By Gerald J. Smith. Last Updated: October 24, 2022
Ahp Alphatig 200x Review & Update
Introduction
Getting a good TIG welder is a significant deal. TIG welding produces the best results when it comes to creating attractive welds. You must TIG weld, but this requires time and experience.
As well as a dependable TIG welding machine!
As a result, we arrive at the AHP TIG 200X, a welder that I recommend for home-usage.
The AHP AlphaTIG 200X is a high-quality, low-cost machine for TIG welding aluminum, stainless steel, and steel, as well as stick welding. This equipment has several intriguing features, and you'll be hard-pressed to find a better bargain TIG welder that produces such high-quality results.
What Is the Best Use for This Machine?
The AHP AlphaTIG 200X is portable welding equipment that is suitable for use in a garage, studio, or small shop.
Standard TIG attachments are included, as well as a torch control switch and a foot pedal to make utilizing the TIG torch easier. It can withstand high currents and voltages, which is particularly useful when working with thin gauge metal.
This dual-purpose welder is simple to set up and can be used by both professionals and beginners.
This TIG welder's narrow rod and great weld precision make it ideal for precision welds on motorcycles, vehicles, sculptures, bronze castings, and other applications that require a smooth finish.
Review of the AHP Alpha TIG 200X
Product Name: 2018 AHP AlphaTIG 200X 200 Amp IGBT AC DC Tig/Stick Welder
When compared to the price of comparable TIG welders, the AHP AlphaTIG 200X is mid-tier welding equipment. Its advantage, on the other hand, is that it provides a lower-end professional experience.
It is not a professional TIG welding machine, but it can perform most of the tasks that a professional welder can.
It has a lot of functions, but it can’t fine-tune the settings. This is also an AC DC TIG welding device, so you may weld aluminum, stainless steel, and various thin-gauge materials, and mild steel with precision. With all of the other settings provided by the machine, this is well within reach.
It's light enough to transport, but at 69 pounds, it's not the most portable equipment.
AHP Alpha TIG 200X
Pros
Cons
The Alpha TIG 200X is a great, flexible machine that's also quite easy to operate. It's ideal for welding stainless steel and aluminum, and switching between AC and DC is as simple as pressing a button on the front of the machine. This is great for TIG welding since it produces an incredibly smooth arc.
It also produces high-quality aluminum welds (if you have the talent!) and outperforms some of the more expensive equipment I've used. It can weld 7018, 6013, and other common rods in stick mode.
It's primarily a TIG welder, but it can also stick weld to provide you another choice when TIG isn't acceptable, such as outdoors or when the quality of TIG isn't required. Althoughtends it isn't designed to be used as a stick, the results are fantastic; the arc is smooth and there isn't a lot of spatter.
For the budget, the 200X has some fantastic features on the front, such as pulse frequency and a 2T/4T switch for when you need to weld out of position with a foot pedal. To an unskilled welder, all of the options on the front of the machine may seem intimidating, but they're not difficult to figure out if you read the instructions. There's also a digital amperage indicator that shows how much power you're putting out.
The AHP AlphaTIG 200X is a dual voltage welder, meaning it can operate on either 110v or 220v, which is advantageous if you're new to welding and don't have access to a generator, or just want to be able to use it in numerous locations. It's really simple to switch between them; all you have to do is flip the plug.
What I like about it is that it welds just as well on 110v as it does on 220v (without getting the same power). However, 110V can still deliver a lot of power, with a maximum output of 140A and a smooth arc. It has a 10-200A output range, making it versatile and powerful, and it can weld up to 1/4" aluminum and 3/8" mild steel.
Furthermore, it features a duty cycle of 60% @ 200A for TIG and 35% @ 155A for Stick, allowing you to get a lot of welding done without overheating.
The user-friendly interface of this TIG/Stick welder is another benefit. Its control panel has a new interface that makes it easier to use than the previous version. Rather than having to adjust the knob for each setting, this control panel allows you to simply enter the size of tungsten and the thickness of the material you're welding with, and the system will automatically select the appropriate settings for your AC or DC TIG welding. If you're Stick welding, you may change the amps automatically by selecting the rod type and size.
Beginner welders who are still learning all of the machine's settings will benefit from this simple control panel. It can also be useful for more experienced welders who want to save time by not having to alter all of the settings manually.
