Drag Racing Discussions > Front Engine Dragsters
Welding machine
tcoupekyle:
I started to get to a hold up and was thinking the right direction to go to keep my build making progress is to buy a TIG machine. I've never tig welded before, but thought maybe I could tack the pieces I need on and then take the car to a welder friend who could actually finish weld everything. I'm pretty proficient with MIG and arc figured I could figure tig out enough to tack and it's mostly miscellaneous tabs and dzus brackets etc not really structural stuff. It's easier for me to get a friend to weld for 12 hours than it is to get them to help fab tack and weld stuff a little at a time.
Wondering what machine you guys would recommend. Trying to keep the price down and going to try to look for a used machine or is that a no no? Any input is as always very appreciated.
draper:
I find it easier to tack with the mig (especially working by self with only one free hand), when you start to tig you can just grind of mig weld. Tig welding takes practice and is difficult when tacking due to needing both hands. If you dont plan on finish welding or may not use tig in future save your money. But I have both tig and mig ( I am a total ameture at both) and I love the tig - excellent for fabricating small alloy parts etc and can be very rewarding when you get it right. Glen
H.G. Wells:
I am in the same boat, I have a chassis on a jig now at a shop that is almost finished. The builder is not a full time chassis guy and works on it when he has time, but this is his busy season for his primary business. When he finishes the structure (not the tabs, like body tabs, misc. brackets, etc). I will bring it home. I do not trust my welding ability to do structural welds, but think I can handle tabs and brackets. I have purchased but not yet received this TIG.
http://www.amazon.com/AHP-AlphaTIG-Stick-Welder-PULSE/dp/B00REX6USW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1463369135&sr=8-1&keywords=alpha+tig
Very positive reviews and less than the price of a used Miller or Lincoln. It will do everything I have in mind including aluminum.
rooman:
--- Quote from: H.G. Wells on May 15, 2016, 08:34:44 PM ---I am in the same boat, I have a chassis on a jig now at a shop that is almost finished. The builder is not a full time chassis guy and works on it when he has time, but this is his busy season for his primary business. When he finishes the structure (not the tabs, like body tabs, misc. brackets, etc). I will bring it home. I do not trust my welding ability to do structural welds, but think I can handle tabs and brackets. I have purchased but not yet received this TIG.
http://www.amazon.com/AHP-AlphaTIG-Stick-Welder-PULSE/dp/B00REX6USW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1463369135&sr=8-1&keywords=alpha+tig
Very positive reviews and less than the price of a used Miller or Lincoln. It will do everything I have in mind including aluminum.
--- End quote ---
I have the earlier version of that unit that I just set up in a roll around cart so that I can take it to the races. My shop welder is a Miller 250 Synchro but in back to back tests the Alpha does very well, especially at the price point.
Roo
tcoupekyle:
Can I tack chromoly with mig?
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
Go to full version