Looking for bicycle frame tig machine

[shotred]

Any bike frame builders that could give me some advice. I want to buy a good 230V machine capable of doing stainless and possible titanium frames in the future. I know its a huge learning process but I would rather buy the right machine the first time. So far been looking at Kemppi and Lorch.
Any advice appreciated especially on type of machine and type of controls... foot pedal preferred over hand controls etc. I only really see on youtube stuff out of the US and would rather get something Europe based.
Cheers.

 

[eddie49]

Bienvenue !
Calling @brockenhammer

 

[tom2207]

Dont leave EWM off the list either ,, but I think all you will need can be covered by most mid range machines ,,, dont they braze frames anymore , an oxy acet set up is a fraction of the price and a far lower learning curve
welcome to the forum

 

[Ruffian]

Use a ewm sc tig through work .
It's really nice and stable arc.

 

[Shox Dr]

No need for a fancy machine if you dont want to weld Aluminium. Nor will you need more 150amps. Most of the time you'll be well under 100amps, so no need for a water cooled torch either.
I'd save your money and buy the best helmet you can get. DC set around 180amps, with a WP9 or 20 Torch can be had for less than 250quid. It will weld just as well as anything you care to name. It wont be until you can weld to any standard and with some seat time will you be able to tell a difference between each Set. Then YOU will know whats the best setup for your needs.

I see you are in France. GYS are a French manufacturer.

 

[shotred]

Dont leave EWM off the list either ,, but I think all you will need can be covered by most mid range machines ,,, dont they braze frames anymore , an oxy acet set up is a fraction of the price and a far lower learning curve
welcome to the forum

Thanks for the welcome, I don't know EWM but will look them up. I have an Oxy/acet set up and have brazed up frames although I am no expert yet... but its time consuming to file all the welds ( don't want to leave raw filets, prefer the clean file and sanded look ) . Will probably still use it for the braze ons. Just want to have the option of both. I know Tig will be a lot longer learning curve but as I ultimately want to do Stainless and Ti I need to start somewhere.

 

[shotred]

No need for a fancy machine if you dont want to weld Aluminium. Nor will you need more 150amps. Most of the time you'll be well under 100amps, so no need for a water cooled torch either.
I'd save your money and buy the best helmet you can get. DC set around 180amps, with a WP9 or 20 Torch can be had for less than 250quid. It will weld just as well as anything you care to name. It wont be until you can weld to any standard and with some seat time will you be able to tell a difference between each Set. Then YOU will know whats the best setup for your needs.

I see you are in France. GYS are a French manufacturer.

Definitely don't want aluminium. Not sure what the highest output I need is but I can't see being anywhere near 150 amps. I have a good helmet I think? A 3M Speedglass 100? I know of GYS but like I say I know the American brands more. Just trying to workout what I need in a good or even midrange machine. Cheers.

 

[Ubique]

Optrel helmets are the best I've owned, I bought a GYS ProTIG 201 on recommendation after trying several other brands - it's probably excessive for your needs so maybe a ProTIG 161 ?

Arc Welding, Battery Chargers & Body Repair | GYS

GYS is a French family-owned manufacturing group that engineers, designs and sells arc welding, collision repair and automotive battery service equipment.

www.gys-welding.com

https://www.gys-welding.com/pdf/datasheet/uk/062054.pdf

 

[hotponyshoes]

I've got an Ewm tetrix pulse for sale,
Funnily enough it came from a bloke who built custom bike frames!!

 

[tom2207]

I've got an Ewm tetrix pulse for sale,
Funnily enough it came from a bloke who built custom bike frames!!

I have one and love it.

 

[shotred]

Optrel helmets are the best I've owned, I bought a GYS ProTIG 201 on recommendation after trying several other brands - it's probably excessive for your needs so maybe a ProTIG 161 ?

Arc Welding, Battery Chargers & Body Repair | GYS

GYS is a French family-owned manufacturing group that engineers, designs and sells arc welding, collision repair and automotive battery service equipment.

www.gys-welding.com

https://www.gys-welding.com/pdf/datasheet/uk/062054.pdf

Ha looking at the price of Optrel helmets I suspect they may be in a different league to mine!

 

[shotred]

If we are talking EWM I expect we are talking a Picotig 200 for my needs?
Picotig 200 TG (ewm-sales.com)

 

[tom2207]

If we are talking EWM I expect we are talking a Picotig 200 for my needs?
Picotig 200 TG (ewm-sales.com)

a lot of stuff at quarter the price will get you by for a few years ,, if you need a top flight machine sooner let the business buy it for you ,, most of your starting work will be grand with a 5 or 6 hundred quids worth hf starts about the only nice thing you actually need , and a pedal and of course a lot of seat time , this tig thing is a time hoover ... you sit down then wonder where 3 hours went ,,, and then the gas bottle reminds you , etc etc
its all just practice and patience ,,, if you can unicycle with one leg and juggle chainsaws with your left arm only tig welding will soon be second nature ,, oh ,, best you try those simple tasks blindfolded or in the dark , and wearing sneakers on your hands to get a real feel for tig ... and be glad its not aluminium your sticking together lol
but it is addictive

 

[Ubique]

Ha looking at the price of Optrel helmets I suspect they may be in a different league to mine!

They are, they're expensive but value for money IMO - especially if you're welding things where the appearance is as important as the metallurgy. I have an Optrel Crystal 2.0 at home and a Speedglas at work, I do most of my welding at home.

 

[tom2207]

They are, they're expensive but value for money IMO - especially if you're welding things where the appearance is as important as the metallurgy. I have an Optrel Crystal 2.0 at home and a Speedglas at work, I do most of my welding at home.

you cant be opti mistic with a misty optic ...

 

[Brad93]

stainless bike frames, there's one i haven't heard of

 

[Tangledfeet]

stainless bike frames, there's one i haven't heard of

Reynolds 953.

 

[doubleboost]

R Tech do a nice DC inverter with all the bells and whistles

 

[Brad93]

What's your budget?

 

[shotred]

What's your budget?

Anywhere between 1-3k euros... but I want a pedal and a descent gas bottle in there if I can.
Funnily stainless frames are the ones that I really like brassed as you can leave them unpainted if you want to show off some of the filet welds.