What machine to use with this HF box?

admin

I have had this box for about a decade. I never use it. The original owner the the Bobcat I have thought it good to have this box, giving the machine aluminum tig capabilities. The problem is that you cannot get a quality enough AC arc with that machine to properly tig alum..yeah it works, But real crappy.I am thinking that it is a good HF box if matched with the right welder. Maybe a tombstone 250?Has anyone ever successfully used one of these?Last edited by Mark...; 08-02-2008 at 06:14 AM.
Reply:I have a Lincoln "Hi-Freq" High frequency box, and it works great.  I normally keep it on the truck for field work on aluminum, but I have run it on a Miller Dialarc, and an old  Lincoln Idealarc 500 amp AC machine.  As far as engine driven machines goes I have run it on a couple bobcats, and a ranger GXT, and both did fine.  What brand and model Hi-freq box is it?  Are you sure the box is working properly?  No, it won;t run like a new inverter machine, but I've never had a problem making solid welds on any of my bobcats when using the box I have.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:Maybe I am just spioled with big transformer machines. I read on the millerwelds.com website that the new 225 bobcats are rated for non critical aluminum AC welding. I am thinking that with my dinosaur from the late 90's is even worse. The one I have is a 225nt.
Reply:Hammack, It is good to know that someone had luck with the thing. Because you said that, I will probably keep it. I had just lost confidence in it from the bad experience I had. I have never had it hooked up to any other machine, I will give it another chance.Also this box does not have an intensity or balance setting. Seemed odd to me that there was no adjustment, just a postflow timer. Is yours the same?
Reply:Mark, I have a century Hi Freq Box.  Its similar to yours.  Mine has no gas capabilities.  I need a torch with a valve on it.  It works on any AC welder.David  Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Mark all of my bobcats are 225 G plus machines which was the made before the "NT"  So I don't think it would be your machine.  As I stated they won't run like a squarewave or inverter, but they will get the job done.  Now, there could be something wrong with your box, or possibly your AC output on your machine could be acting up, but personally I have never had any trouble.  just for the record that is the exact same Hi-freq box that I use.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:You might take the cover off and check the points. I forget the gap setting right now, but I think you might find it on the lincoln site in the manual for your HF. I bought a used one last year and it wouldn't weld either till I reset the gap. Seems they have a tendence to move after x hours of use.SA200,Ranger8,Trailblazer251NT,MM250,Dayton225AC,T  D-XL75,SpoolMate3545SGA100C,HF-15-1  RFCS-14 When I stick it, it stays stuck!
Reply:That thing was probably made before anything had balance and intensity.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:Actually not that old, maybe 10 or 11 yrs. if that Wouldve been nice to have balance and intensity, but it is nice to have the contactor and gas valve selenoid. I just want to be able to use it!!! Maybe the box isn't working like it should as previously suggested. I am going to check the points tonight and try it again this weekend(hopefully) on some differnent plates. Now that I think about it, the material I was originally trying may have had something to do with it.Last edited by Mark...; 08-02-2008 at 06:14 AM.