Buying a welder
#461
mkturbo.com
iTrader: (24)
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Charleston SC
Posts: 15,194
Total Cats: 1,687
My Lincoln can do stick, but never once have I thought about trying it out. I started with TIG and I think I ended up alright. MIG came later when I got tired of trying to tack weld upside down with my TIG torch.
#463
A while back I posted that I picked up a 'real' foot pedal for the AHP TIG:
I just finished my first big aluminum project, and I can report that the new pedal made a huge difference in comfort and control. Definitely worth the investment!
Speaking of investment, I still can't believe this was over $200 of aluminum:
I used it to build framing for a workbench for my trailer, and it will double as a 'docking station' for a toolbox/cart. Still need to add a worktop, and will probably add facing with cabinet doors to match the overhead cabinets...
https://www.amazon.com/SSC-Controls-C910-0725-Welding-AlphaTIG/dp/B019CYIZ74/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1522930679&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=ahp+tig+foot+pedal
I just finished my first big aluminum project, and I can report that the new pedal made a huge difference in comfort and control. Definitely worth the investment!
Speaking of investment, I still can't believe this was over $200 of aluminum:
I used it to build framing for a workbench for my trailer, and it will double as a 'docking station' for a toolbox/cart. Still need to add a worktop, and will probably add facing with cabinet doors to match the overhead cabinets...
#464
Former Vendor
iTrader: (31)
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Sunnyvale, CA
Posts: 15,442
Total Cats: 2,104
Being new to the TIG game, I didn't have a dedicated bench grinder and sharpening tungsten on a flap wheel only gets you so far. I have a small shop and I didn't want to eat up bench space with a bench grinder just for this. I really wanted something small and battery-powered so I can throw it in a drawer with all my other torch parts and have one less thing to plug in when it's time to do some welding. I hunted around a little more and I think I found an awesome option. A little shop called Scottsman has a rotary tool adapter which combines a diamond wheel with a fully sealed enclosure to capture the dust and grit that comes off the tungsten while sharpening.
This:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/162303255536
installed on this:
I already owned an M12 ratchet with two batteries and a charger and paid $47 shipped for the attachment (it's up to $57 now) and $80 for the tool. Just got it set up and fired up and it cut a perfect, smooth point into a ffesh 3/32" 2% lanth in about 20 seconds. Perfect.
This:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/162303255536
installed on this:
https://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-2460-21-12-Volt-Rotary-Tool/dp/B004WBBM82/ref=sr_1_3?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1524527950&sr=1-3&keywords=milwaukee+2460
(Bare tool is 2460-20 if you already bought into that system like I did, $80 on Amazon)I already owned an M12 ratchet with two batteries and a charger and paid $47 shipped for the attachment (it's up to $57 now) and $80 for the tool. Just got it set up and fired up and it cut a perfect, smooth point into a ffesh 3/32" 2% lanth in about 20 seconds. Perfect.
Last edited by Savington; 04-23-2018 at 08:26 PM.
#466
Former Vendor
iTrader: (31)
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Sunnyvale, CA
Posts: 15,442
Total Cats: 2,104
Their FB page says it should fit anything with 3/4" coarse threads on the body of the tool. Call them and see, they probably know. I will say that initial setup is a little finnicky, you have to set the height of the adapter in the collet before threading the adapter in place and installing the diamond wheel, so it would be a PITA to have to share this with a rotary tool you use for other stuff. You could probably pick up a HF rotary tool with the right threads for a lot less than the Milwaukee tool, but I already had the batteries and I really like cordless tools.
#468
I have a similar setup with the M12 rotary tool and this 3D printed tungsten sharpener attachment from Thingiverse. The attachment you're using looks waaaay nicer so since I just bought one.
I already owned the M12 dremel, and I was happy to put it to that use since I was actually really disappointed with how wimpy it was for burrs and cutoff discs.
I already owned the M12 dremel, and I was happy to put it to that use since I was actually really disappointed with how wimpy it was for burrs and cutoff discs.
#469
mkturbo.com
iTrader: (24)
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Charleston SC
Posts: 15,194
Total Cats: 1,687
Being new to the TIG game, I didn't have a dedicated bench grinder and sharpening tungsten on a flap wheel only gets you so far. I have a small shop and I didn't want to eat up bench space with a bench grinder just for this. I really wanted something small and battery-powered so I can throw it in a drawer with all my other torch parts and have one less thing to plug in when it's time to do some welding. I hunted around a little more and I think I found an awesome option. A little shop called Scottsman has a rotary tool adapter which combines a diamond wheel with a fully sealed enclosure to capture the dust and grit that comes off the tungsten while sharpening.
This:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/162303255536
installed on this:
https://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-246...milwaukee+2460
(Bare tool is 2460-20 if you already bought into that system like I did, $80 on Amazon)
I already owned an M12 ratchet with two batteries and a charger and paid $47 shipped for the attachment (it's up to $57 now) and $80 for the tool. Just got it set up and fired up and it cut a perfect, smooth point into a ffesh 3/32" 2% lanth in about 20 seconds. Perfect.
This:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/162303255536
installed on this:
https://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-246...milwaukee+2460
(Bare tool is 2460-20 if you already bought into that system like I did, $80 on Amazon)
I already owned an M12 ratchet with two batteries and a charger and paid $47 shipped for the attachment (it's up to $57 now) and $80 for the tool. Just got it set up and fired up and it cut a perfect, smooth point into a ffesh 3/32" 2% lanth in about 20 seconds. Perfect.
I bought this tool about 6 months after I started TIG welding. It was worth every penny to me with the amount of time and frustration saved. Your way of doing it looks a good bit cheaper which is awesome.
#474
I've tigged for 8 years and never had an issue with sharpening on the grinder wheel I use for everything. I do know they say not too, but like above there is a lot of alum. oxide in abrasives. Heck the tip of the tungsten gets so hot that I would think it would fry any specs of something.