I'm Frequency Limited

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The AC frequency on my TA 185 goes as high as 150 Hz.  It seems that even the Arcmaster 300 tops out at 150.  The Dynasty 200 goes o 250, the 350 goes to 400, and the new 280-well who knows.  HTP's 221 tops out at 200.  My question is, in reality, what freq do most of you actually use in your day to day welding?  Is a frequency of higher than 150 ever used in the rel world, and if so, in what applications?I'm just a hobby guy, but I've noticed that I like 100 Hz on almost all, and 120-130 on Aluminum Filets.  I know that with the focus at 150 Hz and some He/Ar blend, I should be able to do some small 1/4" projects.   My problem is that I'm Jonesing for a Dynasty and I'm using the AC frequency as a strong deciding point.   I probably have all I'll ever need with my current TA 185TSW and my mig spool gun.  Opinions?TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:When welding on some cast aluminum I turn my frequency all the way down to 20 Hz and when welding on corners I crank it up to around 200Hz to focus the arc. Other than that I'm at 110 or so for everyday jobs
Reply:Don't limit yourself. get the 350. I know some people will not need it but the more adjustments you can have (if capable of using them) the better you can be. But if i were wanting to train someone from scratch I FEEL (opinion) that just a basic transformer like a sync 250 is the best for that. I'm about to buy a 250 because i feel it dominates on everyday/all day non "show" welds (and i love pure tung in a transformer). For the thin, anodized, or any weld i have to make as pretty as i can, the dynasties dominate. But dont listen to me. here is a page in a forum where 2 of the best welders i have seen online give some "secrets". They are mixing gas with there own mixers for another level of adjustments. and i cant even imagine the benefits of Independent amperage adjustment. one runs "hertz anywhere over 300". And not to turn this into a cleaning debate, but i doubt they let a wire brush anywhere near this stuff. Just more proof people should spend less time cleaning aluminum and more time welding it. http://www.yellowbullet.com/forum/sh...=97936&page=11www.performancealuminumfabrication.com
Reply:I think if you read post #1 you'll find your answer.I don't use the Al ability of my TA 185 much and I have never used a Dynasty but remember reading someone's review comparing the two and they mentioned the frequency adj.. Even though the DX goes to 250hz the was no noticible diff compared to the TA's 150hz range.
Reply:Originally Posted by Drf255 I know that with the focus at 150 Hz and some He/Ar blend, I should be able to do some small 1/4" projects.   Opinions?
Reply:Originally Posted by BCTimberwolfWhen welding on some cast aluminum I turn my frequency all the way down to 20 Hz and when welding on corners I crank it up to around 200Hz to focus the arc. Other than that I'm at 110 or so for everyday jobs
Reply:I use low frequency when i am at max capacity of my TA185.  The puddle is wider, but seems to flow better or is wetter  and flows out easier. .Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Yes you should be able to tell what range you have your machine set at, its your machine. From what I read on the review was the the person used the adjustable frequency on both machines while doing different joints and the TA range gave the same benefits as the DXs range. The one thing for sure is that the TA is a quieter running machine when set on AC.
Reply:Originally Posted by Jay OYes you should be able to tell what range you have your machine set at, its your machine. From what I read on the review was the the person used the adjustable frequency on both machines while doing different joints and the TA range gave the same benefits as the DXs range. The one thing for sure is that the TA is a quieter running machine when set on AC.
