AC DC TIG Welders - What is good?

[jff45]

TradeTools is the shop where I bought it. There was a link posted to it in the other thread.
They get them made in China with their own colours and name on them. They look exactly the same as many other brands.

I used the Unimig manual to set mine up because it was better written and easier to understand.
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[dom14]

TradeTools is the shop where I bought it. There was a link posted to it in the other thread.
They get them made in China with their own colours and name on them. They look exactly the same as many other brands.

I used the Unimig manual to set mine up because it was better written and easier to understand.
...
IMG_1668.JPG

Thanx mate. It's the Renegade brand unit. I saw this one. The best price AC/DC unit I've seen so far. The bottom unit on the rack is the plasma cutter I guess? I guess you took a package deal with the cutter, welder and trolley?

https://www.tradetools.com/product-r...-35-duty-cycle

Only reason I haven't bought the Renegade unit is 'cos it hasn't got AC frequency adjustment and for that price there's no way they can do it. , But, I'm still thinking long and hard whether I should go for the Renegade one.

What is your experience with it? How long have you had it for?

TradeTools doesn't have a shop in Melbourne, so I'll be looking at getting it shipped if I'm to buy it.

Thanx
Dom

[jff45]

The bottom unit is a Token Tools plasma cutter I bought 7 years ago. I made the trolley, just bought the wheels from Bunnings
I also have a 240 amp Unimig Procraft MIG machine that I've had for over 10 years. Never missed a beat.

You should get on to one of welding forums and ask them what importance to place on A/C frequency adjustment for a beginner with aluminium.

[NissanGQ4.2]

This is what a few of the boys in our workshop use

http://www.unimig.com.au/catalogue_p...&subcategory=0

[dom14]

This is what a few of the boys in our workshop use

http://www.unimig.com.au/catalogue_p...&subcategory=0

Thanx mate. I can't use three phase ones. My place has no three phase.

[NissanGQ4.2]

Thanx mate. I can't use three phase ones. My place has no three phase.

Yeh, I never really paid attention 2 the tigs until looking at the spec listing, but should of realised that they would of been.

[dom14]

Yeh, I never really paid attention 2 the tigs until looking at the spec listing, but should of realised that they would of been.

Having said that, somebody told me we can put 3 phase on residential properties without costing an arm and a leg.
I hope that is right.
Previously I thought it is only for industrial/business properties only.
I would love to have 3 phase in my place, but I don't think I can anyway. It's not my own place.

[jff45]

My experience with the Renegade?
I bought it last year, end of September, for my 71st birthday after thinking that I was probably already too old to learn to Tig, especially aluminium.

I practised regularly for a couple of months, went through piles of scrap alu. Lots of time is lost initially because you keep touching the tungsten in the puddle and have to stop to regrind it each time. It can get frustrating if you don't keep your eye on the end goal.

Got tired of practising on scrap so made a letterbox out of checkerplate. Then remade my steel airbox from 3mm aluminium. Not the prettiest but it works.

Here's some of my scrap practising.
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My airbox..
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This is a quick test I did on some thin square tube. 1.2 & 0.8mm.
With the 0.8 I started too hot (arrow) and nearly went through it. This is using a 2.4mm electrode with 1.6mm 5356 rod.
Just to show you can weld quite thin with no A/C frequency adjustment and without the bead getting too wide.
I'm pretty happy with it as a $798 welder..
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The other piece there is a filet weld on 3mm scrap just to show that you can do acceptable welds in a reasonably short time if you practice enough.

[jff45]

More practice stuff.. obviously I'm not showing what didn't work
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[NissanGQ4.2]

More practice stuff.. obviously I'm not showing what didn't work
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Cmon John show your crap ones 2..... I've seen worse from trade qualified people