AC TIG welding pulse frequency

[WeldBig]

Hi Guys,

I've been looking around to buy an AC/DC TIG welder for my upcoming upgrade.

I've been wondering about the difference of AC pulse frequency adjustment range in different machines.
For some of them, the range is 0.5 - 5 Hz. Other are going up to 300Hz.

What is the difference?
What are advantages of having up to 300Hz adjustable pulse frequency, and
what are the disadvantages of NOT having pulse frequency adjustment or having a range like 0.5 - 5Hz?

Thank you in advance for any advice/tips/suggestions, etc etc.

[Gamble]

Some places just can't figure it out lol and the guys that can figure it out can go up higher.
The razorweld I sell will do 200hz pulse on AC without an issue.

advantage/disadvantage. Depends. I hardly ever use pulse, maybe 1% of the time and it's just to play around. I don't have a practical use for it, but other people love it.
When you are around that 5-20 pulse range it's more annoying on your eyes than it is helpful.

[Weld_]

You can do some high-quality work without Pulse... you can even pulse manually with the pedal if you want... having said that pulse is nice to have to be able to control heat input as well as agitate the puddle for certain situations... if you buy any of the better brands like ESAB, Miller, Lincoln, HTP all of their medium to higher-end models will have good pulse features.

[WeldBig]

Some places just can't figure it out lol and the guys that can figure it out can go up higher.
The razorweld I sell will do 200hz pulse on AC without an issue.

advantage/disadvantage. Depends. I hardly ever use pulse, maybe 1% of the time and it's just to play around. I don't have a practical use for it, but other people love it.
When you are around that 5-20 pulse range it's more annoying on your eyes than it is helpful.

Do you mean for making high quality welds, pulse is NOT necessary?
Does it make any difference to have adjustable pulse frequency with a higher range for welding really thin material
like coke cans?!
Thank your for the advice.

[WeldBig]

You can do some high-quality work without Pulse... you can even pulse manually with the pedal if you want... having said that pulse is nice to have to be able to control heat input as well as agitate the puddle for certain situations... if you buy any of the better brands like ESAB, Miller, Lincoln, HTP all of their medium to higher-end models will have good pulse features.

Thanx

How do you pulse manually with the pedal? Wouldn't you basically bouncing the amps/intensity?

Unfortunately for me, those brands you mentioned above aren't readily available here in my neck of the woods.
There are used ones, but it's hard to repair them without readily available parts.

[Oscar]

are you sure you're not confusing AC Frequency with AC pulse frequency?

[WeldBig]

are you sure you're not confusing AC Frequency with AC pulse frequency?

I hope I am not. By AC frequency (50/60Hz here in Australia)are you referring to mains electricity frequency that we use to power up the machine from the wall socket(220V, 50/60Hz here in Australia)?

BY AC pulse frequency, I meant the pulse frequency adjustment that is used to tweak aluminium welding.

[Gamble]

Do you mean for making high quality welds, pulse is NOT necessary?
Does it make any difference to have adjustable pulse frequency with a higher range for welding really thin material
like coke cans?!
Thank your for the advice.

You do not NEED pulse for anything! I can do coke cans and make nice looking welds without pulse

[Sedanman]

AC frequency (50hz in Australia, 60hz in USA) input can be manipulated by an inverter welding machine to be much higher or lower on the output side. Frequency refers to how often the wave switches from electrode positive to electrode negative. PULSE is manipulation of the amperage.

[WeldBig]

AC frequency (50hz in Australia, 60hz in USA) input can be manipulated by an inverter welding machine to be much higher or lower on the output side. Frequency refers to how often the wave switches from electrode positive to electrode negative. PULSE is manipulation of the amperage.

Ok, cool thank you. They are two different things. AC frequency and pulse frequency(pulsing of the amperage).
I have a better understanding now.

If I'm to rephrase my original question,

Is AC frequency adjustable on all AC/DC TIG welders?
Is it beneficial to be able adjust the AC frequency?

What is more important to have? Adjustable AC frequency or adjustable pulse(pulsing of the amperage)?

[WeldBig]

are you sure you're not confusing AC Frequency with AC pulse frequency?

You're right, I was certainly confusing the two.

Is it necessary to have adjustable AC frequency output to do better TIG welding on aluminium?

Thanks

[WeldBig]

You do not NEED pulse for anything! I can do coke cans and make nice looking welds without pulse

How about if I rephrase the question this way..

Do I need to be able adjust AC frequency output, in order to perform good thin aluminium welds?

or

Does my above question make any sense?

Thanks

[Sedanman]

Short answer is no. Many people do amazing work with huge old non adjustable transformer welding machines. I personally need all the help l can get.

[C. Livingstone]

I think adjustable AC frequency is a critical feature for any newer AC TIG machine, especially as it relates to thinner aluminum projects.

To me, a Pulse feature seems insignificant by comparison. But, I'm not an AC TIG expert, and only upgraded from a DC TIG unit about a year ago and have only done four smaller aluminum projects. But I'm tremendously pleased with the results that I'm getting from an Everlast 210EXT using a higher AC frequency of between 150-220.

And if you're upgrading, I'll also recommend that you get a full-featured AC unit with Waveforms, which can also be helpful with thinner aluminum projects. The units with waveforms (Square, Sine, Triangle, etc) are digital and cost a little more, but are worth it. I like the Triangle waveform for thin stuff and edge welding.

