Which Tig?

[Badbusboy]

Anyone any suggestions for a quality tig machine without going silly? Sub £1000? Also what features should I look for? What should I avoid? Help appreciated Guys.

 

[gavuk]

Hi you really need to give some more details ,what are you welding ?ac or dc ,.how thick etc if your not looking for alluminium welding its easy ,if you do need alluminium a bit more involved . Gav

 

[English Steve]

As Gav said, more detail required really. Portamig do a range of TIG machines within your stated budget - may be worth a PM to Weldequip.
DIYWelding also have TIGs within that budget, so a PM there would also be worthwhile.
Both the above will get you a decent backup and warranty.

 

[M4RKE]

I belive hotrodder is selling a nice machince

 

[irondarren]

Before anyone can recommend a machine, what are you looking for. DC (welds most things except aluminium) or AC/DC (welds almost anything). What sort of thickness are you looking to weld?

 

[Badbusboy]

Tig advice!

This is possibly the sort.

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=794


Hope this hyperlink works.

Van chassis, around 10mm on other stuff, ali occasionally, therefore ac/dc?

advice appreciated

 

[irondarren]

If its anything like my portamig Mig unit it should as sound robust unit. You need to speak to weldequip for a price, not sure if you need a bit more power for 10mm. My DC IFL unit does 10mm without to much trouble but its 200amps. I know portamig do a 250amp AC/DC unit industrial quality, but it will be above you £1000 budget even with weldequips prices. Send him a PM

 

[Badbusboy]

Thanks darren - i'll do that tomorrow if i get the chance! Cheers.

 

[weldequip]

You'll need a fair old size machine to be able to weld up to 10mm BBBoy, especially Ally.
That Portamig 171 (excuse the sales pitch in the above link ) has now been upgraded to a 185, with a few extra features at around the same money, but is still limited to around 5mm Ally. If it's occasional mild steel up to 10mm you would get away with using it on the MMA (stick) side + have the TIG functions for lighter S/Steel etc. 10mm Ally....
weldequip

 

[irondarren]

I am right in thinking they do a 250amp version though weldequip? And that would suitable for 10mm?

 

[simon718]

10mm Ally....
weldequip

not even with edge prep and multiple runs? or is that not normally done on aluminium??

 

[Badbusboy]

Cheers Weldy, but it wasn't meant to read 10mm ally - ally sometimes, but other (steel) upto 10mm! What exactly is around the same money? Have PM'd you weldy.

What if the ally use was dropped gents and it was a DC tig GavUK and others?

 

[irondarren]

If just a DC unit the IFL 200 hf or phf or the equivelant lorch machine, for under £1000 you should get the IFL unit and a foot pedal. spot on machine 200amps on the Tig, 180amps on MMA.

 

[gavuk]

i agree with Darren,invertor fusion is one of the nicest sets i've used the 200phf does everything but alluminium ,lovely arc welder too,be my first choice ,but there are others on here who use tig far more often than me and i used only on stainless steel,£600-800 i think ,but their ac/dc(for alluminium)over £2000...gav

 

[Badbusboy]

Thanks gav & darren - i'll have a look at both the invertor fusion and lorch machines. What does the lorch look like?

Cheers

 

[gavuk]

ifl 200phf 200phf..........not sure if weldequip sells these ....for lorch pm matt1978 ,unless weldequipe has become an agent yet

 

[Archie]

ifl 200phf 200phf..........not sure if weldequipe sells these ....for lorch pm matt1978 ,unless weldequipe has become an agent yet

I believe he has!

 

[madkayaker]

Weldequip is now a Lorch dealer

 

[irondarren]

As far as I am aware weldequip sells the IFL units and the lorch units, but perhaps weldequip migh confirm that. In fact it might just be worth weldequip reply to this thread to tell us who is an agent for. I know he sells murex and esab stuff

 

[snowcat]

10mm al will warrant a big machine with lots of D/C Iv been on 1/4 fillets on box all day and am glad iv still got the 500amp kemmpi in the corner, al is a frustrating process (altogether) but especially with a machine thats lacking....

If its occasional and you have access to preheat then 200 amps minimum is needed, as temperatures drop this time of year it sorts the men from the boys.....