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 the Yeswelder AC/DC TIG-250P Digital Inverter Welder. We liked the features and the fact that it is software controlled and offers an impressive 250A at an affordable price
Another convincing alternative is the Plasmagron AC/DC TIG IGBT Inverter Welder with a patented design of consumables, a Japanese quality IGBT, and a German cooling system.
| Welder | Amperage | Input Power | Duty cycle | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yeswelder AC/DC TIG-250P Digital Inverter Welder | 250A | 110/220V | 0.6 | Overheating Auto shut off, Electrostatic coating against shocks, Overload Auto shutdown, Intelligent temperature fan control, Autosave of welding parameters |
| Riland AC/DC TIG Welder | 180A | 230V | TIG-DC 25%@180A, TIG-AC 25%@180A, and MMA 25%@160A | LED display, Two-in-one welder, Pulse frequency, pre, and post-gas function, Up and down-slope function, Compatible with generator |
| Plasmagron AC/DC TIG IGBT Inverter Welder | 200A Tig welder 160A stick welder | 220V | 0.6 | Two-in-one welder |
Our Favorite AC/DC TIG Welders for Beginners
Best Overall AC/DC TIG Welder for Beginners
1.) Yeswelder AC/DC TIG-250P Digital Inverter Welder
- Software Controlled Square Wave AC/DC TIG inverter welder (Foot pedal is not included inside product)
- Digital set of Pre Gas Time, Start Current, Up Slope and Down Slope Time, Finish Current Level and Post Gas
- Time with the choice of 2T or 4T trigger function allows control of the welding process at a professional level from start to finish.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
This Yeswelder 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 250A welder (5 to 250A) that can be operated with AC or DC. The duty cycle is 60%. The TIG welder comes with a 13ft. WP-26 TIG torch, gas hose, brush, 10 ft. electric holder, 3 collets, 3 alumina ceramic cups, a collet body, and 2 black caps.
Pros
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- 250 A with a 60% duty cycle
- Overheating Auto shut off
- 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
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Cons
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- Some quality control issues
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Best_Budget AC/DC TIG Welder for Beginners
2.) Riland AC/DC TIG Welder
- MULTIPROCESS AC/DC TIG + Stick WELDER
- AUTOMATIC + LED Display
- Portable Welder
- Good Aluminum TIG + Stick welder
- Free Welding Accessories
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Manufacturer Riland 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 machine’s menu is easy to operate thanks to a LED display.
Weighing in at only 14.5 pounds, it is exceptionally portable and saves space. It is optimal as a choice for a beginner welder and offers precision welding, so even a pro might use it.
The package includes a 13 ft. TIG gun, 10ft. ground clamp, 10 ft. electrode holder, a torch wrap on an integrated handle, 4 contact tips, nozzle, and a 20A – 15A adapter.
Input voltage is 230V and the duty cycles are TIG-DC 25%@180A, TIG-AC 25%@180A, and MMA 25%@160A.
Pros
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- Lightweight and exceptionally portable
- Affordable
- Up and down-slope function
- LED display
- Compatible with generator
- Two-in-one welder
- Pulse frequency, pre, and post-gas function
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Cons
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- Instructions could be more detailed
- Difficulty finding a compatible foot pedal
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Best Value AC/DC TIG Welder for Beginners
3.) Plasmagron AC/DC TIG IGBT Inverter Welder
- The Right Plasma Cutter For Any Metal Cutting Job
- Two-in-one 200A tig welder and 160A stick welder.
- Long Lasting, Cheaper Consumables
- Cutting power up to 14mm material thickness
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Plasmagron offers this AC/DC TIG welding machine that also does MMA stick welding. It features a patented design of consumables that last up to three times longer and cost approximately 45% less than the nearest competition.
This is a two-in-one machine that is a 200A Tig welder and a 160A stick welder. It integrates a Japanese quality IGBT and a German 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 19 pounds, it is portable.
The welder comes with a welding holder, TIG torch, earth clamp, 3 collets, 3 collet bodies, a TIG nozzle, and a user’s manual. The input voltage is 220V.
