jayzedkay
New Member
- Messages
- 1
Hello to all forum members. I have been a voyer on here on and off for some time. I have sip150 which i bought over twenty years ago. it's never let me down, though only got light use over those years comparitively. It could do with a new liner now though 
and probably a torch too.
stuff i've done has ranged from vehicle repair/renovation/modification, furniture making, wrought iron work and just odd jobs around the home that a welder has come in handy for. Its been worth its weight in gold to me. I'm completely self taught and likely my welding is poor compared to a pro, but it's sufficed me for over a quarter of a century and it's 'good enough' for what i've done.
Come the summer i want to invest in a TIG machine. My reasons for this are to have more flexability and control and more user freindly with fabrication and repair projects in stainless and aluminium for example. Which i think a mig can't give so easily? It would get little use compared to a pro/shop welder. But be there when i needed it.
I'm attracted to the multi-process/function machines like the RTEC or the ThermalArc ones as it will give three processes in a small package. Those machines are half the size of my present old sip and space in my home garage/workshop is a premium.
only thing that puts me off them is that they are DC only. I understand for efficient aluminium welding with TIG you need an AC machine? This LIFT business as opposed to Hz doesn't concern me as I don' think it'll matter to me and my welding spectrum?
Maybe i'd be better off with a straight TIG like the TEC-ARC 216 or the RTEC AC/DC 200 and give my old sip some tlc?
I basically want to retain MIG for my vehicular needs and ease of use and TIG for more Fabrication and repair work with trickier metals; aluminium, cast iron for example.
I'd like to hear folks opinions, experiences with their machines and factors i haven't considered when choosing a descent machine, albeit for light enthusiastic ameteur use.
Thanks in advance, j.
and probably a torch too.stuff i've done has ranged from vehicle repair/renovation/modification, furniture making, wrought iron work and just odd jobs around the home that a welder has come in handy for. Its been worth its weight in gold to me. I'm completely self taught and likely my welding is poor compared to a pro, but it's sufficed me for over a quarter of a century and it's 'good enough' for what i've done.
Come the summer i want to invest in a TIG machine. My reasons for this are to have more flexability and control and more user freindly with fabrication and repair projects in stainless and aluminium for example. Which i think a mig can't give so easily? It would get little use compared to a pro/shop welder. But be there when i needed it.
I'm attracted to the multi-process/function machines like the RTEC or the ThermalArc ones as it will give three processes in a small package. Those machines are half the size of my present old sip and space in my home garage/workshop is a premium.
only thing that puts me off them is that they are DC only. I understand for efficient aluminium welding with TIG you need an AC machine? This LIFT business as opposed to Hz doesn't concern me as I don' think it'll matter to me and my welding spectrum?
Maybe i'd be better off with a straight TIG like the TEC-ARC 216 or the RTEC AC/DC 200 and give my old sip some tlc?
I basically want to retain MIG for my vehicular needs and ease of use and TIG for more Fabrication and repair work with trickier metals; aluminium, cast iron for example.
I'd like to hear folks opinions, experiences with their machines and factors i haven't considered when choosing a descent machine, albeit for light enthusiastic ameteur use.
Thanks in advance, j.
