:::RHMT::: Real Home Made Turbo

General Category => Fabrication => Topic started by: PhilStubbs on August 16, 2021, 09:40:06 AM

Title: FINALLY Got An AC Tig!!!!
Post by: PhilStubbs on August 16, 2021, 09:40:06 AM
For many years I have wanted an AC tig and plenty of times I could have afforded one, but priorities have always gotten in my way. Welp.... the moons aligned and the right deal finally came at the right time. Picked up this Miller Dialarc HF for $250. The thing is massive and 30-ish years old. Was used at Disney World in Orlando it's entire life. Downsides are that it's massive and only sine wave, upsides are that it was cheap, works perfectly, has water cooled torch and it welds aluminum. Anyway, here is my first attempt at sticking 2 pieces together after running a few beads on just flat material.

(https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/238830574_4553767954636114_118684185523397171_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=8bfeb9&_nc_ohc=OJSKi2nFYOwAX9XypGr&_nc_oc=AQnMaR9RAMXStpF5CtWjuX6UL32D1AIpYSTN_a9RdhiauiO1DVkSdqeTmaghYnHxUFo&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=9e86d82abf6f25df50ca8bf014b79006&oe=6141846D)

Can't wait to finally use it for something useful. I have spent the last year or so just doing things I need to do and pretty much nothing I want to do. That is changing here in a few weeks.
Title: Re: FINALLY Got An AC Tig!!!!
Post by: crx-t on August 16, 2021, 11:55:49 AM
Fuck me.... its been so long since ce I was on a forum, I was looking for the like button!
Title: Re: FINALLY Got An AC Tig!!!!
Post by: 92CXyD on August 16, 2021, 12:07:42 PM
Looks better than my A/C converter HF fluxcore steel welds   :noel:
Title: Re: FINALLY Got An AC Tig!!!!
Post by: PhilStubbs on August 16, 2021, 05:54:57 PM
I know its ugly. Just posting to show how things progress. lol.

I was surprised that the thinner material of the charge pipe wasn't as bad as I expected compared to the thicker material. I think it would look a million times better if I had a welding table and was seated comfortably. Everything about this was uncomfortable and hard to see.

(https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/p180x540/228980497_4560864167259826_5245009293636478969_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=8bfeb9&_nc_ohc=ob78gx5gtpEAX_JXb-n&_nc_oc=AQnc4njWvlM2JxVuELlZpUYPIkBdmvxsiTGtzzn39GC7fy-xwt5NHUcoCAJ-CpHjFdM&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=412f689b2dad94667c3aebcf6659020a&oe=6141FAF4)
Title: Re: FINALLY Got An AC Tig!!!!
Post by: rawr on August 22, 2021, 07:14:31 AM
Is it hard to use? What are the consumable costs like for aluminum tig?
Title: Re: FINALLY Got An AC Tig!!!!
Post by: PhilStubbs on August 23, 2021, 09:09:02 AM
Consumables are pretty much the same for aluminum and steel. The only difference is that I am flying through argon. I have always used a 40lb bottle for mig and steel tig, but that is not lasting for aluminum. This tig will be getting a 120lb bottle soon.

The machine itself is stupidly easy to set up. Welding though is odd. Steel to me is easy to weld but tough to make look nice where aluminum is hard to weld, but if it is a successful weld it is a much better looking weld. I don't know if that makes sense. lol