I found this on harbor freight:

http://www.harborfreight.com/c...91811

tig/stick combo. Why is it so cheap if its a tig? I realize it doesnt come with a pedal, regulator setup or tanks for tig, but still? is it not adjustable?

seems like a good deal, something i can do stick welding with for now, and add the tig setup later on.

inputs!

 

fwiw any DC stick welder can be converted to a TIG welder. You'll be limited to steel (need AC for aluminum) and you wont get nifty features like high freqency start, post/preflow, etc.

 

gotcha... good info! so its not really a full fledged TIG, i wouldnt be able to do aluminum, which is pretty much a main reason to get a tig right?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by s1ngle &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">gotcha... good info! so its not really a full fledged TIG, i wouldnt be able to do aluminum, which is pretty much a main reason to get a tig right?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Well yes and no. I started my classes with straight tig by modding my handle to power the tig torch. Tig is a clean process and doesn't leave slag behind.

If you are going to do SS, Mild or Chromoly you can use your DC welder.

High freq is great thought.

Post flow just keep the torch there until the puddle is solid.

Preflow you will get if you turn your flow on before you strike.

I enjoyed it but really wouldn't go back if I had to. Pedal control with a solinoid controlled argon feed is nice.

 

good info. bump for more

 

I speak from only what I know and I am not finished with my "B Weldor" classes.

I still have a way to go.

Hey s1ngle what are you looking to do? The majority of your welding?

 

i am looking to do mainly charge piping and downpipes, amongst other random stuff. Right now I have a basic flux core wire feed welder, and i'm sick of how messy it welds and all the splatter, and lack of control.

 

What kind (brand, amperage range) are you using now? I have a seamweld job coming up and I am looking to get this guy:



http://www.millerwelds.com/pro...350p/

The job is paying for the machine.

I should start Mig in a week or so and we use big Millers in class.

With the spitting is it because of your distance (arc length)?

Also you are using flux core and that will be more like stick which is a dirty weld process compared to gas shielded tig and mig. That could be a problem there as well.

When stick welding puddle control, arc length, speed, amperage and temp all had something to do with the quality of the welds made.

What do you see in the puddle as you are working?

 

isnt puddle control pretty terrible with flux core welders? because you can't really just heat up the metal to make a puddle without adding filler metal. Am i wrong?

also, can you even really control arc length with a flux core welder?

i try and keep my welds clean, i usually keep the welder on the low feed speed, so i can heat the work up and make a decent puddle without adding too much filler metal.

How much would the rest of hte tig gas setup be if i got just that DC welder and got it setup for tig gas welding? Is DC tig better than Mig?

 

Right now I have a Hobart 140 mig, and looking for a decent tig for aluminum and Ti work (like coasters and stuff). Do you really need to spend the 1200 or so for a decent Tig? The Miller package kits I was looking at seem to start around 1100-1200 on ebay.

 

i have taht welder....its pretty good for carge pipes and sheet metal./..but i dont think i woudl trust it for major stuff

 

really, you have the one i originally posted? Why wouldnt you trust it? What thickness of metal can it handle?

So would you guys say that DC tig welders using gas are better than mig welders that use gas?