First Workshop TIG

[Gramps88]

Hi all,

I'm sorry as this seems to be a regular post/question. I've tried searching, but not finding my needs! I'm going to be starting up a workshop shortly. Itll be classic restoration, custom fab work and exhausts mainly.

I'm looking for a TIG machine, budget around £800-1000, AC/DC as I'm wanting to teach myself ali welding soon. I want a pedal, and a torch that I can run gas cups on too.

What do people recommend? I was looking at Rtech, but seen some not great reviews, and then I'm abit lost in the many any machines out there.

Thanks in Advance

 

[Tom Orrow L]

I know its a little bit over budget but the Paton ProTIG 200 AC/DC is, in my opinion, unbeatable quality for the money.

Paton ProTIG 200 AC/DC TIG Welder - 230V

Key Features 6MM maximum weld thickness Feature packed AC/DC TIG welder Made in Europe 3 year warranty

www.weldingsuppliesdirect.co.uk

They're built to a very high standard, have high qualtiy Binzel accessories included, an affordable foot pedal & some great technical specs / features.

 

[Gramps88]

OK great, that's higher end of the budget, but I know it's going to be worth it.

What are Jasic machines like? I've found a 2nd hand one, localish. Tig 200p ac/dc?

 

[minimutly]

Whats the warranty on a used tig? This is the issue, and beyond the 3 years, can the Paton be repaired?
Once power electronics go bang, phut or nothing, things get pricey quickly...

 

[Tom Orrow L]

OK great, that's higher end of the budget, but I know it's going to be worth it.

What are Jasic machines like? I've found a 2nd hand one, localish. Tig 200p ac/dc?

Jasic are decent, but it does depend on whether its the Jasic that was sourced in to the country by Wilkinson Star or whether it was prior to that. If it was prior to that I wouldn't go for it as quality control wasn't the best back in the day. It's brilliant now, though.

 

[Tom Orrow L]

Whats the warranty on a used tig? This is the issue, and beyond the 3 years, can the Paton be repaired?
Once power electronics go bang, phut or nothing, things get pricey quickly...

Yep, it can be repaired easily as we keep the parts for every Paton machine here on the shelf. We're also very reasonable when it comes to repairs. We'll charge for labour, but no profit on the parts for the Paton machines.

 

[DAPPH]

Tom is there any value in having the tig or any decent multi method welding machine in a filtered air box with tight fitting doors on the front & sides for a short time access . This is to keep out all manner of conductive metallic dust from the workshop thus reducing the chances of conductive dusts causing shorts ? I 've currently got my multi purpose machine well covered in a folded double sized cotton bedsheet and it's as clean inside & out side as the day I got it six years ago. Thinking of finally getting round to constructing a punch plate aluminium cover for it with fillings of micro fibre walls top & bottom ( cheap single bed quilt ? ) for the filters .

 

[Tom Orrow L]

Tom is there any value in having the tig or any decent multi method welding machine in a filtered air box with tight fitting doors on the front & sides for a short time access . This is to keep out all manner of conductive metallic dust from the workshop thus reducing the chances of conductive dusts causing shorts ? I 've currently got my multi purpose machine well covered in a folded double sized cotton bedsheet and it's as clean inside & out side as the day I got it six years ago. Thinking of finally getting round to constructing a punch plate aluminium cover for it with fillings of micro fibre walls top & bottom ( cheap single bed quilt ? ) for the filters .

Anything you can do to ensure metallic dust doesn't get in to the machine is worthwhile, providing the cooling fan can still get a decent air flow through it. I know a fair few people who've stitched some leather cases with a vent cutout and that's served them pretty well.