Two links showing how to make a TIG Welder using an alternator and a 5hp motor. Very interesting. The first link is the original (LONG) thread at a Mustang Forum. The other is from a Bronco site where the author stole the pics (much quicker): http://www.turbomustangs.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=8872&perpage=20&pagenumber=1 http://classicbroncos.com/homemade-welder.shtml Todd
You can do the same thing with a $100 arc welder. Harborfreight sells a tig kit that give you the lead and hoses. [cheap] Then all you gotta do is make it adjustable like they do in that mod. Its all a tig really is. A modded arc.
James- I just searched thru Harbor Freights web site and found nothing, so I called up to my local HF store and talked to the manager [who is a friend of mine], and he had no idea of what I was talking about... Help me out here, I'v got an old arc welder taking up space in the shed, and would love to get some use out of it. Exactly what "kit" from HF do I need??????
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=91811 Is this what you are talking about? Although $300 seems cheap for a complete TIG setup, just add tank!
Look like maybe they stopped carrying it. here is the info though. But it was just a tig torch lead that hook to any arc welder. Even a mig I assume. But you would need to make a power flow control pedal. They probably never sold enough and stopped. But someone has to have them. Not like they threw them in the trash. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=45966 All-in-one torch comes with ceramic tip and electrode holder. Works with most "inverter" type welders. 90 amp rated 6 ft. cable and DINSE 25 connector 6 ft. hose with standard argon gas fitting ITEM 45966-3VGA $29.99
If any of you have noticed but there are about a dozen cheap stuff catalogs like HF who all sell the same items. I get a few of them but not all have a URL. I will take a look but maybe check some out that you know of too. notherntool URL? cummingstools http://www.cumminstools.com/ teksupply URL ?
Harbour Freight sounds like a store we have here in Ontario called "Princess Auto". Tons of bargoon tools, surplus and neat stuff. It's the only place I have been where guys are pushing shopping carts around! http://www.princessauto.com Todd
FYI, Any Arc welder can be converted into a TIG welder by adding a high frequency box. They used to be very popular before real TIG welders became affordable. You can find these boxes on eBay quite often (they normally sell for a couple of hundred dollars used). Miller still makes one but it is expensive. They have a real drawback - they don't have the circuitry required to attach a foot pedal (foot pedals are low voltage. You don't want the full welding current running through them). Without the foot pedal you'll never be able to lay down any decent beads. The pedal is a must. Most of the cheap inverter welder's are AC-only meaning you can't weld aluminium. Also, the cheap inverter welder's do not have provision for a foot pedal as well. If you know soemone with a TIG welder, ask them to let you try it both with and without the pedal. Without the pedal is nearly impossible to produce a good, uniform weld even with a lot of experience. If you are serious in purchasing a TIG welder on a budget, the best bet is to look for a used one. If space is no object you can find the older (meaning big) TIG welders for under $400. If space is an issue I have seen the Lincoln TIG175 (has been replaced by the TIG185) sell for as little as $800 on the used market. Just my two cents woth Brian
Alan, You made me look also. Looks like Miller has a good unit there. I like my Miller MIG welder so this could be our next option. How much money you got? :laugh:
>Originally Posted by alan >You made me look! OK, I guess it's obvious that welding fumes cause brain damage. ou: Brian
On sale for $219 in the catalog I got today. 220 but both arc and tig with both sets of leads. no pedal control, just the usualy knob like a arc has. 220 VOLT, 130 TIG/90 ARC WELDER INVERTER Designed for TIG and Arc welding applications. Includes TIG torch, ARC torch, ARC welding electrode holder, grounding clamp, gas hose, shoulder strap and carrying handle. Overheat LED light Adjustable control knob Input voltage: 220 volt , 18 amps, single phase, DC output amperage: 130 (TIG), 90 (ARC), Rated duty cycle: 35% @ 130 amps, 6 ft. 2 in. TIG torch, 9 ft. 1 in. ARC torch, Overall dimensions: 14-3/4" L x 5-1/8" W x 6-7/8" H; Weight: 17 lbs. ITEM 91811-3VGA
