TIG welder

[ChrisL]

So I'm thinking about buying a TIG welder, I'll want to weld Aluminum so will need an AC/DC unit. I've also decided to buy new as the MIGs I've bought on second hand in the past, whilst saving money on the purchase price have always needed fixing to get the bets from them and I'd like to know it's my lack of technique and not the welder that's responsible for the poor welds!
Thinking of getting this one: https://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/tig-welder-240v-ac-dc-160amp/
as it'll do all that I'll need it for.
Just wondering if anyone has any advice/experience or tips?

[DJ.]

I got that welder in May when my wife wanted to treat me on our 25th anniversary

My welding skills have a long, long way to go, but following advice on their videos I have manged to get a good weld on some 1mm sheet. With my arc welder doing thin metal was always harder than thick so I was quite pleased.

I haven't tried aluminium yet, but it seems to have all the settings required. The welder itself is very solid and appears weld made. They recommend buying a flow meter to save argon.

I bought a smaller torch as well as the one that comes with it is rather big. I also found I had to buy another welding helmet as my old one would go clear when welding at low current.

I hope someone else doesn't come on and say it is crap, but for home use I'm very pleased so far.

[DJ.]

I forgot to say, make sure you buy their heavy duty 3pin plug. You will never the wires into a standard plug, it should really be included.

[ChrisL]

Thanks Duncan, good to know and will order the plug, probably get some wire/rods too.
BTW this is my wife's 40th birthday present!!!!

[DJ.]

BTW this is my wife's 40th birthday present!!!!

[ChrisL]

Hi Duncan,

Have you tried welding on thick stuff? I'm hoping it lives up to the 5mm claimed.

[ChrisS]

I bought this one recently. https://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/tig-wel ... ig-170ext/ Very happy with it. I almost went with the one you mention but decided to splash out for the fancy options in the end. The standard torch might be a bit big/heavy so maybe opt for the smaller one.

Yet to try it on Aluminium (which is what I got it for really) but I have no doubt it’ll do just fine, with me being the limiting factor

[DJ.]

That looks nice Chris!
I am definitely the limiting factor here too

There is a 200A analogue model for a little extra over my welder, but it draws more amps from the supply, so you'd need to be careful if running it at full power. My old welder is a 160A arc welder and that didn't have any problems with 6mm steel welding. The Arc function isn't rated 160A, I think MMA is limited to 130A, there shouldn't be much on a car that need more than 160A Tig though.

It was the extra WP9 air cooled torch (£55) that I ordered, and so far that is all I have used.

[ChrisS]

Unless you are building bridges, I think 160/170A is plenty based on what I’ve managed so far. Tend to need big amps for aluminium compared to steel, at least to get the puddle started, but for most car stuff, should be good.

Until I bought the R=Tech, I’ve done all my TIG with a very cheap Chineseium DC only machine that has done remarkably well. At first, I did struggle a bit with the extra features of the R=Tech but am getting the hang of it now and really beginning to appreciate the extra contol it allows.

Got the WP9 too, it’s a nice handy size.

My main reason for picking the digital one was the memories. I figured that as it takes time for me to get a good setup for a given weld, I’d like to be able to commit that to a memory to help me get it right next time. Nothing you can’t do with the analogue version and a notebook, I was just being lazy. Besides, you still need to know what you set the memories up for anyway, so arguably it wasn’t the best use of my cash? Happy/10 though.

[ChrisL]

Thanks for the info. It's ordered, so is the gas (been promising myself a proper gas cylinder rather than disposable for my mig for years); a bench grinder; gloves and filler rods. My wife's going to be chuffed to bits

On the power front, I swapped by circuit breaker to a type 'c' one which stopped the mig from tripping it, so should be OK up to 160A

Been watching a ton of youtube videos, so can't wait to get practicing before attempting what I bought it for.
Will post my progress but planning on using some scrap 5mm steel to start...