I have the Thermal arc AC/DC Tig unit which is very good. I believe the Esab is the same unit. The cheaper ones i am afraid are made in the east like the Parweld, but seem to get good revues.

It takes a little time to get used to using a foot controller but worth the time to learn. It gives you time to concentrate on the weld better.

Steve.

Edited By Steviegtr on 18/11/2020 23:00:16

I'm going to lock this thread as I think Alex wants to weld the top back onto a tin of spam.

You will have to do your own research about what is available in the US, since although the same units may be available where I am in NZ, they are quite possibly sold under different names. You may also find that what you think is a US made unit actually began it's life in China, or at least most of the parts did. The main thing is to buy from a reputable seller who will back their product, as also applies with the lathes and mills.

I bought my TIG welder a bit over a year back. I went a bit higher in price than I had originally intended. I don't regret this since it meant I got a unit with HF start and with AC and pulse facilities. My original plan was to be able to weld stainless, for which AC is not needed, but as I looked into things, the relatively small increase in cost to have the AC facility and be able to weld aluminium seemed worthwhile. I am now very glad that I did, I have welded quite a lot of aluminium. Similarly the HF start is very good to have. I'm not an expert welder by any means, so anything that makes it easier is a good thing. I have successfully welded copper plumbing tube.

Most commonly available TIG welders will also do stick, this may not be important to you since you already have MIG, but is a useful thing for anyone who will only have one welder. I have found that the DC stick welding is great, my very amateur welding is so much better now.

Portable is a relative thing, any of the inverter welders is going to be more portable than an old style AC buzz box. My TIG unit is big enough that I splashed out on one of those trolleys for it, with a place for the gas bottle on the back. Even with the bottle I think it is still lighter than the old AC unit. Remember that the gas mixture for TIG is not the same as for MIG. The TIG uses straight argon, unless you want to spend more and use helium.

There are a couple of guys on Utube doing videos about TIG, they seem to mostly be US based so they might give you some idea of the sort of gear available there, as well as providing some good how-to advice.

John

I forgot to say, with Tig half the battle is to get the settings exact.

Gas flow pressure, Tungsten size & stickout, Gas cup size. Ramp up & down times. Flow pressure & pre flow purge. If welding tube then internal gas purge is required to stop oxidization on the inside. AC balance to get the oxidized layer to break away. Look on youtube it's all there. Good luck.

Steve.

You are spot on with your comments. I have vari-focal glasses & have to take them off when welding. I have a pair of x2 boots cheapo glasses & use them. I spent some time adjusting the settings on the welding screen & now feel it is better. The problem with amateur Tig welding is you need your face so close to the work to gel with the welding . If you know what i mean.

In a nutshell it is a very steady hand of which i no longer have. A good sharp tip on the tungsten, a correct distance continually. So many parameters that have to be just spot on.

Then you go on Youtube & there is a guy doing a full positional weld , all the way round a tube. Amazing to watch. Good luck & practice makes perfect.

A few years ago with my old Chinese DC Tig i used to modify a lot of stainless motorcycle exhausts for things like high level etc. I could do a very good run of weld all round. I thought i would be able to do the same with Alloy, but not enough practice yet.

Steve.

Alex

the book says 60% at 170 amps for tig

mma output is 35% at 125 amps

I have a friend who is a professional tig welder doing marine and refrigeration tig welding. His welding is stunning. I'm sure he wont mind if I put up a picture showing some of his work.

I can only dream of being able to weld like this.

Colin