Tig welder recommendations?

[langa]

Hi all.

New to the forum and looking for some advice.

I'm looking to purchase a TIG welder for home/hobby use (never TIG welded before so have no idea what to look for).

My plan is to use it to weld aluminium, probably up to 4mm max. I have a 240v/16amp power supply in my garage.

Parweld XTT212 and XTT202 have caught my eye after reading some threads on this forum, although as said, not sure what I'm looking for. Ideally looking to spend around the 1k mark.

Thanks in advance.

Best wishes, Paul.

 

[jo1010]

Nothing specific but get something with UK backup, parweld are ok, rtech too. By going secondhand you could benefit from rtech 5 yr transferable warranty (probably if they have original purchase receipt) . Not sure how warranty works with parweld tho... Other wise it's duty cycles and the kind of use it will get...

 

[500e]

Dont forget to factor in gas reg and reasonable helmet.
I have a Jasic TIG 200 ac/dc which has been trouble free for 4 years,found a pedal helped with alloy

 

[addjunkie]

To weld 4mm ali as a rough guide you need 40 amps per mil. So you really want at least a 200 amp machine so its not on full tilt all the time. You will need argon gas too. These tigs are complex boxes of electronic jiggery pokery get the longest warranty you can. Watch out for warranty clauses like having the machine service yearly. I used a pedsl to for ali until I learnt a bit more. Pedals are useful but not essential, hopeless if your moving around.

Like most things you get what you pay for!

 

[langa]

Thank you for the replies everyone.

I was thinking a 200amp machine would be suitable. I've looked at second hand units but worried about zero warranty, although a transferable warranty as mentioned above would certainly be handy.

Are both Parweld machines I mentioned compatible with foot pedals ?

I run a small recovery business from home and have built a couple of aluminium beds for my trucks, all bolted and riveted. I'm looking to weld my current body to strengthen, and hopefully my next body will be fully welded, all depends if I can master the technique to pull it off

 

[langa]

Found the Parweld XTT212Di AC/DC 200A Pulsed TIG Inverter | 110/230V for £822.78 inc VAT and free delivery from CBL supplies LTD.

Package Includes: Earth Lead, Gas Hose, Argon Regulator, Pro Grip Tig Torch.

Does that sound a good deal?

 

[Mark 2]

Found the Parweld XTT212Di AC/DC 200A Pulsed TIG Inverter | 110/230V for £822.78 inc VAT and free delivery from CBL supplies LTD.

Package Includes: Earth Lead, Gas Hose, Argon Regulator, Pro Grip Tig Torch.

Does that sound a good deal

Not sure if you'll get 200a out of a 13amp plug but seems good to me

 

[langa]

Not sure if you'll get 200a out of a 13amp plug but seems good to me

Thanks.

That's the cheapest I've found so far, doubt I'll find better to be fair.

Ps I

 

[langa]

Ps. I have 16a power supply in my garage so 200 amp welder will be fine.

 

[addjunkie]

Ps. I have 16a power supply in my garage so 200 amp welder will be fine.

You might need a c type breaker if trying to weld at 200 amps, to allow for the inrush when you startup!

 

[doubleboost]

R Tech 171 or 211 are well worth a look .
The easy set menu makes getting up and running much easier .

 

[Jelly_Sheffield]

You might need a c type breaker if trying to weld at 200 amps, to allow for the inrush when you startup!

It's worth noting that if the garage has a Sub-Board, the supply for that from the main consumer unit also needs an uprated breaker*

One of my friends got quite frustrated by that before realising his error.

*This in turn may necessitate a thicker cable, if the energy of the let-through current with a bigger breaker would exceed 0.8× the cable's capacity to withstand it, so best to consult a qualified sparky in this situation.

 

[langa]

Thanks for the advice.

I've actually got a spare 32amp breaker in my garage board, not 16amp as originally thought. The cable supplying the garage is 16mm² so should be suffient, may have to check the breaker from the main board though.

The R-Tech is a little out of budget so I've ordered the Parweld XTT212Di which came in at £822 delivered. Just need to source a bottle of Argon.