HTP INVERTIG 313 Review

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HTP INVERTIG 313 Air Cooled I have welded as a home garage hobbyist on and off for 40+ years.  I have ARC, Oxy Acetylene and MIG welded for many years.  About 15 years ago I had a DC scratch start TIG machine that I did some steel projects with, but it was not a great machine.  Last year I bought an AHP Alpha-TIG 201XD and started doing more TIG, especially aluminum.  As a hobbyist, I enjoy TIG.  The AHP has been a great machine for very little money.  It has never had any functional issues, but I felt I was pushing the machine to weld 3/16” or thicker aluminum.  I tried preheating, and even made up a mixing manifold for Argon/Helium mix.  Both made a positive difference, and it was fun to see the effect of the helium mix.  In the end, the machine still felt that it was at its limit… So, I took advantage of the sale at HTP and ordered an INVERTIG 313 air cooled. I decided on the air cooled because I needed it to be somewhat portable.  It arrived quick, and in perfect shape.  I read the manual (twice) and gave it a try.  I had hoped for more “punch”, and yes it has more power, a lot more.   The first thing I figured out is the machine is way more machine than I expected.  Right now the learning curve feels steep.  The manual is not written as clearly as I would have liked.  For example, on page 13 under Asymmetric Arc:  “Does asymmetric arc do the same thing as balance? Sort of, but not really”  I kid you not, this is a direct quote from the manual.  It goes on to share “Typically you cannot find literature, videos, or any other online advice on setting asymmetric arc.”  Again, this is a direct quote.  I was hoping the manual would share some wisdom on symmetric arc, as it is adjustable on the INVERTIG, but other than saying it can “make a big difference”. The manual does not share how to really use or set it.  I am confident I will figure it out, but for now I have it turned off.  It is interesting that “off” means it is at “100”.  So far, I have used tig and pulsed tig.  Welding with this machine is awesome.  I wanted more punch, and it has it, and it really is impressive.  Set at 200 amps, it starts the puddle in 3/16” 6061 very quickly, and just plain rocks.  200 amps on the INVERTIG is NOT the same as 200 amps on the AHP.  The pedal is much more sensitive on the HTP.  I am used to mashing the AHP pedal, then backing off in small increments as the work heats up.  The HTP is so much more powerful – even with the amps turned down.  I need to get used to the backing off on the pedal more.  I got the unit with a 25 foot CK worldwide 26 torch.  It uses the same consumables as the 17 torch on my AHP, which is nice.  The regulator and foot pedal seem to be solid and good quality, time will tell.  The work clamp (ground) is a decent piece also. So far my only negative for the machine itself has been the location of the on/off switch.  Whoever came up with locating the switch on the back of the machine needs to be smacked up side the head.  I get the concept of not having a “live wire” running from the power cord at the back all the way to a switch at the front of the machine… But…  Somehow Miller figured it out, and my Millermatic 200 has not burned my garage down in the past 30+ years…  And guess what, my Millermatic 255 has the on/off switch up front also…  The fan is an on demand fan, and can get a little loud, but not unreasonable.  The control panel is well lit, and legible.  The menus are reasonably intuitive.  I like the idea of saving programs for materials / thickness’ I work on most frequently.  I have not figured out how to label the programs yet.  This is a lot of machine for a home shop hobby welder guy.  The first impressions are really good.  Solid quality and way more than expected performance.Geoff
Reply:I'm jealous! You have an HTP welder that I don't have!  LOL  There is a "sticky" thread about independent amplitude/asymmetric arc in the Sticky Forum.  It's more theory than anything, but it cleared up some misconceptions about what it actually controls/affects on the actual AC waveform.  The actual effects [of changing asymmetric arc settings] on the weld pool/base metal still follow the basic rules about what EN and EP do, ex: EN is still responsible for heat into the part, and penetration, and EP is still responsible for cathodic etching/breaking up the oxide layer and putting more heat into the tungsten.Also, just curious but did you know they have the Heavy Hitter air-cooled TIG torches available through HTP?  The larger one is rated to 350A or so, but I think that's a pretty generous rating; I haven't tested mine that far yet.  Larger than a 26 series with better gas-cooling around the torch head, but I don't think the 26-series 1pc power/gas hose is rated as high.  I tested mine with a 2pc power & separate gas hose setup.Last edited by Oscar; 13 Hours Ago at 02:08 PM.

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Reply:I think the on/off on the back is a rule in Europe.Ernie F.