Converting MMA to Tig

[madkayaker]

OK Simon has been planting bad ideas in my head. Will be picking up a 300A DC stick welder. Can this be used for TIG? I was thinking of just plugging in a torch into the out put. Will this work or am i barking up wrong tree (again) Thanks

 

[irondarren]

Yes you can use it as a tig. You need a manual torch in that gas control is via a knob that you open or close on the torch. There is a voltage difference for Tig V arc, Tig needs less voltage for the given amps. so more voltage shouldnt be a problem. Need a regulator and a bottle of pure argon. then you can tig everything to death
You can even turn it into a hf unit
http://www.migtigarc.co.uk/TIG_Welder/MTA_TIG_START_300_inline/mta_tig_start_300_inline.html

speak to weldequip im sure he can get you a similar unit at a better price.

 

[madkayaker]

Great thanks. Is that the same for AC and DC?

 

[irondarren]

i believe you can get Ac hf units as well. AC most definately needs a hf unit as it cant hold an arc where as DC can

 

[madkayaker]

great when i get set up will give it a try. A feel another Email to Weldequip coming on....

 

[irondarren]

300a dc tig will be a serious piece of kit. I can tig most things with my 200amp

 

[madkayaker]

I'll need to learn what to do first

 

[simon718]

wow i was right for once

 

[madkayaker]

Yep it all your fault

 

[simon718]

 

[snowcat]

one problem with an add on box is you will not be able to control current via a foot pedal, I kinda think there £500 spent in the wrong dirrection.......

 

[madkayaker]

once I've got it set up i will have AC and DC MMA, DC TIG And Gas/less MIG. Any I'm missing?

 

[Paul.]

Yes you can use it as a tig. You need a manual torch in that gas control is via a knob that you open or close on the torch. There is a voltage difference for Tig V arc, Tig needs less voltage for the given amps. so more voltage shouldnt be a problem. Need a regulator and a bottle of pure argon. then you can tig everything to death
You can even turn it into a hf unit
http://www.migtigarc.co.uk/TIG_Welder/MTA_TIG_START_300_inline/mta_tig_start_300_inline.html

speak to weldequip im sure he can get you a similar unit at a better price.

Too high an ocv makes for an unstable arc, and overheats the electrodes, thats why most inverters have an mma / tig changeover switch.

 

[madkayaker]

Is it more of a quality issue or a real pain?

 

[snowcat]

honestly MK, if you want D/C Tig you would be better off IMHO spending the cash on a little scratch start inverter.....

 

[madkayaker]

Thanks for that. I didn't get the MMA with the plan of TIG just worth an ask if it would work. But i suppose if it was that easy no one would sell TIG inverters we would all be use MMA!

 

[eddie49]

A rough add-on HF unit, 400A DC, for 55 quid or less:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=320267575867

or a better one:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=200291361505

This company auctions these units regularly.

 

[scarecrow]

I had thought about doing that myself in theory it should work but there could be voltage problems it says connection 30v most ark welders would be some where between 50 and 80v what do they normally use those HF units for

 

[aero]

Technical arc services do a HF AC/DC unit to plug into stick welders. Its £200 I think.

 

[Robotstar5]

once I've got it set up i will have AC and DC MMA, DC TIG And Gas/less MIG. Any I'm missing?

AC tig, Plasma, O/A, although resistance (spot) welding shouldn't be a problem for a sparky to knock something up