Looking for info... Stick to Tig conv.

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background:i own a OFW setup and weld for myself, mostly. i want to eventually to add a TIG welder to my lineup.So does anyone have a link handy about converting the Lincoln AC-225S (the 'cheep' one at Home Depot)? Or info in general...i have a need to weld Al, yes i know i can braze it with OFW and it is damn near as strong.
Reply:You are not going to be able to weld aluminum with what you have.  Your best bet is to save some money and buy a tig, or mig with a spool gun.  Aluminum is tigged with AC current, but you have to have high freqency to sustain the arc.  You could use a Hi-freq box, but I don;t think that welder is gonna hold up well trying to tig.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:If it's like the ac-225's I have you don't have near enough control over the current. One is pretty new and the other is ancient and both are tapped.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:My old neighbor use to weld tig aluminum and stainless with a Miller Thunderbolt AC/DC with a freq box.  He made some nice welds with that setup.   I haven't seen anyone do it with a tombstone Lincoln.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:I have a Miller Thunderbolt AC/DC and I rigged up a tig with a high frequency box. These are were some of my first AL welds with it, I never welded al before this though.
Reply:ok, so the general view is it's not going to do well. thanks guys, looks like i am still looking for a 'real' TIG on craigslist haha.
Reply:what about putting a high frequency on the bigger lincoln tombstones the idealarc 250 with the infinate amperage adjustment via a crank wheel or are you still a lot better off with a real tig machine
Reply:This is only my opinion, but I think you would probably be better off with a real tig machine. They are much less expensive than they used to be since the smaller ones have arrived on the market. If you have 3 phase power available you can pick up large older ones pretty cheaply.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:I have a large older hobart 3 phase I cant remember the amprage it takes but it would take a very large phase converter and I no longer have 3 phase power
Reply:Originally Posted by CrimsonWelderi have a need to weld Al
Reply:You can tig Alum. on your machine, with a HF box.  JohnSMAW,GMAW,FCAW,GTAW,SAW,PAC/PAW/OFCand Shielding Gases.  There all here. :