Inverter based and welding types

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I went to AirGas to buy tungsten for my new AHP alphaTig 200x welder to practice welding on mild steel. I told the guy what I'm using and what I'm welding on. He asked me what type of welder if it's an inverter. Had no idea what to answer. I've heard the term before, but he gave me purple tungsten. I looked it up on Wiki and I assume all the newer welders are inverter based, including mine?
Reply:Yes it's inverter, blue 2% lanthanated is my preferred choice.  If you can pick it up by hand and carry it around is an inverter.Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:technology is amazing. i remember big tall airco welder outside hitting a pot hole and it falling over and me needing a crane to pick it up to fix wheels..i just bought a $200 tig/stick welder (165amp) with a fairly decent tig torch included and welding machine comes with shoulder strap. i do not care if it lasts only a few years that fact is not having to worry about a 500 lbs welding machine falling and needing a crane to pick it up is amazing. the not needing 100 feet of welding cable which is expensive now a days and i can just have a 10 ga 240 volt extension cord and carry machine to job is amazing..inverters do not have the heavy transformer weighing many hundreds of pounds. voltage when welding acts different. like not being able to pull a long arc welding with 6010 rod but you can with 6011. probably affects tungsten choice too some being better for inverters same as some welding rod better for invertersLast edited by WNY_TomB; 12-11-2015 at 09:03 AM.
Reply:Thanks, guys. I read that blue tungsten will fit most of my needs since I'll primarily be working on mild steel.  Our welder at work suggested to use red, since that's what he uses. I think he's wrong, though.Now I gotta find cheap tunsgsten online
Reply:Originally Posted by PcmakerThanks, guys. I read that blue tungsten will fit most of my needs since I'll primarily be working on mild steel.  Our welder at work suggested to use red, since that's what he uses. I think he's wrong, though.Now I gotta find cheap tunsgsten online
Reply:Originally Posted by WNY_TomB.sometimes there is no right or wrong. thoriated tungsten is slightly radioactive and being replaced with other tungsten alloys. pure tungsten i believe is preferred for aluminum as it forms a ball end naturally when using and using ac but usually dc welding you use some sort of tungsten alloy which helps maintain a sharp point longer. tungsten with sharp point easier to get narrow weld and less distortion from heat of welding..i have known many welders that could not speak a sentence very clearly but could weld amazingly extremely better than me every time. sheet metal welding can be some of the toughest welding to do. takes skill to not make a mess out of the thinner metals
Reply:Originally Posted by PcmakerOur welder at work suggested to use red, since that's what he uses. I think he's wrong, though.
Reply:I just bought 2 packs of blue tungsten 1/16 and 3/32 from Amazon. Much cheaper than from AirGashttp://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00OPE...=blue+tungsten
Reply:Originally Posted by PcmakerI just bought 2 packs of blue tungsten 1/16 and 3/32 from Amazon. Much cheaper than from AirGashttp://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00OPE...=blue+tungsten
Reply:Originally Posted by PcmakerNow I gotta find cheap tunsgsten online