Advise needed for new TIG user

[davesideways]

Hi chaps, been cruising the forum for a while.

I am about to buy a TIG.

I just wanted some hints on a good machine.

I like the idea of TIG as I wish to weld a range of materials, mild, stainless, alloys, inconel.

I'd one machine that can do the lot.

I have some gas experience, but would be happy to teach myself to TIG. Usually picking things up quick is no issue for me, including advanced and skilled proceedures and hand -eye co-ords.

I do alot fabrication for my Hobby with cars, have no need to weld anything over 5mm thick.

Especially interested in alloy welding and clean welds on VERY thing material like car bodies, no rusty junk, just race-cars and clean metal fabrications.

I have a budget of around £750 maybe up to £1000 for the right kit.

I just want a solid machine thats good for thin materials, reliable and esy to use.

I don't want a mig or an arc. I want neat welds and more control.

Any advise on good machines...

I see some machines from China about, 200AMP AC/DC with good reviews, seem to be being sold here called "butters"?

Any advise greatly recieved.

I have searched the net for hours but found little info, and after all. Hands on experience counts for more than anything.

Thanks,
David

 

[malcolm]

Welcome David.

There are a whole lot of people on here that will be able to help better than me, but I'll stick in my 2p.

You'll need a TIG that has an AC output for aluminium welding. That's an AC/DC set (the DC is best for steel and stainless).

With your gas experience you should pick up TIG easilly. It really is all about co-ordination, distance from workpiece for the torch while you hold it in one hand and dip the filler in with the other. I'd guess the position of the torch is more critical than with gas as TIG is generally recommended when you are working on a bench rather than working under a car.

The very thin is something to watch for when buying a TIG. I reckon less than 20 amps for 0.8mm sheet at my inexperienced speed of welding. A lot of them start at 5 amps.

 

[weldequip]

I see some machines from China about, 200AMP AC/DC with good reviews

I've yet to see any good reviews! unless they have been virtually re-built in the UK. Just be careful with Inverter based machines... they are extremely complex bits of kit and without UK after sales back-up you may aswell throw your money down the drain!
weldequip

 

[irondarren]

Ok problem with chinese made machines is spare parts, if they go wrong, you might have trouble getting spare parts. Which might mean what you spent £750 on has become a paper weight if out of warranty and spare parts are not available.
A good AC/DC 200 amp machine is going to cost the wrong side of £1000, which is why I decided when i bought my TIG i would just go for a DC unit which with torch cost me over £800. Lovely little welder excellent duty cycle, and nice and smooth both TIG welding and in MMA mode. But there equivelent AC/DC machine was £2000 a little more than i was willing to spend as it was mostly for Mild Steel and the odd bit of stainless. My personal preference would be to steer away from cheap chinese made inverters, on the other hand there are a few manufacturers that still produce the old fashion style transformer TIG units, which is cheaper to produce a good quality transformer style unit than it is a good quality inverter unit. Transformer units are fine as long as you don't want portability which unfortunatly i did when i purchase mine, because i need a good high power portable MMA unit.

 

[davesideways]

Hello,

Yes, will need AC/DC...ideally, but...

Can you add another box to a decent DC TIG to get AC function after?

The ferous side is probably more important than AC atm.

Most of my welding is bench stuff, like suspension wishbones, parts made for water systems, header tanks and components, never anything under the car really, never really rust repair etc... bar some possible bracketry work and work in the engine bay or bulkhead/interior where space and clearances for torch should be ok.

Thanks.

 

[irondarren]

AC on a inverter unit is a whole different kettle of fish and requires more, electronics. As far as im aware it cant be added as an after function.

Weldequip Portamig do AC/DC transformer units?, don't think davesideways neccesarly needs the portability of an inverter. Nothing wrong with a good old, well never transformer tig.

 

[weldequip]

If you don't need the portability forget Inverters. They are unbeatable for site work & general convenience, but if it's solely workshop orientated get yourself a transformed based set. (becoming a bit of a rarity nowadays but much more servicable & reliable).
weldequip

 

[weldequip]

Can you add another box to a decent DC TIG to get AC function after?

No. There are AC/DC add on TIG units available that you can run from an MMA (stick) power source but you only get out what you put in... if it's an AC power source you will get AC TIG, if it's a DC power source you will only get DC TIG.
weldequip

 

[Rusty]

Do you have 3 phase power available ? perhaps you might consider a second hand unit, there are some real bargains to be had on ebay and the guys who know their tig stuff on here would be more than glad to recommend a particular model I'm sure.

 

[weldequip]

That's why they are cheap Rusty... most home users haven't got 3 phase & the professionals that do have moved on.
weldequip

 

[davesideways]

Any model recommendations?

DC or AC/DC

 

[irondarren]

I have an inverter fusion php 200 and thats a great machine but is likely to set you back around £850(unless you can beat weldequip about the head and get a special forum members deal), with a TIG torch. But it is only a DC unit with 200amps on TIG and 180amps on MMA. If you don't need a inverter, ie you dont need it portable you got a portamig 171 AC/DC which is a transformer based unit rather than a inverter they are around about £1100, if you need more power you got the portamig 201 AC/DC thats going to set you back at least £1500. I think one of the forum members is the proud owner of a portamig TIG unit, perhaps they will comment on its performance

 

[Rusty]

Just spotted this on ebay http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Kemppi-master...QQihZ005QQcategoryZ113743QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
It's a quality make and i'm sure the tig guys on here would point out the pro's and con's of this model.

 

[Wozzaaah]

I've been watching that Kemppi just to see how much it fetches. Anyone know how much it would have been new?

 

[Rusty]

I've been watching that Kemppi just to see how much it fetches. Anyone know how much it would have been new?

Just done a quick search,i reckon about £1600 + vat, 3 - 160amp
reckon you could weld fag papers with that !

 

[Wozzaaah]

Nice machine but I'll bet it goes for silly money.

 

[davesideways]

What about a:

ESAB Caddy™ Tig 2200i AC/DC, TA33 AC/DC

?

No 3 phase here.

 

[davesideways]

Or Maybe a Kemppi MasterTig MLS4000 ?

 

[Rusty]

What about a:

ESAB Caddy™ Tig 2200i AC/DC, TA33 AC/DC

?

No 3 phase here.

I think for a grand i would go for the portamig/mta 171 ac/dc machine,transformer based,proven reliability and service friendly.
Ask weldequip for a quote or
http://www.migtigarc.co.uk/TIG_Welder/tig_welder.html

 

[davesideways]

Are you on commission by chance?