opinions please transtig 200 parweld

[elmo1717]

hi i am a beginner but I'm doing ok at tig, looking to go do courses at college for certs.
bought a murex transtig off eBay a few years ago and its doing me ok, just asking opinions whether its worth ebaying it and going for an inverter style ac/dc tig like a thermal arc or parweld, i have a parweld dealer just up the road from me which would make it easier when i get problems with it.


thanks for the help

 

[Tom Orrow L]

If your murex is doing you well then it might be worth just keeping it unless you've got the budget on hand for a new one.

 

[elmo1717]

Just thought if I went and spent the extra £500 after selling that one I would end up with a better machine which is more adjustable and more controlling when welding.

I may be wrong but I feel the transtig is abit industrial for what I'm doing , and thought an inverter style with more settings would help me dial my welds in a little better .

Thanks

 

[Tom Orrow L]

I see what you mean mate. They're brilliant bits of kit for the most part. What sort of stuff are you welding with it?

 

[elmo1717]

Average 2-3.5 mm aluminium ,I've done abit of stainless exhaust with it too, I'm not welding a lot at the momemnt due to still learning but I'm wanting to get into it more and thinking of doing the odd aluminium fuel tank and header tanks.

Thanks

 

[Tom Orrow L]

Ah okay so you won't need any more than 200A then. Could look at the Parweld XTI 202 / Jasic 200P ACDC / Stealth 200 ACDC.. They're all well within your price range if you get £300-£400 for your TransTIG.

Is it single phase or three phase you're after?

 

[elmo1717]

Would I be better off with an inverter ie would it be better for me ? The transtig is 3 phase , is there much of a difference in how the machine operates between single and 3 ?

 

[Tom Orrow L]

I'm not sure in which way you mean "better", better as in a better quality weld? better as in lighter and smaller? better as in less power draw?

An inverter machine is undoubtedly smaller and lighter compared to a transformer machine, no arguments on that front.
An inverter machine may or may not give a better weld, depending on the quality of the inverter machine you get and the quality of the transformer machine you're comparing it to.
An inverter machine will 9/10 have less power draw than a transformer machine.

The quality of the weld that the Parweld machine gave me made even me look like a half decent TIG Welder.

I've only ever used inverter TIG's so I can't compare quality wise but I'm sure one of the guys like Richard would have some input on that front as to which they prefer.
I know that for the most part inverter machines will have more adjustability i.e pulse frequency setting, background current, cleaning action, AC balance etc.. those settings can be a world of help.

Their isn't much of a difference between how 3 phase and single phase operate, 3 phase usually means you can have access to a higher amperage machine.

All 3 of the machines that I mentioned are single phase and will run off a 16A single phase plug.

 

[elmo1717]

Just wondering if I would get much advantage from buying an inverted with more adjustments and it will make it easier for me to learn.


You saying that the parweld is a good machine ?

 

[Tom Orrow L]

Just wondering if I would get much advantage from buying an inverted with more adjustments and it will make it easier for me to learn.


You saying that the parweld is a good machine ?

In short I'd say the answer to your question is yes.

Yeah the Parweld machine is brilliant, I couldn't fault it other than the AC being somewhat louder than other AC DC tig sets.

 

[elmo1717]

Thanks for the help, I guess the transtig is abit more of getting the job done rather than an inverted with more options will be more refining the weld and been able to play about with it more.

I'll speak to my local dealer and see if they will do a deal if not I'll get it on eBay , bought an optrel e684 and amazed how it was today when I was migging

 

[Tom Orrow L]

Thanks for the help, I guess the transtig is abit more of getting the job done rather than an inverted with more options will be more refining the weld and been able to play about with it more.

I'll speak to my local dealer and see if they will do a deal if not I'll get it on eBay , bought an optrel e684 and amazed how it was today when I was migging

Either machine will get the job done, it's just one will be easier than the other :P
Fair play, if local dealer or eBay don't work out drop me a message as I work at a supplier I'll be happy to help out.

I'm actually in the market for a new helmet and the optrel was on the list. Nice to see another vote of confidence for it.

 

[elmo1717]

Which one will be easier than the other ?
And ok may get in touch about prices in the near future

Am I better off with a pedal or button torch ?

Only ever used a button torch.

Yeah I was using a 9000v speedglass and what a difference going from that it's incredible

 

[Tom Orrow L]

Which one will be easier than the other ?
And ok may get in touch about prices in the near future

Am I better off with a pedal or button torch ?

Only ever used a button torch.

Yeah I was using a 9000v speedglass and what a difference going from that it's incredible

The Parweld will be easier imo.

If you're welding ally I'd recommend a pedal.

 

[elmo1717]

Ok I'll look into an inverter ,
Here's a few of my best welds so far I think


Like I say I'm just a beginner and won't have done more than 3 hours on the machine

 

[Tom Orrow L]

Don't look too shabby at all mate, although i'm no expert whatsoever :]

 

[elmo1717]

I'll have a look around at prices and see what I can find but if I'm going to find an inverter easy to use then I think I'd best get one, will take less room up in workshop too the murex is huge

 

[elmo1717]

Hi tom here's my first weld through the optrel and its come out a lot better than I have ever TIG before must make a difference when you can see better just need practice consistency.

Still think I would be better off getting an inverter or should I stick with this machine for a while.

 

[Tom Orrow L]

Hi tom here's my first weld through the optrel and its come out a lot better than I have ever TIG before must make a difference when you can see better just need practice consistency.

Still think I would be better off getting an inverter or should I stick with this machine for a while. View attachment 77972

That looks absolutely fine mate. Looks like a decent enough machine for you tbh.

Its completely up to you whether you upgrade or not but to me it looks like your machine is fine for you :]

 

[elmo1717]

Might keep it for a bit longer then , what size nozzle and filler should I be using on 3mm aluminium