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I occasionally weld 3/8 aluminum. I regularly weld up to ¼ plate and other extruded aluminum. I use a Miller 211 with a Spoolmate 100. On the 3/8 stuff, I have to preheat and even then work very hard to get the proper penetration. The ¼ I have learned to do with the 211, but it takes some effort and I think I am pushing the machine hard.So I would like to slow down a bit and increase the quality of my welds. I also do a lot of stainless. For those reasons, I am looking at a TIG welder.I am not a professional, but I do like professional quality tools, when I can afford them. If price were no object, I would just buy the $4,039 Miller Dynasty 200 DX contractors package. But I really cant justify it in my mind.So a couple of other options I am looking at are below. I would like to hear your thoughts and opinions.Thanks in advance.Everlast PowerTIG 255 EXT (Deluxe Kit) - $2,250http://www.everlastgenerators.com/Po...T-3978-pd.htmlHTP Invertig 221 - $2,495http://www.usaweld.com/TIG-WELDER-In...70221-12.5.htm Attached Images
Reply:Check into getting an Arcon machine. If you ever needed service you would get it asap. Get a quote on a price from them or a distributor and then contact me. Tell them what you want and they will hook you up with it. These are the new Powcons. They've been around a good while. Heavy industrial stuff that should last a lifetime. Price isn't terrible and its worth the money. I have no clue who everlast is. I've heard of htp but know nothing about them. The htp looks good. Let me know maybe I can help if you want to go Arcon.Arcon Workhorse 300MSPowcon 400SMTPowcon SM400 x 2Powcon SM3001968 SA200 Redface1978 SA250 DieselMiller Super 32P FeederPre 1927 American 14" High Duty LatheK&T Milwaukee 2H Horizontal MillBryan
Reply:How about "none of the above". You need some serious horse power to do good welds on 3/8" alum with tig. None of those look to really have it and you couldn't give me that green thing. My guess is running optimum settings on things like frequency and maxing out the machines amps you MIGHT be able to do it. You really need to be looking at 300+ amp tigs, and the bigger the better. Alum is a great heat sink and it requires a fair amount of power to do well compared to say steel.Add a few other things to your price list. #1 a good water cooler and torch setup. You are not going to have much luck doing 3/16" alum with an air cooled torch, let alone 3/8".I'm also guessing you have zero tig experience, let alone experience with alum tig. This is NOT something you are just going to buy and then be up and running in a couple of hours or even a weekend. Figure a few hundred hours to get decent. If you want to get good as fast as possible, figure a few classes in to get you up to speed on the basics of heat control with tig. Alum is fairly heat sensitive and if you try and weld too slow and cold, you'll just end up destroying the properties of the alum as you overheat it.If you want to do 3/8" alum on a "budget". I'd go with a bigger mig and a heavy spoolgun. Something like Millers 350P would do it with either a push pull gun or a 15a/30a spoolgun would be perfect. You might do Ok with a Miller 250/251/252 as well with any of the above wire systems.Doing alum is expensive, and doing heavy alum is even more expensive..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:If ya got the power find a used 330A/BP and be happy!It will do ANYTHING you want and can be had for anywhere from 500$ on...And do it all day every day without complaining....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:What Dsw said.. Need lots of amps for 3/8" aluminum.Airco Ac/Dc 300 HeliwelderMillerMatic 200 (stolen)Miller Maxstar 150STLMiller AEAD200LE (welding and generating power) Hobart MIG
Reply:Agree with above. Old, heavy machines are cheap and will give you enough amps.A member here just scored a Miller a/bp for $300 with cart, bottle, cooler and torch.The Airco in my avatar is the same machine. Prices in my area start around $250 for machine only (Airco/Miller) - but they weld great The blue Millers start about $500....because it says Miller Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveAgree with above. Old, heavy machines are cheap and will give you enough amps.
Reply:Syncrowave 250s are pretty plentiful also. A local guy just bought a aircooled SW250 for about a grand.
Reply:Helium.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:ESAB 281i pls what Shovelon said.Sent from my SCH-I545 using TapatalkTiger 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:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveAgree with above. Old, heavy machines are cheap and will give you enough amps.A member here just scored a Miller a/bp for $300 with cart, bottle, cooler and torch.The Airco in my avatar is the same machine. Prices in my area start around $250 for machine only (Airco/Miller) - but they weld great The blue Millers start about $500....because it says Miller
Reply:Originally Posted by wnywelder And they have plenty of power for 3/8 aluminum...I had mine up to about 325 amps so far and not tripped a 50 amp breaker.
