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Thread: Tig Welding Questions
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4th Aug 2016, 07:06 PM #1Member
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- Feb 2012
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Tig Welding Questions
G'day guys,
For the past couple of years i have had a scratch tig setup and it has done the job well enough. Recently i have been using a tig with HF and it is so much easier.
I have decided i am going to sell my scratch tig and get a welder with HF. My question retains to foot pedals, are they nessersary?can i get away with just the hand torch switch. I am only welding mild steel and some stainless.
Also, any recomendations on a good Tig Brand?
And if anyone is interested in owning your welding cylinder, talk to Simon @ gascom15 on ebay. Great to deal with.
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4th Aug 2016, 10:38 PM #2Intermediate Member
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- Oct 2008
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- Mole Creek
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A few weeks ago I bought a CIGWELD 200 amp AC/DC inverter pulse TIG from Blackwood's (of all places, the last I'd expect get such a bargain) for $1539. Normally a $2k machine.
It comes with a thumbwheel on a flex head torch, but is capable of having a foot pedal connected. I stretched the budget to get the machine, couldn't afford the foot pedal too, but the thumbwheel seems good as an interim measure. I'll buy the foot pedal later, once the machine has paid for itself.
My point is that compared to the 20 year old, bulky, 300 amp Kemppi transformer machine that I learned on, this thing is a dream to use! The Kemppi had HF start, but a heavy, rigid torch and the ramp up/down functions were failing. The new machine is much more reliable and predictable.
I guess it depends on what kind of welding you're doing, too. A foot pedal would be nice while working at the bench, but I think the thumbwheel would be ten times better if you are lying on your back repairing a car's firewall doing overhead welding.
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5th Aug 2016, 10:13 AM #3Golden Member
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I only really use the foot pedal. I did set up a momentary switch but you'd better either have an assistant or dial your amps in pretty damn well without a pedal. Or be able to use a thumbwheel without moving your hand. The tig welding I do I normally try to keep my arc length pretty short and consistent. And I like to hold right up at the head, not the handle. So a pedal overwhelmingly gets my vote, even having to deal with constantly moving it around. Yep, for upside down work finger control is the go. Or even better an assistant.
Good tig brand - Miller? Fair bit of missing information in your question, e.g. do you want to spend $10k or $1k. I use CK Worldwide torches and consumables. Pretty hard to go wrong with their stuff.
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5th Aug 2016, 03:41 PM #4Senior Member
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- Jun 2012
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- melbourne
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I used the pedal all the time to begin with but now i just use the torch with on off switch. I much prefer it that way now, but you may prefer a pedal.
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5th Aug 2016, 07:16 PM #5Intermediate Member
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If you intend to do any significant amount of aluminium welding then a pedal would definitely be worthwhile. That way you can dial back the current on the fly without having to change your grip, rather than having to race to the finish line or risk the job ending up in a puddle on the floor.
I don't really use the thumbwheel much for adjusting current on the fly, more just to save getting up and going over to the welder to adjust the settings if I'm welding different thicknesses, or when the heat starts to build up too much.
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15th Oct 2016, 10:43 PM #6Golden Member
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- Feb 2010
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- Ballina, NSW
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A foot pedal is way better than a torch switch in my opinion. Sure a foot pedal is less convenient, but not that much so. The control it gives you for a very easy learning curve is well worth it. A torch control is way harder to master in my opinion.
If you've seen any of my previous threads you would probably work out that I'm more than happy with my tokentools machines.
Cheers
- Mick
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16th Oct 2016, 06:17 PM #7Member
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- Feb 2012
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- Sydney
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I bit the bullet, i've ordered an everlast tig with the footpedal aswell.
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17th Oct 2016, 09:29 AM #8Diamond Member
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- Jun 2010
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- Canberra
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Which Everlast? I've looked at their machines a few times, but the 200A AC machines always seem to be out of stock.
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17th Oct 2016, 08:10 PM #9Member
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The 185amp acdc tig, ive talked to Bob at Everlast and the shipment should be in by the end of the month, he is able to reserve themfor you if you send him an email.
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26th Oct 2016, 10:26 AM #10Most Valued Member
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I just read the Everlast warranty document.
IMO one really only gets 1yr warranty as all freight etc etc after yr 1 is borne by the customer and reliant on USA sending parts.
IF they want to offer a five Yr warranty,,THEN GIVE IT!!!
then they only give depreciated money back if it cant be repaired after first yr?...
(buy a car with no parts after 5yrs, and you'll be cranky to say the least)
that is not a warranty IMO.
When I worked for an OEM who made AC units and my suppliers (now that I am in business) gave & give 5yr warranty...a no BS 5yr warranty. Everything was/is replaced/repaired at no cost or new unit fitted at no cost in the unlikely event of parts unobtainable.
even my reloading press has a life time NO BS warranty...and they have proven it...no freight or costs from USA whatsoever...now thats a warranty at 9yrs old
Everlast prices look good until you understand their warranty policy....IMO
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