seeing that welding questions are popular lately

[WDixon27]

i read about a tig welding attachment in the welders handbook by richard finch that uses a ac/dc buzz box for a power supply, but i can't seem to find any info outside of the book on it, do they work well and are they cheep enough to be worth it? it'd probably be better to just buy a real tig but if it's cheep enough

 

[Rebel Ram]

I am not sure I understand the Q. Perhaps you are talking about A high frequency starter/stabilizer. This is for AC tig work on aluminum. You can use this same stater to arc start DC dig work. If you get specific with what your looking for post more info.

 

[WDixon27]

just looking for general info on the unit you mentioned like where to get one and how well it works on aluminum, i am just looking to see if this would be a way i could get into tig cheaply

 

[RonA]

I bought a new stick welder about 10 years ago. It came with the high frequency box. I used it a couple of times. I started doing alot more small tig work and bought a Miller tig. I gave the ac/dc welder to my dad but I still have the box and a tig torch with the gas control on the torch body. The box plugs into a 110 outlet and your power and ground go to the box. Torch and ground go out of box. Manual valve on torch body. No foot control. I haven't used it in years. Make me an offer if interested. Brand is Pow R Mate model number is 115-007.

Ron

 

[lil red cummins]

GOOD TIG welding has a few basic requirements.



1. you must be able to control the current, either through hand or foot control.

2. you should be able to shut off power to the torch the same way so that the electrode is not always live.

3. you need a CC type (controlled current) welder to make it work.

4. you use DC for welding steel and AC for welding aluminum.

5. you need a shielding gas to keep the weld clean.



you can probably TIG weld with a general purpose AC/DC welder, except for the current/arc control. you also need a way to control the shielding gas flow.

the high frequency is also necesary for aluminum.



generally speaking, a welder designed for TIG is the best way to go. that's not to say that in a pinch you couldn't TIG with a "buzz box" type unit.



does this help?



jim

 

[WDixon27]

kinda what i figured and i realize it's not the real thing, but if i could score a high frequency box at a good deal i still may give it a try, if i can figure what a good deal would be

generally speaking, a welder designed for TIG is the best way to go. that's not to say that in a pinch you couldn't TIG with a "buzz box" type unit.



does this help?



jim

 

[WDixon27]

sounds cool but i have no idea what it's worth, spent a good half hour looking on the internet trying to find something to reference a offer by and couldn't find squat, sorta the reason i asked here hoping someone knew something

Make me an offer if interested. Brand is Pow R Mate model number is 115-007.

Ron

 

[4 wheelssmoking]

I have done a lot of welding with an old {1950s] lincoln ac/dc+/dc- smaw machine with an unknown brand of high frequency box on it, a seperate coolant pump and a gas regulator system that was homemade. The set up looked like somthing out of a mad scientist lab #ad
, but with a shielding gas attachment and a deft touch you could do some very precise work. mostly I welded up auger bits for a county contract, but I also did some precision firearms welding as well. aluminum is possible without a high frequency channel , but you will want to strike on a piece other than your weldment. also you need a thoriated electrode for use with dc current or a zirconiated electrode for ac current. different gases are also used for different materials or to control penetration. In retrospect it would have been easier to buy a machine but part of the fun is doing it yourself. #ad
RAY