While on the subject can anyone explain what the electronics of a tig welder does ??? I couldn't without looking it up.

It converts the power to high frequency. That makes it easier to start and maintain an arc.

 

It converts the power to high frequency. That makes it easier to start and maintain an arc.

Still not clear on this .... a search shows voltage and current outputs are around 16V@150A or 26V@150A some TIGs are DC ... some are AC with some models having variable frequency settings from 20Hz to 250Hz . This could be used to drive a loud speaker I guess?

 

That makes it easier to start and maintain an arc.

That is just a byproduct of the circuitry, but is not necessary for TIG and only works at start up not during the welding it's self. Google, "scratch start TIG". TIG for many years didn't use high freq start, the machine I learned on didn't have it.

 

That is just a byproduct of the circuitry, but is not necessary for TIG and only works at start up not during the welding it's self. Google, "scratch start TIG". TIG for many years didn't use high freq start, the machine I learned on didn't have it.

True. I feel that the high frequency inverters were just a crutch for people who didn't want to take the time to properly learn how to start and maintain an arc. Before the HF inverters, beginners would complain about rod sticking because of their poor technique. Now, even poor technique can lay down a good bead.

 

You all have the patience of saints even to reply to such a daft question ...

I don't think its a daft question at all..

I have been looking for a MIG welder for the last 3 months... I have googled and Ebay'd and Amazon'd and the market is filled with cheap 130A systems that are as bad as they can get... The buying of these things is a nightmare.. I managed to track down a half decent 200A MIG for quite a good price, but I had to get a gasless / gas model as I haven't gas and need to start soon...

The shame of it is, I know where I can get a 250A TIG for £100 but I have never used TIG...

The one I plumped for is hand held so could theoretically be delivered anywhere... Anything under 180A isn't much use..

(Shortbus will probably correct me here as experience with welding, I have not!!)

 

Wow 180A how thick and what material are you welding? I use ARC for thicker material. TIG is used on super light gauge and stainless where I need heat control and needs to look good. One day I want an AC TIG for aluminum.

Most of them are very light based on inverters now. I would like a 250A 100% duty for $100 too let me know if you find one. Must have great torch, gas adjustments, HF start, AC and foot pedal. Can’t imagine what the components would cost.

A good torch alone will run you $100 easily.

I’m wanting to upgrade my MiG with better capacitors you should see he price on 50-100 F caps @50V.

 

I don't think its a daft question at all..

I have been looking for a MIG welder for the last 3 months... I have googled and Ebay'd and Amazon'd and the market is filled with cheap 130A systems that are as bad as they can get... The buying of these things is a nightmare.. I managed to track down a half decent 200A MIG for quite a good price, but I had to get a gasless / gas model as I haven't gas and need to start soon...

The shame of it is, I know where I can get a 250A TIG for £100 but I have never used TIG...

The one I plumped for is hand held so could theoretically be delivered anywhere... Anything under 180A isn't much use..

(Shortbus will probably correct me here as experience with welding, I have not!!)

Hi Ian, don't quite understand what you're saying here.

Flux core Mig is really just stick welding with a very fine diameter continuous welding rod. Like stick welding you need to remove the flux after welding. The big thing going for it is since the wire is a small diameter you can weld sheet metal(with the correct settings)

If you have ever gas welded(oxy/acet) you are on the way to being able to TIG. Same basic process just using an arc instead of a flame for the heat source.

Between TIG and MIG you need a tank of gas for the shield when using both. In my area the MIG gas is slightly cheaper, but both types of welding need the gas.

As far as machine amperage, you didn't say what you want to weld, the thickness of the metal. I weld every thing from thin 20Ga sheet metal to 1/2" and thicker with my 235 amp Mig. You just need to when welding thicker stuff bevel the joint and weld slower to fill the joint.

For an all round home use, repairing things a MIG is probably the way to go. But if your doing intricate small parts TIG would be my first choice. One thing I would caution is getting one of the ones that claim to do it all, stick, Mig and TIG in one machine. They from my experience don't do all of them good and are usually not very high quality.

Hope this is a help to you.

 

The Mig I'm used to is the Cebora Jaguar.. 0.8mm wire and a big gas bottle on the back..

The one I have bought is similar ( albeit 50A less current ) but I have to get a gas bottle.. I have purchased 0.8mm gasless wire.
It has the same welding nozzle.. and like I said, provision for a gas bottle..

 

While on the subject can anyone explain what the electronics of a tig welder does ??? I couldn't without looking it up.

Basically at the simplest explanation all welder take a mains voltage AC and drop down to DC at a lower voltage for the increased current. Technically you could just weld with a car battery...

There are 3 basic designs:

ARC (SMAW) - this is the simplest. The electrode is consumable filler metal with flux coating
MIG (GMAW) - this uses a wire that's fed out which delivers filler metal and can be run with FLUX in the core or gas shielding
TIG (GTAW)- The electrode is a non-consumable tungsten rod which needs a shielding gas.

