TIG & ARC

[hotrodder]

Resist (really resist!) the temptation to make oxy acetylene balloons*, follow instructions regarding tips sizes & pressures etc rather than setting them wrong and then ignoring a backfiring torch and it's as safe as any other welding process. The Fire Brigade understandably don't like the stuff as they're the poor sods who have to deal with the aftermath of numpties. Insurance companies too as they have to foot the bill which presumably gets a lot bigger (compensashion innit) if the Fire Brigade set up a 24 hour 200m exclusion zone. More seriously http://proactivegassafety.com/applied-gas-safety-articles/acetylene-cylinders-the-myths


* using the O2 to make a thermic lance from random stuff in the kitchen is acceptable provided certain precautions are taken. Specifically some silly hats and a video camera

 

[Maker]

Resist (really resist!) the temptation to make oxy acetylene balloons*

Hydrogen balloons are better anyway.

 

[Bill Edwards]

OA is perfectly safe, you just have to learn a few basics and use common sense.

Storing the cylinders is quite easy, make sure they can't move/fall and turn off the valves when you're finished. Simple!

 

[MattF]

Aye, I know it's an unfounded concern. I know that logic ever so occasionally tends to take the backseat though. I'd probably be a nervous wreck within a week at the thought of them there.

 

[wheresmejumper]

Lots of fun,enjoyment can be had piecing together bits and bobs to transform (exc pun) old basic kit into usable tig machine.if thats your thing,and have time.it is but i dont.
you will also understand, learn how stuff works and how to trouble shoot the lot along the way,that would never happen by just buying a basic rtech.
If you just want to tig weld stuff,buy a welder.

hotrodder ftw

 

[Maker]

Lots of fun,enjoyment can be had piecing together bits and bobs to transform (exc pun) old basic kit into usable tig machine.

I was thinking about this the other day (Well, taking it too far really);
IGBT's are pretty cheap, you could make a H-bridge from them and control it from a μcontroller to create an AC square wave from a DC output transformer welder with adjustable frequency and percentage negative.

How to create the high frequency though?

 

[wheresmejumper]

I was thinking about this the other day (Well, taking it too far really);
IGBT's are pretty cheap, you could make a H-bridge from them and control it from a μcontroller to create an AC square wave from a DC output transformer welder with adjustable frequency and percentage negative.

How to create the high frequency though?

Bit high tech for me!
I meant stuff along the lines of building a rectifier,steal a hf board from a dud etc.post flow unit.theyre easy ish compared to the firing order of igbts

 

[MattF]

Bit high tech for me!

Same here. I like to stick with old school simple and reliable.

I meant stuff along the lines of building a rectifier,steal a hf board from a dud etc.post flow unit.theyre easy ish compared to the firing order of igbts

On about rectifiers, anyone know of a good source, (Yorkshireman, so read that as meaning cheap ), of a full wave rectifier for adding a DC output option? A 200A device would be a suitable one.