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TIG info
The TIG welder is a UNI-TIG AC/DC 200. Made in China, but with some inferred Australian affiliation. I bought it locally in Fyshwick (Canberra) from a group called M&G who specialise in professional tools of all sorts. I was advised that this unit was not one they would recommend to a professional user, but for the hobbyist should be fine. The 'professional' models started around $4K, but this one ended costing under $1700.... which is less than the cheapest I had been quoted for a 200 amp MIG welder fitted out to do 3mm thick aluminium.
The shop threw in a few Tungsten rods suitable for Aluminium. I bought a pack of 2.4mm filler rods ( must be a couple of hundred by 900mm long) for about $50. I am using a 2.4mm tungsten rod doped with Zirconite. If you happen to physically touch the Tungsten rod on the 'work', there is a big 'splat'. There is a big black spot on the work, and you need to re-grind the point on the rod for the weld to go smoothly again. There are stacks of web-sites on TIG welding. I have absorbed quite a few, and with their advice, things seem to be going OK. (AC and pulse for Aluminium. The tungsten ground point burns into a round ball-shape. The ball should extend about its diameter from the ceramic shroud.) I have found that working toward the plasma works best. An instant-on welding mask is essential. Also a large, truly flat heavy steel table on which you can clamp things flat is a great help. ( mine is not so large).
My delight with this particular unit grows as I use it. I am not a trained welder, but I do have some basic understanding of the principles..... and I am now turning out some pretty good welds. ( some ****ty ones too from time to time to date, but I am thinking I was not getting enough Argon into the weld area, so it turned out a bit pocky). Nice thing about the TIG however is that you can go back over existing welds to 'heal' the bad spots. Something I doubt you could ever do with MIG.
HTH (Hope this helps)
Cheers
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