Tig ?

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Hi, Im fixing to buy a new Hobart Stickmate AC/DC machine, the ratings on it are 235 amps AC and 160 amps DC. Well im buying all the stuff to go with it so i can tig weld also... I wont be messing with aluminum, i live on a farm so everything i do is steal.My question to you all is, How thick of steal will i be able to weld off of a 160 amps... Ill be getting a 200 amp tig torch with a valve and ill be run-in straight CO2... So like i sayed, if you could tell me the max thickness of steal i will be able to weld with the tig off a 160 DC amps i would much appreciate it... Thanks...                                                                John Deere
Reply:it will handle anything you run into on the farm....would suggest you do some reading on joint prep....and different weld tech......i do alot of work for farms and am always having to fix what they fixed.....
Reply:Thanks  boilerman, I apreciate the reply.... as long as i can weld stuff a 1/2 in thick with it ill be happy as a bee.. anything thicker than that ill just stick weld it... so ne hoo thanks again..                                                               John Deere
Reply:I hate to thropw the dreaded dihydrogen monoxide on this discussion, but I don't think yer gonna TIG much of anything with straight Co2.  Also, TIG on thicker pieces begins to be more of a pain in the a$$ than it's worth.  Stress cracking will occurr on thick TIG jobs without preheat and post cool.TIG will require Argon, and unless you're planning on small jobs only, you really want to consider a water cooled torch.Appreciation Gains You Recognition-
Reply:you got it alittle backwards there guy ....use the tig for small stuff....and stick the rest.....small stuff being ss  bulk tanks ,tractor sheet & fenders, pipe racks on hay wagons.....stick the rest
Reply:Thanks guys.... I appreciate the feed back... I know i more than likely wont be tigin anything that thick... I was just stating that incase i ever had to..... I dont have any problem sticking most everything... But i like tig to.... So yeah.... So yall are biger fans of argon vs. Co2 ?  I figured co2 would be good because it takes all the oxygen away from the weld... But im not absolutly positive... Any feed back on that would be appreciated.... thanks again yall...                                                                       John Deere
Reply:You can run Co2 on a MIG machine, NOT on Tig.For Tig, you either run straight Argon, or Argon Helium mix in special circumstances.Removing the air isn't the only function of the shielding gas.Appreciation Gains You Recognition-
Reply:John Deere,Franz is correct, you need to use an inert gas such as argon. A reactive gas like Co2 is going to destroy your tungsten soon after you strick an arc. Also, a 200 amp air cooled torch is a club. Most of your TIG welding will be at probably 120 amps or less, so I d start with a 125 amp air cooled instead. he 125 amp torch is quite a bit smaller then the 200 amp torch. BTW, if you are truly interested in welding, I suggest you invest some of your money into a book or two on the subject. Even the most basic book is going give you such info as using an inert gas instead of a reactive gas for TIG.Last edited by Dan; 04-03-2004 at 02:03 AM.
Reply:i got a wp17 tig torch from http://store.weldingdepot.com/cgi/we.../WP17V-x.html, it has a semi flex head on it alsoStangnetShop Full Of Stuff. Joey