Choosing First Tig setup

[BeauFoulds]

Brand new to this forum and infact tig welding,i have done abit of mig before but nothing major,am looking into what machine to get and just wondered if anyone had any advice.
Am looking at the - SIP 05266 Weldmate P178HF TIG / ARC Inverter Welder

Id appreciate any advice or help

Cheers
Beau

 

[daleyd]

Hi Beau,

Not too sure about that particular machine, though someone on here might.

What are you hoping to weld, and what's your budget? Those are the 2 major questions you should be asking.

With your budget in mind don't forget you will require a bottle of pure argon as well.

Welcome to the forum BTW!

Dale

 

[BeauFoulds]

Hi mate

Will be mainly motorbike frames so tube mild steel couple of mills thick, and some stainless stuff like exhausts and what not

As for budget probably couple of hundred, upto like 300 for the machine,then obviously a bottle of argon to put on top of that.

Cheers mate

Beau

 

[langy]

Hi mate

Will be mainly motorbike frames so tube mild steel couple of mills thick, and some stainless stuff like exhausts and what not

As for budget probably couple of hundred, upto like 300 for the machine,then obviously a bottle of argon to put on top of that.

Cheers mate

Beau

Unfortunately you won't get much of a tig for a couple of hundred

 

[Richard.]

200-300 for a dc Tig is seriously stretching things. If you can source one for that in new condition it's not going to be that great. If that's your max id be looking on forum selling pages gumtree eBay etc for a used bargain. There are machines like that about for your price but they are box shifting companies from a far away place they have a reputation for having faults straight out the box and then you have the hassle of going through there "warranty system" which is about as user friendly as solving a rubix cube one handed. If you eventually get a response you then have to pay to send it back which will probably be close to the value of the machine then wait weeks for it to be returned with your old fault fixed and a brand new fault to keep you on your toes. My advice is up the budget to reach the r tech machines or buy a used one private seller.

 

[BeauFoulds]

Right ok, i dont mind upping my budget abit to get a half decent model to learn with, i just dont fancy some chinese piece of crap that'll break in seconds, what sort of budget should i be looking at for like a half decent dc tig? I was looking at this one

http://www.sipuk.co.uk/sip-05266-weldmate-p178hf-tig-arc-inverter-welder.html

is that any good or...?

 

[Richard.]

It's really cheap, you should not be put off china built machines BUT look for them that are distributed and supported on your doorstep. Free pickup and return warranty should the s#%t hit the fan. I don't know much about the SIP range but I'd avoid it at that price as for them to make good margin on it, it must be full of straw. R tech, thermal arc, jassic, esab buddy Tig. Will be better quality and good support. Yes all those I mentioned are built in the Far East but they meet better standards and don't leave the country to be repaired if needed.

 

[Richard.]

http://www.google.de/url?sa=t&sourc...3OgMAH&usg=AFQjCNGbymgma18tWIAbdiszYHMpP6B64ASlightly less available current and £50 over budget but a brand that is tried tested and got good reviews from members on here.

 

[Richard.]

Sorry inc VAT it's £100 over but worth the extra for there reputation

 

[BeauFoulds]

Cool so r-tech is probably my best shout? Ill have a proper look when i get home from work.

Also what about footpedals? Ive watched a couple of things that say foot pedals are a good investment, would you say its worth getting one for a beginer or is that something i should wait and get when ive learnt more and am a bit more advanced?

Thanks for all the help and advice though really appreciate it

Cheers

 

[daleyd]

+1 for a decent supplier. For your budget most machines are going to be Chinese made, nothing wrong with that, but aftersales counts for a lot in my book.

To recount a tale of woe there is a guy on here who bought a plasma cutter from what he thought was a UK seller and it turns out to be a Hong Kong import. Cue loads of hassle trying to get things sorted........ If your OK with that then you can save yourself a bit of cash but that is the chance you take. (If your buying direct from SIP I guess this wont apply to you)

As Richard says, I'd check out Rtech or Weldequip shop as a first port of call if buying new (link above). Weldequip has Jasic 180 amp Tig's for just over 400 notes with a 5 year warranty. If your going to be doing any serious amount of welding it's got to be worth a look? Also Rtech are good, I've got one of their machines and wouldn't hesitate in buying another.

SIP generally don't have a great reputation on this forum, mainly to do with their older MIG range, but I'm not sure their inverter range has been out long enough for anyone to have any decent feedback on as yet?

I'm not sure the SIP will accept a foot pedal if you go down that route, so another negative in my book (Though neither does the Jasic model). Pedals are not essential to start with )You'll have your hands full laying beads and adding filler for a while but once you get proficient you may want the extra flexibility they allow.

 

[BeauFoulds]

sound ok ill think ill go for the r-tech on the link Richard posted further up,and just get a footpedal when i get more advanced,is there anything else i should know before I start, i know i need pure argon,is there any specific tungsten and filler rod i should start with for just mild steel?

cheers

 

[Richard.]

A foot pedal is essential for ac aluminium welding but not a massive Benefit for dc you will manage fine on the torch switch. Saying that Rtech do tend to be pretty good with the odd giveaway. I would phone them direct and get talking to them, ask them if they have any shop soiled units (maybe a scratch at worst but a lump off the price). They also tend to chuck a pedal in with some machines there is no harm in asking they might say no but do a good discount on it. The other thing is they offer interest free credit 6 months. So (subject to credit rating) you may get a nice affordable payment plan. Give them a call then let us know how you get on.

 

[langy]

Cool so r-tech is probably my best shout? Ill have a proper look when i get home from work.

Also what about footpedals? Ive watched a couple of things that say foot pedals are a good investment, would you say its worth getting one for a beginer or is that something i should wait and get when ive learnt more and am a bit more advanced?

Thanks for all the help and advice though really appreciate it

Cheers

Also look at the Parweld XTI, there support is excellent, at home I use the older XTI and the arc is slightly more stable than the Rtec, In my opinion a peddle is invaluable especially if you want to do stainless & aluminium.
Tungsten's I like the blue lathanated and you can use for AC & DC, I would get 1.6 & 2.4mm, Also a gas lense will save you gas as will a Flowmeter.
A15 rod is a good start for steel, I like 1mm 1.6mm

 

[SBK]

There is a very nice little Tig set for sale in the used equipment section

 

[wheresmejumper]

I wouldnt be too afraid of the sip inverter.i bought one a few years ago and it did well enough.
local dealers with warranty everywhere.i know rtech collect but i wouldnt see that £7 as a deal breaker.

 

[BeauFoulds]

Cheers for all the help and advice, I think am gonna go with the r-tech to get started,Cheers Richard yea ill give them a call see what they can offer me.I think i read that tig comes with a tungsten kit, am not sure whats in it but ill find out when i ring them.

cheers

 

[Richard.]

Don't get hung up on tungsten flavours, the one that comes with it will be fine, your new to Tig so the differences between them will be unnoticeable. When you get it start up a new thread and gain some advise on usage. Good luck.

 

[BeauFoulds]

Thats brill cheers pal,will do