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Long time since I've been here looking for help with project

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LAN_403

Platinum

Mon Jun 26 2017, 11:34AM

Registered Member #3926 Joined: Fri Jun 03 2011, 08:32PM
Location: UK.
Posts: 525

Hey Finn, what do you think of Hawk tool TIG machines? They also seem to be good value judging by the looks of them and the torch, they range anywhere from 160 amp basic machines to ACDC full waveform and pulse control 220 setups at a fraction of the cost of say a Miller or Lincoln, also i was told Parweld are Chinese as are thermalarc

Also their torches looks almost identical to a WP26 I've used in work

Finn Hammer

Mon Jun 26 2017, 07:05PM

Registered Member #205 Joined: Sat Feb 18 2006, 11:59AM
Location: SkÃ¸rping, Denmark
Posts: 741

Platinum wrote ...

Hey Finn, what do you think of Hawk tool TIG machines? They also seem to be good value judging by the looks of them and the torch, they range anywhere from 160 amp basic machines to ACDC full waveform and pulse control 220 setups at a fraction of the cost of say a Miller or Lincoln, also i was told Parweld are Chinese as are thermalarc

Also their torches looks almost identical to a WP26 I've used in work

I don't particularly like the Hawk machine you just linked to, it is too basic for my liking.

What I look for these days, is a microprocessor controlled machine, that has pulse welding ability, and a memory function, so you can store "lucky" settings (or deliberately usefull settings, if you like), and start up from there, instead of having to dial parameters in, from scratch, at every startup.

A machine like this has a control panel like the machine I just linked to, and quite many machines seem to share the same layout. It enables you to make a custom setup of parameters, where you control gas pre flow, start current, ramp up time, welding current, ramp down time, end current, gas post flow, as well as pulse frequency and pulse duty cycle.
This German distributor has the best of the crop, price taken into account, at least that is what I seem to have found. If you intend to weld exhaust parts in thin wall tubing, pulse can be an asset, although a foot pedal probably is the better option for one off welds. That is what I have found recently.
A foot pedal is an amazing asset to a welder. If you weld every day, you pretty much know what amperage is required for the job, just by looking at it, but I don't weld every day anymore, so being able to adjust the power on the fly, in real time, has made me a very happy welder indeed.

I am working on a Fusor project, and need to make vacuum tight work on stainless steel, often on thin wall tubing, and the pedal really helps get the right heat into the weld.

Cheers, Finn Hammer

Platinum

Tue Jun 27 2017, 09:36AM

Registered Member #3926 Joined: Fri Jun 03 2011, 08:32PM
Location: UK.
Posts: 525

Thanks for sharing Finn. I've seen one about 320 pound for a 180amp seems good value, any other welding machine with the ability to memorize settings and pulse would be bordering 900 pounds or there abouts. One last question have you or anybody else here used any of the Chinese plasma cutters? Some say they last a few years some say a few seconds of cutting and they are finished

Also a pedal would make a world of difference in thin wall tubing as would slope down/up and pre/post flow. I've never really used pulse extensively but itndpes help to weld thinner walled intricate fabrications with more speed

Cheers

Kolas

Fri Jul 14 2017, 12:52AM

Registered Member #102 Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 08:15PM
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 169

Yeah, I have to agree with the pedal note. I was using one for aluminum (as a student) and thought I hated the pedal. Later, I realized it was the aluminum that I hated. It just seems to jump out of the puddle onto the electrode. WTF?
Afterwards, I gave the pedal a second try with stainless. What do you know; I really LOVE the pedal!!! I've always been one to believe that travel rate and puddle quenching from added filler metal can compensate for welding current, (to some degree) but no more puddle cracking.

When it comes to cheap Chinese stuff; the old adage is definitely true with these devices: you get what you pay for. With that said. Plasma cutters are purposefully designed to destroy "consumables."

As far as an HF/HV starter is concerned. I'd recommend caution when adding one to a discrete machine. But do note that welders are designed to manage HV spikes innately as the output inductor can/will cause a spike if the arc is broken due to excessive gaping while at welding current. Since this is generally the way lift arc units must be terminated, they happen quite frequently. In addition to that; the HF/HV pulse is not needed continuously unless you're using AC.

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