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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    queensland
    Posts
    59

    Default TIG (HF) Ross Industries Electric

    Looking at buying and old Tig to teach myself alloy welding up to 4mm. Found this one locally for $300 but can't find any info on it. The manufacturer in Cairns, QLD probably doesn't exist anymore. It's a HF TIG rated at 350A. With Tweko torch that has had knob & button. Has a jack for a foot pedal. Has anyone on here used one and would it be any good for diy ally work? I.e. making small fuel tanks ?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
    Location
    Gulfview Heights, Adelaide
    Posts
    83

    Default

    I have not heard of this welder. If you want to TIG weld aluminium you will need a welder with AC output.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    queensland
    Posts
    59

    Default

    Yes Paul, apparently this welder has only been used for Aluminium but a Google search doesn't bring up any info on them. I was hoping some of the older experienced guys on here might have seen one in use?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
    Posts
    6,446

    Default

    It sounds like one of the type of machines I encountered early on in my trade in the sixties.

    It will be a transformer type of AC output with a HF unit attached.

    What stands out is the 350 amp capacity because run at that potential amperage it demands a water cooled torch.

    That is substantial for a tig unit. Another question is what is the input amperage.Is it 3 phase powered? Some where just attached to an ordinary water tap set at just above trickle and out running into a drain.


    If it is a Tweco torch there should be no trouble with collets, collet bodies and ceramic nozzles for it.

    On the face of it, it sounds like that it should be a robust unit.

    Grahame

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    queensland
    Posts
    59

    Default

    Thanks Grahame, I don't think it is water cooled, I don't remember seeing any connections for water. I will attempt to post a Dropbox link with a couple of photos.
    https://www.dropbox.com/s/adgz352jwp...11832.jpg?dl=0
    https://www.dropbox.com/s/m7t24igjvd...0_HDR.jpg?dl=0

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
    Posts
    6,446

    Default

    The unit looks very similar to an EMF unit which was a big name at the time in the sixties.

    A few well-known manufacturers made them.

    The HF current was merely superimposed over the welder's output current. As mentioned the output voltage will need to be AC for aluminum, for your particular machine to be viable.

    If I recall correctly there were versions from Miller, Cigweld and possibly Lincoln. Most of them were as a separate box that sat on the top of the welder.

    I only mentioned the water cooling as I used to drive a 500 amp DC unit which was for hardfacing stellite to surface the tops of conic valve faces.

    The water supply went off while I was welding and the fuse in the water cooled line melted in moments. One would suppose though that if the welding currents were kept low as for aluminium there should not be a problem.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
    Location
    Gulfview Heights, Adelaide
    Posts
    83

    Default

    I have an old EMF stick welder with HF. It is very reliable and it has 3 phase input only.

    If this TIG welder is similar and working ok, then it will most likely continue to run for many years.
    The HF units can need adjustment or cleaning, the transformers are very robust.

    Good luck.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
    Posts
    6,446

    Default

    From the pictures, you posted the unit appears to be the attachment unit which would be mounted in some way, to a stick welding unit. Like the EMF and other HF stabilising units, it supplies the HF current but NOT the welding current.

    A welding machine needs to have an amperage adjustment on and I fail to see one and that is why I believe the unit to be a HF attachment only.
    Most of those old units had a set of points which required adjustment and cleaning from time to time. If so there may be a removable cover plate to access the points.

    That said, the unit HF should hook up to a transformer welder and produce a current ( overlayed upon the welder machines AC current) capable of welding aluminum.

    The question is are you willing to pursue all of the fettling needed to make up a usable Tig unit?

    Cheers
    Grahame

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    queensland
    Posts
    59

    Default

    Thanks Grahame for taking the time to analyse the photos. I was not aware that it was accessory which makes it less attractive as you indicated. I think I will keep looking. I only want a simple Tig that can do alloy as I have enough machines to do everything else. Just another toy to play with in retirement.

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