The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest New TIG Welder!

Was tinkering with the idea for a few months. I found a deal at Eastwood for a combo both (x2 seperate units) TIG an Plasma cutter for $1100 shipped. plus $300 for the aragon local.

So far I'm way happy with it!!! They are both 110 or 220 and come with cord adapters! no rewiring! The TIG comes with a foot controller as well as a torch trigger so there are several options. It's a really easy setup to get up and running and I tested 1/4" and it worked fantastic.

So far for the money it's exceeded my expectations!!!

-Jerry

here's a link

http://www.eastwood.com/ew-tig200-versa-cut-kit.html

Looks good. When you have a few projects under your belt, report back on how the machines are holding up! BTW, does the plasma give a spec on the max thickness it will cut?

If you've never had a plasma before, it is amazing what they can do once you jig them up properly. With the Miller's I have, it is exactly 1/2" from the outside of the torch to the cut edge. So, to make my motor mounts, I cut a 3/4" piece of plywood the shape I wanted and exactly 1/2" smaller overall than the final size of the steel I was making. The plywood burned and cooked, but lasted long enough to make the four plates I needed. All exactly the same. http://www.bunchobikes.com/1952suburban37.jpg

Congrats on the new set-up I have a Hobart Tig I bought a few years ago and did all my panel replacements with it. It makes those jobs nice as you can avoid much of the grinding and control the heat you put into panels easily.

Update!
TIG- so far so good, having burned a LOT of wire with it at 110v Don't have 220 in the garage... Took some getting use to, but it burns a fantastic weld!!! I'm really happy about the ease of adjustments. 220 to 110 Uses an adapter plug!!! no rewiring!!! Push button for swapping polarity! normal tig head, so it's easy to get parts and consumables!

Plasma on the other hand... It's great for the thinner stuff running on 110v, but if I get froggy with it, it'll throw the breaker. Should really work well at 220v.

Overall I have no issues with either. Also put my Mig on the bottle so I jump back and fourth with a ton of options!

One of the best tools I bought in a few years!!!

If you are new to tig welding, wear a long sleeved shirt that blocks UV rays, tight knit cotton minimum. Since you don't have splatter like with stick or MIG welding and its hot out, you think you can get away without the long sleeves. I am in misery right now from welding a bumper in a mostly polyester t-shirt. The inside of my arms have the classic sunburn which I have endured just fine in the past. But the bummer is the severe sunburn on my pasty white chest and nutritionally well endowed belly. Yes, the UV rays went through the t-shirt as though I was buck naked. The discomfort is worse than sunburn. BTW polyester is a horrible choice for welding attire. Nothing worse that liquid hot plastic magma mercilessly stuck to your skin.

I have been wearing leathers when I do any kind of welding for the last 30 years or so, no matter how hot it is. I am going on 70 an I no longer feel invincible. Tight fitting long sleeve denim shirts aren't bad for wire welding, but leather is much better for anything you turn up the heat on.

[quote=52Carl]If you are new to tig welding, wear a long sleeved shirt that blocks UV rays, tight knit cotton minimum. Since you don't have splatter like with stick or MIG welding and its hot out, you think you can get away without the long sleeves. I am in misery right now from welding a bumper in a mostly polyester t-shirt. The inside of my arms have the classic sunburn which I have endured just fine in the past. But the bummer is the severe sunburn on my pasty white chest and nutritionally well endowed belly. Yes, the UV rays went through the t-shirt as though I

I LOVE THE nutritionally well endowed belly, I also am the possessor of a beer enhanced stomach.