Swaggie
SubscriberI'm getting my company to buy a TIG welder for stuff around the farm (as well as Land Rover bits and pieces too). I want to get an AC/DC model (pulsed) so I can weld thin aluminium, as the Defender has an aluminium canopy that I want to modify for camping.
The choices seem to be:
- Cheap and nasty chinese models ($600ish)
- Quality chinese models ($2,500ish)
- Proper name brand models ($5,000ish)
I'm not interested in the really cheap junk, but am considering one of the "better" generic models which has a proper agent in Australia:
http://www.tokentools.com.au/prod28.htm
The other alternative is the full on name brand models and I've found a Kemppi (from Finland I think) which seems to have an all round excellent reputation:
http://www.kemppi.com/inet/kemppi/kit.nsf/DocsPLWeb/MasterTigMLS2300ACDC_br_EN.pdf/$file/MasterTigMLS2300ACDC_br_EN.pdf
Are there any welding gurus out there that might advise me one way or the other. "Half price" is very tempting but I don't want to get a dud welder.
Is the Kemppi likely to be easier to weld with than a generic brand?
Thanks
David
With welders more than anything, you get what you pay for, I think anyway. A foot control would be high on my list if welding thin allumimium, as it provides more control than just a pulse welder.
I would stay away from the combo tig / arc/ plasma jobs, too much to go wrong. Maybe try local sales or the paper for a good used unit of reputable manufacture.
Fossicker
I know oxy/acetyline is a bit old school these days, but have you seen this torch!, Im currently saving like mad for my one!!
www.amweld.com.au and I seriously recommend watching the videos.
Welds most metals without the hassle of over cleaning and at a fraction of the more exprensive welders out there. Plus the bonus of cutting.......base kit is $699 i think, full kit with regs is $999, just need gas then.
Just a thought for you, i was also looking to buy a TIG unit before I found this torch.
Cheers
Johnno
Swaggie
The Dillon has been around for a long, long time, known by a number of names and sold by a number of different organisations. Its penetration into the professional welding trades has been almost nil. Marketing has always been aimed at the hobby or unskilled welding market. I would be wary. Ask a professional welder and/or welding instructor for an opinion.
URSUSMAJOR
I agree with Brian, more a hobby set up.
Wizard
Hi Brian,Originally Posted by Brian Hjelm
If I used one, I'd definitely be unskilled.
Are you saying that this is the unit for me?
Fossicker
After just speaking with our neighbour who welds machinery with a tig all day, he said Tig is far superior in the right hands, but for a total novice the Dillon would be good for me to cut and shut the rust out of my 2a chassis, it would also give me the cutting and brazing options as well as heating for those tough bolts etc also without the need to grind the weld site clean
So i guess my previous post were i sounded like an advert for Dillon/Henrob was a little off, lol
Maybe i should try and hire both the dillon and the tig for a test weekend, unless someone has a Dillon sitting in a box in the shed that they want to turn into cash!!
Cheers
Johnno
Swaggie
Professional welders always seem to be either scornful or dismissive of the unit. I have not had any use of one but would make enquiries of tradesman or teachers first.
URSUSMAJOR
It does not matter how you get the heat to the project surface. I am a engineering teacher at a High School in Queensland. After 35 years as a tradieee I think that any method is good if you are happy with the application and the result. If it is strong enough - its good. Never get fixed on a brand type of method. Just think of the "real thing" to quench a thirst and a drink of water is good at it as well.
Tig allows a faster and a more direct heat sourse which still has a filler rod.. gas has a heat sourse and a filler rod.
Go with the flow if it is good for you - do it.
Moderator
you can get the same results as a Dillon/whateverit'scalledthisweek from any good oxy blowpipe. Unfortunately in Oz most welding shops only have Comet 3's and clones, hence the market for a Dillon.
I'm about to purchase a Harris Model 15-3 blowpipe and mixer which is known as an 'aircraft torch' as it was originally developed for oxy welding 4130 aircraft frames. (which is how it was done up till at least the 70's/80's)
In the US, companies like Harris, Smith and Meco (now part of Victor/Thermodyne) all have similar blowpipes. they are about 1/2 the weight of a Dillon, much easier to wield and can fusion weld ferrous and non-ferrous metals with the right prep and the right skill just as well.
I do a lot of brazing as it's part of my job, and so fusion welding isn't a stretch and so can justify a decent oxy torch purely for brazing/welding, but if I had the $$$ I'd still get an AC TIG just to be able to do more, better. Unfortunately I've worked with some sublime welders and so know what is good/achievable.
Last edited by rick130; 13th September 2007 at 06:27 AM.
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