Reply:Originally Posted by DonoharmI may be wrong, but higher freq=less heat in the weld and  low freq the oder way around ...higher freq also kills the tungsten faster, I'm around 90hz if nothing very thin comes around
Reply:The T/A185 that you already have is a fine machine. As snazzy as the Dynasty might seem, it isn't a significant upgrade really.If you really want something to Jones for, check out the new Dynasty 280. JohnA few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps
Reply:Did a job today width the TA185.  Its a fine machine.  I messed with the frequency but ended up back at 90 Hz were I most always use it.  I tried as low as 50 and all the way up to 150.   The size of the tungsten and condition of the tip had more to do with the weld than Hertz.Thinking of a lincoln 311.  DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:I was thinking about the new Everlast 315.   It goes to 500 Hz and costs 1800 with a 5 yr warranty.  So basically $25 a month for 5 yrs and if it's still alive at the end, the bonus is you get to keep it.  A new Dynasty 350 would cost me $6000+.  However, I commented as post #12 to this thread "SAR-CAS-M" and it was promptly removed from the postIng.  How can I trust a company that removes any negative comments about their products?  http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=63921Last edited by Drf255; 12-23-2011 at 04:49 AM.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:People have ran just fine on a non adjustable 60 hz machine for a long time.. That being said I wouldnt even think about another machine based on the amount of frequency you may or may not have.. 150 hz is plenty. I would play with it around 120.HTP Invertig 201Lincoln Idealarc SP250Miller 180 AC StickBy farmall:They should have held the seagull closer to the work, squeezing evenly for best deposition.
Reply:I've never found a need to use above, like 200 hz. The TIG machine I currently have at my disposal only does your standard 60-70hz. At a previous job I had a Dynasty. Just for fun at 400hz at 150 amps the thing was louder than a banshee. The arc starts to turn into a "plasma loudspeaker." I've run arc gougers that were more quiet. What I noticed was using 200 hz lets you weld a bit faster and makes a bit nicer, rounder bead. Then again most of the other posters probably have more TIG aluminum experience than me.Cleanliness is a bit more important when it comes to production MIG welds on Al.
Reply:Knobs on the machine do not automatically make me a better welder.   Its the operator not the machine.  Pulse, Hz, Wave balance......  All good stuff.  I can make nice welds with 60 hz and constant hi freq.If you want a dynasty, go get one.  If you want an everlast, go get one and tell us how it compares to the TA-185.   I have had my TA-185 about 5 years and made a LOT of money with it.  Zero problems since new.  I regularly go way past the duty cycle.  Never saw the over temp light come on.  Its the only AC tig welder I own.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:I have also found that lower frequency (25-65hz) works a lot better on cast, The puddle is more fluid and contaminants seem to float to the surface better. Higher frequencies seem to make a very stiff puddle that doesnt want to flow real well. I do like running 100-150hz for most of what I do, the puddle is more controllable and you can "point" the arc where you want it. Some have said that pulsing on DC with stainless at high frequencies makes for better welds as well.
Reply:Originally Posted by Drf255I could be wrong as well, but I think you got it backwards.  Higher AC freq = tighter smaller arc.   So the same amperage is focused on a smaller area and thus deeper penetration and more heat in a smaller area.  Almost like hitting something with a 10# sledge hammer vs a 10# axe.  The axe is concentrating the force of the weight into a smaller area and will thus leave a deeper imprint.  That's at least how I see it.
Reply:Originally Posted by Donoharmwell I only have a few hundreds hours of alum arc time so .... anyway, you could make a quick test, get a big/thick chunk of alum turn your machine all the way up and count how long it takes to form a 4-5mm puddle  , do it twice 60hz and 150hz ..I'm free till 2 Jan so can't do it myself
Reply:Originally Posted by Donoharmwell I only have a few hundreds hours of alum arc time so .... anyway, you could make a quick test, get a big/thick chunk of alum turn your machine all the way up and count how long it takes to form a 4-5mm puddle  , do it twice 60hz and 150hz ..I'm free till 2 Jan so can't do it myself
Reply:I can't explain it.     When I was welding a fan guard for an air compressor, I used all 1/4" aluminum.  It was all the machine could weld.  If I turned the frequency down to around 30, it would make a puddle and I could add to it.  The puddle seemed shallow to me.  With the frequency over 100 I would never get a puddle.        I had similar results here except I am not welding 1/4 to 1/4.Just do it your self and see.  Now I am going to try it on a cola can.Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Originally Posted by Drf255What I wanted to say came off a bit wrong.   Not disputing your ability or experience.