There are many variations of these with different features like pulses, infinite current control, AC setting which can clean the metal during Aluminum welding... etc.

I have really oversimplified but it explains some basic concepts.

 

Hi Ian,
I use a company called sgsgasses for my argon. co2 mix for mig welding. You pay a deposit on the cylinder rather than renting it. I started using them about April 2018. From memory it cost me about me about £130 and just paid the money and came away with a full cylinder. They have lots of agents. I got mine from a auto factors in Burscough which is only a few miles from me. This is one that may be convenient for you.
ABS ,School Lane. Rochdale, Lancashire, OL16 1QR, 01706 522 522. This is their website http://autobatteryservice.co.uk
This is sgsgases website so you can look up the current prices and terms and conditions.

Les.

 

MOD NOTE: These posts were split from another thread that has been spam-banned.

 

We used t get half bottles from a local gas supplier £42 for 3 bottles a month and £38 each time we filled one..

As we used a lot of gas it worked out cheaper..

What I need to know is... If I use Gasless wire will it leave residue??? I thought that the gasless wire produced the argon gas required??

 

Hi Ian,
I have never used gasless wire. My understanding is that it is more like a very thin version of normal stick welding electrodes that leave a slag. It's probably better to wait for someone that has used it to respond. I don't think it could produce argon gas as argon is so inert that it would not form any compounds that would decompose to for argon gas and something else. I do not do a lot of welding so a cylinder of gas lasts me a few years.

Les.

 

What I need to know is... If I use Gasless wire will it leave residue???

Yes it will, not as bad as stick welding but does leave some. And if buying a Mig stop and think of this, A Mig that is made for gas is capable of using flux core, but one made for flux core only can't use gas. The gas need to have a solenoid valve and extra control for it. That is one reason the gas less only is less money. Personally I don't care for flux core but have used one .

 

Yes it will, not as bad as stick welding but does leave some. And if buying a Mig stop and think of this, A Mig that is made for gas is capable of using flux core, but one made for flux core only can't use gas. The gas need to have a solenoid valve and extra control for it. That is one reason the gas-less only is less money. Personally I don't care for flux core but have used one .

I learned on oxy-acetylene. Years later, I was building a small rigid frame (steel truss) metal building (50'x60' w/18' eaves). I had tried stick, but preferred TIG as being most similar to flame. Some of the welding was quite a ways off the ground and out-of-position (overhead). It was all outdoors and in Minnesota windy conditions. A real welder would probably go to stick, but for me, I rented a MIG and used flux core. It was a convenient solution and the welds have held for over 35 years. In my opinion, flux core gives a good weld easily for someone not good enough for stick. I think visibility of the weld is better, and that allows better control.

 

Yes it will, not as bad as stick welding but does leave some. And if buying a Mig stop and think of this, A Mig that is made for gas is capable of using flux core, but one made for flux core only can't use gas. The gas need to have a solenoid valve and extra control for it. That is one reason the gas less only is less money. Personally I don't care for flux core but have used one .

Yes! The one I bought has a gas valve at the rear... But it has the capability for MIG, MAG and MMA ( whatever they are )
Its only 19kg which makes it portable... The old Cebora was three phase this made it pretty static..

Once I get some wire.. £22 for flux core compared to £8 for normal.. I'll get some of the outstanding jobs done..

 

I don't think its a daft question at all..

What was daft was he asked where he could get a cheap TIG welder , but there was no indication of where he lives

People seem to assume everybody lives where they do.

I'm in Thailand , you seem to live in the UK , probably most here are in the US ..

It's not sensible to ship this item internationally due to it's weight and relative cheapness

 

What was daft was he asked where he could get a cheap TIG welder , but there was no indication of where he lives

People seem to assume everybody lives where they do.

I'm in Thailand , you seem to live in the UK , probably most here are in the US ..

It's not sensible to ship this item internationally due to it's weight and relative cheapness

I do appreciate that we here in the western world where product appears to be in abundance, but I know people in Pakistan and India and MIG / TIG welders are available throughout.. Maybe not the choice we enjoy, but they are available..

 

@shortbus

All going well!! For anyone wishing to get a Gas /Gas less MIG.. check first if you can change polarity!!

Mig and MMA normally use a positive electrode ( gun ) but flux core MIG requires a negative electrode.

The unit I purchased will not allow me to swap polarity ( leads far too short ), therefore with gas less I can only get to weld 2mm.. If you need to weld 5mm then it will not weld until the polarity is swapped over..

 

I can only get to weld 2mm.. If you need to weld 5mm then it will not weld until the polarity is swapped over..

Or you could still weld 5mm by doing more than one pass and beveling the joint more.