tig welders - general questions

Tue, 31 Aug 2021 16:59:05 GMT

go to see Welding Machine for tig welders - general questions

Hi guys,I have a couple of questions which I would like answered before I go and buy a nice New TIG welder.I have been looking around to find out whats avalible here in the UK.  I have found a welder from oerlikon, which is on special offer and it brings it doen to my price limit.  But the unit does not have any room for remote power control, like a foot pedal.  The sales guy has tried to tell me that I don't actully need it and the frequency control function along with setting the unit up correctly in the first place will produce acepible welds.I plan on using this welder to make aluminium items for my cars and in the future to make space frame chassis.As you can probably tell, I not have much/any experiance with tig welding all mine welding has been done on mig or gas, so as much help as possible will be benifical.I have found tig welders which offer remote power control but they are from comapnies who I have never hear of and I con't find out much information on them either so I am reluctant to spend this much money on a rather unknow quantity.So can you please give me some pointers as to the things that I must have/would like to have.CheersJohn
Reply:I.M.H.O.you need a footpedal..and a watercooled torch.. other than that...you could be limited on what you can do.....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Is the water cooled torch, just to enable longer welding times?or is it to do with the tungsten temperature control?As you can probably tell - I have struggeled to find out why I need most of the functions avalible - hence the questionsCheersJohn
Reply:I'm a rank beginner, so take this for what it's worth.I started out w/o the foot control, then bought a 'real' unit with foot control. I wouldn't spend my money on a tig unit unless it had the foot pedal, after using both. Especially for aluminum, my welds go like this: Start the arc with foot pedal, increase amperage until puddle forms, start pushing it along, decrease amperage as metal heats up and puddle gets wider. My beads suck but they'd be way worse w/o the foot pedal.I really think you need to be able to modulate the heat as you go. I'd put the foot control above the water cooled torch in priority - you can live with an air cooled torch, especially while learning. But you *need* the pedal.- John
Reply:You need the remote control!!!!! If you are welding aluminum you really need it. Aluminum conducts heat very fast and the amperage needs to be reduced as you weld for better control. I don't know what equipment is available in the UK but Miller makes (in my opinion) the best TIG machines. Good luck.Aero Welder
Reply:yes  to all the above  don t know about the machines in  UK land a foot control is the way to goac/dc is nice also water cooled keeps things cool when pushing the amps ,have used both WATER  YES
Reply:I have a hand amp controller.Took a bit of getting used to but would not go back to a foot control ever now that Im used to it. Really comes into its own if you are working on larger objects,as you can just move to it .
Reply:cheers guys, you have all confirmed my gut feelings about the remote control option.the hunt is now on for an ac/dc +150 amp unit with remoe option.thank you for your repleysjohn
Reply:Hi,I have found some welders which are in my price bracket, they are both thermal arc units (which I belive are from the good old US of A)The units are 189 AC/DC or 200 AC/dchttp://www.thewelderswarehouse.com/a...g_Welders.htmlBoth are at the bottom of the page.If I am honest the 200amp unit is out of my price bracket but at a push if it is masivly better then I could push to that.What do you guys think about the units?  How well is thermal arc regarded over there for both spares and reliability?Cheers John
Reply:Go with the 200 amp unit.  It's an update of the TA-185.  They boosted the output to 200 amps and added a couple of features.  I have The 185 myself and I'm a happy camper.  The TA's are importd from Japan.  There haven't been any complaint's with Thermals service.  Looks like the other unit may be Unique to the UK.DennisThermal Arc 185-TSWMillermatic Challenger 172VictorO/AAtlas Craftsman 12 by 24 LatheEsab PCM-875Wholesalem Tool Mill-Drill