would like to get into tig

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just a hobbyist tinkerer type that has been exclusive to stick welding forever... my machine is a miller thunderbolt ac/dc  I would like to get into tig and am wondering what is the cheapest setup I could get going..this is just for hobby work don't need the best but want to be able to get parts if ever needed so don't want something too chinky...  wanting to be able to do mild steel and possibly some aluminum at some point...what all do I need for gases and equipment and where would I get my best deals on such Equip....remembering im limited to 150 amps dc and 255 ac and that's the maxes with limited duty cycle
Reply:I would just buy a different machine when you are ready for aluminum.  For now, just get a 17 air cooled torch with valve (flex head if possible), an argon regulator, and one of those brass couplers to connect your torch to the argon line.  Switch your leads and clamp the stinger on the coupler, and your have a simple scratch start rig.  Pretty sure there is a sticky in one of the forums, "for the can I tig with my welder people?" I think is what it's called....
Reply:You are not going to get non Chinese and cheap AC TIG.   Just not going to happen.     If you are buying new and want name brand machine,  start @ $2k+   closer to 3k for an inverterTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Originally Posted by rambinjust a hobbyist tinkerer type that has been exclusive to stick welding forever... my machine is a miller thunderbolt ac/dc  I would like to get into tig and am wondering what is the cheapest setup I could get going..this is just for hobby work don't need the best but want to be able to get parts if ever needed so don't want something too chinky...  wanting to be able to do mild steel and possibly some aluminum at some point...what all do I need for gases and equipment and where would I get my best deals on such Equip....remembering im limited to 150 amps dc and 255 ac and that's the maxes with limited duty cycle
Reply:By ALL MEANS learn TIG!If you go cheap to just dabble in it, you will want to upgrade to "real" equipment in short order.I bought a Harbor Frieght 165A TIG/stick (under $500) and fell in love with welding all over again.Having both hands as different parts of the process is so much more enjoyable than starting and arc and keeping up with the flow of filler.Again, go for it! Then buy a real machine when you understand what it can do.Be wary of The Numbers: Figures don't lie,. but liars can figure.Welders:2008 Lincoln 140 GMAW&FCAW2012 HF 165 'toy' GTAW&SMAW1970's Cobbled together O/A
Reply:as i said I want to use my thunderbolt not buy a tig rig...  its capable of scratch start tig I just need some advice on what all I need to purchase to get setup...   hopefully someone in the know can tell me. is this package any good? [/URL]http://www.amazon.com/WP-17FV-12R-Complete-Package-TIG-Torch/dp/B00B1HSBXY/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1426185108&sr=8-5&keywords=tig+torch+kitmy one worry is are all the parts like collets and cups interchangeable? if I was to get this rig would I be able to get my hands on replacements easy? not even sure what brand it is.  and other then a flow meter and a bottle what else would I need? I know flo meters are pretty cheap on amazon as well
Reply:Originally Posted by rambinas i said I want to use my thunderbolt not buy a tig rig...  its capable of scratch start tig I just need some advice on what all I need to purchase to get setup...   hopefully someone in the know can tell me. is this package any good? [/URL]http://www.amazon.com/WP-17FV-12R-Complete-Package-TIG-Torch/dp/B00B1HSBXY/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1426185108&sr=8-5&keywords=tig+torch+kitmy one worry is are all the parts like collets and cups interchangeable? if I was to get this rig would I be able to get my hands on replacements easy? not even sure what brand it is.  and other then a flow meter and a bottle what else would I need? I know flo meters are pretty cheap on amazon as well
Reply:thought you could do aluminum on the ac side??? or did I dream that up?
Reply:AHP 200x I just bought one and i know i will get ROASTED for it because it's "Chinese" but i don't have the Benjamin's to fund a 2500+ used Miller synrowave at the moment. I'm positive the 750 i spent with a 3 year warranty will get me an awesome start, if not catch up and surpass the common folk. Even $800 hurt's the bank but it will pay off in the long run....http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listi...&condition=newGrab used owner tanks on CL and get them swapped out. I saved a Sh*t ton that way. Now i have Argon/Carbon Dioxide/Argon-Co2  Tanks for a fraction of cost. If you want to get into thicker aluminum...the welders get pricey. There ya go....Last edited by FitnFused; 03-12-2015 at 08:35 PM.Lincoln PowerMig 200AHP 200x 3rd Gen.Miller 211 AASMiller Digital Elite "POWMIA"Victor Oxy SetLotos ltp5000d
Reply:Originally Posted by rambinthought you could do aluminum on the ac side??? or did I dream that up?
Reply:so is that rig I seen on amazon a good buy? are the consumables such as cups generic?
Reply:Originally Posted by rambinso is that rig I seen on amazon a good buy? are the consumables such as cups generic?
Reply:Looks like a 17 torch.  It takes the same cups, collets, collet bodies and caps as any other 17, 26, 18 torch.  At least I have never seen one that has it's own type.....
Reply:that's what I wanted to know..  so what does the 17 or 26 #'s mean?
Reply:Originally Posted by rambinthat's what I wanted to know..  so what does the 17 or 26 #'s mean?
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveYou can, but you have to use a high frequency box to keep the arc going through the zero crossing point of the AC cycle.
Reply:rambin,A young buddy of mine used my stick welder all last summer to practice scratch TIG on 2-3" pipe....He was someday hoping to get a job on the pipeline, and wanted to see if he could get a feel for it on smaller sch 40 pipe.My welder was the Hobart 235LX A/C D/C Stickmate, which is your exact same welder that's painted blue....He borrowed the simple torch rig and plugged into my welder and big Argon bottle, then burned and burned away, eventually producing some pretty decent welds.  Yeah, I suggest you pick up a 17 torch with gas valve, the copper coupler, and a decent regulator that has CORRECT hose fitting.  you are going to have to maybe struggle to get a decent sized bottle of Argon depending on your local welding supply house policy...Those ones you see on the internet cheap?-Beware of them because they come with no neck ring and you can't screw cap on them, so supply house guys usually won't fill them or won't let you leave after filled without cap installed.Best to check around now for gas bottle and gas supplier policies. My local guys will now only sell a 80ft or under bottle, but will refill any size bottle with threaded neckring.  I will suggest you go no smaller than 80 ft to start out.Edited to add....I decided to get into TIG myself and gave my neighbor my Hobart stickmate and bought a HTP-221 complete with pedal and superflex 17 torch and stubby lens kit and full range of tungstens and tungsten grinder and lots more....Yup, I jumped into it with both feet and don't regret it.Last edited by wornoutoldwelder; 03-14-2015 at 02:19 AM.
Reply:Originally Posted by Welder DaveHigh frequency is used to burn through the oxide layer that has a higher melting temp than the aluminum base metal.
Reply:The oxide layer with higher melting temperature is why high frequency is needed on aluminum. I think they work hand in hand.
Reply:Originally Posted by Welder DaveHigh frequency is used to burn through the oxide layer that has a higher melting temp than the aluminum base metal.