What else do I need to TIG weld?

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I just bought a 250 Idealarc Lincoln welder. I am a pipe welder by trade. But would like to weld up a stainless evaporator pan for maple syrup. What else do I need for a tig weld. My welder says constant current but is that all I need for stainless or do I have to have a high frequency box and foot pedal or can a guy poorboy this in any way? Do I need a flow meter or can I just use an oxygen regulator? Please assist. Thanks
Reply:Originally Posted by WelderskelterI just bought a 250 Idealarc Lincoln welder. I am a pipe welder by trade. But would like to weld up a stainless evaporator pan for maple syrup. What else do I need for a tig weld. My welder says constant current but is that all I need for stainless or do I have to have a high frequency box and foot pedal or can a guy poorboy this in any way? Do I need a flow meter or can I just use an oxygen regulator? Please assist. Thanks
Reply:http://www.welding-direct.com/57y01pc125ru.html is a typical torch lead. When Ordering make sure you get rubber and not vinyl/pvc. You can get these is 12 1/2 or 25 foot lengths. If you are attaching right to the machine, get the 25 foot. If you will be dragging leads to where you are going you may want the 12 1/2 foot which will be less but may NOT be less per foot than the welding cable.You will also need a power/gas adapter block that either attaches to the terminal on your machine, clips in your stinger, or has a standard twist lock type connector (Tweco, DINSE). Some exampples can be seen at http://www.welding-direct.com/hookadfortig.html . On two piece leads with power and gas seperate you dont need the adapter as the tig lead comes with a 5/8" fitting on the gas hose that can go to a flowmeter and the power lead there is allready a lug.You will need a torch to attach to your lead. The torch and lead must be matched. The most common torches I have seen are the WP-9 and WP 17 styles for aircooled.  There is also a 200 amp WP26 Style. The standard for tig torches is "Weldcraft". There catalog is here and contains a much better overview of the parts available. http://weldcraft.com/pdf/Weldcraft-Full-Catalog.pdf In addition to the torch you will need the collet, collet body or collet body gas lens, back cap, tungsten, and cup. There are variations on these and many will say that the gas lens is the only way to go. I have made pleanty of welds both ways. If you have the $, get the Gas lens and yiou will have better results in windy conditions etc.Yoiu need a flowmeter also. Also if you get a single cable hose you will need a gas howe to get from the flowmeter to the adapter block. The outlet of the flowmeter will need the correct gas fitting to get to gas hose (5/8" gas connection). I would avoid using a O2 regulator.Hope t his helps some.Have a nice dayhttp://www.weldingdata.com/
Reply:i own an idealarc 250 ac-dc welder.pics would be niceyou may just need  the flow meter,pedal, and torch... of course pedal is opt(but real handy)you didnt say if it was  ac/dc
Reply:Yes, it is AC/DC. Dont have any pics yet. It doesnt have anything but 2 lugs for electrodes and ac dc lever, on and off switch, and the big handle to turn her up and down. I do appreciate the suggestions tho. I am new at this type of welding but thought it might be fun. Thanks Harold
Reply:To be able to TIG with that machine you need a High Freq box.The box has all of the necessary hook ups for foot pedal etc.,.I think that was called  a HF 251 something like that.I have seen them for sale on EBAY. Some people have them for sale but do not even know what it is,You should be able to get one for around $100 -200 dollars.Here is one:http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/tls/867577443.htmlLincoln and Miller make them. You should be able to do better on the price for a used one.Last edited by Donald Branscom; 10-10-2008 at 05:37 PM.AWS certified welding inspectorAWS certified welder
Reply:Originally Posted by WelderskelterI just bought a 250 Idealarc Lincoln welder. I am a pipe welder by trade. But would like to weld up a stainless evaporator pan for maple syrup.
Reply:I am going to try it. But I am welding the skin for a milk truck. Pretty thin. Thanks Harold