TIG questions,,,need a machine

ok, i got a free TIG torch from a neighbor that was cleaning out some stuff from his garage last night along with a starret protractor head and 12" rule... anyhow

i dont have a power supply for the TIG, but now that i got a decent torch, you know how that goes

what should i look for in a machine, and what should i stay away from?

TIG is totaly new to me, so any suggestions would be apreciated

money is a bit of an issue, but not extreemly so ( i aint lookin for a $5.00 machine. LOL)

Anyone?

Thanks

 

You would be a stud if you made your own

Perhaps a dead stud. But a stud none the less.

 

There are two types. Air cooled and water cooled. You can tell water cooled by the three seperate lines. How many does your torch have?

 

its an aircooled torch. weldcraft is the brand on the handle.

i snapped a quick pic here

 

Liqud cooled is good if your going to do alot of welding with no break. air cooled works good in a normal small job garage work. A freind of mine just bought a liquid cooled tig complete but OLD for $600. I am still waiting for a deal like that. His is the size of a medium size fridge. It works GREAT tho.

 

A TIG welder is on the top of my wish list. Haven't TIG welded anything in over 15 years, but I really enjoyed it. Only did aluminum body work in TIG, but have been told sleel is easier to do.

 

Thats like getting a free battery for a car...

you still have to buy the car.

You should give it to someone whos got an air cooled tig welder haha-

I have a liquid cooled medium sized fridge tig welder in the corner and it rules-

Tig welders are NOT cheap... your better off with a MIG unless your gonna weld stainless or aluminum.

Tuck

 

Look at a Miller aerowave or dynasty 300.
Use those as the benchmark.

 

yea, i'v got a real nice 110v MIG setup already (actually on my second one, the first being one of those flux core deals)

so sounds like i am looking at about 1300 clams or so to get a half way decent power supply. . . aight

well, maybe for my birthday or something,,,, in 2030 maybe

 

To tell you the truth if you're just starting out, and don't want to initially set a chunk o' money into it. Just use an AC/DC arc welder and keep an eye out for a high frequency starter (I see them all the time in shop equipment auctions). Thats what I use, an old Dayton AC/DC with a high freq. and it works just fine. Even has a sewing machine pedal for arc control. Then if you like and want to get something more complex go for it (But to tell the truth I'm quite happy with my antiquated set-up).

Just a thought.

P.S. You can still TIG without the HF, its just you'd have to learn the lost art of scratch start.

 

Harbor Freight number 91811 is a 130 amp tig/90 amp arc inverter welder for $200.

 

what ol' scratch said , use an old arc welder...i have an old LInde setup and basically that is all the power supply is. you will also need a regulator for the argon, i have an extra if you are interested . scratch starting isn't hard to get used to...you won't have a pedal , but you can still weld

the harbor frieght tig/arc welder may be what you need , but since we don't have one local , go up to Northern Tools in Burnsville....they have several arc welders under $200

 

actually, there is a HF tool store up in north minneapolis... i'm like a kid in a candy store up there

as for that regulator you have, i'm interested. just cant make a move on it for at least two weeks... money got a little tight on us here, we had to make a few changes around the house to be in compliance with state laws for adoption and foster parenting ... oh well. i'll get ahold of you in a few weeks and see if you still have it.

thanks for all the replies fellas... much appreciated

 

cant wait to see how this works for you fiddy but on money issue want to sell me any of that old stuff you got turtle deck grill ?