Which TIG Machine???

[Sniper4848]

Hey Andy...I'm a few year experienced welder (ten w/stick 5 w/ MIG and 3 w/ TIG) and looking to get certified to weld aircraft parts. This is a two part question...one- who, if anybody, would you recomend to go to for certification? Second- Im also looking to have my shop buy a good TIG welder (I want to be able to do really thin aluminum alloys, a tiny bit of titanium, but mostly stainless (for exhaust systems. I've had my eye on the Syncrowave 350 tigrunner package but it kind of breaks the bank (I have to put up the money first)...ANY SUGGESTIONS??? All responses welcome. Thanks Andrew

[ASKANDY]

Before qualifying a machine, you need to ask yourself:
what is the max thickness??
if you are doing mostly SS, would an inverter be better?
what are my primary power concerns?? Do you need a machine capable of doing thick material but at a low amperage draw?

My first choice is the Dynasty Tigrunner, or if you don't need the high output of the Sync 350, go with the Sync 250 Tigrunner.

As far as your certs go, most of the aircraft industry is TIG based. I would check with the Hobart Institute for the Tig certs that would pertain to you. They have an excellent testing facility based in Troy OH.

[Sniper4848]

Well, I do need slightly highter amperage to do aluminum (as it takes more) because I'm doing things like cracks in cylinder heads (sm of which are almost a half inch thick. As for needing 400 amps...well I don't think so. The power consumption I couldn't care less (it's the shop's power bill and not my own- that and I'm not doing THAT much welding. The thickness of stainless would be less then 3/16"-most of the time like 16 Ga. I want an AC machine just for the aluminum therefore an inverter probably wouldn't work (some of the aluminu might be as thin as like 24 Ga.) but please correct me if I'm wrong.

Ohio is a very nice state, but one thats a little too far away just for a cert. Thanks for the response, Andrew.

[chub380]

Tig machine

The Dynasty is an inverter and also would have More than enough power to do what you wanted to do. Some advantages are being able to use pointed tungsten for alum. welding, ability to change freq. to focus or make the arc wider depending what you are doing. The dynasty may be a little more money but well worth it. Even though the dynasty only puts out 300amps you could most likely do your head work better than with the 400 amp syncro 351 due to the ability to focus the arc with the adjustable freq. CHUB380

[Sniper4848]

Actually, I have been looking at the dynasty, though the heafty price pushes me away (I really want it!!!) On a separate subject, I have always used a pointed electrode, when wouldn't you? I've never heard of that! (using a non-pionted tungsten), please explain.

[racerted]

look on ebay

Sniper
Look on ebay, search for miller welder. You can find used machines for decent prices. We bought a used, but rebuilt, syncrowave 351 for 1K. It needed everything (torch, cooler, foot pedal). All these were also available on ebay. For around 1700 we will have a fully functional machine. If you find a machine for sale in your area, you can save the shipping charges too.

[chub380]

non-pointed tungsten

I have always used a balled end for doing all my alum. work on my syncrowaves. For stainless and mild steel I use apointed end. Have you had sucess with welding alum. with a pointed end. If so explain. It seams like the work you want to do could really use the tech. of the Dynasty. Features like pulsing and sequencing standard on the DX. CHUB380

[ASKANDY]

All great answers!
On Syncrowave type machines, most people use a balled PURE tungsten for doing Alum. Some people use the Thoriated tungsten for Alum but it's not recommended because the tip of the tungsten wants to split and spit. If you need the higher current tunsten, try the Zirconiated.
For the Dynasty, we recommend the Ceriated or Lanthanated tungsten sharpened the same as if you were doing steel. In AC, the Dynasty wave shape is usually around 75%neg and 25%pos. This lower positive half cycle takes a ton of heat off the tungsten and puts it in the work piece thus saving the point. This also allows us to weld much thicker material with minimum ampereage. A 300 Amp Dynasty will weld circles around a 450 amp unit of standard technology. When I do Alum head repair, I don't preheat at all anymore. Also with the arc shaping, I can get right up to the valve seat area without pulling the seat alum in or without having to weld into the seat area. This gives me alot less post weld grinding to take all that material I just welded back out.
I'll put it to you this way. Hendrick, Roush, Yates, Evernham, DEI, RCR and Penske all use the Dynasty. I trained all their people.
If you get a chance to get to SEMA or the PRI show, look me up. I'll be doing the Dynasty demos.

[Sniper4848]

Thanks for all the great answers! No, I havent done aluminum work with a pointed electrode, as I only have a very old 100 amp DC unit. I had a Syncrowave 350 on ebay(4 years old) complete going for $1750 but someone snatched it out from under me at the last 30 seconds! What a bummer. And unfortunately I havent seen any dynasties on ebay, probably becaus there too new, or no one's getting rid of them. Let me know if someone sees one for under 4g's! Andrew

[chub380]

Dynasty

you should be able to get one for $5000-5500 complete with everything you need. The package is called Dynasty tigrunner with a torch. This includes everything even a flowmeter. I dont think you will find a new one much cheaper than $5000. CHUB380