Thermal Arc 95S Stick/TIG Package Comments

admin

I recently did a post regarding the possibility of getting a Thermal Arc 95S Stick/TIG Package to do some sheet metal work on a 1967 Pontiac. As of June 12, 2010, 110 people have reviewed the post with no comments.What might I do differently to get some comments?RSOHC.
Reply:Hi rsohc, lighten up.  It most likely that few persons have experience with this welder.It looks a good deal for $300 with the gas hose/gauges, tig torch with 3 cups, and the stick holder.It's specs are somewhat similar to my MasterCraft DC80 amp stick / 100 amps Tig with 117 volt input at 20 amps.I've only had my unit a few weeks and used it only for stick so far.  It works great with 3/32 inch Lincoln 7018AC rods - nice soft arc.  I've welded up 3/16 inch thick steel brackets.I've not had an opportunity yet to use in in DC TIG mode - which is likely your primary interest for sheet-metal work.  See, even I'm not much use to you.  Rick V 1 Airco Heliwelder 3A/DDR3 CTC 70/90 amp Stick/Tig Inverters in Parallel1 Lincoln MIG PAK 151 Oxy-Acet
Reply:You might look for reviews of the unit itself, its ability on thin sheet metal, and what electrode sizes, cups, etc are used successfully in auto restoration.For the price, give it a shot, but as with any welding process be prepared to put in MANY hours of practice before welding anything that matters. The results are worth it.
Reply:I have a very similar machine branded Pitt Bull and it seems to be OK.  It aint great with the drag start arc, and it has limited power, but for 299 it does OK.  I have not put huge hours on it either, so time will tell if it is going to hold up or not.  For me the arc is good, a little soft but if you pause a second or so it burns in nicely, kinda like arc force or ballance adjusted more toward cleaning, but since it is not adjustable on these machines I just go with what I got.  I use it at about 100 amps generaly so the 160 limit is kinda far away, I never thermaled it yet, so I like the machine so far.  If it dies tommorrow, I will replace it with a more powerfull machine with more features, ,but it had the most for the money when I had an extra 300 bucks.  I ordered it as a throw away machine that I expected to get stolen or left in the rain or abused by the guy on that truck, so it has done well in my book for the money I spent.I'm spending my Kids inheritance, I dont like him that much anyway!!!!!!Enuff tools to do the job, enough sense to use em.Anybody got a spare set of kidneys?  Trade?
Reply:$300 is pretty cheap so that's worth a gamble in my opinion.   I love my Thermal Arc 185 ac/dc tig welder.  I don't have any experience at all with their small machines.  I have welded with a TA300 and found it to weld exactly like my TA185, except with more power available, which is good.  MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Check out the Other Manufacturers thread.  There is a Thermal Arc sticky there with some comments from 95S users.
Reply:Originally Posted by Rick VHi rsohc, lighten up.  It most likely that few persons have experience with this welder.It looks a good deal for $300 with the gas hose/gauges, tig torch with 3 cups, and the stick holder.It's specs are somewhat similar to my MasterCraft DC80 amp stick / 100 amps Tig with 117 volt input at 20 amps.I've only had my unit a few weeks and used it only for stick so far.  It works great with 3/32 inch Lincoln 7018AC rods - nice soft arc.  I've welded up 3/16 inch thick steel brackets.I've not had an opportunity yet to use in in DC TIG mode - which is likely your primary interest for sheet-metal work.  See, even I'm not much use to you.