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I have a miller 304 that I use for a second machine to run off of my vantage I have been turning down a lot of aluminum work lately because of not being equipped to do it. I would like to learn how to tig weld and I stopped by my local dealer and talked to them and they recommended me a the Hf- 251 and the tig torch Wp-1725-2 . They said it would cost just about $2000 to get me outfitted to tig weld. I asked them if they recommend me getting a stand alone machine that is designed to tig and they said the 304 is a great machine to tig off of? I just don't want to spend the $2000.00 and have to upgrade like I had to do with my engine drive after only 100 hours. I plan on doing mostly thin materials no larger then 3/8s in not looking for extreme beauty but I def want a nice looking finsh weld. .Vantage 300 kubota ,miller 304 xmt ,lincoln ln 25 pro , ranger 305 G, plenty of other tools of the trade to make the sparks fly.
Reply:Still won't be able to TIG aluminum well, as neither your vantage or your XMT have A/C capability. Yes I know that you can dc weld aluminum, but it is limiting. Since you are wanting to learn TIG, you will be better served with a dedicated machine with a/c. Anything under 250amps is a waste of money, especially since 3/8" is on your list. Look for a Syncrowave for a shop machine, or a dynasty if you have to take it mobile. Learning to TIG aluminum is like learning to drive a stick shift while eating Chinese food. If you try to cobble something together to TIG aluminum, you will be learning stick shift, eating Chinese food, but your engine will be revved up the whole time.
Reply:Originally Posted by GmmandanI would like to learn how to tig weld and I stopped by my local dealer and talked to them and they recommended me a the Hf- 251 and the tig torch Wp-1725-2 . They said it would cost just about $2000 to get me outfitted to tig weld.
Reply:The dealer said that the High frequency unit is what would make it be able to tig weld? That is why I wanted to ask on here before I dropped the coin. I would rather spend $5,000 on a dynasty then $2000 on a unit that will not do what I need it to do and still have to buy the dynasty down the road. I need a mobile unit I am turning down a lot of work by not being mobile with aluminum yet. I hate to spend a ton of money on something that I am not fimilar with at all. I appericate your help DSW I am going to look at getting that set up and just learning on steel right now to get the basic then spend the coin on a nice unit to do alum. I didn't think the dealer was right and I felt he was talking out of his butt.Vantage 300 kubota ,miller 304 xmt ,lincoln ln 25 pro , ranger 305 G, plenty of other tools of the trade to make the sparks fly.
Reply:The HF unit will allow you to hit the pedal and create an arc without touching the work, similar to what happens when you start on a Syncrowave or Dynasty. I think the unit may also have a gas solenoid in it to turn on the gas, but I haven't looked at one for quite a long time. I haven't had a need for one. Guys who have more time with them can tell you better.I have most of the guys learn DC tig off the XMT 304's in Liftarc. It's simpler for them to get the motions down. Without a pedal, you set the machine to liftarc on the front dial, and your amps as normal. Remote switch to panel ( we'll do remote in a minute). Now when you touch the tungsten to the work, there is a small voltage charge flowing thru the tungsten to the work that completes a circuit. It tells the machine you are ready to weld. As soon as you lift the tungsten and break the connection, the machine knows you want to weld, and it kicks the amps up to what is set on the panel for amps. This helps avoid sticking the tungsten to the work and breaking off the tip.With the pedal it's slightly more complicated. Now switch the unit to remote vs panel. Now when you break the contact, the machine initiates the arc as before, but goes to what ever setting you have the pedal at up to the max amps you dialed in on the panel. If you don't push down the pedal enough, you won't get the arc and puddle to establish. So you need to hit the pedal and lift the tungsten together, then weld using the pedal to adjust your amperage. Some guys have a bit of trouble at first getting the foot/hand coordination timed together. It's easier if you hit the pedal slightly before you lift the tungsten.I enjoy using the XMT to do DC tig. It's a great machine. Having a gas solenoid to turn on the gas is the only small down side, but it's no big deal. Since I own a syncrowave, I usually fry one or two tungstens if I'm not paying enough attention when talking to students. After I cuss at myself and regrind, I remember to turn on the gas. That's only an issue if I haven't run the XMT's in tig for a bit. You just have to get in the habit of turning on and off the gas.I personally find getting the basics down on steel a bit easier than with alum. Guys get more feedback from the material. I've done plenty of "how to tig" threads. If you can't find one, let me know and I'll dig up the link that lists the basics I have students go thru to get started. One advantage you will probably have over most students is the fact you already most likely know and understand the puddle. You won't have to learn that AND the eye/hand/foot coordination at the same time like many of the students have to that have never welded before or have limited hood time. That usually helps guys learn faster as they can concentrate more on what their motions do to the puddle so they get the basics of heat control down faster.I'm not completely sure I consider the XMT "portable", but if you are using it as such, you already have that part down. I know guys who use it that way. There really isn't much that my Maxstar 200 does except pulse and running off 110v power that you can't do with the XMT. ( currently I'm running tig off the maxstar 200 with the same basic tig rig above since it's easier to break it down for transport vs using the on board gas solenoid) The XMT has the advantage of more output if you can feed it enough power, and the fact it's CC/CV capable. I don't NEED an XMT really for stick or DC tig with my Syncrowave or Maxstar, but if I ever get around to upgrading my mig, the XMT is on my short list. Really the only other unit on the list is the Passport. I'll gain portability at the expense of more power over my existing unit. Not sure which way I want to go at this point quite yet..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:If helium every comes down in price you could Tig weld aluminum on DC. The first picture is what I did with my Dynasty, second picture is what I did with my V350-Pro, with my Tig rig, scratch start, and no foot pedal. With out a foot pedal, only way to control the built up heat is to travel faster. Well that only works for so long. Attached ImagesDont pay any attention to meIm just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:I tig with my 304 on a daily basis. It works wonderful for me.... |
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发表于 2021-8-31 22:32:54