I have a thermal arc 181I and now looking to use this for tig I am wondering what tig torches people are using with this welder and any tips on getting setup
Cheers
Hey. I assume you mean the TA fabricator 181?
Dead easy mate because it's lift arc I would assume there is no torch switch to worry about. Could be wrong but I believe it's live Tig?
If that's the case you want a wp17 valved Tig torch. You'll need a dins plug with gas line adaptor and you will run this line directly to your regulator. You'll NEED pure argon gas. @doubleboost does a really good video for showing newcomers how to set up for lift arc. I'm hoping he or someone can find it and ping it on your thread for you to see.
It's not a complex or expensive thing to do and it's a very usable process
Interestingly, the two sites above differ insofar as one shows a valved torch and the other shows a non-valved torch. I suspect the non-valved is incorrect. As the machine only has one gas inlet on the back of it, which goes to the MIG Euro-connector, you will need a valve for TIG.
You should download the manual (https://www.rapidwelding.com/files/181 manual.pdf), read it and understand the capabilities of the machine. This will assist greatly in identifying what you require. In brief, it will operate in both 2T and 4T mode, hence a switch is a good thing. Similarly, it can do remote TIG amperage control (i.e. would work with a foot pedal).
OK thanks I am planning using this for any stainless or aluminium welding I might be able to get what is the best tungsten to get for welding both of these
OK thanks I am planning using this for any stainless or aluminium welding I might be able to get what is the best tungsten to get for welding both of these
You won't be able to TIG weld aluminium with it, as it's a DC power source, you'll TIG mild, stainless and copper etc but no ally. You do have the option to MIG weld ally though with the appropriate torch liner, wire and pure argon shielding gas.
For tungstens I'd recommend 2% Thoriated (Red) Tungstens, you'll find people who will also recommend Lanthanated or Ceriated, all will do the job.
As above. Aluminium tig is not an option realistically*
You require an acdc dedicated tig powersource to do this.
It's all about the nature of the beast with Alu. You have an oxide layer to punch through before welding which is where your DC+ comes in.
*You can weld Alu with DC only but it's not nice not easy and not a practical solution for any more than a get you out of trouble case scenario. Expensive helium gas mixes for DC- or huge tungstens and low limiting current for DC+. It's really not worth the hassle when as Jim said you could mig it.