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWHow about "none of the above".
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonCool. You got PFC?
Reply:Originally Posted by wnywelderAccording to the owner's manual I have, all the Airco Heliwelders had PFC. At least the models covered by that particular manual anyway. Someone correct me if I am wrong.
Reply:make sure you're circuit breaker panel can accomodate a huge breaker in it 50 to 125amps depending on the machine.I spent $1000 upgrading my workplace's electrical to get my lincoln PT275 to work and that was with me doing the electrical work. I was using some #2 copper wire and a 125 amp breaker which is probably overkill for what I do, but that is what the manufacturer recommended and I err on the side of safety. like others have said you need a water cooler as well that's $500 easily.
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonThat is why you can weld balls out and not surge trip a 50 amp breaker. I only bought one tig without PFC, and I hardly used it before I got rid of it.
Reply:lindley, buddy, 4k for 200 amps? why? pick up this everlast 250 EX it will do all you need. i will throw in a couple of pics. they are included in another thread also. there are lots of very satisfied customers out there. Attached Images
Reply:Originally Posted by injunctiverelieflindley, buddy, 4k for 200 amps? why? pick up this everlast 250 EX it will do all you need. i will throw in a couple of pics. they are included in another thread also. there are lots of very satisfied customers out there.
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonAre you a troll?
Reply:I think out of the 3 the htp will probably be the best. Mainly because they don't show up as a DOA, they are not overpriced like miller and with 220amps and independent control on the AC side you can probably do 1/4 " without an issue.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleI think out of the 3 the htp will probably be the best. Mainly because they don't show up as a DOA, they are not overpriced like miller and with 220amps and independent control on the AC side you can probably do 1/4 " without an issue.
Reply:Originally Posted by soutthpawESAB 281i p
Reply:Originally Posted by travisc454So I could run a 330 a/bp on a 50 amp breaker? My building has a very weak electrical service. I really want a transformer machine because I LOOOOVE balled up pure tungsten (for certain things). I never thought I could have one because it would use up too much space and limit our ability to run as much at the same time. But I could give up 50 amps.
Reply:Hmmmmmmm Isnt the guy that lived under the bridge a TROLL? Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig RockI occasionally weld 3/8 aluminum. I regularly weld up to ¼ plate and other extruded aluminum. I use a Miller 211 with a Spoolmate 100. On the 3/8 stuff, I have to preheat and even then work very hard to get the proper penetration. The ¼ I have learned to do with the 211, but it takes some effort and I think I am pushing the machine hard.So I would like to slow down a bit and increase the quality of my welds. I also do a lot of stainless. For those reasons, I am looking at a TIG welder.I am not a professional, but I do like professional quality tools, when I can afford them. If price were no object, I would just buy the $4,039 Miller Dynasty 200 DX contractors package. But I really cant justify it in my mind.So a couple of other options I am looking at are below. I would like to hear your thoughts and opinions.Thanks in advance.Everlast PowerTIG 255 EXT (Deluxe Kit) - $2,250http://www.everlastgenerators.com/Po...T-3978-pd.htmlHTP Invertig 221 - $2,495http://www.usaweld.com/TIG-WELDER-In...70221-12.5.htm Attached Images
Reply:Check into getting an Arcon machine. If you ever needed service you would get it asap. Get a quote on a price from them or a distributor and then contact me. Tell them what you want and they will hook you up with it. These are the new Powcons. They've been around a good while. Heavy industrial stuff that should last a lifetime. Price isn't terrible and its worth the money. I have no clue who everlast is. I've heard of htp but know nothing about them. The htp looks good. Let me know maybe I can help if you want to go Arcon.Arcon Workhorse 300MSPowcon 400SMTPowcon SM400 x 2Powcon SM3001968 SA200 Redface1978 SA250 DieselMiller Super 32P FeederPre 1927 American 14" High Duty LatheK&T Milwaukee 2H Horizontal MillBryan
Reply:How about "none of the above". You need some serious horse power to do good welds on 3/8" alum with tig. None of those look to really have it and you couldn't give me that green thing. My guess is running optimum settings on things like frequency and maxing out the machines amps you MIGHT be able to do it. You really need to be looking at 300+ amp tigs, and the bigger the better. Alum is a great heat sink and it requires a fair amount of power to do well compared to say steel.Add a few other things to your price list. #1 a good water cooler and torch setup. You are not going to have much luck doing 3/16" alum with an air cooled torch, let alone 3/8".I'm also guessing you have zero tig experience, let alone experience with alum tig. This is NOT something you are just going to buy and then be up and running in a couple of hours or even a weekend. Figure a few hundred hours to get decent. If you want to get good as fast as possible, figure a few classes in to get you up to speed on the basics of heat control with tig. Alum is fairly heat sensitive and if you try and weld too slow and cold, you'll just end up destroying the properties of the alum as you overheat it.If you want to do 3/8" alum on a "budget". I'd go with a bigger mig and a heavy spoolgun. Something like Millers 350P would do it with either a push pull gun or a 15a/30a spoolgun would be perfect. You might do Ok with a Miller 250/251/252 as well with any of the above wire systems.Doing alum is expensive, and doing heavy alum is even more expensive..