TIG-200P AC DC TIG Welder Review – Is It Worth It?

The Perfect Power TIG-200P AC DC tig welder 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 Perfect Power ’s model is a strong candidate for people looking to buy an affordable yet quality machine.

Ratings Overview

• ·Power (4.0/5.0)

The Perfect Power TIG-200P AC DC tig welder provides enough power for everyday tasks. It can weld up to 1/4 in. of mild or stainless steel with a maximum of 200A output at 40% 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, they offer users first rate support similar to high-end brand names costing twice as much.

•  Overall Verdict (4.5/5.0)

The Perfect Power TIG-200P AC DC tig welder is a very good AC/DC TIG Welding machine. With few shortcomings while providing an excellent arc, quality build, useful features, and lengthy warranty, makes for a well-rounded welder with an above-average price-to-quality ratio.

What To Know Before Buying The Perfect Power AC/DC TIG Welder

Perfect Power welder 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 Perfect Power Welder has probably done this to divert the resources elsewhere to provide a better overall quality. But for some people, this may be a dealbreaker. Perfect Power welder does offer another TIG model with a digital display, but at a higher cost.

Some Advanced Features

The Perfect Power TIG-200P AC DC tig welder does provide some advanced features found in competing models – 2T/4T feature, which considering it could actually use its full potential. Its 40% duty cycle at 200A and 100% duty cycle at 130A would combine well with a 4T setting when making long welds.

Additionally, there is AC/DC TIG pulse capability. TIG pulse is helpful when welding thin metal, but it’s used mainly by professionals. Still, the Perfect Power TIG-200P AC DC tig welding machine can control the pulse frequency, up to 200Hz.

However, as was the digital control technology and one-knob intelligent control panel, including certain advanced features like AC/DC pulse control seems to have allowed Perfect Power welder to create a welder with excellent build quality while staying affordable. For example, that other brand TIG unit doesn’t seem as durable as Perfect Power’s unit.

Best Features of the Perfect Power TIG-200P AC DC tig welder

However, it’s hard to find in the same price range, AC-capable TIG welder with Perfect Power’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 IGBT technology, the welding arc is smooth and stable. 

The 200A of power coupled with a 40% duty cycle is enough for hobbyist needs and light fabrication work. But what’s especially worth the praise is the 120A 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 5A. 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 Perfect Power 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, Perfect Power TIG-200P AC DC tig welder 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 Perfect Power 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, Perfect Power’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. Perfect Power’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 warranty. While a few brands offer competing models similar in price-to-quality ratio, Perfect Power TIG-200P AC DC tig welder stands apart thanks to the provided extras.

The Flex-Head WP-26 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

1. ·Perfect Power AC/DC TIG 200P
2. ·Flex-Head 26-series TIG torch – 12 feet
3. ·Ground clamp – 9.5 feet
4. ·Rocker-style foot control pedal – 16 feet
5. ·110-120V to 220-240V Adapter Plug
6. ·Shielding gas hose – 4.6 feet
7. ·Shielding gas flow regulator
8. ·Hand held shield
9. ·Chipping hammer/brush
10. ·No. 8 Gas lens
11. ·Long back cap for TIG torch
12. ·3/32 in. Collet body
13. ·3/32 in. Collet
14. ·3/32 in. x 6 in. Thoriated tungsten (red)
15. ·3/32 in. x 6 in. Pure tungsten (green)
16. ·Instruction manual

Alternative To Consider

The Perfect Power AC/DC TIG 200P 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 Perfect Power’s 200A AC/DC TIG-200DP tig welding machine with LCD is the most notable in the affordable category with many advantages over the AC/DC TIG 200P unit.

So keep in mind the additional costs needed to experience what Perfect Power’s model provides.

Final Verdict

Perfect Power ’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.