You can choose between 2T and 4T operations when using this welder. You can either use the foot pedal or the torch switch to activate 2T mode. Simply push the torch switch to begin the flow, and the machine will continue to function at the selected settings as long as you keep it pressed. So, all you have to do to cease welding is release the torch trigger.
The 4T technique is a little more complicated, but it gives you greater control over the welding process. You'll need to press the torch switch to start the flow, but as the puddle starts to form, you can let go. When you're ready to finish the weld, push the torch switch again and hold it until the crater is filled, then release the switch to terminate the arc.
The 4T process has the advantage of a more regulated weld. It's also beneficial for longer welding or in situations where a foot pedal wouldn't be viable.
The machine is about 50 pounds, so it's not too cumbersome to transport. The 110v option makes this an excellent machine for portability because it can be carried anywhere and used with any standard household power supply. This is especially beneficial if you don't have a generator and expect to operate in a variety of locations.
Using innovative inverter technology, the Alphatig achieves its low weight. IGBT technology controls power usage, while Pulse Width Modulation allows for more precise pulse settings.
The welder uses pulse-width modulation and superior inverter technology. There's a high-frequency TIG start option, which allows you to start an arc without touching it.
This is the greatest way to begin since it produces the best weld seam quality.
The unit also includes a smooth, sensitive, and consistent foot pedal that provides excellent control. The only drawback is that it has a tendency to move around, so you may need to mount it. You can also utilize the trigger switch that comes with the kit.
There are also additional variables you can utilize to fine-tune your welding process. Pulse frequency can be adjusted from 0.5 to 200hz, and pulse time can be adjusted from 10% to 90% of the pulse cycle. The welder also has adjustable AC frequency and AC balance for increased penetration, tungsten life, and weld quality.
What's amazing about the Alphatig is that it comes at a very affordable price. It's under $1000, and I don't believe there's a better AC/DC TIG welder on the market for that price. It welds with the kind of precision I'm used to seeing in much more expensive equipment. The fact that AHP is a newer company without the clout of giants like Miller and Lincoln makes it less expensive.
Some people may be hesitant to purchase from a lesser-known manufacturer, but this model has been on the market for a few years and has proven to be reliable. It also comes with a 3-year warranty from the date of purchase, so any defective units will be repaired or replaced with a new functional model.
The AHP AlphaTIG 200x TIG welder is a fantastic semi-professional option. It can't do everything a professional machine can, but it provides just enough and a little bit more for the money.
When compared to high-end equipment, the lack of fine-tuning is the most noticeable flaw. Welders with more experience, on the other hand, will have little trouble interfering with the system.
This unit is ideal for any task around the house, garage, or DIY projects. Popular brands in the same category may provide additional features, but they do so at a higher cost. This model is ideal for hobbyists and will complete the majority of your tasks.
FAQs
What is TIG welding?
"It is technically called gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), which is a procedure that uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode that feeds current directly to the welding arc."
The tungsten, as well as the welding puddle, is cooled using argon, an inert gas. It's comparable to oxy-acetylene welding, except with the addition of filler material for reinforcement.
What's in the Box, Exactly?
AHP Alpha TIG 200X includes a 9-foot ground clamp, a 9-foot stick holder, a metal foot pedal, and Argon regulator, a 14-foot WP17 TIG flex hose torch, and a 110v plug adapter.
Is it included with the cart?
It does not come with a cart, unfortunately. This may always be purchased individually.
Is there a pulse on it?
The pulse feature of the AHP AlphaTIG 200X is highly handy, having a range of 0.5 Hz to 200 Hz.
Will it be able to forge bronze?
The AHP Alpha 200X is capable of welding a variety of metals, including bronze.
What exactly does the 2T/4T feature entail?
Two-touch and four-touch operations are referred to as the 2T/4T functionality. For beginners, the 2T mode is the easiest, while the 4T is a little more difficult. You have control over the steps of the welding cycle in 4T operation mode.
This is an excellent machine if you're a hobby welder who doesn't want to spend a lot of money but yet wants to produce high-quality welds. It's simple to set up, and the user handbook clearly explains all of the options. It's versatile equipment that can be used for stick or TIG welding with a 110v or 220v power supply, allowing you to pick the best approach for the job. Because this machine offers outstanding value for money, I also recommend it as a backup welder for professionals who need to make high-quality welds in the event that their primary equipment fails.