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Tig welder

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Category: The Garage
Forum Name: Tool Time tool review and eval area
Forum Description: Tool reviews, evaluations and tips only please.
URL: https://theamcforum.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=80306
Printed Date: Mar/28/2024 at 3:28am
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Topic: Tig welder
Posted By: rnscustom
Subject: Tig welder
Date Posted: Jun/13/2016 at 5:53pm
Been thinking of buying a tig for a while , I've been watching the reviews on the AHP tig for a while and for the most part reviews have been good with a few DOA's here and there . Anyone have one of these or got rid of one they didn't like . I'm leaning toward the Lincoln squarewave 200 but for as much as I'll use it ( well actually the boys want one and they are telling me to buy the AHP ) not sure if I should spend the xtra , it's double the price at $1400 . And has a lot less features . Used machines are hard to find and they are mostly the old transformer units ( last forever but use big power and space ) . Thanks Richard



Replies:
Posted By: tufcj
Date Posted: Jun/13/2016 at 6:25pm
Eastwood has a deal on a TIG and plasma cutter set. My buddy bought the set and he's pretty happy with it.

http://www.eastwood.com/ew-tig200-versa-cut-kit.html

Bob
tufcj

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69 AMX
74 Javelin AMX
67 Rogue

If you need a tool and don't buy it...
you'll eventually pay for it...
and not have it.
Henry Ford


Posted By: needafasterAMX
Date Posted: Jun/13/2016 at 8:35pm
I have an AHP and for the little I have used it, It works.
I tested the tig and stick function and all was good. Only on 120vac. Did not have 220 at the time.

When I first pulled it out of the box i was surprised that it was a half descent  put together machine.

I have a lot of work lined up for it on my car parts that I want to do,when I get time.


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74 AMX, 401
Viper spec T56 6 speed trans
Hydroboost brakes with rear disks from a Avenger
3:73 TG rear,now Trutrac with 3:15
A Turbo is in my future.


Posted By: ttrrogg
Date Posted: Jun/14/2016 at 6:51am
I have a Lincoln square wave 175 works great, it also it has ac-dc stick on it so it is used a lot have had it about 20 years now never had a problem with it.

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1970 Big Bad Blue javelin sst


Posted By: White70JavelinSST
Date Posted: Jun/14/2016 at 8:45am
I used to be a professional welder, welded stainless steel for food processing and steel for all sorts of uses, including high & low pressure steam, ammonia refrigeration. I could stand on a ladder, hold onto something with one hand for support and weld with the other. I could also weld equally as well with my "other" hand as with my dominant hand. I used stick, tig, wire, and gas welded and brazed, silver soldered, you name it. I was certified for several different procedures, including pipe and structural.

Where am I going with all this you say,

I read the reviews for the AHP tig/stick machine, and I'm impressed, especially because I am a staunch Lincoln guy.  For $800, if it dies at the end of the three year warranty, you have no loss.....


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70 Javelin SST, second owner, purchased 1972


Posted By: 401MATCOUPE
Date Posted: Jun/14/2016 at 9:01am
I have a Lincoln Squarewave 255 Tig Welder with Water Cooled Torch and convertible to Stick, it has seen a lot of hard service doing Aluminum and Stainless Steel flawlessly, but it does take up alot of space and I think is way overkill for anything you would run into in the Automotive World.  The only problem it ever had was the "touch" pad to adjust the current and modes.   The main reason I bought it was to do very thin Aluminum and S/S and you can dial the current down so low.  If you are keeping in the hobbyist world, I would go with Armand (White70JavelinSST), low investment advise.   Just keep an eye on the consumables/parts prices, some companies like to gouge big time on the air cooled torches and make it very difficult to swap to a "generic" replacement.  Used machines if you don't know the seller can be a real gamble too.

-------------
Ross K. Peterson
68X,GoPac,343,AT,52A(1stCar)
68X,GoPac,390,4sp,52A
69X,GoPac,390,4sp,64A
70X,GoPac,390,4sp,87A,8
70X,GoPac,390,4sp,BBO,8
70 Jav SST,390,AT,BSO
74MatX,401,AT,Prototype
74MatX,401,AT


Posted By: rnscustom
Date Posted: Jun/14/2016 at 11:27am
Thanks for all the responses , I'm mostly hobby but one son took metal fab so might be using it a bit ( just got out of school so we aren't sure where he's going yet ) . I know you can buy either and if they die your in the same boat but half the money with the AHP . The advantage to the new Lincoln is its small compared to the ahp which makes more sense with the 110/220 .


Posted By: farna
Date Posted: Jun/23/2016 at 6:42am
You don't need a TIG welding machine, just a TIG torch (with gas control valve on torch) and gas bottle with regulator assembly. Clip the torch electrode end to the rod holder, ground as normal, connect torch to regulator on bottle.

