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[john224]

Can somebody help??
I Have been offered a 400 amp arc welder ( cheep) and was woundering if i could make it into a Arc/ Tig/mig combo machine as all the welders i/we have at the moment we only have a small 170 amp mig and an oxford think its a 200 amp its about 3ftx2ft square But not got a tig yet so was woundering if i could make a combo out of this 400 amp arc welder??
All help appreciated,,,,john

 

[shenion]

You will need to give more info than just a 400A arc welder. AC, DC? What controls? Remote current and contactor control?

If it is just a big buzz box, then there's not a lot you can do with it.

 

[john224]

Dont know the make just old covered in rust But works,,, Its a 400 amp (AC) with a rotery knob to alter the power output??,,,

 

[shenion]

Won't do MIG with it. TIG will be difficult and AC only. Can be done by adding HF box with a contactor and gas solenoid or torch valve. These boxes are not cheap.

You could do the same with the 200A Oxford.

I have used AC TIG on steel and it worked fine (forgot to change lever on machine.) Welds look a bit dull though. The tungsten runs hotter than on DC, so you need a bigger electrode.

On aluminum, it will work but I find some sort of footpedal or remote control helps.

If it was AC/DC with a remote control you could rig a footpedal with, then it would be easier. Then again, if it has remote, then it probably does TIG already.