TIG welders
 

I need some advice. I'm looking to buy my first TIG welder. I need some recomendations. Also, what's the difference between DC and AC outputs (i know the difference between direct and alternating current) but how does it relate to welding? Any input here will be helpful.

Joel

AC allows you to weld aluminum.

How much are you looking to spend? Miller has the Diversion TIG which is targeted to home shops. It uses the default settings of their higher cost welder.

Don

Thanks Don, that Diversion TIG looks like its right up my alley. Now if uncle sam stops holding on to my refund, i'd be good to go.

I own a Miller Dynasty DX... and love it. It's expensive but still very affordable -- and like most "machines" you buy - if you don't buy one that will do everything you're going to want to do "in the future" you usually end up kicking yourself. Some days I wish I'd have bought one capable of doing thicker aluminum... The SS and sheet metal is never a problem - but aluminum can use some serious amperage if you get into the 1/4" and above.

Remember too -- these TIG machines are INVERTER machines -- DO NOT BALL THE END OF THE TUNGSTEN when welding aluminum.... that is "old skool"... sharpen the tungsten to a point - square off the end just a touch - and weld away... I'm using 2% Ceriated or Thoriated on all my stuff - now I don't even switch "type" when going from SS to Alum... I do use a fresh tungsten - but I no longer use the pure (green end) to do aluminum.

Just my 2 cents (sense? LOL) worth

That's actually very interesting to me. I took a welding course a little over a year ago, and we used nothing but the Miller Dynasty 350 DX's for TIG and SMAW, but whenever we did aluminum welding from .020 and up (thickest I ever welded on was 0.3125), we always used the Green rods and always balled the ends up on them. Most everything else was done with the red 2% thoriated rods ground as sharp as you could get them, paying special attention the striations made by the grinding stone.

I guess it's a different strokes for different folks type of deal.

Vent --- For whatever reason - the Inverter style / type TIG machines like the pointed tungsten... BUT as you know - everyone has a different style and welds the way that works the best for them - and that they're comfortable with. I say - whatever works and get's 'er done - is the best way.

Some guys like the pulse feature - others the foot control over the hand control - I watched one guy modulate the foot control as he added material and his beads were perfectly stacked... I came home and experimented with that and it actually works pretty well...

Best,
Greg