high frequency v non high frequency

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Hi all, I'm bying my old man a TIG/ARC welder, im looking at a Brand new CIGWELD Weldskill 170 Inverter arc welder serial number W7003021,a 240V single phase welding machine with increased output and duty cycles for more demanding applications.The unit offers superior arc characteristics on a range of welding electrodes from 2.5 to 4.0mm diameter. The unit also features a DC lift TIG function that provides smooth starting & running characteristics across a broad range of applications. He's going to weld stainless steel, aluminium and mild steel with the TIG and mild steel with the arc. There is a high frequency version of this machine. My question is what's the difference between the 2 types? Hope someone can help me please
Reply:If dads gonna do aluminum you need AC and High freq to keep the arc going.  You might want to refer to some more references before you buy to avoid dissapointment with a machine that will not do what you intend it to do.   Dc lift works well with mild steel and stainless, but tends to contaminate the weld if not carefull or better yet use a run off tab to start and stop your welds to eliminate that issue completely.  Make sure whatever you buy specifically says how much amperage, and max thickness you can weld for both steel and aluminum tp insure you are getting an appropriate machine.  Have a look at the Miller welder website to see what I mean... Hope this helps...BobI'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:After using lift start for a while and then getting a hi-freq feature, I wouldn't want to go back.  It's not a requirement for steel, but it's definitely a nice feature to have.  You have to have continuous HF for aluminum like stated above.
Reply:Thanks for that, I have no clue and I can't ask him because it's a surprise haha
Reply:Just FYI, looking at the specs it seems that machine is DC only, which keeps you from doing aluminum.
Reply:What's needed to do aluminum?
Reply:You need a machine that can weld on AC, it will also have a continuous hi-freq setting to stabilize the arc, which means it will have the hi-freq start for DC welding of steel/stainless.
Reply:Model TIGFORCE2O0PPower voltage 1 phase AC240V+/-15%Frequency [Hz] 50/60Rated input current [A] TIG: 18.6 MMA:21.2Output current [A] 10-200No-load voltage [V] 56Rated ouput voltage [V] TIG: 18 MMA:26.4Duty cycle [%] 60NoJoad loss [W] 40Arc initiation way HFEfficiency [%] 80Power factor 0.73Insulation grade FHousing protection grade IP21Weight [kg] 8.4Dimensions [mm]
Reply:This is the other one I was looking at?
Reply:Originally Posted by kazlxYou have to have continuous HF for aluminum like stated above.
Reply:from what i pulled up that is a DC only machine also  boswell tigforce 200p if looking at that brand you will need to upgrade to  the tigforce 200 ac/dc  or tigforce 200p ac/dc and that doubles the priceyou can use DC with helium  for alum for thick  aliLast edited by prop-doctor; 12-09-2011 at 05:55 PM.idealarc 250/250 ac-dc tigidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tig #2 used for sticklincoln sp100hh125dual arbor grinder polisher30 yrs of hand tools52 pitch blocks 6p-26prake gauge -pitch gaugeG&D prop repair 918-207-6938Hulbert,okla 74441
Reply:Originally Posted by rlitmanFunny, my Dynasty 200DX doesn't have continuous HF, and works just fine on Aluminum.  Not all inverter square wave machines need continuous HF.Anyway, HF is a nice feature, but that machine has Lift Arc, which is not quite as nice as HF, but not such a huge difference as say scratch start.
Reply:no .... needs AC/DC and 180-200 amp for average alumi thicknessidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tigidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tig #2 used for sticklincoln sp100hh125dual arbor grinder polisher30 yrs of hand tools52 pitch blocks 6p-26prake gauge -pitch gaugeG&D prop repair 918-207-6938Hulbert,okla 74441
Reply:There's lots of flat out misinformation is being given in this thread.You need AC to weld aluminum. If the welder is a square wave inverter you do not need (or often even get the option of) continuous high freq. High freq will fire to start the arc without contact and then it will shut off. Squarewave inverters do not require continuous high freq to stabilize and sustain the arc because they pass through zero volts instantly instead of gradually like a sine wave machine.Welding/Fab Pics: www.UtahWeld.com
Reply:Touch start is easy once you get used to it.  Its a DC only thing.  I don't mind depending on what I am doing.  Some times things are small or can't be disturbed before welding.  Then Hi Freq is handy.  Today I set up a #18 torch with my V350 and a Lincoln water cooler.  Its touch start only.  I only have to bump the tungsten and away it goes.     I used it all afternoon.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:*INPUTAC240±5%, 50Hz 15 Amp Plug****DC MMA (STICK)No-Load Voltage60 ~ 80VBase Current Adjusting Range5 ~ 160ARated Output Current160AArc Force0 ~ 10Rated Duty Cycle100% @ 100A, 24V*60% @ 130A, 25.2V*35% @ 160A, 26.4V***********AC/ DC TIGNo-Load Voltage60 ~ 80VBase AC Current Adjusting Range20 ~ 200ASP%* / AC Balance30 ~ 70%AC Initial Current/Crater-Fill Current (fixed)40ARated Duty Cycle100% @ 160A, 16.4V60% @ 200A, 18VPulse Current Adjusting Range5 ~ 200ABase Pulse Current Adjusting Range5 ~ 200ACurrent* Up-Slope Time0 ~ 10sCurrent Down-Slope Time0 ~ 10sDC Initial Current/Crater-Fill Current (fixed)10APulse Width Ratio0.1 ~ 0.9Pulse Frequency0.5 ~ 25 HzAfter Flow Time1 ~ 25 sArc Starting ModeHigh Frequency ARC*Efficiency≥80%Weight25 KgProtection Class Of EnclosureIP21SOutline Dimensions mm³293x330x320
Reply:http://www.longevity-inc.com/product...dAll-160PI.phpThis is the upgraded model from the one I have. I have no issues with the one I have.