AC/DC Tig set, with HF start and pulse.

[Steve Gray]

Hello, im currently half way through my city and guilds Welding course and I want to buy my own welder.

I want to cover all bases so im not limited to the material I can weld and as such will need a AC/DC tig set with HF and Pulse (i think!?) As for cost the cheaper the better but im fully aware you get what you pay for, so im looking around £5-600 mark, any help and guidance would be great.

cheers

Steve

 

[dan.taylor.1]

I might be wrong but you could be looking more over a grand for that spec of kit and not Chinese rubbish?!

 

[Steve Gray]

Cheers dan, this is exactly what I want from people, their opinion and any info they can give me so I have the best idea of what my options are!

 

[dan.taylor.1]

Have a look at the r-tech units, they seem to be well recommended by the folk on here, in fact I think doubleboost did a YouTube vid on them, his channel is well worth a look anyhow!

Dan

 

[God mode restorations]

trouble is in the market of welding machines is the more dollar the better the machine...and do stay clear of real cheap sets as there Chinese as mentioned above...go for a well known make...shop about as there are some good deals about ...

 

[F.J.]

I did a lot of searching and homework on TIG sets before I went out and bought one. i was almost tempted to buy a 'shop soiled' R-tech unit off eBay as they are offering a 0% finance package but I came across a Lincoln Electric V205 ACDC set that was not even 12 months old at a steal. Although it was above my budget by some margin I'm glad I spent the extra as it's an awesome bit of kit, although I am new to tig welding so can't really say my experience spans that far.

A good friend of mine has been tig welding since school (he's 36) and thinks it's the dogs ******** as he put it.

There is a West ACDC set on eBay for your budget but don't know if it is pulse but I wouldn't worry if it isn't.

 

[Richard.]

I might be wrong but you could be looking more over a grand for that spec of kit and not Chinese rubbish?!

Bang on the mark. Anything less than a £1000 for a "new" machine of that spec should be looked into further. Used machines however who knows what is out there. But deals do crop up. Only a few weeks ago a world class machine went for good a good price on the buying thread here so keep those eyes pealed.

 

[Steve Gray]

Cheers lads, as for the r-tech units is this a known/well rated machine??

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=191342978304&alt=web

I am constantly looking out for second hand gear, on apex auctions, ebay etc aswell

steve

 

[Richard.]

A lot of RTech owners on here that really like em . I have never used one personally. They have quite attractive offers about like pay over 6 months interest free, 2 years no hassle warranty, shop soiled machines with significant discounts ie with a scratch or two. Free pedal. From my limited knowledge about them the only thing I really dis like is the size and bulky torch supplied. If I bought one I would make/buy a cooler and run a WP9

 

[Richard.]

If your budget will run to it there is an ACDC lincoln tig 200 amp water cooler and pedal on flebay with a day to go no bids. It's starting at £1500 but looks brand new. This sort of unit is world class and with a cooler and pedal it would be no less than £4000 new. Obviously it depends on what is in your pocket but I know where my money would be going. I'll send the link

 

[Richard.]

Item 271613213864

 

[zzr1200]

Item 271613213864

Make sure its single phase unless you have access to 3 phase, some are listed as single phase but in fact require a 220v x 3 supply, which is a form of European 3 phase I beleive.

You need to check the machines spec plate and ask the sparky's on here, I'm just a commercial spanner monkey by trade, 3 phase confuses me (Star/Delta/440v/380v/220v x 3...................).

 

[Steve Gray]

Cheers rich, unfortunately that is out of my budget at this point in time :-( a grand is stretching it really!!

I understand its a great deal I just cant shell that much out at this time.

Another question, what limitations would having only 160amps give me? Im assuming doing a tig job using 150amp plus is a pretty hefty joint on pretty thick material? ?

Cheers

 

[Steve Gray]

Make sure its single phase unless you have access to 3 phase, some are listed as single phase but in fact require a 220v x 3 supply, which is a form of European 3 phase I beleive.

You need to check the machines spec plate and ask the sparky's on here, I'm just a commercial spanner monkey by trade, 3 phase confuses me.

thanks mark. Ill bear that in mind.

 

[Richard.]

160amp machine will weld 4-5mm ally happily without stretching the duty cycle. 6mm will be right on its limit to get a pool flowing. (Talking butt joints here) obviously once the ally gets hot the current can then be reduced.

 

[Steve Gray]

160amp machine will weld 4-5mm ally happily without stretching the duty cycle. 6mm will be right on its limit to get a pool flowing. (Talking butt joints here) obviously once the ally gets hot the current can then be reduced.

Cheers Richard,
that will cover most of the stuff im planning on encountering anyway. I suppose if I had to do some 6mm work on ali for example theres always the PWHT route

 

[Wallace]

Don't forget the consumables needed with Tig, the cost can soon mount up.