG welders, but they need precision, so the right welder coupled with lots of practice should get the job done if you are a newbie.
With this in mind, we researched the best TIG welders for beginners and asked some master welders to test them for us.
Our top pick for TIG welders for beginners turned out to be a Perfect power AC/DC TIG-200DP Digital Inverter Welder. We liked the features and the fact that it is software controlled and offers an impressive 200A at an affordable price.
Another convincing alternative is the Perfect Power AC/DC TIG IGBT Inverter Welder with a quality IGBT, and a quality cooling system.
Our Favorite AC/DC TIG Welders for Beginners
Best Overall AC/DC TIG Welder for BeginnersΒ
1.) TIG-200DP 110V/220V IGBT Inverter TIG AC DC Welding Machine
- With intelligent LCD visual operation, TIG-200DP AC/DC is a professional TIG welding solution for all types of metal materials like steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, titanium, etc.
- Multi-function welding β AC TIG, AC pulse TIG, DC TIG, DC pulse TIG, MMA, and Auto welding
- Intelligent visual operation instruction makes your work easy
- Adjustable clean width and clean scope
- Optional torch with amperage control & optional foot pedal switch
- Digital control technology and one-knob intelligent control panel
- Capable for different shapes of weldings, like a butt joint, corner joint, T-joint, lap joint, and cruciform jointγ
This Perfect Power Welder product is quite impressive for a beginner offering lots of help thanks to a square wave AC/DC TIG inverter TIG welder that is software controlled.
There is a digital setup for start current, pre-gas time, up and down-slope time, a finish current level, and a post gas time. It also brings a 2T or 4T trigger function that permits better control of the welding process regardless of your level.
The welder also will save your welding parameters even if the power is off. You can quickly recover the parameters from the last time you welded.
Heat dissipation is increased thanks to an original design of the air channel. It also minimizes any absorption of dust meaning your welder should benefit from an increased lifespan.
This is a 200A welder (5 to 250A) that can be operated with AC or DC. The duty cycle is 30%. The TIG welder comes with a 1.5M(L) 32.5mmΒ² Power Cable, 3M(L) 25mmΒ² earth clamp (Copper cable), 3M(L) 25mmΒ² welding cable with clamp (Copper-clad aluminum wire), 5M(L) WP-26 Fission gas electricity torch, 3M(L) Gas Hose (Hose Hoop2pcs).
Pros
- 250 A with a 60% duty cycleΒ
- Overheating Auto shut offΒ
- Electrostatic coating to prevent shocks
- Auto shutdown in case of overload
- Intelligent temperature fan control
- Autosave of welding parameters
- Affordable when compared to similar welders
Best Budget AC/DC TIG Welder for Beginners
- Multi-function welding-AC TIG, AC pulsed TIG, DC TIG, DC pulsed TIG, MMA, and Auto welding
- A High-frequency arc starts with a high success rate.
- Memory function for easy operation,10 sets of parameters can be saved.
- Adjustable clean width and clean scope
- Optional torch with amperage control & optional foot pedal switch
- Digital control technology and one-knob intelligent control panel
- Intelligent over-voltage, low-voltage,over-current, and over-heat protection, safe and reliable
- Capable for different shapes of welding, like butt-joint, corner joint, T-joint,lap-joint, and cruciform joint
Manufacturer Perfect Power offers this AC/DC multi-process TIG and stick welder. The welder is easy to operate thanks to a single knob offering good voltage control as well as the speed of wire feed. The machineβs menu is easy to operate.
It is optimal as a choice for a beginner welder and offers precision welding, so even a pro might use it.
The package includes 2M(L) 3×2.5mmΒ² Power Cord,3M(L) 16mmΒ² electrode holder & earth clamp, 4M(L) WP-26 TIG torch, 3M(L) Gas Hose (Hose Hoop*2pcs).
Input voltage is 230V and the duty cycles are TIG-DC 40%@200A, TIG-AC 40%@200A, and MMA 40%@180A.
Pros
- Two-in-one welder
- Easy-to-operate
- A duty cycle of 60%
- Easy arc start
- Hot striking arc current is adjustable
Best Value AC/DC TIG Welder for Beginners
3.) TIG-200P AC/DC TIG IGBT Inverter Welder
- Multi-function welder: DC TIG, Pulsed TIG, MMA, and Clean function.
- Four-in-one 200A tig welder and 180A stick welder.
- Long-Lasting, Cheaper Consumables.
- 2T/4T function, adjustable Pre-Flow, and Post-Flow.
Perfect Power Tig Welder offers this AC/DC TIG welding machine that also does MMA stick welding.
This is a four-in-one machine that is a 200A Tig welder (DC TIG, Pulsed TIG), a 160A stick welder, and a clean function. It integrates a quality IGBT and a quality cooling system.
Easy to operate by simply turning it on, setting the desired amperage, and welding with a rated duty cycle of 60%. Also lightweight at 5.5kg, it is portable.
The welder comes with a 4M(L) 10mmΒ² WP-17 TIG torch, 4M(L) Cleaning gun,2M(L) 16mmΒ² electrode holder & earth clamp(200A), 5PC TIG nozzle, 1PC Polishing Powder, and a userβs manual. The input voltage is 220V.
Pros
- Lightweight, portable
- Two-in-one welder
- Easy-to-operate
- A duty cycle of 60%
- Easy arc start
- Hot striking arc current is adjustable
βGas tungsten arc weldingβ is what TIG is about. This process was created in the 1930s and 40s to weld magnesium by aircraft manufacturers. When using this method, the welder creates an arc.
This arc is formed from a non-consumable, non-melting tungsten electrode to the base metal. At the spot where the base metal and the arc meet each other, a molten weld pool will form.
A thin wire of filler metal enters the weld pool and melts. During the procedure, an inert shielding gas must protect this TIG electrode and the weld pool from oxygen contamination.
Fluxes are not employed at all. Once completed, your weld will be free of slag and have the same corrosion resistance as the parent metal used in the welding.
TIG welding can be done with more metals than other welding processes and numerous industries use it to create their products.
Some of these include the space industry, automotive manufacturing and repair, and the aircraft industry. TIG is likewise used by sculptors because the control is so superior.
TIG welding gives welders greater heat and amperage control, meaning more welding precision particularly for welding curves or intricately detailed designs. Because TIG uses low amperage, it is an optimal choice for thin metals. This is a very clean welding procedure.
It needs patience, focus, and exceptional coordination because there will be very little space between the base metal and the flame. Practice truly makes perfect with this procedure.
Tig allows you to weld just about any metal and achieves a nice finished-looking weld. During TIG welding there is practically no spatter, meaning you wonβt have a lot of cleaning to do when youβre finished. TIG also offers impressive penetration.
When using TIG welding, your equipment will include a welder, a torch, and TIG rods that you hand feed. One of the outstanding aspects of TIG welding is that you can start and stop heat at any time during your welding.