Eastwood AC/DC TIG 200 Review – Is It Worth It?

The Eastwood TIG 200 is an affordable, semi-professional AC/DC TIG welder. Possessing the most essential features, this TIG machine can achieve quality welds.

The arc quality and included accessories separate it from competing models. With a few minor cons and an outstanding price-to-quality ratio, this Eastwood’s model is a strong candidate for people looking to buy an affordable yet quality machine.

Review Summary

Technical Specification

Ratings Overview

• Power (4.0/5.0)
  The Eastwood 200 TIG provides enough power for everyday tasks. It can weld up to 1/4 in. of mild or stainless steel with a maximum of 190A output at 60% duty cycle.
• Performance (4.5/5.0)
  With a stable arc and sensitive adjustment controls, this TIG welder provides excellent performance compared to competing models.
• Features (4.0/5.0)
  Including essential “pro” features, like AC balance control and squarewave technology, it will satisfy most welders’ needs.
• Portability (4.0/5.0)
  This TIG welder is larger than most competing models. But thanks to the latest inverter technology, it’s light at just 38 lbs., making it a portable unit.
• Price (5.0/5.0)
  Competitively priced. It provides a better price-to-quality ratio than many similar models. 
• Manufacturer support (5.0/5.0)
  With fast response times, availability of spare parts, and Eastwood’s 3-year warranty, they offer users first rate support similar to high-end brand names costing twice as much.

Pros

• Affordable
• Supports dual-voltage inputs
• High-quality build
• 60% duty cycle
• AC balance control
• Square-wave technology for smooth arc
• Lightweight
• Professional Flex-head WP17 TIG torch included
• Rocker style foot pedal
• Ability to stick weld on both AC/DC
• Simple to use
• Infinite adjustability knobs for precise control
• Recently updated inverter to support the latest technology
• Double fan cooling system
• 3-Year warranty

Cons

• Larger than most competing TIG welders
• No digital display
• It doesn’t include 2T/4T and AC/DC pulse settings
• Stick electrode holder is not included for SMAW welding

What To Know Before Buying The Eastwood AC/DC TIG Welder

Eastwood offers a great blend of features and quality with this AC/DC TIG unit, without breaking the bank. However, this welder won’t satisfy everyone. Aimed at hobbyists and shops with light welding needs, advanced users should consider a more versatile unit.

Analog Controls Only

While some people prefer having no sensitive electronics on the main panel, it’s typically easier to adjust a welder with a digital display. Many competing brands offer similar TIG welders with a digital read output, including YesWelder, WeldPro, Everlast, and others.

This is not a big deal and Eastwood has probably done this to divert the resources elsewhere to provide a better overall quality. But for some people, this may be a dealbreaker. Eastwood does offer another TIG model with a digital display, but at a higher cost.

Missing Some Advanced Features

The Eastwood TIG 200 doesn’t provide some advanced features found in competing models. The 2T/4T feature is noticeably missing, which is a shame considering it could actually use its full potential. Its 60% duty cycle at 190A and 100% duty cycle at 143A would combine well with a 4T setting when making long welds.

Additionally, there is no AC/DC TIG pulse capability. TIG pulse is helpful when welding thin metal, but it’s used mainly by professionals. Still, the YesWelder AC/DC TIG 250A machine can control the pulse frequency, up to 200Hz.

However, as was the case when omitting the digital display, not including certain advanced features like AC/DC pulse control seems to have allowed Eastwood to create a welder with excellent build quality while staying affordable. For example, that YesWelder TIG unit doesn’t seem as durable as Eastwood’s unit.

Best Features of the Eastwood AC/DC TIG 200 Welder

The shortcomings described above are something to keep in mind, but they are not necessarily a dealbreaker. If you need either of the missing features, this welder will not be your best choice. However, it’s hard to find a mid-range, AC-capable TIG welder with Eastwood’s level of quality and the abundant features included at this price range. With that said, let’s move on to its top-selling points.

Welding Performance

Thanks to the newly updated inverter in this model, featuring MOSFET and IGBT technology, the welding arc is smooth and stable. 

The 190A of power coupled with a 60% duty cycle is enough for hobbyist needs and light fabrication work. But what’s especially worth the praise is the 145A amperage output at 110V input. Usually, these cheaper welders won’t provide that much power when using a standard home outlet.

Another feature worth your attention is its minimum amperage output of 10A. Low amps are needed when welding thin sheet metal, especially for the arc start. More professional TIG machines provide amperage as low as 5A, but they typically cost more.

AC TIG Square-wave Technology

Having the AC TIG output means that you can weld aluminum and other exotic metals. However, not every AC TIG welder works using the same underlying technology. High-end brands usually include the square-wave tech, but it became available with affordable units like this one from Eastwood in more recent times.

The square wave provides more cleaning and penetrating action than the old “rounded” sinewave technology. That’s because the square wave switches between the DCEP and DCEN instantly instead of gradually like with the sinewave. This results in a much more precise arc and allows the welder to achieve the desired cleaning/penetrating action more easily.

There are many different “wave” patterns found in other TIG welders using different inverter technologies. But unless the welder’s manufacturer specifies square-wave technology specifically, the chances are that they don’t provide it.

Advanced Settings

Offering the essential functions, Eastwood’s TIG 200 AC/DC provides the key features that professionals use the most. The AC balance allows you to modify the ratio of DCEN and DCEP, which means that you can adjust the cleaning and penetrating action when welding aluminum.