TIG can be used AC or DC. AC is typically used on aluminum because the constant polarity switch keeps the weld clean of oxides. AC doesn't penetrate as much as DC. DC straight polarity (electrode positive, ground negative)  penetrates the most. For sheet metal or other thin materials reverse the cables with DC -- negative on torch, positive on ground. AC is sort of between the two DC configurations. You can weld anything with AC, just doesn't penetrate as much as DC straight at the same heat, but it's enough for even heavy welding on 1/4"-1/2" thick material, just requires more amps for the same penetration as DC straight. So if you have an AC stick welder you can get a torch and gas bottle setup and start TIG welding on the cheap.


-------------
Frank Swygert


Posted By: farna
Date Posted: Jun/23/2016 at 6:50am
This torch kit is all you need if you already have a stick welder:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/WP-17V-25R-25ft-150Amp-Air-Cooled-TIG-Complete-Welding-Torch-Gas-Valve-Package-/200763408156?hash=item2ebe6e7f1c:g:GU0AAOxygPtSqiVC" rel="nofollow - http://www.ebay.com/itm/WP-17V-25R-25ft-150Amp-Air-Cooled-TIG-Complete-Welding-Torch-Gas-Valve-Package-/200763408156?hash=item2ebe6e7f1c:g:GU0AAOxygPtSqiVC

Along with a regulator and hose:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Argon-CO2-Mig-Tig-Flow-meter-Welding-Weld-Regulator-Gauge-Gas-Welder-CGA580-New-/321182420431?hash=item4ac7f6cdcf:g:-QIAAOSwvg9XVcD6" rel="nofollow - http://www.ebay.com/itm/Argon-CO2-Mig-Tig-Flow-meter-Welding-Weld-Regulator-Gauge-Gas-Welder-CGA580-New-/321182420431?hash=item4ac7f6cdcf:g:-QIAAOSwvg9XVcD6

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gas-hose-for-Argon-Flowmeters-Regulators-Regulator-Fits-Miller-Lincoln-Mig-Tig-/191652555207?hash=item2c9f61e9c7:g:v9AAAOSwR5dXR8Rz" rel="nofollow - http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gas-hose-for-Argon-Flowmeters-Regulators-Regulator-Fits-Miller-Lincoln-Mig-Tig-/191652555207?hash=item2c9f61e9c7:g:v9AAAOSwR5dXR8Rz


About $115 + shipping, if any.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200631806_200631806?cm_mmc=Google-pla&utm_source=Google_PLA&utm_medium=Welding%20%3E%20TIG%20Welding&utm_campaign=Klutch&utm_content=44455&cm_mmc=Google-pla&utm_source=google_PLA&utm_campaign=&mkwid=sdtnFx0iT&pcrid=39155627516&devicetype=c&gclid=CjwKEAjwka67BRCk6a7_h_7Pui8SJABcMkWRJdFSfq2Q4iumRcqq6vDoeWpN7DJsuJfWknsXW8JP1BoCZFrw_wcB" rel="nofollow -

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Frank Swygert


Posted By: Lucas660
Date Posted: Jun/23/2016 at 7:42am
I really wouldn't want to learn how to tig weld aluminium without frequency control. It's possible, but learning on a machine that was intended for the application first would be easier. The DC/inverter arc conversion setups work incredibly well though for mild steel and stainless.


Posted By: 401MATCOUPE
Date Posted: Jun/23/2016 at 8:05am
Frank....you just made me remember that when I got my Snap On (Systematics) YA-212A Mig Welder new, it had a TIG Conversion Kit Option.......I never bought it but it is still available 20+ years since I bought it....actually traded an 69 AMX for it!!

-------------
Ross K. Peterson
68X,GoPac,343,AT,52A(1stCar)
68X,GoPac,390,4sp,52A
69X,GoPac,390,4sp,64A
70X,GoPac,390,4sp,87A,8
70X,GoPac,390,4sp,BBO,8
70 Jav SST,390,AT,BSO
74MatX,401,AT,Prototype
74MatX,401,AT


Posted By: rnscustom
Date Posted: Jun/28/2016 at 10:13pm
Been real busy at work so I havnt looked up the tig setup for the mig . Can aluminum be done with this setup . Thanks for all the responses , Richard


Posted By: rnscustom
Date Posted: Oct/16/2016 at 7:54pm
Still jammed at work but managed to do a couple cash jobs and save some more money so I finally pulled the trigger on a Lincoln squarewave 200 . Got it 3 weeks ago and still in the box . Anyone have any feedback on this machine . Was on the edge with the AHP but figured this would be better service wise ( bought at the local Airgas ) thanks again for all the help , Richard


Posted By: ckfab
Date Posted: Oct/17/2016 at 4:45pm
Originally posted by rnscustom rnscustom wrote:

Still jammed at work but managed to do a couple cash jobs and save some more money so I finally pulled the trigger on a Lincoln squarewave 200 . Got it 3 weeks ago and still in the box . Anyone have any feedback on this machine . Was on the edge with the AHP but figured this would be better service wise ( bought at the local Airgas ) thanks again for all the help , Richard


I believe you made the right choice. Service is going to be the easiest if needed. AHP, Everlast, Longevity are all in the same family. None of them know how to weld. Just business people. I have seen first hand how some of them operate as a business with returns on new equipment or service request. 

Now unbox it!



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