TIG Welding questions before i bite the bullet

[Jim Davey]

let me know Jim

Will do, thanks.

 

[NickyEng]

ayup!

just a few quick questions all you gurus will be able to answer in a heart beat.

Im looking to buy a TIG as im wanting to start welding ally and dont want to go down the MIG setup route.

now its for personal use no commercial stuff so what kind of machine would i be best at looking at? Budget is pretty flexible dont want cheap crap but dont want to spend ££££'s either.

Whats the max thickness steel i can weld with tig (i ask this as im contemplating getting rid of mig as dont really have space for 2 big gas bottles)

cheers

You certainly came to the right place paul, not only weld guru's as you said but also Tom & Jim - knowledgeable dealers of the machines who can advise and guide you to the right machine.

 

[Richard.]

You certainly came to the right place paul, not only weld guru's as you said but also Tom & Jim - knowledgeable dealers of the machines who can advise and guide you to the right machine.

Jim Davey is also a very skilled Welder/service engineer as well as having the gear on the shelf. You'll do alright there.

 

[Jim Davey]

Thanks Richard.

 

[Richard.]

Says it as I sees it.

 

[paulmitchell1984]

Cheers guys..got ur message Jim il have a think if that's ok Def I terested just need to work out funds etc.

 

[Burdekin]

For me that budget would be spent on a thermal arc 202 or parweld 202 (both the same and great for the cash).

I know you wrote they are the same but is there any difference? If not then who gives the better service and warranty and who gives tgbne best deal on a package?

 

[Richard.]

I haven't used the parweld so it's a good Q there might be a difference but they look identical. Regards support that's down to your distributor. Some are better than others.

 

[Tom Orrow L]

Parweld machine has a better pulse frequency as they wanted something that'd give it a little edge on the TA.
TA has a better quality pedal and arguably the torch too (parwelds torch is still very good)

Price wise you'll get a better deal on the parweld

As Richard said support is up to your distributor.

 

[Richard.]

Parweld machine has a better pulse frequency as they wanted something that'd give it a little edge on the TA.
TA has a better quality pedal and arguably the torch too (parwelds torch is still very good)

Price wise you'll get a better deal on the parweld

As Richard said support is up to your distributor.

What's the difference in the pulse frequency Tom. It wouldn't be a deal clincher for me as I rarely use pulse. The difference in price between them isn't a lot, Id probably still go with the Ta personally. Quality of the torches/pedals makes a huge difference and IMO you will struggle to find a finer pedal than an SSC.

 

[Tom Orrow L]

What's the difference in the pulse frequency Tom. It wouldn't be a deal clincher for me as I rarely use pulse. The difference in price between them isn't a lot, Id probably still go with the Ta personally. Quality of the torches/pedals makes a huge difference and IMO you will struggle to find a finer pedal than an SSC.

Just demoing one to a customer now. Checked the Pulse frequency & its 0.5-200hz.

 

[Richard.]

That's not a huge range. It's usable though. My old magicwave went from 0.1 - 2000 hz. If I ever use pulse which is rare I always set it at high hz to tighten the arc. Can't stand the whole slow on/off thing people use.

 

[chevy2]

That's not a huge range. It's usable though. My old magicwave went from 0.1 - 2000 hz. If I ever use pulse which is rare I always set it at high hz to tighten the arc. Can't stand the whole slow on/off thing people use.

Me to,
I cant get my head round that half or one second on-off thing,
I do use pulse on DC at around 100pps but normally for focussing the arc on my the edges of sheet or stainless.

 

[Tom Orrow L]

Not massive I know but I believe its a slightly wider range than the TA. I've just been having a play about with the machine for the first time actually getting hands on.
Arc on DC was incredibly smooth and I laid some quite nice beads on some 3MM plate (Nice for my standards, nothing compared to most)
Arc on AC was smooth but unusually loud, I mean when I had him playing with it I could hear it from my office and he was in the bays at the bottom of the warehouse..

Front panel was very easy to figure out & the pulse was quite nice. Torch that came with it was a WP26 Pro Grip unfortunately but they've now decided they're going to match with TA and throw an on torch control in with it, just a two button up/down amperage control.

Enjoyed it a fair bit & the customer is coming in next week to take it home (no space in his van today and he's not back over until next week)

Very impressed.

 

[Richard.]

Me to,
I cant get my head round that half or one second on-off thing,
I do use pulse on DC at around 100pps but normally for focussing the arc on my the edges of sheet or stainless.

5-10 is even worse. Like welding in a night club.

 

[chevy2]

5-10 is even worse. Like welding in a night club.

I know, thought i was gonna have a fit at any moment.

 

[Burdekin]

The thermal arc seems quite a bit more expensive.

 

[NickyEng]

You certainly came to the right place paul, not only weld guru's as you said but also Tom & Jim - knowledgeable dealers of the machines who can advise and guide you to the right machine.

5-10 is even worse. Like welding in a night club.

I found between about 10 and 30ish horrendous. Like a strobe light. High speed pulsing is nice as you have a really focused arc for say an edge weld.

 

[Appyasme1]

Sorry to rain on your parade,if you buy cheap you pay twice

 

[NickyEng]

Sorry to rain on your parade,if you buy cheap you pay twice

None of those two machines are cheap. They are both good units.