Finally got a tig welder

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Finally got a new tig welder and I thought I would share.After much reading of this and other forums I decided on the HTP Invertig 201Here it is sitting on the welding table where it will be until I finish my first project, a cart to hold both my HH180 and my new HTP. (the first project has to be a cart, it's the law right?)It's a fine machine that feels solid and well built. I am very happy with my purchase. It's got more features than I know what to do with at the moment. Luckily the manual has a quick start settings guide that got me in the ballpark to start off. I can definitely see that tig welding will be my favorite type of welding once I get better at it.I am sure I will have questions as I go.After making a few welds and getting confident in my ability to make really crappy welds that somehow still manage to stick together I started on my cart.I got it far enough to set the welders and tanks on it and took some pictures.  I want to put a top on the right side. Maybe mount a small grinder on the top for grinding tungstens. I want to put some drawers in the front and some tubes for holding filler material. And I have to find some way to manage all the cables.  Anyway here it is so far Attached Images
Reply:Nice little set-up you have there... What is the highest amps on the TIG?I notice the air cooled torch......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:Hey I've got the same tig, congrats!!And BTW, it is 200 amps, Zapster...- John
Reply:nice looking set up ,good jobChuckASME Pressure Vessel welder
Reply:Ditto on the welder and cart!TeddCoHTP Microcut 400 & Invertig 160DC  Smith Dual Guard MD-510 OA Rig  Lincoln SP135+  Hobart Stickmate LX 235/160
Reply:Let me ask something about the cart. Is there a way to remove the cylinders from the backside of the cart or do you have to lift them up over the side?From the pics I see it looks like they need to be lifted._________________Chris
Reply:Nice looking set up.  Did you tig the cart?  I had an employee hurt his back picking up one of those big cylinders.  Required surgury.I like the all in one place thing.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:I was wondering about the tanks myself.  But hey, He's ready to weld, Its in a tight and mobile unit, ready to go.  Weld us up something then show and tell!Various GrindersVictor Journeyman torch200cf Acet. 250cf oxygenLincoln 175 plus/alpha2 gunLincoln v205t tigLincoln 350mpEsab 650 plasmaWhen you can get up in the morning, Its a good day.Live each day like its your last.
Reply:I agree that it looks nice and tidy.  Looks like if it needed a rear access it could be done in a matter of minutes.I actually looked at the HTP system and thought it to be a pretty good setup, but just couldnt find much really substantial as to customer reviews.  Get us some beta!That, and the color turned me off.ThermalArc 185MillerMatic 180 w/ AutosetVictor Cutskill Oxy/AcetyleneThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 38and spite!
Reply:Thanks for the compliments. There is much left to do on the cart. The back will have a gate type thingy so that I will be able to tip the tanks out the back.I will have to remove the argon tank to get to the mig tank but I only replace the mig tank about every 8 months or so. I tigged frame for the most part except for the casters and the bottom tank support.   The casters had a zinc coating and I got in a hurry and didn't feel like doing all the grinding, plus from past experience,  I find it almost impossible to get all of it off anyway.I might get brave and take some pictures of some of the better welds.  After making the 50+ one inch welds I am to the point that I can stick two pieces of tube together if they are flat. I tried a couple of vertical up and down with near disastrous results.  I blew through the tube in a couple of places and found out, just like everyone says, it's harder to fill a hole with tig.I love the quiet nature of the arc and the fact that there is so much less excess heat when compared to OA welding. I played around with some 18 gauge stainless scrap of unknown alloy that I got at the fab shop that leased me the tank.  I really didn't have much luck.  I ran a couple of beads and the back side is really messed up. I think it's the "sugar" that I have seen described here but it's black coarse build up. I could not avoid it no matter how little amperage. As soon as a puddle formed I stopped and it still formed the black mess on the back.  Will gas coverage on the back always be necessary on thin ss like this? Maybe the alloy is something strange.Anyway I have much more playing with mild steel to do  before I move on to other metals.  Thanks Bernie
Reply:Originally Posted by BerniepThanks for the compliments. There is much left to do on the cart. The back will have a gate type thingy so that I will be able to tip the tanks out the back.I will have to remove the argon tank to get to the mig tank but I only replace the mig tank about every 8 months or so. I tigged frame for the most part except for the casters and the bottom tank support.   The casters had a zinc coating and I got in a hurry and didn't feel like doing all the grinding, plus from past experience,  I find it almost impossible to get all of it off anyway.I might get brave and take some pictures of some of the better welds.  After making the 50+ one inch welds I am to the point that I can stick two pieces of tube together if they are flat. I tried a couple of vertical up and down with near disastrous results.  I blew through the tube in a couple of places and found out, just like everyone says, it's harder to fill a hole with tig.I love the quiet nature of the arc and the fact that there is so much less excess heat when compared to OA welding. I played around with some 18 gauge stainless scrap of unknown alloy that I got at the fab shop that leased me the tank.  I really didn't have much luck.  I ran a couple of beads and the back side is really messed up. I think it's the "sugar" that I have seen described here but it's black coarse build up. I could not avoid it no matter how little amperage. As soon as a puddle formed I stopped and it still formed the black mess on the back.  Will gas coverage on the back always be necessary on thin ss like this? Maybe the alloy is something strange.Anyway I have much more playing with mild steel to do  before I move on to other metals.  Thanks Bernie