Advice for a TIG beginner?

[dragoneggs]

What a thread. I couldn't read it all but wondered if anyone discussed the option of wave balance to make your AC "Hotter or Colder" and Hz adjustment to constrict the arc to a needle point making a smaller heat affected zone making it possible to do more with less amps. With my Tig unit I can adjust how "hot" and for how long the wave is above 0. That with Hz adjustment I can make AC or DC "Heat" totally all over the map. Complicate it more with pulse time and frequency.

Okay what is the TIG machine to get that has it all (well many cool features)... AC/DC, pulse, frequency adjustments that is under $2000? DIY/Hobbyist type.

 

[yomax4]

I was more questioning weather you can AC stick weld with an inverter, and still play with the balance, hz, wave form, etc?

But again, aside from magnetic parts...if one has a DC stick I can't imagine using AC for stick process

Never tried AC stick with Pulse, Hz etc. Will do now that this came up. Cant imagine ac stick any time but..

 

[yomax4]

Okay what is the TIG machine to get that has it all (well many cool features)... AC/DC, pulse, frequency adjustments that is under $2000? DIY/Hobbyist type.

Under 2K? miller Diversion is non adjustable. I'd say Everlast might have a full featured AC/DC or Tweco/Thermal Arc has a 186I fully adjustable AC/DC. i'll sell you a nice never used, used one. lol..

 

[yomax4]

...Which comes back to something I (OP) am puzzling over with my new TIG/stick inverter unit. (160/130 amps respectively). I'm wondering if this makes my 230amp-AC buzzbox unnecessary. I recently noticed its on a 30 amp breaker and I've never tripped that breaker - even using the carbon arc torch - so apparently I've never needed its maximum output. My heaviest application would generally be repairing Cat 1 implements. Maybe I no longer need the buzzbox.

Or maybe I need the buzzbox so I don't risk burning up the orphan/expensive/delicate Grizzly TIG welder. I've read manuals for similar TIG welders that recommend against using a carbon torch with them, it stresses the welder too much. The buzzbox has no delicate electronics just a massive transformer and some cables, pretty hard to damage that.

Any comments?

You really don't "Need" the AC Buzzy. Some on here love those old gals. Serious out of position stick is a Bear with AC. Once DC came out, No-one cared about AC and a lot of the rods started to go away. They are so inexpensive used that it may pay to keep the thing in case your inverter blows a nut.

 

[yomax4]

I'm not a world class welder, i'm just throwing out to offer another view or two. I do know advanced equipment pretty well but all I know about buzz boxes is that I've seen then sit on a dirt floor for 25 years and they still work. No inverter could boast that.

 

[California]

I'm not a world class welder, i'm just throwing out to offer another view or two. I do know advanced equipment pretty well but all I know about buzz boxes is that I've seen then sit on a dirt floor for 25 years and they still work. No inverter could boast that.

Yep. This buzzbox, Montgomery Ward PowrKraft, was covered with old dead leaves when I found it. About a 1965 model, estate sale, family said gramps bought it and only used it couple of times before it sat in the garage (apparently with a bad roof) 40 years until I bought it 15 years ago. I had to blow out dirt and spiders so it wouldn't be a fire hazard, and work the fan back and forth with penetrating oil before it would spin. After this very minor renovation it works as intended. There's nothing else to do to it. Well maybe fresh paint. Paid $50.

 

[k0ua]

...Which comes back to something I (OP) am puzzling over with my new TIG/stick inverter unit. (160/130 amps respectively). I'm wondering if this makes my 230amp-AC buzzbox unnecessary. I recently noticed its on a 30 amp breaker and I've never tripped that breaker - even using the carbon arc torch - so apparently I've never needed its maximum output. My heaviest application would generally be repairing Cat 1 implements. Maybe I no longer need the buzzbox.

Or maybe I need the buzzbox so I don't risk burning up the orphan/expensive/delicate Grizzly TIG welder. I've read manuals for similar TIG welders that recommend against using a carbon torch with them, it stresses the welder too much. The buzzbox has no delicate electronics just a massive transformer and some cables, pretty hard to damage that.

Any comments?

I agree, I would keep the buzzbox for use with the carbon arc torch, for the reasons you mentioned.

 

[JimRB]

PowerTIG 2DV - TIG Welders | Everlast Generators is what I have for $1,349. If you want to do more amps, they have bigger units under $2,000. 315 amps for right at $2,000 or some others in between what I got.

 

[dragoneggs]

PowerTIG 2DV - TIG Welders | Everlast Generators is what I have for $1,349. If you want to do more amps, they have bigger units under $2,000. 315 amps for right at $2,000 or some others in between what I got.

Hi Jim, looks to have all the features I would need for what I can imagine doing myself. How long have you had it? Have you welded Aluminum? Have you got used to/benefited from the advanced features?