Pros
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- Lightweight, portable
- Two-in-one welder
- Easy-to-operate
- A duty cycle of 60%
- Easy arc start
- Hot striking arc current is adjustable
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Cons
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- No foot controls
- Takes some practice to weld aluminum
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TIG Welding
“Gas tungsten arc welding” 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.
How Do TIG Welders Function?
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 won’t have a lot of cleaning to do when you’re 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.
TIG Gas Requirements
TIG welding machines need a gas supply whether they are professional-grade or a home improvement DIY level. You cannot TIG weld without gas.
The gas is used to protect the electrode from contamination by oxygen and to protect the weld pool. If gas is not used, the electrode will burn and contaminate the weld and penetration will not be achieved.
TIG welding needs an inert gas to impede oxidation. This will give you a clean finish. The shielding gas that is recommended for TIG welding is 100% Argon.
A tiny percentage of helium can be introduced and blended to facilitate heat transfer, increase the weld penetration, and improve the fluidity of the weld pool. In this case, the ratio would be 75% argon and 25% helium.
How to Select a Beginner’s TIG Welder
Selecting the TIG welder can be a challenge, especially for a beginner. Price will undoubtedly enter the equation, but it’s a good idea to research before buying to make sure you get your money’s worth. Here are some important aspects to check out before making your final selection.
1.) Amperage
Amperage needs to be considered when selecting your welding machine. A wide amp range is desirable but select the welder that your budget will support.
A welder with a limited amp range will limit the metals that you can weld. A good range might be 5 to 230 amps.
2.) Brand
Selecting a well-known manufacturer offers a certain amount of guarantee for both performance and reliability. Lesser-known brands can perform well, but a repair may be more difficult to find as well as customer service.
With a reputable brand, it will be easier to find welding parts, repairs, and services when needed. Consider also that welders have consumables, and well-known brands will most likely be easier to find.
3.) Control
If you have control of the heat, welding thin metals become easy and rapid. Some TIG welders will come with a pulser to give you better heat control.
4.) Duty Cycle
The duty cycle tells how many minutes inside ten minutes a welding machine can function at a specific amperage before resting and cooling down. A machine with a 60%@140A duty cycle will run for six minutes. Then it must rest for four minutes.
This prevents overheating. The longer your machine can operate, the longer you will be able to weld without the welder overheating.
5.) Features
Features can make welding for beginners easier. Some welders may permit you to input parameters like metal, thickness, etc. By setting parameters, the welder will provide the output or arc for your welding application.
Some machines will adjust power based on the input they get. Other welders come with displays showing input and output values so you can adjust.
Safety features are also attractive. You may find built-in safety features. One good example is overheating protection.
If your machine overheats, it must cool down before you can continue and will affect how quickly you complete your project
6.) Materials
The materials you intend to weld will influence your choice. Machines will feature differing capabilities. Some weld thick, heavy metals while are ideal for lighter metals. Consider materials when choosing.
7.) Portability
If you will be welding in more than one location, portability becomes an important feature. Consider an entry-level or beginner welder that permits you to transport it wherever you need to go with ease.
If you plan to weld in one place only, you select a heavier welder that you won’t be carrying around.
8.) Power Needs
It’s important to know the power rating. Machines for smaller DIY projects may only need a power input of 115V. A heavy-duty project will need more power. Know your power needs.
Welding machines with low amperage such as 135A and lower will function fine with domestic electrical current. Welders with higher amperage may require a 220V power outlet. Check about acquiring an adapter.
9.) Price
The marketplace offers hundreds of TIG welder options. Selecting the best TIG welder boils down to your needs and your wallet.
Many affordable TIG welders offer excellent performance, and a little research can save you money and headaches.
Conclusion
TIG welding is a great welding method for clean precision welds. It is, however, a more difficult procedure than other welding methods, and it is precisely this that makes it so challenging and interesting.
If you are a newbie to TIG welding, take care in choosing your welding machine. TIG welding requires focus and lots of practice, but that’s part of the enjoyment.
Amperage, portability, duty cycle, and control together with your budget will all influence your choice.
You may want to begin with a more modestly priced TIG welder until you have mastered this welding method.
We have selected three TIG moderately priced welders for your consideration and wish you good welding!
