Should I buy a "Hi-Freq" box?

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I'd like to be able to TIG weld.  I have an AC/DC stick welder.  I'm thinking of buying a "Hi-Freq" box that connects to my stick welder.  Seems like a cheap solution.  Here's a picture.  I can get it for $150.  What should I do?Thanks,Roger Attached Images
Reply:Just saw one on Fleabay.  I think it was for a gas driven welder, current bid $800.00$150 sounds like a good price, if it works.  Anyway you can confirm it works, before you buy it?MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:It doesn't have a gas regulator or bottle but he said I could strike an arc with it at his place.Think I'll go for it.Roger
Reply:Go for it.  I have two of those same boxes and they work fine.  I keep them on my service rigs for tigging aluminum in the field, and never had a problem with it.  I have also used it on a Miller dialarc in the shop as well as an only Lincoln idealarc.  What type of machine do you have.  I tried it once on a small "buzzbox" and the little machine did not like it at all.  Just not built to handle it.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:Go for it!I have a Century, I don't use it any more, but it was $200 new 20years ago.  No gas solenoid.  I welded a lot of aluminum with it.David Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Any ideas about where I could find operating instructions?Roger
Reply:You can download an owners manual from the Lincoln Electric website, but Honestly everything on the box is labeled.  It's actually pretty self explanatory.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:I've also been thinking about getting one.  Say I wanted to hook one up to my ranger 250 what would I have to have, what all hooks up to them?DewayneDixieland WeldingMM350PLincoln 100Some torchesOther misc. tools
Reply:You DO NOT need high frequency to tig weld with your machine.  All that unit will do is keep you from having to "scratch start" and will make AC welding a bit smoother.
Reply:Originally Posted by EngloidYou DO NOT need high frequency to tig weld with your machine.  All that unit will do is keep you from having to "scratch start" and will make AC welding a bit smoother.
Reply:Originally Posted by EngloidYou DO NOT need high frequency to tig weld with your machine.  All that unit will do is keep you from having to "scratch start" and will make AC welding a bit smoother.
Reply:Guys, so I understand, is this HF Exciter addition a constant or steady state range, as in, on or off? Or, does it work with a rheostat/foot pedal like a standard heli-arc machine? I have an HF box designed to go with small ac welders for use with aluminum but it is on or off. Very simple and no foot control. I've never bothered to hook it up because I guess I thought it wasn't any good. If some of you are familiar with these and they actually do work, I'm gonna set it up and go get a bottle of Helium.Stew
Reply:Sorry to hijack the thread but I have a Linclon 225/125 AC/DC welder and I was wondering if it would handle a High Frequency box,to tig aluminum?
Reply:I have the same unit AC/DC 225/125, talked to Lincoln Tech today and he said the machine would eventually burn up. I called Century because I believe they made the Dayton HF arc stabilizer I have and the Tech said it should be fine. The duty cycle would drop to 12 - 14 instead of 20%. Looking for info on added a filters to output terminals on the Lincoln. New to this site, looks like a lot of info. thanks John
Reply:raising the dead! LOLI just got the same unit with heliarc hw -17 air cooled torch and leads for 40 bucks....was wondering what power source would work with it! I figure the torch and leads are woth that! not worried about alum. yet...but did like the "no scratch" start function! could you AC weld Chrome moly?
Reply:Chrome moly is 4130 which is best tig welded with DC-, lift or scratch start.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720