If you are buying an AC TIG welder for aluminum work, avoid any machine that doesn’t provide this setting. Welders with preset AC balance values can’t be adjusted for different aluminum alloys, thicknesses, and grades of oxide layers.

Additionally, this Eastwood model includes pre and post-flow adjustment for the shielding gas . Depending on the amperage and material thickness, fine-tuning these settings allows better protection of the hot puddle and tungsten electrode.

Quality Foot Pedal

While many competing brands offer foot pedal control at this price, Eastwood’s foot pedal is among the best and includes a 16-foot cable. It’s a rocker-style pedal which means a more comfortable and precise amperage output adjustment.

Foot pedal precision is paramount when welding thin metal to control the heat input and avoid distortion.  Eastwood’s pedal provides enough sensitivity to fine-tune the amperage output for even the most demanding welders.

Included Accessories

The included accessories alone make this welder a steal even before considering its quality build or the 3-year warranty. While a few brands offer competing models similar in price-to-quality ratio, Eastwood’s TIG 200 AC/DC stands apart thanks to the provided extras.

The Flex-Head WP17 style torch provides near-professional level experience only topped by far more expensive TIG torch models. Its flexibility is very responsive to user needs, allowing you to bend the torch and get into tight spots easily. Additionally, when TIGing, walking the cup or other advanced techniques are always easier to perform with an adjustable torch.

This torch is equipped with a gas lens kit for better shielding gas control. It provides better, more focused gas coverage of the weld area while using less gas. As a result, your welds have less chance of porosity defects.This means you have more confidence in the all important shielding gas coverage, while using your expensive gas economically.

The included flowmeter-style gas regulator is much better than what you typically get from welders in this price range. Most brands provide a basic regulator you’ll replace down the line, or maybe even immediately. The included flowmeter/regulator is easier to read and adjust, making your shielding gas setup easier.

Apart from the precision quality of the foot pedal we discussed earlier, the pedal is durable and well built. Its surface is textured for better traction, and there is a lip that supports the heel for better comfort and reduced fatigue.

Other included accessories are listed below, but these make the welder highly competitive. Buying these separately would cost a pretty penny, and there is a good chance that you’ll want to upgrade from the basic TIG torch or a foot pedal provided by many competing models.

What’s Included

• Eastwood AC/DC TIG 200
• Flex-Head 17-series TIG torch – 12 feet
• Ground clamp – 9.5 feet
• Rocker-style foot control pedal – 16 feet
• 110-120V to 220-240V Adapter Plug
• Shielding gas hose – 4.6 feet
• Shielding gas flow regulator
• Hand held shield
• Chipping hammer/brush
• No. 8 Gas lens
• Long back cap for TIG torch
• 3/32 in. Collet body
• 3/32 in. Collet
• 3/32 in. x 6 in. Thoriated tungsten (red)
• 3/32 in. x 6 in. Pure tungsten (green)
• Instruction manual

Alternative To Consider

The Eastwood AC/DC TIG 200 is a great choice for hobbyists or professionals who need a TIG welder that can handle aluminum. However, there are other options offering more features, but with a slightly lower build quality. The YesWelder’s 250A AC/DC TIG machine is the most notable in the affordable category with many advantages over the Eastwood unit.

Yeswelder 250Amp AC/DC TIG Welder

Yeswelder focuses on hobbyist-level welding equipment. While this model’s build quality is better than their most competing machines, it’s still slightly below Eastwood’s durability.

But YesWelder offers more features for the price. The 250A output at a 60% duty cycle provides significantly more welding power. However, given that this is a hobbyist level unit, the Eastwood will endure daily welding better. So, even if YesWelder provides a 60% duty cycle at higher amperages, you shouldn’t push it to its limits every day. 

Additionally, this is not a dual-voltage machine which means that most hobbyist welders will need to install a 220V outlet. 

Its pulse frequency control, up/down slope settings, and 2T/4T ability allow for more fine-tuning of the welding arc and start/stop arc control is versatile. Additionally, YesWelder is capable of 5A output on the low end, which allows welding very thin materials.

Like Eastwood’s unit, the YesWelder provides an AC square-wave output and decent arc quality. It’s also about 15lbs lighter and more portable. However, being this compact and offering 250A output means more heat generation and less dissipation, So, keep that in mind if you plan on using its maximum power often.

YesWelder supports a foot pedal but doesn’t include it. The provided WP-26 TIG torch is decent, but it’s not a flex-head model. Plus, the Yeswelder unit doesn’t come with a regulator or any other extras like the Eastwood. So while the YesWelder is a worthy competitor, keep in mind the additional costs needed to experience what Eastwood’s model provides.

Final Verdict

Eastwood’s TIG machine provides reliability with advanced AC TIG welding features like balance control. Many competitors offer additional features, but they fall behind in build quality and/or the included accessories. 

It isn’t easy to find a machine that has it all. That’s why you should get a welder with the right combination of characteristics that meet your needs.

If you don’t need to weld every day and you don’t mind paying more for additional accessories, YesWelder’s slightly lower build quality will not be an issue. But if you want to get better quality at the cost of some missing features, the Eastwood is the better choice.

Other Eastwood Reviews

Eastwood MP200i Multi Process Welder
Eastwood MP250i Multi Process Welder