[TheForge] Choosing a tig welder

Sun Nov 14 12:28:31 EST 2004

         I am ordering a Lincoln 185 TIG in December, any had any good or 
bad experiences with them?

Jerry

At 07:53 AM 11/14/2004, you wrote:
>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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