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  •  » TIG

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    4/11/2020 5:48 PM  #1

    RV6
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    From: Pine Junction, CO
    Registered: 3/01/2016
    Posts: 1,250

    TIG

    Me wants to learn how to tig weld. What would be a good box for the DIYer?

    Gary Zilik - Pine Junction, Colorado - 67 Coupe, 289-4V, T5
     

    4/11/2020 5:57 PM  #2

    Bullet Bob
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    From: Montrose, Colorado
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 4,888

    Re: TIG

    If you have ever done any gas welding, Gary....you already know how to TIG.  I may know where there is a used Miller but you may not like the $$$.  I'll check.  Good ones ain't cheap but like Rudi says, Cheap work ain't good.

    "you get what you pay for, good work isn't cheap, and there are NO free lunches...PERIOD!"
     

    4/11/2020 6:09 PM  #3

    josh-kebob
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    From: Madison, AL
    Registered: 4/06/2013
    Posts: 2,902

    Re: TIG

    I'd like to learn as well. Thought about taking a votec course. Or teach myself...

     

    4/11/2020 6:16 PM  #4

    RV6
    Senior 24-7 FYI Addict

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    From: Pine Junction, CO
    Registered: 3/01/2016
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    Re: TIG

    Bullet Bob wrote:

    If you have ever done any gas welding, Gary....you already know how to TIG.  I may know where there is a used Miller but you may not like the $$$.  I'll check.  Good ones ain't cheap but like Rudi says, Cheap work ain't good.

    A used Miller, I be interested.

    Gary Zilik - Pine Junction, Colorado - 67 Coupe, 289-4V, T5
       •Thread Starter
     

    4/11/2020 6:43 PM  #5

    6sally6
    Hyper FYIFORD ADDICT

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    From: Surfside Beach,SC
    Registered: 4/02/2013
    Posts: 6,866

    Re: TIG

    Prolly the MOST expensive welding of all uv'um.......butt sure makes a guy look like a REAL welder.
    Pretty work and no sparks.  Not really good for heavy work(thick stuff) butt........how much 'thick stuff' is one a Mustang?!!
    Get one and you'll have ALL KINDS of new friends and neighbors!  Can't make an ugly weld!........IF its lumpy just go back over it with OUT adding wire.  I call it "buzzing-the-bead"!
    6sal6

    Get busy Liv'in or get busy Die'n....Host of the 2020 Bash at the Beach/The only Bash that got cancelled  )8
     

    4/11/2020 10:12 PM  #6

    rpm
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    From: Bakersfield, Ca
    Registered: 9/17/2013
    Posts: 3,668

    Re: TIG

    I'd think in today's economy you'd see more used stuff up for sale. The only luck I had getting  a used tig is when one was offered to me. I never had luck looking for a used one.

    I'm a Miller guy, but folks online seem to have good results with all the others available. I'm on my 3rd tig, a Miller Diversion 185 inverter machine. It's the simplest I've had, with the fewest options, but I really like it. It has an air cooled torch, and 185 amps, both of which are fine for what we do.

    When/if you find a used unit, search the web on it for reviews and parts availability. I've noticed a lot of 3 phase 220v units on the market for cheap, keep an eye out and avoid them.

    I wouldn't buy a DC only tig, but they cost less. Many good welds have been made with scratch start, but I've only used a remote foot pedal.

    Jody on Welding Tips and Tricks has a ton of good info on you tube. I took a tig class at the local JC back in the mid 80's. If I can learn to tig aluminum, anyone can.

    Bob. 69 Mach 1, 393W, SMOD Toploader, Armstrong  steering, factory AC.
     

    4/11/2020 10:21 PM  #7

    Bullet Bob
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    From: Montrose, Colorado
    Registered: 4/01/2013
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    Re: TIG

    RV6 wrote:

    Bullet Bob wrote:

    If you have ever done any gas welding, Gary....you already know how to TIG.  I may know where there is a used Miller but you may not like the $$$.  I'll check.  Good ones ain't cheap but like Rudi says, Cheap work ain't good.

    A used Miller, I be interested.

    My Camaro buddy...yeah, yeah, I know...has a very nice Miller that he uses for a lot of SS and aluminum work.  One day it quit on him and he needed a machine so he just ordered up a new one.  In the meantime he figured out the old one and returned the new one.  I had my wires crossed and thought he had kept both and had offered me the old one.  Wrong.  He had offered me the new one before he sent it back. 

    Sorry Gary.
    BB1

    "you get what you pay for, good work isn't cheap, and there are NO free lunches...PERIOD!"
     

    4/11/2020 11:23 PM  #8

    Steve-G
    I FYI 24-7

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    From: Glen Rose,TX
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 544

    Re: TIG

    I have an extra Miller. I think it's a 185, but will need to verify. I have used it and know it works.

     

    4/12/2020 3:34 PM  #9

    TKOPerformance
    Hyper FYIFORD ADDICT

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    From: Newark, DE
    Registered: 12/15/2014
    Posts: 7,511

    Re: TIG

    One of these days I'll get around to learning to TIG.  I have a Miller inverter box that will run a TIG as well as the stick welding I use it for.  No idea what it cost, I got it for free because it didn't work.  The cord was connected wrong.  I'm not sure what kind of welds it would make with a TIG setup, but as an arc welder it works beautifully.  I've welded some thick cast aluminum with it in arc mode with great results.

    My advice would be find a good used unit like that.  Its not going to be available right now, because you want it right now.  That's Murphy's Law clause 2.  Just keep your eye out and when one pops up pounce on it. 

     

    4/12/2020 3:51 PM  #10

    RV6
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    From: Pine Junction, CO
    Registered: 3/01/2016
    Posts: 1,250

    Re: TIG

    I am a Miller fan. My MIG is Miller so my TIG should be Miller. The 180 Miller Diversion currently offered looks to be a good fit for me. Nothing fancy needed as it basically is just a toy. 

    The difference between men and boys is the price of their toys.

    Gary Zilik - Pine Junction, Colorado - 67 Coupe, 289-4V, T5
       •Thread Starter
     

    4/12/2020 4:06 PM  #11

    rpm
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    From: Bakersfield, Ca
    Registered: 9/17/2013
    Posts: 3,668

    Re: TIG

    Good choice Gary, mine is a 180 also, not a 185. For the home shop guys like us, it fits the bill. Fewer choices means less chance of making a mistake.

    While I would sometimes like to have a water cooled torch, which is smaller, a removable torch, or pulse feature, none of those have kept me from performing the weld needed.

    Last edited by Bearing Bob (4/12/2020 4:08 PM)

    Bob. 69 Mach 1, 393W, SMOD Toploader, Armstrong  steering, factory AC.
     

     

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