Newbie Tigger, DC only?

[Bigroomboy]

Hi Guys, just signed up and first post but I have been using this site for a few years for all the information available here.

My situation is that I have done some MIG welding in the past and enjoyed it. Then I did a little bit of TIG and really enjoyed the challenge.

I'm coming from this purely as a hobby and I don't have massive pressure to finish any specific project but I do want to do lots of different things (ie, outdoor furniture, frames for indoor furniture, sheet metal, pipework) and possible in different materials.

I have decided to get a TIG machine, starting with some stick welding and then moving onto TIG when I can get all the extra bits in place and have time. Now my real problem is I wanted to get ~ 200 A AC/DC TIG hoping it would do everything I ever wanted to. The problem is the cost.

But I can get a decent DC only machine ie this one:

http://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/welding_equipment/Tig_Welder/TIG_Welder_Digital_Series_200A_DC

Am I missing something here other than the lack of alu/mag welding? I don't see me doing much of it other than perhaps the odd repair. Or should I be saving up the extra £1k so I wont be wanting to swap this welder in the next few years?

Thanks for you help guys.

Alex

 

[Bigroomboy]

Thanks for the response.

I have been looking mainly at the R-Tech stuff just because of all the good reviews I have read and reasonable prices.

Do you think that AC Tig is worth the extra £££ then? Even for somebody quite inexperienced?

Thanks

Alex

 

[Jim_gsxr1000]

R tec are very good to deal with, par weld is also well made ( for the money) I would buy another r tec

 

[Richard.]

I'd have the TA over the Rtech any day. If your going acdc you'll want a pedal at some point as it makes things so much easier with aluminium and its charectoristics. The thermal arc pedals are SSC units which are extremely high quality. The Rtech pedals are tosh. Both company's offer uk support but the TA is a lump cheaper and I've heard of far less failures on the TA over the Rtech. I believe the torches supplied on the TA are nicer than the club hammers supplied by Rtech. For me there is no question which I'd buy.

 

[Richard.]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Parweld-XTI-202-Pulsed-Inverter/dp/B00QL8FTXS << I'd personally be looking at that if your consider dabbling with AC Tig

Which IIRC is the same as this in a different coloured box
http://rapidwelding.com/dynamic/DisplayItem.aspx?c=W1006306&zl=3

Both of these two identical units would relieve my cash before an Rtech

 

[Bigroomboy]

Thanks for the responses guys.

I spoke to R-tech on the phone regarding the DC Tig welder, trying to see if we could work out a deal. To be honest I was a bit taken back by the arrogance! Certainly not what I was expecting from all the rave reviews I have read so I have definitely gone off them.

A concern I have with the recommendations above is the significantly lower duty cycle. R-Tech claim 60% @200A and Thermal Arc is 20% is this a valid concern?

Thanks

Alex

 

[Bigroomboy]

Also any chance of a link to the foot pedal you are talking about Richard? there seems to be quite a few:

http://rapidwelding.com/dynamic/Category.aspx?c=THARCMCHRM&o=0&zl=2&sq=14

 

[Richard.]

No it's not at all. The duty cycle on the RTech is achieved by a power full and very noisy fan consistently blowing over the internals and keeping them cold. A lot of cheaper machines do this to Bragg duty cycle. 20% at 200 amps is the same spec as a miller dynasty. So you really shouldn't worry about that at all. You'll be tripping the 13amp plugs/fuses before the TA cuts out on overload. Duty cycle is measured in 10 min intervals. 20% is 2mins continuous at 200 amps. I've never exceeded that and my old fronius was the same 200amps @20%. The component quality is certainly no worse than the RTech.

 

[Richard.]

Also any chance of a link to the foot pedal you are talking about Richard? there seems to be quite a few:

http://rapidwelding.com/dynamic/Category.aspx?c=THARCMCHRM&o=0&zl=2&sq=14

Top one on the list but don't buy it separately till you've spoke with them about doing a deal on both items together. Others have done this and paid a lot less for the pedal by getting it as a kit.

 

[Bigroomboy]

Really helpful Richard. I think you guys have convinced me to change focus and I think the Thermal Arc may be a better match for me. Its not too much extra money either.

 

[Richard.]

I believe lincoln electric also use SSC pedals as there product so you can imagine they are good units. A lot of people chuck the oem pedals and upgrade with the SSC type even though they cost less they are significantly better.

 

[Bigroomboy]

Top one on the list but don't buy it separately till you've spoke with them about doing a deal on both items together. Others have done this and paid a lot less for the pedal by getting it as a kit.

Thanks for the heads up. That's what I tried with R-Tech and just got stonewalled, saying they can sell their units all day long so they don't need my business....

 

[Richard.]

Thanks for the heads up. That's what I tried with R-Tech and just got stonewalled, saying they can sell their units all day long so they don't need my business....

Seriously?????
Charming that. I'd let em sell them then. IMO your better off with the TA. 2 members on here Antonio Costa and mr shiney have bought a 202 in the last year and the results on AC they have posted have been really nice. RTech always used to chuck in a pedal but it's not needed on a DC unit. I wouldn't worry about it though as they are really cr#p pedals.

 

[Richard.]

Really helpful Richard. I think you guys have convinced me to change focus and I think the Thermal Arc may be a better match for me. Its not too much extra money either.

It's cheaper than the RTech equivalent. RTech 200 acdc inc vat is 1250 ish TA 202 acdc inc vat is a grand or less.