Hi freq

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Hi, my first post. I have a small Lincoln 225 AC/DC that I want to put a Lincoln Hi Freq box on.First off , has any one used this setup and with what kind of results and second, my welder doesn't have spuds on the outside to run cables from and to the box and I was wondering if it worth pulling the skin off the welder to make pigtails,and third,the box has the option of running my gas through it,is it better this way?Thank,Ron
Reply:Hi Ron and welcome to WW.adding a high freq box to a "buzz box" or "tombstone" welder is a fine way to introduce yourself to tig welding.  Tigging isn't for everybody, and what you're doing is an affordable way to test the waters.  I don't know your experience, but the set-up you describe will be fine for mild steel but may "turn you off" with aluminum as it's pretty archaic and won't have the "necessary" bells and whistles of modern tig welders.  But, that's how it was done at one time.Definately pull the "skins" off the welder and make pigtails or install lugs of your choice.And if capable, "running the gas through" the HF box is the only way to go, as you'll be less tempted to leave the gas on at the torch valve.....it's been known to happen.Best of luck and post up some pics of your equipment.Lincoln SA 200Esab Caddy 160Thermal Arc 201TSMiller Dialarc HFI don't like making plans for the day because then the word "premeditated" gets thrown around the courtroom....
Reply:thanks dubl_t,I only know of the old ways,cut my teeth on big stainless storage tanks where we scratch stated everything and everything remote whereas today they would run in a bunch of migs and get it done.Never have had a job with the luxury of a pedal even our Hi. pressure boiler tube tests were done by scratch start! Anyway, I am adding the box to try and weld a little bit of old cast aluminum,I have some old transmission cases that I would like to bring back to life.Ron
Reply:Nice Ron,don't forget to post a thread in the Projects section, I know most on here would be interested in seeing the cast AL welding.Lincoln SA 200Esab Caddy 160Thermal Arc 201TSMiller Dialarc HFI don't like making plans for the day because then the word "premeditated" gets thrown around the courtroom....
Reply:Originally Posted by nmaineronthanks dubl_t,I only know of the old ways,cut my teeth on big stainless storage tanks where we scratch stated everything and everything remote whereas today they would run in a bunch of migs and get it done.Never have had a job with the luxury of a pedal even our Hi. pressure boiler tube tests were done by scratch start! Anyway, I am adding the box to try and weld a little bit of old cast aluminum,I have some old transmission cases that I would like to bring back to life.Ron
Reply:what kind of issues did you have Drf255, and what did you use for tranques to straighten you out
Reply:Originally Posted by nmaineronwhat kind of issues did you have Drf255, and what did you use for tranques to straighten you out
Reply:Originally Posted by nmaineronwhat kind of issues did you have Drf255, and what did you use for tranques to straighten you out
Reply:You can already scratch start with a gas cooled torch on DC- for SS and MS.  If you want to mess with aluminum you can braze the thin stuff and stick weld the big stuff.  If you want to Tig Al. then but a 200 amp or better tig mach with AC balance and a foot control.
Reply:I haven't had a chance to get any Tweecos or somethin similar to give me a good positive connection.I need to cut the leads coming from the welder and make connections.Nearest place is about 100 miles away,I was just there last week and bought my hoses and walked away without my connectors....maybe I need some of them 12oz tranqs...