How would YOU test a used machine?

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Looking to buy a used TIG machine. Anybody here have a good method for testing a used machine?
Reply:Have you had any experience tiggin?That has a bearing on things.Last edited by dave powelson; 04-30-2011 at 07:54 PM.Reason: additionBlackbird
Reply:Weld with it! Tig some scrap steel in all amperage ranges. Stick weld in all polarity's,esp. DC reverse.Tig weld in AC.Check the hi freq.Make sure start & continuous both work.
Reply:a good machine will tell you how many hours and how many stikesand if there some thing wrong with it
Reply:Originally Posted by ed maca good machine will tell you how many hours and how many stikesand if there some thing wrong with it
Reply:I bought a 175 Lincoln tig... when I looked at it I hooked it up and welded in DC+- and AC, hasn't let me down yet.
Reply:No, I haven't any tiggin experience. Zero. Seen it done on tv. Need to learn tho. That's for sure. I really can't afford to pay someone to build my junk for me.I hear most folks say how hard it is and that makes me curious.
Reply:Originally Posted by seventy-nineNo, I haven't any tiggin experience. Zero. Seen it done on tv. Need to learn tho. That's for sure. I really can't afford to pay someone to build my junk for me.I hear most folks say how hard it is and that makes me curious.
Reply:I wish I did have a friend who could test a used machine for me, because that would most likely mean I could just take my junk to him and pay him beer and taco money to weld it up for me and I wouldn't be starting into this deal to begin with. LOL. I see your analogy to the used car clearly. Matter of fact that's exactly what I'm afraid of. I would love to take a class at the local CC, but that's not in the cards right now. Most classes are in the daytime, and my boss prob would object, with the other option, their five night a week night class, I'm thinking my wife would get a good roll on the floor peeing herself laugh at that conversation for sure.Keep the info coming. I'm halfway convinced I need to spend $2000 at Airgas just to get started working on my junk.But if I do, how likely am I to burn up my new machine? What DON'T you do with a TIG?
Reply:Originally Posted by seventy-nineWhat DON'T you do with a TIG?
Reply:Along with the above, suggestion, the first thing I would do is take off the cover, if it's full of dust; WALK, regardless of whether it will do the do. A machine that's full of grinding dust is a machine not long for this world
Reply:You said you want to LEARN TIG, so here's how we quite successfully taught our students. The goal was "produce entry-level pipe welders who could get hired by passing a 6G test".The low buck way is also how structural and pipe weldors in the field do their thing. If bucks are down, run scratch-start off a transformer machine. When you learn that way, any additional features are gravy. Plenty of folks are out there getting paid very good money because they know how to run old school.The classic Tozziwelding thread. Assemble one of these rigs and you can connect them to any TIG power source:http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=38106Get a stick machine that has "infinite" adjustment and have at it.  We used Idealarc 250s, but Miller Dialarcs and many other stick machines are fine. Test by stick welding, nothing to it. There is a LOT to be said for owning at least one transformer machine that's as reliable as a steel bowling ball, which is why so many folks do and why the Idealarc and Dialarc are still in production after decades. Our students learned to set heat for TIG and stick without ever seeing the pointers (which were taped over and randomly reset by us before each class) so when they went to test for a job on whatever worn out junk the hiring company used (as a challenge) they'd be able to set heat on scrap then rock and roll.Last edited by farmall; 05-01-2011 at 11:41 AM.
Reply:Where are you located?Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:I'm currently located in Vancouver, WA.Now the question is this;Miller Diversion 165/180 OR Lincoln Squarewave 175?Price is comparable but what about the machines?
Reply:To me the Diversions are underpowered and you give up too many functions, like the option to run stick and balance control for alum. Also they don't have the ability to grow, say add a cooler later. If you want to do alum, you'll be limited to 1/8" practically. If you don't care about alum, you'd be better off with a Maxstar 150 instead.I'm not familiar with the Lincoln, but it's probably on par with the older Syncrowave 180's I've run that were good machines. Thats about the minimum I'd suggest if you are serious about doing alum. You'd be better off with more amps for alum. machines like the Syncro 200, Thermal arc TA 185 or Lincolns PT225 are all great choices that will get you solidly 3/16" and pushed do 1/4" in a pinch with good prep. Cost wise it's not that much more than the Diversion 180's and you will get a lot more machine.You might keep the basic scratch start tig rig on a DC stick welder as well in mind. That will get you the basics, though a pedal on a dedicated tig will help in learning. You might also think about taking this in stages. Get a good DC machine like the Maxstar 150 1st and learn steel and stainless. Then later upgrade for learning alum and sell the maxstar for a decent price. The last option is buy a used machine from a reputable company who will stand behind the unit. Member Weldersales here (Larry Burross google him. Applied Equipment Dallas TX) often has some nice low hour machines he'll stand behind, or try Sutton-Gartenhttp://suttongarten.thomasnet-naviga...ing-equipment?Sutton lists a used Maxstar from $800-1300, but I don't know exactly what accesories comes with them. A lot of guys here have dealt with Larry, and several here have dealt with Sutton. all with good results. I don't know if Steve (7A749 here) has any tig machines. He's another good guy for used equipment here if he's got anything..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan