[TheForge] Choosing a tig welder

Sun Nov 14 07:53:37 EST 2004

Ralph,
> 
> 1) The inverters are awesome welding units - from experience.

Darn, I kinda wish you hadn't said that, 'cause now I really wish I
could afford one...
> 
> 2) Phase converters don't do real well in making enough amps to feed
> a Tig
> welder. 

That's good to know too. I understand the efficiency limitations of
phase converters but I assumed that if sized right you should be able
to put the output threshold high enough to support the welder. I guess
like anything it depends on how much power you put through your
welder--obviously, mine spends most of its life at the low end of its
range.

Consider both ends, as the Tigs can draw some
> serious power
> as the are current driven machines......not voltage like Mig welders.

I haven't put a meter on either of my machines. Given constant input
voltage, the only variable is current, right? So do you find that a tig
draws more current (and therefore more power [W]) at a given
setting--or for a given job--than migs?
> 
> AND....... if you have a line on phase converters, I'm looking for a
> good
> 15-20 HP unit that will power a 10 Hp 240 volt motor on a large self
> contained.  Where abouts are you on the east coast?

I'm just outside DC. I have a sporadic line on a variety of industrial
hardware through a good friend of mine. I'll ask...it sometimes takes a
while, but things do come up. Email me offlist while we chase that one
down.

Cheers,

Justin.
> 
> Ralph Sproul - Bear Hill Blacksmith
> Webster, NH
> http://www.bearhillblacksmith.com
> 
> New England Blacksmiths
>  http://www.newenglandblacksmiths.org
> 
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Justin Fellenz" <sunironworks at yahoo.com>
> To: "Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Wednesday, November 10, 2004 8:51 PM
> Subject: Re: [TheForge] Choosing a tig welder
> 
> 
> > Justin, I'd agree with Bill, get the best you can afford. Miller or
> > lincoln, doesn't really matter much...the only question is the
> model.
> > It's kind of a forever purchase, so the difference amortized over
> the
> > long haul divided by the number of times you want to throw a
> machine
> > that doesn't do what you need it to is, like, not much.
> >
> > I did a lot of research before I bought mine. I started out
> thinking I
> > wanted an econotig, but I discovered they don't go down as low as
> the
> > big ones, either. The econotig four years ago went to 7 amps while
> the
> > squarewave 275 that I eventually bought went to 3. Now, there are
> > tricks to getting down way low but I really like the stable arc at
> low
> > amperages, and even with the lower bottom end I still need to play
> the
> > the welding-rod ground trick sometimes.
> >
> > The one thing you might consider is the inverter machines that came
> out
> > (naturally) the year after I bought mine. My machine is 300 pounds
> and
> > huge, and the equivalent inverter machine is something like 30
> pounds
> > and the size of a breadbox. Pretty cool for those jobs where
> there's
> > has a rusty or broken picket in an inside railing that needs to be
> > fixed without sparks or big flames. And I'm told they work just as
> > well. Never used one, just hearsay.
> >
> > It can be tricky, but you can find used tigs too, and save yourself
> a
> > bundle. Ironically (no pun intended) the ones that hit the market
> are
> > the usually the big industrial ones. Sometimes they're cheap enough
> > though that even if theyre three-phase you can toss in a phase
> > converter and be money ahead. I have a good connection here on the
> east
> > coast for used welding gear if you (or anyone) wants to go that
> route.
> >
> > One word more in this long email--wire your tig with a full airgap
> in
> > the primary line. The disconnect boxes required by code only break
> the
> > power legs, and lightning can travel up through the ground wiring
> and
> > fry your circuitry. So either put a plug in and pull it in
> lightning
> > storms (same as your computers) or rig some other kind of break in
> the
> > line. Word from my lincoln mechanic.
> >
> > Cheers,
> >
> > JRF
> > >
> > >
> > > Justin Fisher wrote:
> > >
> > > > I am about to buy a tig welder, and trying to determine the
> best
> > > > choice.  Advice, warnings, would be appreciated!
> > > >
> > > > I have 230V available (single phase), but would like a portable
> > > unit.
> > > > The Miller Maxstar 150 looks a little hard to believe, it so
> small
> > > and
> > > > light.  The Econotig has all the bells and whistles, but I
> haven't
> > > > found a good run-down of pros and cons.
> > > >
> > > > Anyway, I've got a project coming up that I'd like to tig, so I
> > > just
> > > > have to buy something!
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > --Justin
> > > > Celtic art & artifact: www.electriccelt.com
> > > > 01532
> > > >
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