http://www.tigdepot.com/products/p35TD-BBTF.htm

Saw it on a mailing list.

Whats the consensus?

 

id like to see what it can actully do im sure the manufacturer will claim it can do this this and that but i doubt it

 

I'm using a similar setup right now.

Here are the pros:

Mine plugs into any 110 outlet
It's cheap
It sort-of works

The Cons:

No pedal to control the welding amperage while you weld
You have to "Scratch Start" the tungsten to get the arc started
It sort-of works

Mine works fine when welding thicker material that doesn't require precise current control. It will put down a perfectly fine bead. But I wouldn't get it near a piece of sheet metal (This could also be a skill issue...). I use it for tack welding and non-critical welds. Personally I would never weld any suspension or rollcage stuff with my setup.

As a side note: I'm an engineer for a company that does a lot of welding. When required, our welders use this method to run the first (root) pass on pipe welds. They scratch start the weld and just go for it with no current control throughout the weld. I thought they were cavemen at first (I leaned to tig on a $$ Miller). But then it was explained to me that this is just "how it's done" out in the field. Passing radiograph tests has not been a problem. But I'm talking about 4" and up Sch 40 pipe - Not thinner exhaust pipe or rollcage tubing. And you're not going to see anyone scratch starting on any aerospace, military, or medical sort of welds (Correct me if I'm wrong).