Wanted TIG Welder

[dozerdan]

Hi
I am looking for an AC/DC TIG welder,at least 250 amp,single phase.A water cooled torch definitely would be a plus.
Anyone have one for sale,or know of one.Prefer NY,PA,NJ,Oh.
Later
Dan

 

[Crofter]

Dan; I am curious what you will be welding that you will need a water cooled torch. I find them so much heaavier and clumbsy what with the heavier hose etc. Lots more solenoids and sealing problems plus freezing if you dont always have your shop heated. Have you looked at the auxilliary Hi frequency units that allow you to tig with your regular ac dc welder. That is the route I took.

Frank

 

[jokers]

Hi Frank
I agree that the water cooled torches are typically more cumbersome because of the added size and coolant line but maybe Dan only wants to have one torch and he may be planning on welding aluminum or some other metal that sucks the current. In that case a water cooled torch is indispensible.

Of course I don`t know if you have welded any heavy aluminum but incase you haven`t, it`s not uncommon to need all of those 250 amps and then some, the torch will become very hot, not to mention the base metal being welded will require substantial preheat so why not remove any heat you can.

The add on hi freq units like you have are a very good choice for less demanding(current draw) welding, and if Dan is only interested in welding things like mufflers then you are right. The only shortcoming that I can imagine is you only have scratch start with these, or am I mistaken? I like having a foot pedal for amperage control but I also know that most guys doing small bore pipe in the field are using scratch start.

As far as freezing goes, I use propylene glycol antifreeze which is non-toxic in my water cooler. Although it`s expensive, two gallons is all I need.

As far as what machine to get, I absolutely love my Lincoln Square Wave Tig machine and a few Millers that I have tried out were just as nice. I would only buy an older Hobart because the new ones are reputed to be lower grade now that Miller owns them. Of course there are many other good brands of welders out there. You can sometimes find the older machines in good shape for a very reasonable price. Mine is 300 amps @ 100% duty cycle and will crank out 400 amps at 80%. Having all of the control that this machine offers is nice at times. The only downfalls are that the machine is big, requires an 80 amp circuit for charging the capacitors if running on 240v single phase and the cost is a little steep if you are buying new and you aren`t using it everyday. Other than that it`s the sweetest welder I have ever used.

Dan
Sorry for dragging your post somewhat off topic. Just wanted to offer my vote for another alternative. I may be able to find you a good used welder. I`m assuming single phase power?

Russ

 

[Crofter]

Jokers; You are right on the limitations of a gas cooled torch for heavy aluminum, but Mig is so much better than tig for the heavy stuff like truck boxes etc.
The hi frequency will light off the arc just by bringing it close without scratching, but the remote contactor with foot pedal control is nice and much easier when you want to stop the arc.
The new transformerless machines are beauty but still pricey compared to the older technology ones.

Frank

 

[Jacob J.]

Is it possible to fill those coolant hoses with beer to keep frost from becoming a problem?

 

[Crofter]

Beer cooled Tig Torch

Jacob J.

Nothing worse than beer for putting a welder into a wobble. Cant be havin temptation so close they can smell it!

Frank

We are a big help with Dan's Quest for a welder aren't we?

 

[Jacob J.]

LOL

 

[dozerdan]

HI
Thanks for all of your suggestions.
If I need any aluminum welded,I have to use a friends 275amp Lincoln Square Wave Tig.It works OK but it really isn't big enough for welding things like,4 cylinder cycle heads.I have to turn the heat up all the way and yes the torch does get hot,that's why I want the water cooled torch.Freezing isn't an issue,my shop is heated all winter long.
I like the foot control,if I am standing at a work bench.I also do some work on ATV's and cycles.I learned to hate the foot control when laying on a creeper to weld things like frames.You cant seem to get your foot on the pedal.
The water cooled cables a definitely heavier.The one that I use now has two cables and torch set ups.One is water cooled with the finger control for your heat.The other is not water cooled and still uses the foot control.I think that is the way I would like to go.I also want to get a small pencil torch for it.
I am going to look at a used Lincoln 300 tig tomorrow,it isn't water cooled but I can add that at a later date.
Later
Dan

 

[cybergeek23851]

my welding teacher has a lincoln Invertec 250s welding kit for sale $999

Includes
Shipboard welding plug adapters
30 and 50 amp 220V plug adapters
2-10lb electrode holders
1 pair leather tig gloves
1 pair calfskin gauntlet gloves
1 Harris Flowmeter
1 respirator, 2 pr spare filters
1 wire brush
1 chipping hammer
5-4.5 in grinding wheels 7/8 arbor
4-4 in grinding wheels 5/8 arbor
1 canvas tool bag
1 leather electrode holder bag
1 canvas electrode holder bag
1 paintbrush
1 leather tempstick/soapstone holder
3 temp sticks 350, 300, 250
1 soapstone and holder
3 clear 2x4 lenses
1 set Fibre Metal weld fillet gages
1 100ft length + electrode cable and 2 10 ft + length electrode cables
1 tweco 250 amp electrode holder
1 250 amp ground clamp
5lbs 1/8 7018 electrode
instruction manual
Jackson welding helmet #10 gold coated 2x4 lens
Jackson Shadow helmet #10 green lens 4x5
Dockson welding helmet, riveted lens keeper #10 lens green 2x4

 

[cybergeek23851]

If interested call Jon Cookson at the franklin Campus of Paul D. Camp Community College at 757 569-6761 and leave a message if interested.
or you could try weldersmall.com

 

[woodsjunkie]

Tig Welder for sale

Dan,
I'm not sure if you found a tig yet but I have one 4-sale if your intrested.
Its a 300 amp Lincoln stick & tig.
comes with Tank, regulator,2 tig torches, arc stinger, foot control,
two boxes tungsten(sp)
Let me know.

 

[cliff-1972]

Dan,what are you using for shielding gas?If you are using just straight Argon you should go to a Ar/helium mix.Straight Helium would be best for penetration though.Also,take a oxy/ace rig and lite a carbonizing flame(black souty) and cover aluminum with it and then preheat it.The carbon on the aluminum will disappear when it is at the right temp to weld(about plyable).This will help alot.A certified welder for 16 yrs.

 

[Bill G]

Eric,

How much ?

Bill

 

[cybergeek23851]

Going Once, Going Twice, It's gone.
Sorry but the Welder has been sold