New TIG Welder advice please

[540itouring]

Hi , I have had a Mig welder caddy c200i for a while and got on with using it very well and would now like to weld aluminium with a tig machine for classic car parts. The tig machine I have just got is another esab model caddy 2200i AC/DC TA34 . I have not connected this yet as need to buy a 10L bottle of argon and read some more books !.

This machine was more than I wanted to pay but I was thinking buying a better quality machine would make the task of learning to tig weld aluminium more helpful ?

The job I plan to do is to tig weld some aluminium tube to make a new water bypass rail for my XJS V12 car.

please could any members advise me as to what you think of this model of welder and will id be able to weld 2mm ally tubes with just a 13 amp plug or do I need to get a 16 amp socket fitted . Also the foot control option is not cheap , but as my model has many adjustments would I be able to do a good job with just the torch ? I know I would need practice and looking forward to having a go when the garage gets a little warmer and I have any extras I need first.

thanks for any help in advance.

 

[Richard.]

It's a very capable machine like all in that price range.
A pedal would make thin ally easier yes.
Esab pedals and extras are dear but you can get scc pedal for it for less than £180. Same with torches you can get others much cheaper.
It will run at good Tig output on a 13amp plug no issues. Mma could trip it at higher currents.
Did you go all out on the cooler and trolly for it.

 

[540itouring]

I did not get the cooler or trolley for this as it is only for my day projects and not much more space in my garage . I will gel a pedal later once I have had a play with it and got some more funds.

I have still not powered the unit up yet but will put a mk 13amp plug to play with the setting / control panel and looks very good so far. The unit is about the same size of my caddy C200 and quite light @. 15kg.

I am looking forward to learning Tig and hope it's not to hard to learn !

 

[Richard.]

Fair play I did not realise you bought it to learn on. Quite an investment. 13amp plug is fine for that machine. It's going to take time before your welding 2mm aluminium confidently. Ally is pretty much all I weld so feel free to give me a shout if you need a point in the right direction.

 

[Appyasme]

You have bought a quality piece of kit,if you go on the ESAB web site you can download all the info you need.Please don`t think i am teaching my grandmother to sick eggs but make sure you you a white tipped tungstan for AC

 

[Appyasme]

One more bit of info. If you do not want to use a foot switch why don`t you think about using a torch mounted remote,our guys think they are so good they want to take them to bed!!

 

[Richard.]

You have bought a quality piece of kit,if you go on the ESAB web site you can download all the info you need.Please don`t think i am teaching my grandmother to sick eggs but make sure you you a white tipped tungstan for AC

Doesn't have to be white, lanthanated , ciriated, are suitable for AC , pure (green) is also an AC tungsten but balls up too quick for my liking with any ep loading

 

[540itouring]

I think the one tungsten tip it comes with is GREY coloured . I was thinking I read this was ok for aluminium ?

I will have to get some more tips as is only came with one in the torch pack.

I like the sound of the torch mounted remote , do you know how much they cost approx. are they esab only ?

Thanks for your offer for aluminium Tig help as I am sure you will know any problem questions I will have. I just like to get nice equipment when I buy tools as then I can at least start off knowing that I should be able to learn without blaming the tools !

The caddy mig c200 I got on easy with when I had to repair some floor panels in my cars. I like the look of the new 2200 I have got and am so pleased it is light weight and will not take up much room in my garage.

I have just fitted a mk 13 amp plug and powers up ok so have now seen the options etc on the front panel which look clear.

Thanks for all your help

Great forum

 

[Mr shiney]

I use the grey tungsten on Ally and the Blue and the white. Cant tell the difference between them but I know they are all fine for Ally!!!

I bought some of the white tipped 1.6mm ones and they make no difference that I can tell.

Could of course just be that I am crap at TIG on aluminium!!

I think the one tungsten tip it comes with is GREY coloured . I was thinking I read this was ok for aluminium ?

I will have to get some more tips as is only came with one in the torch pack.

I like the sound of the torch mounted remote , do you know how much they cost approx. are they esab only ?

Thanks for your offer for aluminium Tig help as I am sure you will know any problem questions I will have. I just like to get nice equipment when I buy tools as then I can at least start off knowing that I should be able to learn without blaming the tools !

The caddy mig c200 I got on easy with when I had to repair some floor panels in my cars. I like the look of the new 2200 I have got and am so pleased it is light weight and will not take up much room in my garage.

I have just fitted a mk 13 amp plug and powers up ok so have now seen the options etc on the front panel which look clear.

Thanks for all your help

Great forum

 

[Appyasme]

The grey ceriated Tungstans might sound ok but we have had problems with striking up.On the re-strike, when still warm they are ok when they cool down big problems.I would recommend you stick to tradition and use white tip for Aluminium and red tip for all other products

 

[Appyasme]

My e mail spelling is C---p

 

[Appyasme]

Do you want me to do some work to find a torch mounted remote for you?

 

[Richard.]

Ciriated (grey) will be fine I've used them and although they are not my no1 choice they are ideal. 1.5% or 2% lanth gold or blue Are a better choice and keep there shape better. Zirconiated (white) again it's the traditional ac selection but not the best IMO it behaves a bit like a pure tungsten but a little harder.
Huntington fusion multi strikes are my no 1 choice now. Recommended to me by a member on here you won't find a finer electrode for ac or dc, the lanth is a nice tungsten if you want for both acdc and don't want to spend the extra on the hfm ones I like.

 

[540itouring]

Thanks for your electrode help.

Looking on the esab site I am confused about the torches. I have the new torch , air cooled, with swivel ball and leather over the first part of the cable after the torch with ONE BUTTON

Looks like they do a upgraded torch , which looks the same as mine but with THREE BUTTONS.

Can anyone advise on if these torches are upgrade able with parts . The esab remote parts llsted look confusing .
I have the TA34 Panel . Does this course / fine remote mount on the bench , or on the torch .? The torch model with THREE buttons is that upgrade able ?

Thanks

 

[Richard.]

The torch your thinking of as a option to use like a pedal has a thumb wheel on it and one button. The button is pressed in 4t mode then the current operated on the wheel. The 3 button torch is not what your looking for this is an up down type for perameter scrolling and adjustment.

 

[540itouring]

Just to let you know I have ordered some 1.6 mm & 2.4mm multi strike tungstens so very pleased you have helped me get the best before I start learning Tig.

 

[delta66]

I am interested in purchasing the same unit as this one does anyone know
what thickness of alu is it capable of welding.
how good are they, in other words do they take away from the many adjustements which you may need to do when welding alu or is it just a matter of imputing the thickness of alu and away you go,surley its not that easy.

 

[Richard.]

It's not that easy. You need to set your conditions to suit. It's a 220 amp output so 6 maybe 8 mm at best.

 

[delta66]

thanks for the reply Richard and sorry if I am jumping on someone else thread here but just needed to ask the question as its a good few pound to invest and you want to get it correct picking your welder is there anything else out there Richard I should think about along the same budget but with a bit more grunt and to be honest if I have to adjust the knobs manually I really dont mind that as I dont really know about all this just enter the thickness spell away you go.

 

[wheresmejumper]

It's a very capable machine like all in that price range.
A pedal would make thin ally easier yes.
Esab pedals and extras are dear but you can get scc pedal for it for less than £180. Same with torches you can get others much cheaper.
It will run at good Tig output on a 13amp plug no issues. Mma could trip it at higher currents.
Did you go all out on the cooler and trolly for it.

is that can bus compatibility thing got around by ssc?