Ive been considering getting one of the small, solid state DC only tig welders for a while, anyone have thoughts of experience with these? I think it would be kinda nice for some steel welding when you dont need a full blown AC/DC tig.

 

I don't think I would ever buy just a DC machine, not being able to weld aluminiun would make the Tig pretty limited. DC Tig power sources make a nice arc welder to, but the a/c portion comes in handy for worked metal that has been magnetized, common with junkyard steel.

I am saving up for one of those little miller dynasty 350 machines, I have tried one and it really is an incredible machine. So nice to to do a no filler fusion weld on 1/2 plate.

The dynasty 200 would be good for most people, but if do lots of aluminium you will find 200 amps marginal, and a maxed out machine with an air cooled gun on aluminium gets tedious, nothing watching the rubber grip melt and drip away.

I have a the miller 180sd synchrowave machine, its to small for serious fab work, it spends most of its time absolutley cranked out, and I have to pre-heat a lot of the work. Its also to heavy to use as a portable job machine, the next one down, the econotig, is a complete waste of time as an ac/dc machine.

 

The boat next to use at the old marina, we actually became good friends with them and they had a steel boat, he had a DC welder and could weld the **** out of stuff and do it off deep cycle batteries if necessary. Very usable in my opinion (not for me cause I could weld to save my life)

 

Word on the street is aluminum is for homosexuals. j/k

 

Only in certain shapes and sizes..



If you had a dedicated process you were always doing thats where a single function machine can live..Like a boat, or if you were always retubing boilers etc, For myself, I am always welding different materials, in different applications, so I tend to go with the most versatile machine I can get.

 

DC doesnt work well on magnetized steel? Interesting...



Most of what I do is thin to medium wall stuff, Ive only had my 185 amp MIG welder on the highest setting 4-5 times since I got it. I dont really do industrial welding, and dont deal with thickness over even 1/4" very often.



I have plans for getting a good ac/dc tig in the coming months, something that can do anything Ill ever need it for. But in the mean time, Im looking for something to do a little nicer welds on things like headers, engine mounts, and some of the smaller steel stuff I work with, while not being overly cumbersome or complicated. Think it would be a decent fit for that use?

 

Yeah it would be ok for that, but I would suggest you buy the same brand of machine that you are planning to buy in the future with the same torch, otherwise gearing up on consumables and gas lenses is gonna be a financial burdern if you end up with 2 machines. The other thing is the gas you need for the DC will be the same as the gas for the ac/dc. If you can swing it, look for even a used ac/dc machine instead of the straight Dc, its gonna cost you the same pretty much to gear up for either machine. Also get a really big bottle of gas, it disappears really quickly doing post purge and back purge with tig. I have an 80cuft bottle on my tig, and it doesn't last all that long, and I am kinda stingy with the pressure.



Something like this would be a great machine for a garage.

http://cgi.ebay.com/HOBART-TIGWAVE-250-AC-...1QQcmdZViewItem

It looks like its got pulse on it to.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/Miller-Syncrowave-250-...1QQcmdZViewItem



Another good buy, I might buy one of those old bigguns before the night is done..lol...

 

For those interested, if you don't want the investment of an AC.



I purchased a chinese made 200AMP capable DC TIG welder last year for about $200AUD, it works perfectly and continues to run fine after being inundated with water halfway up its height as the result of a storm. They will do mild and stainless and unless **** is magnetized badly and you absolutely have to use magnetic jigs or scrap steel in your fab i wouldn't be too concerned about that. I may well buy an AC when i have some decent $$ in the future, but when you are realistic about what you are going to do with one the price and fact that the things are absolutely tiny may mean someone who might not otherwise buy a welder can get one that works perfectly to do stuff at home.

 

I have a Syncrowave 180sd as well and I think it's a fine little machine for the things I need it for. I've repaired aluminum radiators, fabricated turbo manifolds, welded on stock intake manifolds, etc.

If I were to purchase another unit I would buy an inverter machine since they are much smaller and mobile. They may be easier on the wallet in terms of electrical consumption also.

I would go AC/DC for certain. Thermal Arc makes some nice machines.