Hobart Tig mate questions

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Hi everyone, I'm new to welding and new to the forums.  I have a question about the Hobart tigmate.  It's currently on sale for $863.99.  I just bought a hobart sc/dc stick welder, but haven't used it yet, so I can return it and buy the tigmate.The only thing I really want to do is weld aluminum, which I can not do with my stick welder.  I bought the stick to learn the basics of welding.For the extra $500, will I go wrong with the tigmate?  Should I keep the stick and learn, and step up to a better tig later?Will the tigmate be able to weld broken tabs off of my motorcycle frames?  Do  need something bigger to do frame repairs?ThanksRyan
Reply:i'm not "up to speed" with all the new machines out therebut a tig will do anything "weldingwise" that you could want..but for aluminum you will need a footpedal and a watercooled torch..aluminum is trickey and will take time...and you can unhook the torch if you want and run the machine on "local" mode and that way there you just need an electrode holder and you have a stick welder too..two for the price of 1.....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:The machine comes with a 20' foot operated control.  I pretty sure the torch is not watercooled.  Is that something that is an add on, or a function of the welder itself?Ryan
Reply:yeah there are remote radiators for any watercooled torch...some of the bigger machines come with water hook-up built in..(i run "street" water)but you'll burn up a aircooled torch easiley doing lots of aluminum..it takes alot of heat... ...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:Where did you find that Hobart at that price? Is it new or a refurb?
Reply:Define alot of Al?  Here is a pic of my largest repair.  Would doing this in one sitting be alot?Ryan Attached Images
Reply:Originally Posted by brucebWhere did you find that Hobart at that price? Is it new or a refurb?
Reply:i would'nt say thats alot..i ment if your fixing cylinder heads..building manifolds..that kind of stuff..what exactly is that anyway? ...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:A motorcycle frame, more specifically from a 2003 600RR.   Here's another shot, this is typical of what a "major" repair would be.So if this welder will do those kinds of welds w/o a water torch then I think it'll be just what I need.  Especially since it can also stick weld.Ryan Attached Images
Reply:well for the $$ involved you really have nothing to loose..go for it!good luck.....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 will be happy with the TIGmate, especially for that price. That price, by far, is the lowest I've ever seen.John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:Originally Posted by G1KA motorcycle frame, more specifically from a 2003 600RR.   Here's another shot, this is typical of what a "major" repair would be.So if this welder will do those kinds of welds w/o a water torch then I think it'll be just what I need.  Especially since it can also stick weld.Ryan
Reply:Originally Posted by duci'm guessing your racing the bike?
Reply:New Hampshire International Speedway.
Reply:http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...seBVCookie=Yes
Reply:Originally Posted by G1KYou guessed right.  I race with LRRS at New Hampshire International Speedway.I'm guessing Duc is for Ducati** Edit: Well I just pulled the trigger on the tigmate.  It came to ~$1k with shipping and tax.  Should be here by next week.  Now I eed to source an Argon tank.Ryan
Reply:That's an amazing price for a Tigmate. Most of the time they are ~$1400 brand new. If you want to see what you can do with a Tigmate, I recommend this website:http://www.rcdon.com/Hobart Handler 140 MIGHypertherm Max 43 Plasma CutterA Bernzomatic Torch, and some solder.
Reply:Originally Posted by DHillThat's an amazing price for a Tigmate. Most of the time they are ~$1400 brand new. If you want to see what you can do with a Tigmate, I recommend this website:http://www.rcdon.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by ducNah Duc is just a shorten version of my last name: BolducRight now I just race my bike on track days in New Mexico on Sandia Race way.  I happen to pick up a 03 Zx600rr for 3900 with leather jacket and only 5300 miles.  But like you I need to buy a welder for doing AL later on for when I crash plus my co-worker has a GP 250 race bike with tons of broken parts that need repairing.But here a sad story that you would feel for.I conviced my friend to take his new Ducati 999 to the movies with me so I could hit on a girl.  Can't fit three on my bike so he took one for the team.  But when we got out of the movies his bike was gone.   Never seen from again.
Reply:I purchase the Tigmate 5 months ago. So far I love it. I have yet to weld aluminum though. I also ordered mine from Sears online but I paid $1100 for it and I got the finger control.
Reply:More money than sense I think.. I mean its a mountain, why not climb it, but turbines are simply not very efficient for mechanical uses.  Yea, he can putt around in that buggy till he hits a hill.. and he said it was for testing.. and I am super impressed that hes created his own ecu, and the mechanics of the turbine using off the shelf parts (fabricating that fan is really impressive)Dont know, I have flown RC but allways thought the turbines were well, over the top (planes so fast, you need a tracker, spectacular fire burning crashes etc.) give me an extra, or a little fun fly over speed, its funner, and hurts less when you plow one in.my 2 cents.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:Originally Posted by DoolittleMore money than sense I think.. I mean its a mountain, why not climb it, but turbines are simply not very efficient for mechanical uses.  Yea, he can putt around in that buggy till he hits a hill.. and he said it was for testing.. and I am super impressed that hes created his own ecu, and the mechanics of the turbine using off the shelf parts (fabricating that fan is really impressive)Dont know, I have flown RC but allways thought the turbines were well, over the top (planes so fast, you need a tracker, spectacular fire burning crashes etc.) give me an extra, or a little fun fly over speed, its funner, and hurts less when you plow one in.my 2 cents.