TIG machine

[john fin]

Is it possible to purchase a decent TIG machine(prefer new) that has a foot pedal and A/C output for $650?

[7A749]

Originally Posted by john fin

Is it possible to purchase a decent TIG machine(prefer new) that has a foot pedal and A/C output for $650?

Uhhhhh.....

No. Not a real one.

Chicoms don't count.

Used, yeah they're out there, but they will be big, older, heavy machines requiring 80-100 amps input for full power output. You can score an A/B P 330 or Dialarc HF for around $500 on occasion.

Even light duty machines like the Miller Econotig are about $850 & up on average used.

Good luck.

[brandon113]

I have seen a few light duty machines but not much. If you are just wanting to just play there are a few of the imported machines that will let ya play with it. I have an imported Plasma cutter that I like. Just make sure it has AC, DCEN,. I was reading that a few of the the important are fixed polarity..

Brandon

[makoman1860]

$650 buys a nice torch set. Probobaly a heck of a lot more useful, reliable, and economical than any $650 Tig.

[john fin]

I looked at the specs of that Gianttech 520D and its a pure DC machine. Not a bad price for 3-n-1 but would like A/C output.

[makoman1860]

John,
Dont go down that road, if your going to buy something, buy something with FACTORY support. New or Used. Let us know what types of projects you want to do, and that will help us help you find the type of equipment that will best suit you.

[john fin]

I think it would be nice to have an a/c machine so that I am not limited to certain kinds of metals. From what I have seen $1200 is the min. for a new a/c miller tig. Right now I am doing 20-22 ga. on autos and I am thinking my chinese dc POS might be ok for that.

[makoman1860]

Ah,
And your dead-set on Tig? How much welding experience do you have?

[prop-doctor]

most auto-body guys use mig with gas
faster, "less warping", easyer

[makoman1860]

Originally Posted by prop-doctor

most auto-body guys use mig with gas
faster, "less warping", easyer

Ehh I dont know if I would say that. Lots of "quick and cheap" shops use Mig, and lots of high dollar shops that work on the rare cars wont touch that process. I guess it depends on the level of your work, as a 1975 Chevy Nova and a 1930's Bugatti are not in the same league.

[brandon113]

I use tig on old Porsches but then I might could get by with a mig it is easier. But you know if you buy a torch and learn to gas weld you will be far ahead of some of the metal blobers. Welding is all about controlling the puddle and gas is a great cheap way to learn that.

Brandon

[john fin]

I use to work in a body shop years ago. Mig was used for tacking and attaching parts and pieces. Then came the pro TIG guy that ran a perfect bead. One of my current projects is cutting the front of the hood off my Charger and replace it with a donor. I have seen it done but the weld has to be a perfect butt weld. I have a good lincoln mig and am proficient with it but I think its sloppy compared to tig. Now with the gas comment, true all the old school stuff was done that way but how do you deal with all of the heat and warpage. I have never seen a body shop use gas for body panel replacements. Send me a link if you have one, I would like to see it.

[makoman1860]

Better yet Ill give you a website with all sorts of guys that do metal work with all types of technology. www.metalmeet.com
Sure gas work is done all the time, its just not "cool" enough to show on TV . Warpage isnt the tool, its technique and planning. Now im not saying Tig isnt nice to use, but it does have drawbacks, especially when working on old iron and body work in general. If you get into aluminum body work then the Tig really starts to suffer, its just not its place. I would just hate to see you spend the money on a sub-par Tig, just for the sake of having a tig, when you could use it and get a really nice light torch set and get more bang for your buck. The basic tools of body work i would put as the following

1-torch
2-hammers
3-slappers/spoons
4-Caulking tools
5-dollys
6-sandbags
7-tree stump
8-domed mallets
9-snips, files, cutting instruments of destruction etc.
10-Vice

Nice things to have

11-Magnesium Hammer
12-Shrinker/Stretcher
13-Post dollys
14-Brake
15-Beverly Shear

Exotic Things

16-Tig
17-Mig
18-Flow forming tools
19-Wheel
20-Planishing Hammer or Power Hammer

[brandon113]

You would be real surprised what a guy that know what he is doing can do with a torch....Yeah old-school but not out mode by any stretch....I know a few guys that can weld up an airplane frame with out a warp using nothing but a torch.....and you cant cut with your Tig or MIG..Ok yeah you can get a carbon rod....but you know what I mean......

Brandon