Tig

[Andy SprouleParticipant @andysproule22368]

Hi,was wondering if anyone has a Thermal arc 175 or a Parweld XTS 162 DV.I have tig torch gas a so on,it’s only for hobby work.Any opinions?Or maybe recommend a machine in roughly the same price range.

[Andy SprouleParticipant @andysproule22368]

[Michael BriggsParticipant @michaelbriggs82422]

Hello Andy, I have a Thermal Arc 175TE. Before that I had a lift start tig and had no end of problems with tungsten contamination on lifting the electrode. It may have been my fault due to inexperience but HF start solved my problems.

[Carl Wilson 4Participant @carlwilson4]

I have an RTECH ac/dc pulse unit. They do dc only machines too similar price to the ones you mention.

I’ve had mine 5 years with no trouble and it has done all I’ve asked of it.

Definitely need hf start with tig.

Doubleboost on YouTube uses RTECH gear and he has done a lot of good reviews, if you search the net.

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

Definitely need hf start with tig.

Whats that?

Dodged a Lidl Tig welder recently, stayed with inverter/rods

Edited By Ady1 on 19/10/2017 00:20:07

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

Arc Pig

uuhhh

[David Standing 1Participant @davidstanding1]

Posted by Ady1 on 19/10/2017 00:26:47:

Arc Pig

uuhhh

Best FAQ I have ever seen

[Involute CurveParticipant @involutecurve]

I'm told Thermal Arc and Parweld are made in the same factory, I have two Parweld AC DC Tig sets, (I inherited one or em) after five years one of em started to give some trouble with unstable Arc etc, this was two years out of warranty so sent it back for repair, it came back less than a week later fixed FOC, all it cost me was postage in one direction.

[Carl Wilson 4Participant @carlwilson4]

Hf start is high frequency start. A high frequency current is fed to the torch (usually by means of a device similar to a current transformer)

This high frequency starts the arc without the need to touch the tungsten in the torch to the work; so called lift or scratch start.

Scratch/lift start runs the risk of giving a tungsten inclusion in the weld. Hf start obviates this.

Edited By Carl Wilson 4 on 19/10/2017 10:25:17

[pgk pgkParticipant @pgkpgk17461]

I noticed that screwfix are doing a special on welders at the mo' with big discounts. I can't comment on quality but at least with screwfix if it's dud gear they've always been good with taking it back for a refund.

[Andy SprouleParticipant @andysproule22368]

Thank you for replies.The thermal arc goes to 5 amp the pastels to 20 any thoughts on this?

[Andy SprouleParticipant @andysproule22368]

Should be Parweld.

[MuzzerParticipant @muzzer]

Not a brand I'm familiar with but the Screwfix Impax 160A TIG welder for £330 inc vat sounds pretty good. It even comes with a foot pedal.

[HillclimberParticipant @hillclimber]

I use a little DC R-Tech, which works well.

I cant see the control panel of the Screwfix machine to see what functions it has, and no sign of a gas regulator. But the price is VERY attractive, and it includes a pedal.

But 2nd the idea that you really DO want HFS – forget the scratch start.

[Carl Wilson 4Participant @carlwilson4]

That one from screwfix looks quite good. Dc only but if that’s OK for you then fine. I think it has Hf start because it says hf in the description or product name.

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