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:If ya got the power find a used 330A/BP and be happy!It will do ANYTHING you want and can be had for anywhere from 500$ on...And do it all day every day without complaining....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:What Dsw said.. Need lots of amps for 3/8" aluminum.Airco Ac/Dc 300 HeliwelderMillerMatic 200 (stolen)Miller Maxstar 150STLMiller AEAD200LE (welding and generating power) Hobart MIG
Reply:Agree with above. Old, heavy machines are cheap and will give you enough amps.A member here just scored a Miller a/bp for $300 with cart, bottle, cooler and torch.The Airco in my avatar is the same machine. Prices in my area start around $250 for machine only (Airco/Miller) - but they weld great The blue Millers start about $500....because it says Miller Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveAgree with above. Old, heavy machines are cheap and will give you enough amps.
Reply:Syncrowave 250s are pretty plentiful also. A local guy just bought a aircooled SW250 for about a grand.
Reply:Helium.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:ESAB 281i pls what Shovelon said.Sent from my SCH-I545 using TapatalkTiger 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:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveAgree with above. Old, heavy machines are cheap and will give you enough amps.A member here just scored a Miller a/bp for $300 with cart, bottle, cooler and torch.The Airco in my avatar is the same machine. Prices in my area start around $250 for machine only (Airco/Miller) - but they weld great The blue Millers start about $500....because it says Miller
Reply:Originally Posted by wnywelder And they have plenty of power for 3/8 aluminum...I had mine up to about 325 amps so far and not tripped a 50 amp breaker.
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWHow about "none of the above".
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonCool. You got PFC?
Reply:Originally Posted by wnywelderAccording to the owner's manual I have, all the Airco Heliwelders had PFC. At least the models covered by that particular manual anyway. Someone correct me if I am wrong.
Reply:make sure you're circuit breaker panel can accomodate a huge breaker in it 50 to 125amps depending on the machine.I spent $1000 upgrading my workplace's electrical to get my lincoln PT275 to work and that was with me doing the electrical work. I was using some #2 copper wire and a 125 amp breaker which is probably overkill for what I do, but that is what the manufacturer recommended and I err on the side of safety. like others have said you need a water cooler as well that's $500 easily.
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonThat is why you can weld balls out and not surge trip a 50 amp breaker. I only bought one tig without PFC, and I hardly used it before I got rid of it.
Reply:lindley, buddy, 4k for 200 amps? why? pick up this everlast 250 EX it will do all you need. i will throw in a couple of pics. they are included in another thread also. there are lots of very satisfied customers out there. Attached Images
Reply:Originally Posted by injunctiverelieflindley, buddy, 4k for 200 amps? why? pick up this everlast 250 EX it will do all you need. i will throw in a couple of pics. they are included in another thread also. there are lots of very satisfied customers out there.
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonAre you a troll?
Reply:I think out of the 3 the htp will probably be the best. Mainly because they don't show up as a DOA, they are not overpriced like miller and with 220amps and independent control on the AC side you can probably do 1/4 " without an issue.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleI think out of the 3 the htp will probably be the best. Mainly because they don't show up as a DOA, they are not overpriced like miller and with 220amps and independent control on the AC side you can probably do 1/4 " without an issue.
Reply:Originally Posted by soutthpawESAB 281i p
Reply:Originally Posted by travisc454So I could run a 330 a/bp on a 50 amp breaker? My building has a very weak electrical service. I really want a transformer machine because I LOOOOVE balled up pure tungsten (for certain things). I never thought I could have one because it would use up too much space and limit our ability to run as much at the same time. But I could give up 50 amps.
Reply:Hmmmmmmm Isnt the guy that lived under the bridge a TROLL? Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock |
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