Tig setup for Lincoln R3R 400

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Got a question, I've wanted to learn to Tig weld for quite some time.  I've welded with stick for quite a few years, (6010, 7010 and 7018), Mig and Flux-core.  But I've always wanted to learn to Tig.  I just don't know if it's something I'd use a lot, so I've never seriously looked at a machine for it.  My question is, I've got a Lincoln Idealarc R3R 400, and looking at Lincoln's website I see you can Tig with that machine.  What exactly would I need to buy to rig it up, and about what does anyone think it would cost?  Also, what could I expect it to be capable of?  What would the limitations be using this setup?  Would it be worth it?I've had the R3R for about 10 yrs, and have never even hooked it up.  I have a Lincoln 225 ac/dc machine in the shop, and for anything heavy or critical, i've always used one of my sa200's or Miller Bobcat.  But with the price of gas anymore, I'm not sure I'm saving anything using the engine driven welders while at the shop.My actual business is utility work (gas lines, sewer, water and storm drain) and general excavating.  So I have quite a bit of equipment, and we do all of our own repairs.  Also do quite a bit of modification on different buckets and such as required, so at times we do a lot of custom fab work on our own equipment.  I've always wanted to have the capability to weld aluminum, as that's the only thing I've ever had to have done elsewhere.Any suggestions, ideas or opinions are much appreciated.Randy
Reply:Just for your info......You can set up to tig with any of the machines you listed. All you need is an air cooled torch and and argon bottle.With the type setup that I show here, just clamp your electrode holder to the green circle and attatch red to an argon bottle with a flowmeter, and you are off.The torch shown is of a 2 piece cable. If I were you I would get a one piece cable, eliminating the need for a protective sleeve on the lead.Last edited by Mark...; 08-02-2008 at 06:14 AM.
Reply:Yes you can tig weld with your machine with the items that Mark has shown.  However you will not be able to tig aluminum.  Only steel and stainless.  since you will be running a "scratch start"  basically scratching your tungsten to the work piece to start the arc.  Aluminum is done on AC current and it has to have high frequency to sustain the arc.  You can find used hi-frequency boxes alot of times as cheap as $100.  I paid $150 for the last one I bought.  That will give you the ability to weld aluminum  off of most welders with AC current.  So basically if you have nothing you will be looking around a couple hundred for a tig torch, hose, and regulator, just to scratch start tig, and then whatever you can find a hi-freq box for to do aluminum.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:WOW!  Thanks gentlemen, I never dreamed that I was that close to having what I need.  Will my Victor flowmeter off of either my flux-core or mig machine work?
Reply:If your flowmeter has a guage for argon on the clear tube, you can.
Reply:The lincoln website says scratch start tig or optional High freq for that machine.I assume it has a 6 or 14 pin plug for a remote.Just don't cook the torch.David Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Originally Posted by handtpipelineWOW!  Thanks gentlemen, I never dreamed that I was that close to having what I need.  Will my Victor flowmeter off of either my flux-core or mig machine work?
Reply:Would the 225 ac/dc machine be big enough with the high frequency box to do aluminum, or would the Bobcat work?The aluminum welding would be few and far in between probably, but you never know really.  I've had some aluminum parts that I've needed welded for years that just have never gotten done, because of the difficulty finding someone around here to do it.  I've globbed a few things together with some aluminum stick rod that I bought somewhere, but just in have-to-have situations, as I never could really get it to look good.
Reply:Also, this is probably a stupid question, but do you use argon for aluminum?  I've always assumed that you used helium (hence people calling aluminum welding "heli-arc")?
Reply:Yes handtpipline pure argon. Helium is what it was invented with. Some people still use it occasionally because it has different penetration and weld characteristics.Run a search for tig welding on this site and you will find alot of info.
Reply:Cool.  Thank you very much, and believe me, I'm learning a lot from this site already.