Best Lincoln TIG Welder – Lincoln Square Wave K5126-1
Top Pick
Without a doubt, the top-performing Lincoln TIG welder is the Square Wave K5126-1. With deep penetrating power and usability on all sorts of metals, this all-around TIG welder would be a nice addition to your garage workshop or place of business.Here’s what the K5126-1’s key specifications look like—
Key Specifications
- 3/8-inch Welding Capacity
- 120V/230V Input Power
- 25% Duty Cycle @ 200A
- Works on Aluminum
First of all, the K5126-1 has a max output rating of 200A, which allows it to join mild steel sheets and plates up to 3/8 of an inch. At peak performance, this machine can run for 2.5 minutes for every 10-minute window, which can be disappointing to frequent welders.
The K5126-1 is a dual-voltage machine that makes it that much more user-friendly. Regardless of where you’re welding, as long as you have a source of running power, the K5126-1 will be able to work its magic.
For the aluminum-workers out there, you can rejoice to learn that this TIG welder has the ability to join aluminum sheets of around ¼ of an inch thick.
Pros
- Excellent performance
- Durable construction
- Decent duty cycle
- Usable on all types of metals
Cons
- Could have better duty cycle rating
Whether you weld at home or in a metalworking shop, you should prioritize the K5126-1 over every other Lincoln model.
Our reviews are unbiased, fact-based, and comprehensively researched to help you make the right buying decisions.
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Trying to figure out which TIG welders is the best of the best?
One of the first brands you should take a close look at is Lincoln Electric. They’ve got a spectacular lineup of TIG welders for beginner and expert welders that offer a ton of value.
In this guide, we’ll show you what we think is the best Lincoln TIG welder you can find.
We’ve researched 12 different models to create the most meaningful list.
Reviews of the Top Lincoln TIG Welders
Product Image | Product Name | Features | Price |
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Best Lincoln TIG Welder – Lincoln Square Wave K5126-1 |
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Best Premium - Lincoln Precision TIG K2535-1 |
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Best Budget - Lincoln Invertec V155-S K2606-1 |
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Lincoln Electric LE31MP K3461-1 |
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Lincoln Precision TIG 225 K2533-2 |
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Reviews of the Top Lincoln TIG Welders
But Lincoln isn’t just a one-TIG-welder wonder; the company has a wide range of TIG welders that outshine many of its competitors. Here’s our reviews of some of the most noteworthy Lincoln TIG welders.
Best Premium - Lincoln Precision TIG K2535-1
Key Specifications
- 1/8-inch Welding Capacity
- 208V/230V Input Power
- 40% Duty Cycle @ 230A
- AC Auto Balance
A quick glance at the K235-1’s performance ratings might don’t do it justice. This machine is designed to weld thinner sheets of up to 1/8 of an inch, despite its heavy-duty 230A output. However, the K235-1’s flexibility is where it shines—with a wider current range, you can weld incredibly thin sheets without worrying about melting your workpiece.
Additionally, at its peak output rating, the K235-1 maintains a 40% duty cycle. Additionally, it has a built-in AC auto-balancing system to ensure thinner workpieces don’t melt or warp while exposed to the TIG torch.
Using the K235-1 is hassle-free. With turn-dials instead of a complicated digital interface, you can get started almost immediately with just a few simple adjustments.
Pros
- Great for novice and experienced users
- Cleaner welding performance
- Portable design
- Versatility
Cons
- Could weld thicker sheets
Though it may not pack the mightiest of punches, the K235-1 is an incredibly versatile machine that excels at fine-welding thinner sheets.
Best Budget - Lincoln Invertec V155-S K2606-1
Key Specifications
- 3/8-inch Welding Capacity
- 115V/230V Input Power
- 30% Duty Cycle @ 155A
- Soft and Crisp Stick Modes
What truly stunned us the most during our testing stages was seeing the V155-S K2606-1 outclass many of its costlier competition. Even though all TIG welders can stick weld, the K2606-1 takes it to a completely different level.
Equipped with soft and crisp stick welding modes, you can adjust how fluid or stiff the resulting weld puddle. We were excited to try out the soft stick mode and were incredibly happy to see how easy stacking welding beads became.
This machine has a max penetration of 3/8 of an inch at max, which is at par with the best-overall Lincoln TIG welder. It plugs into either a 115V or 230V receptacle to be used anywhere at any time, and it has a pretty nice 30% duty cycle.
