Scratch start Tig

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I really really want to learn to tig.  I've gotten decent at stick welding.  I'm by no means an expert and know I will still learn and get better for many more years to come.  I really want to purchase either a TA211i because I kinda need a mig right now and I can do all three processes with it.  But I'm also in need of a more portable stick machine.  My understanding is the TA211i gets heavy when loaded up with wire.  So I was thinking a out bouncing back to my original plan I getting a MM211 and one of the maxstar tig setups.  Anyway unfortunately I've come to a bump in the road of budget.  So the new machine is going to have to wait.  I've become interested in getting a scratch start setup for my buzbox.  I'm just trying to figure out if its going to work and what exactly I need.  I have a monkey ward 250 amp AC/DC welding machine.  Is there any specific type of tig torch I would need or will any of them do?  I just don't want to spend 300+ and wind up with a setup that won't work.  Please excuse my ignorence.  ThanksMiller Maxstar 200 strMontgomery Ward 250 AC/DC
Reply:Buying a tig welder is like getting a haircut. The more you spend, the more you can bitch about it.Buzz boxes are poor examples of tig welders. They are even worse as training tools.Buy a TA 252i and be done with it. Why? Adjustable run-in on the mig side.Last edited by shovelon; 08-15-2013 at 03:35 PM.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=38106...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:You can buy a torch and use the DC side of what you have. It wont be as stable and weld as pretty as the new square wave pulse controlled units, but then again your not welding titainium. Use a 2% thorated tungsten and 100% Argon, straight polarity( electrode -). I will warn you right now Argon is high as a cats back!!!!!! So, if your wanting to play cheaply GTAW is not the way to go right now. Alot of guys will scoff at this but the basic fundamentals can be learned oxy/fuel welding. You cant walk the cup but the basic follow the puddle adding filler, basically getting used to using 2 hands to weld. You'll break alot of tungsten since the unit is not setup for scratch start, but you can do it. I've welded miles of stainless with a 1954 Lincoln short hood 200. Have Fun.A young green pipe welder asked an old salt one day...How can I make the weld on the bottom of the pipe look like the top.......The old salt replied....Screw up the top......
Reply:Its all I have had to learn with for the past year or two.  It works and works pretty well just to learn the basics and if  you get really good you can do quality welds with this method.  Scratch start is still used every day in the field and in many shops.You have to learn to use your filler rod to quickly flick between the tungsten and the work (think of striking a match) metal to start the arc. That method will decrease tungsten contamination versus touching the tungsten to the work metal.You have to have a torch gas valve to turn the gas on and off manually.  No problem there. For me, argon cost isn't a limiting factor. I pay $32.00 for filling my 155cf bottle. That lasts me a long time if I am diligent on turning hte gas off when I am done.  Its the cost of metal.  You waste a lot of metal learning and metal is expensive.In the last couple months I was able to buy a Miller HF251D-1 high frequency arc starter.  That gives me the ability to start the arc with HF instead of scratch start.  It also has gas post-flow control that shuts off the gas after 15 seconds post flow.  I can also start to weld aluminum using this unit with its "continuous" high frequency setting.  Crude aluminum welding, but a start.  I will use this till I can get a Syncrowave 250 next year.I learned a whole lot on this scratch start setup. It cost me the price of the welder, which is also a stick welder, at $450 and then a torch set and argon bottle.  Torch was $90.00 for a WP17-FV with 25' cable.  Argon bottle was $50.00 from a friend who was selling one.You won't get anything that can stick, tig and is capable of AC/DC for $650 that is worth anything unless you buy a used tig welder setup such as a DialArc HF, Airco Heliweld etc.
Reply:Here is a great example of a compete setup for a great pricehttp://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=299371