Cheap and nasty learner TIG ?

[CompoSimmonite]

I've been welding for 40 years. Self taught at first then college to get proper qualification (even though no intention of working in the "welding trade" - I was a clerical Civil Servant).
So I can gas, arc and MIG weld but never tired TIG.
A recent visit to JTF saw me looking at this sub £100 Chinese TIG
http://www.jtf.com/juba-tig-welder-130amp.html
and it's got me thinking. Accepted it'll be normal poor quality but if it lasts long enough for me to learn TIG welding then it could be viable - plus with JTF being a big organisation no problem taking it back WHEN it dies during warrantee period

So what's the opinion of these cheap and nasty Chinese TIG's as a learner machine ?

Cheers.

Paul H

 

[langy]

Cordless as well !!!

 

[pedrobedro]

It runs on 4 AA batteries, rechargeable are best It looks worth a punt as an arc welder but I wouldn't spend a load of money on torch and gas to try it as a tig welder. If you have someone who can lend you a torch and gas go for it and let us know your results.

 

[CompoSimmonite]

It runs on 4 AA batteries, rechargeable are best It looks worth a punt as an arc welder but I wouldn't spend a load of money on torch and gas to try it as a tig welder. If you have someone who can lend you a torch and gas go for it and let us know your results.

When I saw them in store I'm sure they came with torch - will have to check.

 

[Richard.]

Are you sure it's a dedicated tig machine? It looks like an mma welder with scratch tig option if you add a torch. If that's the case then there are plenty of these about below 100 quid.

 

[PTvor]

It looks to me like just another cheap Chinese MMA inverter. Giant are usually sold on ebay by Local Tool Sales. If you look on ebay there are loads of things like this for a ton or less, some with 200A max current. Search under invertor as well as inverter.

It doesn't say it has a TIG torch and it probably won't have one for that price. It doesn't even say whether it has MMA leads. If you look in that price range there are MMA inverters being sold with DINSE plugs but no welding leads. Watch 'em.

You can do scratch start TIG with any DC welding source or any MMA inverter. Then you have lift start, HF start, and a host of features which make the machine properly a TIG welder and easier to use.

 

[penfold]

You'd be be better off learning TIG at night school if possible(any TIG-equipped forumites local who'd give you a go?); that way you're not learning on sub-optimal equipment, then if you get on with the process you can go and buy the gear.

 

[Bill Edwards]

I agree that it's a basic MMA inverter, so it'll only do scratch TIG. It also doesn't say it has any leads on the website. As also said, there are plenty of those available on eBay - for similar money you can get more powerful ones too (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-200Am...028?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item35ebab26c4), though I do note that as you are near to the place selling the one you are looking at returning it will be easy enough if it fails.

I think that it would be a good idea to know what exactly you're wanting to do - have a play at TIG, do the odd project etc?
Because for say £200 you can get something like this http://www.weldequip.com/parweld-xti160.htm which has lift TIG and is probably a little better all round - but whether you can afford it, and whether it's worth the extra to you, is another matter.

 

[CRB]

Cordless as well !!!

?As in supply your own power lead?

 

[Richard.]

As in hook it up to a gyro and pedal like ###k with the mask down and torch in hand.

 

[CompoSimmonite]

Think I'll forget that idea and stick with my arc, MIG and gas setups

 

[Woody.v8]

Think I'll forget that idea and stick with my arc, MIG and gas setups

You are always welcome to have a blast of one of my tigs Paul

 

[Richard.]

Don't give up on Tig. It's by far my favourite process and with time put in the results can be awesome.