90amp wire welder okay for intake tubing?

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I'm thinking of getting a cheesy HF 90amp welder($110) (18 gauge max.) to use for intake tubing and for turbo tubing. Is this okay? using this welder with maybe better wire from home depot or something? I'm not trying to conquer the world just save some money on my strip/street car. thanks russ
Reply:Can it be made to work??? Maybe. It will depend on the material you want to weld, as well as the wire and gas you will use... and a lot will depend on your skill level.But suffice to say, I have not seen many welds from those machines that were high enough quality to do the job right for that task.And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:With the 90A HF Welder, I think you are talking fluxcore only, and it's gonna be tough on thin material.
Reply:A cheapo TIG would be better suited to your work than the flux core or solid wire MIG.Here is one that may be ok.  You'll have to add an argon bottle and pressure regulator/flowmeter.  http://www.harborfreight.com/240-vol...der-66787.html
Reply:the ad says that the machine will  stick weld 18 ga = 1/4", and  tigweld 22 ga = 1/8"...
Reply:'the ad' is for a DC TIG machine, not AC--which really is helpful for weldingaluminum, since most turbo intakes are aluminum.Apparently it's also a scratch start machine, no High Frequency start or run......and no remote control, items which also help.The last 3", 16 ga., polished aluminum intake to intercoolerpiping system that came to me for some 'touchup'........after a crude, rude, backyard fabbing attempt witha low-end mig and operators lacking Clue #1......hadgobs and gobs of stuff, holes blown thru, warpage to beat the band,and didn't come close to fitting the vehicle.......ended up as $400+ of stuff end up in the scrap pile,there was no way to save it.After some instruction to the learners on making good cuts, layout, marking linesfor rotation and fitup, another new set of pipes came to me for TIG.That set worked.If you're interested in saving time and money, then do a competent fitup,and take it to an aluminum TIG shop.Blackbird
Reply:Originally Posted by dave powelsonIf you're interested in saving time and money, then do a competent fitup,and take it to an aluminum TIG shop.
Reply:Originally Posted by weldbeadthe ad says that the machine will  stick weld 18 ga = 1/4", and  tigweld 22 ga = 1/8"...