Question for Zap

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First off,  i have been reading your posts for a long time and have always enjoyed your pics.  The reason I'm directing this question to you is that it seems like you might know a thing or two about tig welding I have an air cooled ck tig torch that i recently took to my shop. I have been running it off my welder on straight polarity, scratch start with pretty decent results on mild steel and a little stainless.Question is...could an old Lincoln AC 225 run a tig torch like this ?  I have one at home, just curious if it was possible.Thanks
Reply:I think you will need a hf box to keep the arc going on an ac-only machine.  On ac/dc machines, you could get away without the box in dc mode regardless of polarity, straight or reverse.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:Thanks for the kudo's but to answer your question..I have no idea.....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Thanks for the quick replies guys.  I'll have to look into that hf box and see if i can hook it up somehow.If anyone else out there has any ideas let me know.Thanks again
Reply:You HAVE to have a HF box on AC.  Its the only way to start the arc and keep it going.I have done it with an old ac thunderbolt and HF box.  It worked, but the poor welder moaned and groaned like it really didn't like it.  I think its the High Open circuit voltage.  We tig around 12 to 14 volts AC or DC.I have never tried it with an AC 225.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:what smithboy and David R saidChuckASME Pressure Vessel welder
Reply:Don't know, but now you have me wondering. I know you can dc tig off any cc power source, not so sure about that ac-225. I've seen the hf boxes advertised as useable on any ac power supply, but also know that's not always the whole story. Let us know how it works out because you have me really curios now.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:Been there done that.  As David said.  With a Hi-freq box you can AC tig, but to run scratch start tig you need DC.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:On the ac225 hammack? The one thunderbolt I ever used seemed to moan and groan no matter what ya did with it. The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:I also used the hi freq box with my weldmanpower 225 G7.  I welded aluminum with no foot pedal.  Worked great.  It was all I had.  I used a heavy wire wound resister  with a sliding hose clamp to get below 50 amps.....Sure makes the arcmaster 185 a dream to run on AC or DC.I still have the hi freq box and torch.....And the G7.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Jolly, I never said the 225AC liked it, but you could do it.  haha  I did it a few times with an old century Hi-freq box  back years ago to patch up some aluminum farm tanks.  It got the job done, but I'll admit that it was nothing desirable about it.  That was back when I was young, broke, and had to get by with what I had available at the time.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......