[quote author=PumpDaddy link=board=10;threadid=23407;start=0#msg220431 date=1070932091]
...cut... I have heard stories of a guy doing a demo on a tig and ripped a aluminum can in have, then put it back together with the tig.[/quote] I've heard of the same demo being done with a specialized oxy/acet torch called a Dillon or Henrob.

From what I've read, that's not a good idea nowadays as they're generally of very poor quality & welds will neither look good or be very strong.

Perhaps another alternative to MIG or TIG would be an oxy/acet setup with a Dillon/Henrob torch. Will do very thin on up to ~1/2". I think it'd be more versatile than either MIG or TIG. Cut (very cleanly & very narrow kerf), weld & braze.

Good luck.

 

to me this would be the ultimate home shop machine...http://www.mylincolnelectric.com/Cat...eet.asp?p=5366

 

Norm, that looks good, but the price!!!!!!!!!!!
I have never used TIG but am quite good at using oxy-acet if that helps with the TIG. With the oxy-acet I can do aircraft quality welds on steel in any position. Not sure any more, but at one time was fairly good at welding aluminum with the oxy-acety as well.. Now that is tricky! Also can do cast iron with the cast iron rods. Brazing on cast iron is simple but not as strong.
I do not anticipate using whatever I end up with on aluminum. (Aluminium where I was born) It will be for mild steel only. I want a machine that I can use anywhere, indoors and outdoors wind permitting, transport easily and be fairly cheap to purchase. Must be single phase. Gas welding on sheet metal is OK, but too slow and gas is fairly expensive down here. Have a set of the mini tanks for easy tranportation.
The used machine sounds like a great way to go. Now, I just need to find a source. Then find a way to get it to where I can pick it up near the border.
Still looking whenever I get time.

 

Mexstan
I just read in a trade journal about some fab shops on the west coast california that had some used equip that they were selling try doing a search on williams and lipton or (lippton) don't know how to spell it , These guys are machinery liquidators and I think they are prolly on the net. Reading your last post if you know how to run alluminum gas welds you will have no trouble with Tig. It's all about a steady hand consistant distance and amp regulation with the pedal. as with mig you will need argon or similar gas sheild so as mentioned wind is a factor. I used to weld titanium valve spring retainers and all sorts of small parts. Also as mentioned keep you long sleeves on a little brush while welding alum. in the A/C mode will give ya a little wake up call (never used to give the noobies a heads up on that one :-X) (sick mind )

 

Mexstan, you said "be easy to transport" I will "assume" you'll be doing welding not only at home, but out in the hills, have you thought about a gas powered welder, it would also double as a generator, and you can get mig systems to use on them. If wind is a problem, maybe stay with a stick welder, because with a mig or tig, you'll need easy access to a gas supplier, either without the gas, makes for ONE UGLY weld and alot of 4 letter words when you run out and don't have another bottle. If you find a welder UP here you want to buy, buy it and ask if they can ship to our shop, I can have the company(Expiditors International) that brings in all of our shipments, and exports some, to ship this "christmas" package to "my brother". I don't know how the Mexican Gov. would rip you on import duties, maybe not at all if we have our ducks in a row. If you want too, call Tim @ Holox of Birmingham @ 205-322-9990, ask him to look and see which welders that Terry @ Liquid Ring Service & Repair has purchased and then tell him what you are looking for, he's a good guy and will bend over backwards to help you. Our wire gun holds the 30lb rolls, which I thick is more than you would use. p.s. If you call Tim, tell him Kathy said you should get HER senior citizen discount , as I said in another post, I'll get the welder #'s and get back with you, sorry for not doing it today.

 

eieio, thanks for the info. Will check it out when I have a little more time. Will be out of town all day tomorrow (up in the hills) and Thursday will be busy.
PumpDaddy, thanks for the offer. May yet take you up on it. I have a 5000 watt generator so that is why I never considered a gas powered welder. Also, they tend to be more expensive from what I have seen. Actually, would prefer it if it was gas (or pricey diesel) powered.
For price purposes I would prefer just a simple stick machine, but then how do I weld thin sheet metal?

 

[quote author=Mexstan link=board=10;threadid=23407;start=15#msg221085
For price purposes I would prefer just a simple stick machine, but then how do I weld thin sheet metal?
get ur self a mig machine that uses flux cored wire and can also use mig gas. make sure it comes from the factory that way...

Dan

 

Mexstan, The miller is a syncrowave 185, is says C-ac/dc with a rated duty cycle of 40%. The Hobart is a beta-mig 2510, duty cycle of 60%, both are 220V/single phase. I will check on a gas welder in the morning.

 

Mexstan, I got a fax from the welding shop today about the gas welders, they also come with a diesel engine, but on the money, $4200.00. I had scanned it but this site will only let you unload a 200k file, scan was 275k, I'll redo and see how low I can get it and still be readable. He told me that the miller 250 welder was 10K gen also

 

Finally got some time to sit down and go thru all the answers.
Thanks guys for all the answers and info. Now I have to do some thinking, searching and then make a final decision.
I had heard about the Dillon/Henrob torch but never seen one. Had a look at their web site and it sure sounds like a practical alternative. What to do? What to do? Which way do I jump? During the week will do some more digging on the internet for used mig/tig equipment and then make up my mind.
Any further advice, suggestions sure will be appreciated.

 

Have been doing some more digging to see what is best for my situation. My requirements are not dedicted so it is necessary to compromise and get something that will do everything well. A tall order. Need to be able to weld very, very fine stuff and then go out and weld some building structure. Speed is nice but not essential. The more I look at the Dillon/Henrob torch the more I like it. Anybody on site actually used it? Any comments about it? I can get a kit for around $400. I know I can get an arc welder for that and less, but it can't do very thin sheet metal very well. A tig or mig will apparantly cost me a lot more.
As I have an oxy/acty setup already I have the tanks and regulators. I am debating on selling everything except my tanks and then going for the Henrob with a new set of regulators. A new Henrob kit with new regulators and pipe is $600. With the Henrob I can weld and cut almost anything except titanium. Any comments or suggestions? What are the pros and cons if I do this?

 

i like the henrob but no matter how u slice it it takes heat to weld and there is no real way to localize heat with a torch. it spreads it out and causes the metal to warp especially on the thin stuff. there is a tool for every job and using the right one for the job makes life easier. Just my opinion

 

DF5152, agreed, but I have to compromise. If this was dedicated work I can use the right tool, but for a wide variety and thicknesses of metal, what would you use? From what I understand the Henrob concentrates the heat more so warpage is minimised. In any case, for most of what I would be doing, warping is not a major factor.

 

if you already have a torch you can cut so then all you want to do is join metal all you need is a good welder. for occasional use i believe something like mine will be more than adequate especialy if you plan on welding in vertical and overhead positions. My lincoln was inexpensive, relatively speaking, it will weld up to 5/16 in a single pass with the right wire and larger with multi passes. I have a 10lb spool of wire i have been using for a LOOONG time and i do alot of welding. Im always building something. I think in the long run you will be better off with a mig because of ease of use. for example if you just want to tack something together it is going to be much more difficult with the torches. the welder is just turn it on touch the trigger and its tacked. If you would like you are more than welcome to stop by and try it out

 

Stan in MHO I thing you need a 175 amp mig that will use either flux core or shielded wire. Small light, you can weld just about any thickness with multiple pass and still go quite thin. If you can go with a little lighter, like 135 amp, it is still 110 volt. The 175 would be 220. A 175 all set up is maybe $600 brand new.