There is no one best way to weld; there are different welding processes for different materials, finishes, and applications. Among the many welding, types are TIG Welding or Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), which is one of the three common welding methods that include MIG and stick welding.
List of Top-Rated TIG welders for the beginner
Some welders learn to work with all metals and gasses, while others prefer to focus on a narrower range. To start off I suggest you consider Argon with Pure Tungsten to start off with and then, once you have mastered the basics, start to explore other options.
The Best TIG welders for the beginner Reviews
This is the Eastwood TIG200 TIG Welder & Versa Cut Plasma Metal Cutter Kit
Performance
The TIG Welding AC Duty Cycle percentage is 120VAC 60% at 145 amps, and 220VAC 60% at 190 amps, and this model welds in both AC and DC Positive and Negative modes.
Features
- Single-Phase 110vAC or 220vAC (±15%) @ 50-60Hz
- NEMA 6-50R Power Cord Receptacle Plug
- 28 amps Input
- 10-200 amps AC/DC Output
- 56V DC Maximum Output No-Load Voltage
- Remote Foot Pedal and Control
- 7 Feet Foot Pedal cable
- 12 foot long, Standard WP-17 Torch
- Finger on/off control with Variable foot pedal Torch Control
- Approximate Weight: 45 lbs. 20.4kg
Recommendations
This is an exceptional TIG welding unit that also offers stick welding capabilities, so you get them both from both worlds in one excellent performance device.
This is the Firepower 1444-0870 MST 140i 3-in-1 Mig, Stick, and TIG Welding System
Performance
This is the Firepower 1444-0870 MST 140i is where MIG, Stick, and TIG processes meet in one phenomenal unit. You get a 3 in 1 device that delivers excellence in any welding style you decide to apply.
This model weighs in at 33 Lbs so is very portable and is delivers a 115VAC and has a maximum output of 140 Amps.
Since this is a tri-weld system, you get excellent performance ranges for every power input and output, including a TIG Welding Output @104°F (40°C) of 140A / 15.6V @ 15% Duty Cycle, and 100A / 14V @ 20% Duty Cycle.
The Current Range is set between 10 to 140 Amp, and Wirefeed Speed Range is set between 90 - 390 IPM (2.3 - 9.9 m/min).
Features
- Maximum output is 140Amp
- MIG (GMAW/FCAW) Welding Output @104°F (40°C) 140A / 19V @ 15% Duty Cycle, 90A / 18.5V @ 20% Duty Cycle
- STICK (SMAW) Welding Output @104°F (40°C), 90A / 23V @ 15% Duty Cycle, 80A / 23.2V @ 35% Duty Cycle
- TIG (GMAW), Welding Output @104°F (40°C), 140A / 15.6V @ 15% Duty Cycle, 100A / 14V @ 20% Duty Cycle
- Nominal OCV Volt/DC is 53 Volt, and the Maximum Plate Thickness is set to 1/8″ (3.2 mm)
Recommendations
When it comes to a comprehensive budget friendly welding machine that delivers Stick, TIG, and MIG, this models outshines most.
This is the Lincoln Electric K5126-1 Square Wave TIG 200, TIG Welder
Performance
The Square Wave® TIG 200 is a portable TIG and stick welding machine. As a combo device, this machines delivers exceptional quality and ease of performance to amateurs, hobbyists and professional welders seeking a TIG or Stick application.
This model provides you with AC TIG welding for aluminum and DC TIG welding for steel, stainless steel, and chrome-moly, and has a varied input power 120/230/1/50/60.
The console comes with a user-friendly interface that allows the operator to weld and without worrying about the settings. Once set, the system is ready to work.
The Lincoln Electric K5126-1 comes with them "Take it Everywhere, Plugin Anywhere.™." method, which is a straightforward plug into any 120V circuit or 230V for maximum output. This model weighs 46Lbs.
Features
- Advanced features yet easy to use
- A great TIG machine for aluminum
- TIG and stick from one power source
- Take it Everywhere, Plugin Anywhere.™
- Input Power 120/230/1/50/60
- Processes AC/DC TIG, Stick
Recommendations
A fine TIG Stick welding machine that is solid enough but portable enough to perform any TIG precision welding or stick welding applications.
