lincoln idealarc stick/tig upgrade

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Hi I'm interested in the idea of taking my old old old idealarc and adding HF, a TIG torch  and argon tank/flow regulator to fashion my own TIG machine. I don't know if it's possible.It looks like lincoln made one at a later time. I have some aluminum welding I want to do. Is this a good or bad idea? I also have a lincoln 3200 HD 110 volt MIG. I don't really trust pushing the AL wire thru the liner though and just think the welds would be marginal. Would it be a better idea to get a miller syncrowave 180 or save up for  a 250 with balance control? The first job in mind is rework of an aluminum T-top on a boat (lotta corrosion from salt water, bad welds and unknown alloy by adding some 6061 tubing.Am I asking too much? should I have a pro do it?
Reply:Trying to build your own AC tig is possible, but the results won't be anywheres near what you can get with a good dedicated AC/DC tig machine. Usually you will spend more money and end up with an inferior machine when all is said and done.Tig alum is not the easiest in the world to do and tiging alum tube will be that much harder. It will probably be faster and cheaper to have someone who does this for a living do the work.That said IF this is more a project to justify getting into alum tig ( we all never dream up projects so we can get a new machine do we.) one of the syncrowaves would work. I'd go for the syncro 200 as aminimum myself, and a syncro 250 if I could afford it. I've found that my syncro 200 maxes out at 3/16" alum under real world circumstances, and it will do a bit of 1/4" if pushed, but thats not easy. If you've never done tig, expect to have a long learning curve to get to alum tube out of position. The fastest way is to take some classes and learn the right way straight off. The money you spend will save you in the long run. I suggest learning 1st with steel so you can see whats going on easier. You will need to have very good control of the puddle to do thin alum tube out of position as you move the torch around. I found it easier to learn and show others with steel where they can easily see the puddle and whats happening as they move the peddal rather than starting out on alum.Theres any number of guys here who do alum boat towers FT. You might see if some of them are near you and what they'd want to do what you need to do. It might also help if you add your location to your User CP at the top left so we all have an idea where you are at. You might find someone just down the road that can help, or make suggestions on where to get materials or what local school to try to attend..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
Reply:Thank you Yes I've never provided my wife with justifications to get a tool. 'sure honey I can hang that picture there... but I neeeeeeeeed a new drillmotor  for the job first' yeah I don't really want or need the extra project of building my own TIG machine. I'm just trying to get something done.I started researching online and found that lincoln already been down that road....just a thoughtI looked into the local college that offers GTAW but the class is full. I've done a little TIG and understand the challenges. I'm a DIY guy and just enjoy the things I've had a hand in way more than just payin' to hve it done. I've updated my profile. maybe there's somebody here that could help me with my little job. I'll post up separately about that.
Reply:My employer has some aluminum to do and put together the exact setup you are describing. Argon bottle, Idealarc, Miller HF. Problem with this setup is that the Idealarc I have is bare bones with no pedal controls. Putting a pedal control on the HF unit and not connecting to the welder only makes it an on/off pedal. You cannot control the amperage at all. I dont recommend it unless you have quite a bit of experience with AL.UA Local 598
Reply:The Idealarc 250 is a solid scratch start DC tig welder (steel and stainless) as is. All you need is a tig torch with a gas valve on it and a bottle of argon with flow meter and regulator.A new high frequency box for the iIdealarc will set you back the cost of a Square wave 175 AC/DC tig welder. The square wave will be far superior for welding aluminum.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:Yeah, its not an ideal set up. My employer bought a bunch of Ideal arc machines. I didnt think they still made a welder you had to crank up or down.UA Local 598
Reply:ok so i've ditched the idea of making my own POS TIG machine. Thank you all for the replies. My friend has a spool gun at his shop and he is willing to let me spend some time with it. The welds won't be as pretty but I think they will be functional and that is good enough for me.
Reply:Originally Posted by WHughesYeah, its not an ideal set up. My employer bought a bunch of Ideal arc machines. I didnt think they still made a welder you had to crank up or down.
Reply:The Idealarc 250 is still made and sold today by Lincoln. There's a reason why....Awesome stick welder and a real work horse that will last a lifetime.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:Originally Posted by meltok so i've ditched the idea of making my own POS TIG machine. Thank you all for the replies. My friend has a spool gun at his shop and he is willing to let me spend some time with it. The welds won't be as pretty but I think they will be functional and that is good enough for me.
Reply:Originally Posted by snoeproeThe Idealarc 250 is still made and sold today by Lincoln. There's a reason why....Awesome stick welder and a real work horse that will last a lifetime.