TIG Welders

fastpat · 12-03-2006, 05:47 AM

I'm looking and learning about T.I.G. welding machines. I see that Lincoln and Miller seem to be the two companies that are at the top of the game.

Keep in mind that this is for some projects around the farm, meaning that I don't want to spend more than $3000.00 at the far upper limit, and would like to spend considerably less than that. I do want to be able to wheel the unit around on a smallish cart, no bigger than the average pressure washer.

Any comments would be helpful.

Flatbutt1 · 12-03-2006, 05:50 AM

Pat ol' buddy I can't imagine you owning anything with the name Lincoln on it!

Joeaksa · 12-03-2006, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Flatbutt1
Pat ol' buddy I can't imagine you owning anything with the name Lincoln on it!

Several of us owe you a beer for that one!

Slopat, how about you buy a Russian or Chinese made welder? Much better you know!

Seahawk · 12-03-2006, 06:22 AM

Pat,

I went with a Thermal Arc Fabricator 131, MIG.
This unit handles virtually every welding job on my farm, save heavy frame work on my tractors, which I prefer to job out.
I love the flexibility of the unit and its ease of use. It runs well off of my portable generator so I can take it anywhere on the farm, which has come in handy.
I also took a welding class which was invaluable.
Good luck on your search for a TIG...the Lincoln comment WAS funny, btw!

fastpat · 12-03-2006, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Seahawk
Pat,

I went with a Thermal Arc Fabricator 131, MIG.
This unit handles virtually every welding job on my farm, save heavy frame work on my tractors, which I prefer to job out.
I love the flexibility of the unit and its ease of use. It runs well off of my portable generator so I can take it anywhere on the farm, which has come in handy.
I also took a welding class which was invaluable.
Good luck on your search for a TIG...the Lincoln comment WAS funny, btw!

M.I.G. isn't approved for aircraft tubing fabrication, for several reasons I've read. Weld penetration can't be assured with MIG is one of them. A T.I.G. welder can be used to MIG weld with cheap additional equipment, but not the other way around unfortunately.

fastpat · 06:52 AM

This one looks pretty nice, but it's a budget buster.

Seahawk · 12-03-2006, 06:56 AM

I didn't know you had aircraft tube welding in mind...my MF's never leave the sod.

My son and I plan to build an RV-8 when he turns 16. I already have the permit for the landing strip. We'll attend the Vans empennage-building class for his 16th birthday.

Good luck with your aviation plans. No kidding...

fastpat · 12-03-2006, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Seahawk
I didn't know you had aircraft tube welding in mind...my MF's never leave the sod.

My son and I plan to build an RV-8 when he turns 16. I already have the permit for the landing strip. We'll attend the Vans empennage-building class for his 16th birthday.

Good luck with your aviation plans. No kidding...

All of Van's designs are pretty nice, and improving every year. For a fast cross country machine, they're hard to beat, and there's probably more of them flying than any other series out there.

Did you look at the Falco, by any chance?

As for my building, I'm in the information gathering stage until my garage gets built. Not about the airplanes per se, but the equipment needed to build. I have most if not all of the hand tools and things like bench grinders, and a drill press; but not some the stuff, welders for instance. Of course, I could just stick with gas welding, it's less than $1000.00 for it all. TIG is much nicer, and you can weld stainless with it.

5axis · 12-03-2006, 12:35 PM

These little units can do some very nice work.

http://store.cyberweld.com/milec230vol.html

dad911 · 12-03-2006, 01:44 PM

Beware buying at discount places online. Contact Miller/Lincoln and be sure that the seller is 'authorized' to sell their equipment. I bought an Econotig online (apparently from a reseller), and needed service. Miller gave me a hard time until I drove to their offices (fortunately in NJ) and had a face-to-face with them.

Seahawk · 12-03-2006, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fastpat
Did you look at the Falco, by any chance?

I have looked, I think, at everything. What I love to fly is along the lines of the RV-8: tandem, low wing and a stick.

See you at the merge.

fastpat · 12-03-2006, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Seahawk
I have looked, I think, at everything. What I love to fly is along the lines of the RV-8: tandem, low wing and a stick.

See you at the merge.

I've forgotten, are the tandem RV's flown from the front seat solo, or back seat?

Right now, with plenty of time to change my mind, I'm leaning towards a one holer Acro Sport. Straight wing, takes anything from 85-180 horsepower, not too slow, not too fast, aerobatic to the intermediate level (I'm not an aerobatic enthusiast at all). Old style constructiion, but not too difficult.

Welding is just about the only thing I've not done in the list of required skills.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 12-03-2006, 02:05 PM

I've only got a Miller 135 MIG, but I can tell you that Miller makes an excellent product. For my purposes, see below, I don't think I'd ever need anything more. Wish I had the time to learn TIG though, just for the artform.

don't buy online or at a discount place. buy from a local shop.

Someday this project speedster will be a nice car again.