Anyone on here a welder?

[Beeman]

I figure I should say I bought it too.. :P

[tacg]

Just seen u purchased the rig. Nice one it will make u happy. I am a certified welder and fitter. My job takes me around the US. Just wanted to throw out another suggestion for u with aluminum welding Denatured alcohol! it will clean any foreign material u cannot see with the naked eye. If u ever have any questions feel free to ask away. (one subject i am knowledgeable about lol)

[msafi65]

Great choice I got the floor model 185 when that one came out. Should have spent the$ and got the 225
It has a much nicer TIG torch. My dad always said he would rather have a good welder than a TV. Have fun making stuff.

[JohnF]

Nice. PTA-17 is a nice torch. Get your self a gas lens - it didn't look like your kit included it.

[locolouie]

have you heard about the alumalo rods , not sure about spelling they are about $ 45.00 lbs stronger than alum when welded with can be drilled tap and you can use a torch to weld with ,i have used some for boat repair and was impressed ,seen a guy make an ear for an alternator that was broke completely off and when he was done better than new ,look them up on google and watch the video

[Beeman]

Thanks guys! I did pick up a gas lens for the torch. Ran into a little bit of a problem with a lack of power :P I put 40amp range outlets in the shop thinking that that should be enough, but I kept on blowing the breaker - gotta run a 50amp line now.

Those alumaloy rods look pretty neat!

[chris davison]

Last time I welded aluminum it was with a 250 amp mig with a $700.00 spool gun attachment. The welder is about $ 1800.00 so if you just need a few welds take it to a welding shop, if you are going to use it all the time spend the money for a good welder. Tig welding alumin is almost an art that takes a lot of practise stainless wire brushes on a drill motor and a torch to preheat the thick stuff will help always use pure tungston not thoriated ( for stainless) If your welder wont got hot enough you can use a gas with helium in it cant remember the # but it will make a hotter weld with out more amps. Tigging alumin make strong pretty welds but you cant beat a spool gun for pouring on the metal for big jobs your hands move twice as fast as miging steel. I've been welding for 40 years steel, aluminum titanium stainless. stick. mig, tig, spool gun and inershield. once certified to weld pressure vessals for x ray. Miller synchrowave 200 will fit your tig purposes.