Anyone have experienc with Hi-freq boxes??

[Hammack_Welding]

Hi guys, I am still working on making my final decision for my new mobile rig. I have pretty much decided to go with the Lincoln 250 or 305, and I am trying to decided what else I might need. I do a fair amount of aluminum repair in the field and was wondering if any of you have any experience with the Hi-freq boxes to add to a portable machine to tig aluminum? I pretty much work on material in the 1/4" or less thickness (mainly patching tanks) I have considered the spoolgun option as well, but I always keep argon, and a tig setup on the truck anyway for repairs that require it, and just thought it would be easier to get one of the Hi-freq units, vs. taking up the extra room with a spoolgun, and controller. Just curious as to your thoughts. ~Jackson

[MAC702]

Check the price difference on a separate AC GTAW inverter machine, like the Miller Dynasty, or a matching Lincoln Invertec. You'll greatly appreciate the added portability of a shore-powered unit, and especially the extra wave-shaping capabilities of the inverter-based unit, but you will lose the top-end power that the engine-drive can put through the HF box.

[Finney]

Hammack,
I have had a HF251 box for many years and have had 0 problems.

[Ries]

I have a Miller 251 High Freq box, and I run it with a trailblazer from time to time- works great.
Not just AC aluminum, either- with the high freq box, and a foot pedal, you can do onsite tig welding that is as precise and good looking as shop work.

Sure, I have done my share of scratch start, but especially with stainless, I like having the high freq starting. I drag it all over the place.

[David R]

There is no AC welding output on a ranger 250 or 305.

David

[Hammack_Welding]

David, I thought the 305 had the AC, I know the "ranger 250" doesn;t and I was looking at the GXT which is a 250 amp machine as well, but does have the AC

[MAC702]

Yes, the Ranger GXT does have AC/DC output, but David's right about the Ranger 250 and 305.

[David R]

I have a hi freq box I used on a weldman power G7. It worked fine, the only thing I found is the cycles seem to match at times so I plugged it into houshold AC if I could get it. No foot pedal, just a box, but I could weld aluminum. Once I bought the ranger 250, I had to buy a TA 185 so I could weld aluminum.

David