Not looking to get hardcore. Just something to play around with and learn on.

HF welder: $220 - 15% coupon = $187 + tax. Possible warranty on item?
http://www.harborfreight.com/c...91811

Smiley: $155 shipped. No warranty. I think the smiley has High frequency start and the HF one doesn't.. but not sure.
http://cgi.ebay.com/160-AMP-TI...wItem

 

sheesh...junk vs. junk...that's a tough call. I suppose I'd take the HF start machine just to reduce contamination potential. God man...I don't know. It's threads like these that make me feel so damn fortunate for what I have....

Thank you brother....

 

he just wants to learn.... Slammd Sol: H-F would be a lot easier to deal with if you have a problem with the machine.. ebay on the other hand you have to deal with seller not responding to e-mails, shipping costs and delays....


Modified by ROTARY at 9:00 PM 7/16/2007

 

That Smiley tools machine has no HF start, and has no warranty. You can get the warrant upped to 3 years on the HF machine for under $50.

I've got a HF, and its certainly no pro machine, but it sticks metal together decently.

 

The smiley unit also has foot control.. Any one else with experience using these cheap TIGs?

 

try out this forum for info on the hf unit.

http://www.weldingweb.com/forumdisplay.php?f=28

 

You can put a pedal onto the HF TIG. Mine has one.

 

details????

 

The PO of my welder did it, but I'd do the same thing.
He took a MadCatz N64 pedal he found at the thrift store, removed the potentiometer that was installed in it, and replaced it with the 10K (iirc) pot from the HF machine. He then soldered the wires from the welder's circuit to the wires that went to the pedal, and soldered those to the new pot in the pedal. It works fine, except the direction is backwards (so pedal to the floor=low amps, pedal up=high), but thats totally fixable (and I kinda like it).

If you want pics, I can get some at a later date.

 

yes, Pics!