[TheForge] TIG opinions, please

[Rich Maynard]

Well, I eventually found a 200A model that can take a foot pedal. It's
ex-demo (old model) and has a bit of a dent in it, but at well less than
half list price I guess it'll do for learnin'.

Thanks for all your help and opinions everyone,

Rich M.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net 
> [mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Woolley
> Sent: 05 September 2006 05:14
> To: Sponsored by ABANA
> Subject: Re: [TheForge] TIG opinions, please
> 
> 
> 
> > Obviously, whatever works, and whatever you are comfortable with is 
> > what you should do. There is never a "right" way, or only 
> one way, to 
> > do anything. And everybody is doing different work, with different 
> > materials, in different sizes, in different situations.
> >
> 
> How true.
> 
> 
> > But personally, I often run my tig welders at 175 to 200 
> amps, welding 
> > steel, and stainless. And when I need to run aluminum, both 
> of my machines 
> > have been asked to put out 300 amps. And even then, there 
> are times when I 
> > have had to preheat the aluminum first, or else 300 still 
> wasnt enough.
> >
> 
> The last time I used 175 amps or more welding steel I was 
> using jet rod 
> (stick, 3/16 maybe 1/4) repairing the bottom of a containment 
> vessel in an 
> oil refinery. That's why that kind of amperage seems 
> abstract. I haven't 
> needed that kind of amperage for a tig job in the shop.If I 
> needed anything 
> close to that I would be running stick. That would save me 
> time. As a rule 
> welding AL requires more amps. Preheating AL is a given, no 
> matter what the 
> process or size of the material.
> 
> 
> >> Added control is good, in my opinion.
> 
> No doubt, I was just pronouncing the fact that I find it 
> unnecessary to add 
> a water cooled torch and foot pedal to a beginner's tig 
> setup. I'm coming 
> from a field construction perspective to determine what I 
> use.  I'm all ears 
> when it comes to using what is available to improve my 
> production in the 
> shop. Bottom line also influences what I use, so I have to 
> pick and choose.
> 
> 
> > And both of my tig machinessetups
>  are running just fine- in fact, my main
> > machine, an inverter, has digital readout of both amps and 
> volts, so I am 
> > very aware of exactly what power requirements I have, and 
> the amps I 
> > really need to do the job.
> 
> That's good, I was just wondering if your reostat or whatever 
> the comparable 
> component of your inverter welder is called was defective 
> since that kind of 
> amperage was  foreign to me for that process. Since we use 
> the same power 
> source for DC welding, you will be familiar with the "lift 
> arc" setting on 
> your machine. I find this useful as an alternative to scratch 
> start, helps 
> keep my tungsten clean.
> 
> 
> > Your mileage, of course, may vary.
> 
> It does.
> 
> 
> Best,
> Bill Woolley 
> 
> 
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