[lugweld]

No, you don't need it. But it's like comparing a mechanic equipped with a nice tool box full of tools that ensures him having the right tool for the job to a mechanic equipped with a cardboard box full of slip joint pliers, and adjustable wrenches and a screwdriver with a flip around bit and maybe a crow bar or a hammer. Either mechanic can make a mess of the job or either can figure a way to do the job correctly, though one is likely to be more efficient at the job. What they have at their disposal has nothing directly to do with their knowledge or mechanical ability. To me, having these features are like having another tool in the tool box to do the job.

[Broccoli1]

Frequency:
https://www.millerwelds.com/resource.../tig-frequency

Pulsed Mig & Tig
https://www.millerwelds.com/resource...m-applications

[WeldBig]

Short answer is no. Many people do amazing work with huge old non adjustable transformer welding machines. I personally need all the help l can get.

Thanks. I am a noob to TIG welding. I've only managed to do couple of test runs with a scratch machine so far.
I probably need a bit more user friendly unit for a TIG starter.

[WeldBig]

Frequency:
https://www.millerwelds.com/resource.../tig-frequency

Pulsed Mig & Tig
https://www.millerwelds.com/resource...m-applications

Thanks for the links. Pretty informative and useful.

[WeldBig]

No, you don't need it. But it's like comparing a mechanic equipped with a nice tool box full of tools that ensures him having the right tool for the job to a mechanic equipped with a cardboard box full of slip joint pliers, and adjustable wrenches and a screwdriver with a flip around bit and maybe a crow bar or a hammer. Either mechanic can make a mess of the job or either can figure a way to do the job correctly, though one is likely to be more efficient at the job. What they have at their disposal has nothing directly to do with their knowledge or mechanical ability. To me, having these features are like having another tool in the tool box to do the job.

Yeah, I think it also comes down to the budget. I like to get all I can get for my budget, including a lengthy, hassle free warranty.
AC frequency adjustment capability is a good thing for me to have, if I understood it properly so far. And the pulse is probably not an immediate requirement if I interpreted the advice correctly, but if I can afford it, I should go for it!

[WeldBig]

I think adjustable AC frequency is a critical feature for any newer AC TIG machine, especially as it relates to thinner aluminum projects.

To me, a Pulse feature seems insignificant by comparison. But, I'm not an AC TIG expert, and only upgraded from a DC TIG unit about a year ago and have only done four smaller aluminum projects. But I'm tremendously pleased with the results that I'm getting from an Everlast 210EXT using a higher AC frequency of between 150-220.

And if you're upgrading, I'll also recommend that you get a full-featured AC unit with Waveforms, which can also be helpful with thinner aluminum projects. The units with waveforms (Square, Sine, Triangle, etc) are digital and cost a little more, but are worth it. I like the Triangle waveform for thin stuff and edge welding.

Yes, I would need a unit that will be able to weld thin aluminium like coke cans from the get go.
I realize it's not just the unit, but the acquired skill as well. The time and experience will offer me that.
I'm only upgrading from a cheap scratch DC unit to an AC/DC one, 'cos I wanna be able to weld aluminium alloys, particularly thinner ones. If I understood correctly, pulse is not an immediate requirement for that, but adjustable AC frequency can be.
And waveform choice(Square, Sine, Triangle, etc) is good to have for welding thin aluminium?

Thanx

[Oscar]

Haha, I knew it !

As mentioned, being able to adjust AC Frequency can be a huge plus. Especially when doing inside corner joints and other joints where you can't have the [otherwise] wide arc cone compromise a sharp edge near the weld bead. Pulsing whether on AC or DC can help on thin materials, but there are a multitude of ways that help with heat input as well.

Sounds like you need a Miller Dynasty 210dx with the Independent amplitude upgrade.

[Sedanman]

HTP221 is $2,000 cheaper and comes with amplitude adjustment standard.

[shovelon]

Some places just can't figure it out lol and the guys that can figure it out can go up higher.
The razorweld I sell will do 200hz pulse on AC without an issue.

advantage/disadvantage. Depends. I hardly ever use pulse, maybe 1% of the time and it's just to play around. I don't have a practical use for it, but other people love it.
When you are around that 5-20 pulse range it's more annoying on your eyes than it is helpful.

Gospel!!!!!!

[shovelon]

Yes, I would need a unit that will be able to weld thin aluminium like coke cans from the get go.
I realize it's not just the unit, but the acquired skill as well. The time and experience will offer me that.
I'm only upgrading from a cheap scratch DC unit to an AC/DC one, 'cos I wanna be able to weld aluminium alloys, particularly thinner ones. If I understood correctly, pulse is not an immediate requirement for that, but adjustable AC frequency can be.
And waveform choice(Square, Sine, Triangle, etc) is good to have for welding thin aluminium?

Thanx

If you are specifically referring to AC welding, high speed pulse would actually be a hindrance. The other features like balance, freq, and waveform options manipulate the arc in such a manner that makes high speed pulse ridiculous.

However I have on occasion engaged high speed pulse on alum when while doing very thick alum and a customer comes in to ask me to tack a small part. I kick in the high speed pulse to hobble the arc and do the job, then disengage pulse and continue welding my thick parts. High speed pulse on soda cans did not work for me, in fact unfocused the arc so much I could not continue.

[Gamble]

HTP221 is $2,000 cheaper and comes with amplitude adjustment standard.

He doesn't know the difference between ac pulse and ac frequency so I highly doubt he needs amplitude adjustment. Ask Oscar how many times he has used that feature lol