AC DC TIG Welders - What is good?

[dom14]

Not sure on what TIG welders the boys are using at work 2 weld up the alloy tool boxes, canopies and all the other alloy jobs they get, I'll try and take a photo 2morrow. I dare say they aren't cheap ones though. All I know is they are not gas less welders.

Why isn't your cheaper TIG welder good enough for home projects? Your a perfections aren't you Dom *L*

Hi mate,

The el cheapo TIG unit I have is a DC TIG unit. It's not and AC unit, so won't weld aluminium.
It's also a scratch start TIG unit, not a high frequency start one.
So, it's ok for some small steel TIG jobs that doesn't need to look good.
For Aly welding, I gota get hold of an AC/DC unit.
There are so many of them available from China, I don't know which is good and which one isn't.
I thought, asking the blokes here is the way to go.

Cheers
Dom

[dom14]

The first unit you selected would be ok for you , I have an older unit the same brand , you do have square wave adjustment and you do have high frequency and can also select pulse .
When I get home from holidays I'll give you a laymens rundown on what all that means but get a unit with AC/DC usually you won't get one under a grand that's capable of doing Aly.

Hi mate,

The first unit in the OP is out of the menu.
The sellers says that it's been discontinued.
He can't answer whether 0.5-300Hz setting is for pulse or AC frequency either.
But, I suspect that range is for AC frequency.
There are quite a few of them on ebay.
I'll have to take a bit of time and find out more info, read reviews, etc.

Thanx

[dom14]

These Token Tools branded units are pretty good with their super long warranty deal, but pricey.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/110677958...84.m1436.l2649

[dom14]

Hey Guys,

I just found the below unit. that comes with AC frequency adjustment as well as choice of waveform(four wave forms).
They also include foot pedal. Says it comes with a three-year warranty. Brand name is Olympic.
Have any of you fellas come across this particular brand/unit?
I can't find any reviews.
The price is pretty good for all the features it offer.
It doesn't come with the argon regulator, but that's fine.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/182599743606?ul_noapp=true

Any opinions or experience with this particular machine?

[BigRAWesty]

Hey Guys,

I just found the below unit. that comes with AC frequency adjustment as well as choice of waveform(four wave forms).
They also include foot pedal. Says it comes with a three-year warranty. Brand name is Olympic.
Have any of you fellas come across this particular brand/unit?
I can't find any reviews.
The price is pretty good for all the features it offer.
It doesn't come with the argon regulator, but that's fine.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/182599743606?ul_noapp=true

Any opinions or experience with this particular machine?

I wouldn't get hung up on extra bit like a foot pedal.
Ive got one and in the 5 years ive had it its never been plugged in lol..
My pick is still unimig

[dom14]

I wouldn't get hung up on extra bit like a foot pedal.
Ive got one and in the 5 years ive had it its never been plugged in lol..
My pick is still unimig

Thanx mate.
Yeah, I've been told before that the foot pedal rarely comes handy.

Yeah, I like the Unimig unit. I haven't been able to locate a local seller from a shopfront yet.

Check out below unit. They offer five year warranty including a 30 day moneyback return guarantee(even if I use the machine).
They pay for the return warranty claims postage including 30 day returns. Sounds good. Dunno whether the machine is any good though. It comes with digital controls, just like the Unimig unit above. It hasn't got the waveform controls but the warranty deal is pretty good by the looks of it. They are promoting it pretty well. I like lengthy warranty periods for the peace of mind.
They are located here in Victoria.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/201948717885?ul_noapp=true

[gubigfish]

What about this one? http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-Unimi...3D201948717885

[jff45]

The Unimig range have a good reputation. I haven't seen any that have A/C frequency adjustment so it might be worth researching whether that really is so important.

I was considering buying a Unimig but my TradeTools machine has exactly the same buttons & options but was $600 cheaper and that covered my outright argon bottle purchase and a good pile of consumables.

A learner will benefit from a foot pedal because it allows you to lower amps as the piece gets too hot.
You'll need a lot of experience to judge the correct starting amps and you'll need to be very proficient at feeding rod faster when you need to pick up speed. The foot pedal makes all that much easier.
A foot pedal is also great for starting the arc as you get torch and rod exactly in place before starting and you can hold the torch any way you like if you've got no start button to press.

Pulse is also good for beginners as it helps control the heat and allows you to move a bit slower while you're learning the technique.

[dom14]

What about this one? http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-Unimi...3D201948717885

Yeah, that is the same one as in the OP.
I'm trying to locate a shopfront with the same price.

[dom14]

The Unimig range have a good reputation. I haven't seen any that have A/C frequency adjustment so it might be worth researching whether that really is so important.

I was considering buying a Unimig but my TradeTools machine has exactly the same buttons & options but was $600 cheaper and that covered my outright argon bottle purchase and a good pile of consumables.

Which TradeTool machine you have there with you mate? What is the model?
Can you forward me to the internet link, place you bought it, etc?

Thanx