Diy Tig

[MarkMG]

Found this on t'internet

http://myweb.cableone.net/rschell/TIG.htm

Anyone done anything like this? is it worth a go?

 

[mishka]

Ah yes, another one of those motor-alternator TIGs. Several designs on the net, either web pages or forums. The general idea being a hefty motor (~5HP) drives a hefty lorry alternator, and after a bit of fiddling around you end up with a 12V TIG. You adjust the welding current by varying the current through the field winding. I guess if you're deaf you don't mind having a bloody great alternator whirring away...

 

[dozer]

Found this on t'internet

http://myweb.cableone.net/rschell/TIG.htm

Anyone done anything like this? is it worth a go?

I built a similar machine and really enjoy using it. Mine isn't nearly as pretty as his (built it out of salvaged steel from a scrap yard), but functions just as well... I don't know what sort of alternators are available in your area, I was able to procure a Leese-Neville. Same one used by R Schell. That unit will produce much more than 12 volts out depending on the voltage input to the field... As for noise, it's about as loud as my Lincoln PowerMig 215's cooling fans...

 

[Stuggi]

That's a pretty nice design for DIY:ers, second hand electric motors and lorry alternators aren't that hard to come by, while decent transformers capable of 150 A are. It's also damn easy to make portable, just replace the motor with an scooter engine.

 

[dozer]

That's a pretty nice design for DIY:ers, second hand electric motors and lorry alternators aren't that hard to come by, while decent transformers capable of 150 A are. It's also damn easy to make portable, just replace the motor with an scooter engine.

There once was a company here in the US that produced a small arc welder that you could strap to your back, and used a small alternator and gas engine (www.zena.net). But I wasn't able to raise the site just now for some reason...(out of business perhaps?).

Another idea is to take an old lawn tractor, remove the mower deck and mount an alternator on it so that the tractor engine drives the alternator (instead of the grass cutting blades...). It's somewhat similar to what these folks did [http://oak.cats.ohiou.edu/~weinfurt/gaswelder.html] but you still have the transmission, steering and rear drive wheels.) That way you don't have to lug the silly thing around...

 

[shenion]

The Zena welders are still around. They do lots of bolt-on welders for trucks and kits to use a gas engine for power. They do 200A DC.

I am tempted to lay out a control board that will do MIG, ARC or maybe TIG with a high-amp generator. Would be nice to have a portable welder. I do have a riding mower with a 12HP engine. Will probably pick up a used 16HP as a swap and use the old one for a generator.

Hmm, have an old mower chassis. could use the baseplate for the engine and mount the alternator on it.....