First TIG for classic car restoration

[1960bus]

Hi,
I've been MIG welding for a few years and want to be able to create better work and no filler repairs that are able to be metalworked after. I have gas welded thin sheet in the past and was reasonably good but would like to move on to TIG. What would the minimum welder be to get results like in the picture here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/50split/1950Split20062007Restoration/photo#4998136702179999762


From what I've read here the Portamig TIG looks like the best buy but would it be realistic to pick up your skills with this welder? are there any other options? I'll mainly be working with bodywork steel (but could see myself regreting buying DC only the first time I need to fix an aluminium part).

 

[DIY Welding]

You could achive results like that with most good quality tig sets, Portamig Butters, will give you good quality welds with tig its all down to practice

 

[irondarren]

1960bus, stay clear of cheap sets, as diy welding says any quality tig set will produce nice welds. AC/DC sets are more expensive than strait DC sets, but they allow you to weld aluminium which can be a big advantage. A good Tig set is going cost over 1000 with torch and foot pedel, buy the best you can afford, and stay clear of the cheap chinese made sets, because of lack of spares back up.

 

[daf45]

Impressive work in the example pics...
Not just a quality tig but years of practice me thinks

 

[weldequip]

The cost between a DC only TIG (won't do aluminium) & an AC/DC TIG (will do aluminium) can be substantial, so you need to weigh up if you are likely to be doing any aluminium work. The HF (high frequency) push button start machines are the best, although basic 'Scratch-Start' machines can achieve pretty good results for that type of work (sub £300 for a decent set-up).
You would be looking at around £700 for a good, fully specified DC machine & £1000+ for a good AC/DC machine. And I stress good, cause there's loads of nasty Chinese stuff flooding the market nowadays (most of which doesn't comply with European regulations!) that's making decent stuff look expensive!
weldequip

 

[irondarren]

Stange you say about chinese stuff etc, I noticed there are some inverters now being sent direct from china, which i guess is how they get around non compliance with european regulation.

 

[weldequip]

It is illegal to sell anything in the UK & Europe that doesn't comply with current legislation. And this does not just now mean the 'CE' mark, there is also ROHS & WEEE compliance to be considered.
Some of the machines coming direct from China may have the CE mark but don't have ROHS compliance, so shouldn't be for sale in the UK.
That is all the Dealer's responsibilty & I suppose wouldn't concern the average punter... but what if (when!) the machine fails? Take it into your local, friendly dealer? don't think so mate....send it back to China!! (another 200 quid each way)
It really is a false economy buying these things; we are not ripping people off selling similar machines at higher prices, we are providing an A1 after sales service that all costs time & money. Consider the above; £500 for an AC/DC Inverter... F***s up under warranty, local dealer won't touch it, send it back to China +£200, have it returned from China +£200, + import duties =£1000+
You could have bought one on your own door step for that without all the headache & hassle!!
weldequip

 

[irondarren]

I personally as a professional (lol) user of welding equipment could not afford to buy chinese welding equipment the price is to high. I need to purchase welding equipment that i know there is spares and service back up on. If im in the middle of a job and something breaks, i need to know that i cant get parts within a very short period of time. To get the machine back into a working condition again, because if it isnt working then i ain't earning. When i buy machinery i need to buy equipment that i know i have full dealer back up should there be a problem, and that dealer is only a phone call away, anything else is just unaceptable. That back up is something you just dont get from chinese equipment.

 

[weldequip]

Ahmen.

 

[Trev]

Morning

My first tig is a Portamig....never tigged before but like yourself have done plenty of gas
got to admit on steel its very easy to pick up over last weekend had a play at making some stands for my stock and was happy to say the least

alloy is a little more challenging but to be fair I have limited pieces to practice on

had my foot pedal yesterday (Cheers Steve/Weldequip) so now I can get on with it

the machine is a stunning bit'o'kit and very easy to set up with very limited knowledge .... although there is all the help you need here

if i ever have any issues with the tank that is my tig i know help wont be far away

very happy customer no affiliation blah blah etc

Trev

 

[1960bus]

Thanks for the replies. If i were to go down the HF DC route for steel only what would be good models to look at?

 

[weldequip]

Inverter Fusion 200HF/PHF is about the best machine on the market without going stupid on price:- www.inverterfusion.com
weldequip

 

[DIY Welding]

new or s/hand?

 

[1960bus]

Either I guess as long as the secondhand is via a dealer.

 

[DIY Welding]

What voltage just single phase or dual voltage ie 110/240

 

[1960bus]

Single phase 240v (I have about 50amps out to the garage). No need for 110.

 

[DIY Welding]

I have a Kemppi single phase tig s/hand if you are intrested pm me

 

[weldequip]

Either I guess as long as the secondhand is via a dealer.

That's a good point there 1960bus, particularly with Inverter based machines. Second hand Inverters need to be either very, very cheap or very clean & little used with a good warranty... otherwise forget em! you might get a few months use out of em & find that the mother board fails, costing £250+ to replace!
weldequip

 

[irondarren]

Nothing like a yrs manufacterers warranty

 

[weldequip]

Better with 2 on an Inverter
weldequip