This is the Amico 200DC Amp TIG Torch/Arc/Stick DC Inverter Welder Dual Voltage IGBT Welding
Performance
The Amico 200 Amp TIG Torch/Arc/Stick DC Inverter Welder Dual Voltage IGBT Welding is a device for welding up to 3/8″ Stainless steel, Alloy steel, Mild steel, Copper, Cast Iron and Chrome.
This is a full-size TIG & Stick platform that provides a more powerful and accurate arc quality, voltage control, duty cycle and comes at an amazing price to performance ratio.
The TIG-200DC uses a rectifier making it a highly developed inverter for smoother and constantly even finishes. This model performs TIG (GTAW), STICK, ARC, and MMA and has an Input Power of 110/230V/1phase/60Hz, with an Input Current of 37A(110V) & 34.3A(230V), and an Output Range is DC 20-200 Amps and 25V and 28V rated output.
The Duty Cycles are AC 230V/200A@60% and AC 110V/150A@60%
This models dimensions are 16.6 x 7.5 x 11.8, and it weighs a very light 15.5 lbs, making this the ultimate portable model on the market today.
Features
- TIG (GTAW), STICK, ARC, MMA
- The extremely portable weight of 15.5 Lbs.
Recommendations
When it comes to lightweight portability, TIG and Stick versatility and factoring in price, this is the welding unit to beat and is perfect for beginners.
This is the Amico TIG-205 / 200 Amp HF TIG Torch/Stick/Arc Welder 115 & 230V Dual Voltage Welding Machine
Performance
The Amico ST-205 can weld Steel, Stainless steel, Alloy steel, Mild steel, Nickel alloys, Copper, Brass, Bronze, Cast Iron and Chrome and more. This is the best Stick/Arc force with a Lift-TIG function for beginners and professionals.
The TIG Current Range is between AC 230V, DC 28.0V, 20-205 Amps and AC 115V, DC 25.6V, 20-145 Amps.
The Duty Cycle is set to 60% at 205 Amps, and it uses a forced air fan cooling method.
Features
- This is a Stick / Arc with Lift-TIG
- Lightweight 15 Lbs.
- Power Factor rated at 0.93
- F grade Insulation
- IP21S protection
Recommendations
I kept the best for last, with this ultimate beginner and professional TIG/Stick welding machine that is light, fast and accurate.
How To Choose A TIG Welder For a Beginner?
TIG welding is similar to stick welding in that an electrode is used to create the weld, however in TIG welding the electrode is tungsten, and the protectant is Argon gas, while the filler metal will be made of a material that suits the welded components.
TIG welding is used to weld thin sections of alloy steel, stainless steel and some nonferrous metals including aluminum, magnesium and various copper alloys. The process does give the welder greater control over the process, but it is harder to master, and is a slower process than MIG and stick welding.
When it comes to beginner devices, the best option is to keep it simple and go for a device that combines TIG with a stick so you can start by gaining experience in both worlds and improve your overall capabilities in each. Focusing on TIG is exceptional, but starting with stick welding is what a master would do, it's like starting to learn to count with addition before jumping into fractions.
Select the correct TIG welding electrode. TIG uses 6 electrodes to transfer the welding arc to the metal pieces that you are working with.
As a beginner, you will need to consider which electrodes you want to use with your new TIG welding machine. There are 6 electrodes to choose from and these include:
- Pure tungsten electrodes that are affordable and deliver a stable arc on aluminum and magnesium using a balled tip.
- Thoriated electrodes are the most common electrodes, they include thorium mixed with tungsten to make a stronger electrode tip. However working with thoriated electrodes requires adequate ventilation and safety precautions.
- Ceriated electrodes are used for low amp applications with DC.
- Lanthanated electrodes are very versatile working with both AC and DC currents, and are good for low current applications.
- Ziroconiated electrodes provide exceptional resistance to contamination and are used on AC projects.
- Rare-earth electrodes last longer than most and offer a stable arc for AC and DC projects.
TIG Gasses:
There are three types of shielding gases used for TIG welding.
- Pure Argon is the go-to gas since it is used with any metal.
- Argon and helium will increase the amperage in order to make hotter welds.
- Argon and Hydrogen works with stainless steel because it increases the heat while welding and creates a wide, hot weld bead that penetrates deep into the metal.