Pros
- Excellent beginner-friendly TIG welder
- Straightforward control board
- Comes with carry case
- Great TIG and stick functionality
Cons
- Could be lighter
The K2606-1 surpasses our expectations of what a budget-friendly TIG welder can do in nearly every way. It’s a definite must-have for first-time buyers looking to gain experience in both TIG and stick welding.
Lincoln Electric LE31MP K3461-1
Key Specifications
- 1/8-inch Welding Capacity
- 120V Input Power
- 60% Duty Cycle @ 140A
- Fully Adjustable Drive System
The K3461-1 is another incredibly user-friendly TIG welder with very few bells and whistles. The lack of extra frills makes it a viable option for novice welders looking to level up their welding capabilities.
The K3461-1 plugs into any standard 120V wall outlet, and it delivers a 1/8-inch welding penetration for basic home repair jobs. As for commercial use, we wouldn’t recommend this machine due to its low peak output and thinner welding.
One of the greatest frustrations of welding is dealing with the drive system and tangled wire. With the K3461-‘s fully adjustable drive system, you won’t have to worry about shaved, crushed, or tangled wires when replacing spools ever again.
Pros
- Extremely user-friendly
- Welds thins sheet metal with ease
- Easy to maneuver and transport
- Worry-free drive system
Cons
- Could deliver deeper penetration
If you need a simple TIG welder for fixing up your home’s HVAC system or patching corroded parts on a lawn mower, the K3461-1’s shallow welding performance should suffice.
Lincoln Precision TIG 225 K2533-2
Key Specifications
- 5/32-inch Welding Capacity
- 208V/230V Input Power
- 40% Duty Cycle @ 230A
- Micro-Start
The K2533-2 is a DC-only TIG welding machine, meaning that it will work beautifully on ferrous metals. As for aluminum, you’re going to have to consider other models, since DC welders are far too aggressive for non-ferrous materials.
The K2533-2 can weld 5/32-inch sheets with a single pass of the TIG torch, while working at a 40% duty cycle at max power. It would appear that the K2533-2 is a simple TIG machine for more challenging jobs, but there’s more to this TIG welder than meets the eye.
Equipped with Micro-Start technology, the K2533-2 produces a more stable arc, even when operating at lower amp ratings. This system leads to more appealing beads, even by inexperienced operators, without sacrificing quality.
Pros
- Easy to start and use
- Great penetration
- Durable construction
- Efficient duty cycle
Cons
- Not a portable TIG welder
Whatever ferrous sheet metal you have in front of you, the K2533-2 will weld it in no time at all.
FAQs
You can bet that any Lincoln-made TIG welder will surpass your expectations by a wide margin. Lincoln keeps a close eye on the market by interviewing welding machine operators—from greenhorn welders to those with more than 40 years’ worth of metalworking experience under their belt—in order to produce what the market wants. Whether you need a hard-hitting machine or one for light-duty repairs at home, there’s a Lincoln TIG welder for every demographic.
Even though Lincoln outsources the manufacturing of several models abroad, a majority of their TIG welder models are made in the US of A. This gives Lincoln the ability to pay close attention to the entire manufacturing and assembly processes before being shipped out to your door. Plus, their customer service reps are all stationed in the US, and they’re ready to help in any way possible.
During our trial phase, more of our team members found Miller-made TIG welders to provide more value for their investment. However, they’re also considerably more expensive, even their entry-level lineup of TIG machines. That said, Lincoln’s welders are definitely some of the best you can at a reasonable price. That includes those made by Hobart and Everlast.
Though one of the most commonly asked question, we can’t answer that for you. Look, we’d like to tell you that expensive TIG welders guarantee better performance as opposed to their cheaper counterparts, but that’s not always the case. With an influx of cheaper, Chinese-made goods entering the market, we admit that you can find a top-tier model in an ultra-budget-friendly price range. Our list of the best TIG welder under $1,000 should give you a good idea of what we mean.
Summary
After research, we were finally able to compile a meaningful list containing some of the best Lincoln TIG welders available today.
This includes some older models from previous generations that remain relevant to this day.
If you disagree with anything we said in this guide, please let us know by leaving your thoughts in the comment section below.
Last update on 2024-12-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API