Why the price jump for an AC/DC TIG?

[steve202]

Why are AC/DC TIGS so expensive in relation to other types of welding units? What is so complicated that the sellers can justify their prices?

A bunch of diodes and chips? Pennies surely!

 

[pedrobedro]

And a bit of knowledge to put them all together, you tell 'em Steve. I can hear the prices dropping already. If you want to do the job you have to have the tackle and the market obviously dictates the price.

 

[steve202]

Ok Pedro. but you can hopefully see what i am getting at?

A plastic box no bigger than a Halfords fag lighter tyre pump and they are talking well over a grand.

Something smells funny!

 

[shenion]

DC is much simpler to control.

For an inverter, a DC TIG is just a big switching power supply; not real complicated. For AC, it has to convert DC back to AC and that gets compicated.

AC TIG requires HF start; another expensive coil to add.

Transformer TIGs are not that complicated, either AC or DC, switching between the two is a bit complicated (the rectifier is still used on AC although differently.) However, adding advanced features gets complicated.

You could do a cheap AC TIG by taking a basic "buzzbox" and adding a contactor, HF start and a gas valve. No footpedal, slope, pulse and heavy. Noone wants them. If they go AC, then they want all the features.

 

[steve202]

I'd better save up and shut up.

 

[NTwoO]

Diodes and transistors (or IGBTs) are cheap in the 1-2 amp range, but if you are running over 10 amps, the prices skyrocket. R&D of these units is also expensive.

 

[gaz_moose]

R&D of these units is also expensive.

yeh,china have to buy one in the first place to copy it.

 

[hotrodder]

yeh,china have to buy one in the first place to copy it.

Well, one chinese factory did. Once. Then the others can copy the copies

 

[gaz_moose]

like old music tapes.

 

[Shox Dr]

yeh,china have to buy one in the first place to copy it.

Bada-bada Boom