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Old 07-17-2018, 10:10 AM
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I was eyeing that for quite a while, looks like a good value... getting the TIG/MIG and plasma on one cart would cut down on the garage Tetris.

I decided to build a new bench instead, and have the welders and plasma under the bench top. Something similar to this, but with room for the machines (close to the size of both together)...



I was all set to buy the materials when HF discontinued the tool cabinet I was going to build in. They've now come out with a replacement, so I need to redesign, and get started.
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Old 07-17-2018, 01:32 PM
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Using this coupon, it comes out a few bucks cheaper. That led me to reading up on their vulcan protig 200. Seems like a decent machine and they have a no questions asked, one year satisfaction guarantee. One minor gripe is it lacks post flow control.
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Old 08-04-2018, 05:33 PM
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Broke down and bought Eastwood's new Tungsten Sharpener for $100. Holy **** this thing is awesome. Super fast and way better than anything else I have used. Highly recommended!!!

https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-tu...der-57555.html
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Old 08-11-2018, 11:40 AM
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Originally Posted by Savington
I grabbed a few of these, they are the easy button for cleaning metal before welding.

https://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?sku=68466
I also bought one of those and loved it. Until I went to use it yesterday and the trigger started leaking uncontrollably. Total failure.
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Old 08-11-2018, 11:53 AM
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ht://www.homedepot.com/p/SprayMaster...1-18/202622477

Going to give this a go. At least it has a 5 year gaurantee, and doesn't have $12 shipping

Edit: These are identical.

Last edited by aidandj; 08-11-2018 at 01:45 PM.
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Old 09-10-2018, 11:13 AM
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I've read through this thread and attempted to search for the items over the pond for me.
Most of them are £1000+ for anything you guys think is good enough.

Seems like I will have to stick to my bargain bin MIG and swearing for now as that is not going to happen soon
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Old 09-10-2018, 05:31 PM
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Originally Posted by rrjwilson
I've read through this thread and attempted to search for the items over the pond for me.
Most of them are £1000+ for anything you guys think is good enough.

Seems like I will have to stick to my bargain bin MIG and swearing for now as that is not going to happen soon
that largely depends on what your needs are. I’ve had great luck with my Hobart handler 140 with a small bottle. But my needs were pretty tame (mostly auto body sheet metal).
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Old 09-12-2018, 10:01 AM
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What do you reckon?
Its 200A and i can get a foot switch for control and R-Tech have an amazing reputation on various fabricator forums. They seem to be the MKTurbo of welders over here.
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Old 09-12-2018, 01:01 PM
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Originally Posted by rrjwilson
What do you reckon?
Its 200A and i can get a foot switch for control and R-Tech have an amazing reputation on various fabricator forums. They seem to be the MKTurbo of welders over here.
I don't think I'd buy a DC only TIG.
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Old 09-12-2018, 01:41 PM
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Razorweld - Suppliers of Razorweld & Razorcut Mig Welders, Tig Welder, Plasma Cutters, Gas Cutting Equipment, supplies and parts for your welding machines

These are made about an hour from my house and supposedly have the same board as the miller welders. They are really popular with the pipe crews in construction because of their durability and warranty.

Ill be buying this one this winter hopefully
Razorweld - Suppliers of Razorweld & Razorcut Mig Welders, Tig Welder, Plasma Cutters, Gas Cutting Equipment, supplies and parts for your welding machines
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Old 09-12-2018, 04:50 PM
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After having a 2018 Alpha Tig 200 for a few months and using the hell out of it, it is a complete steal for $700. I would buy another in a heartbeat if I needed it. Absolutely zero issues and it is a beast.
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Old 09-13-2018, 07:24 AM
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Originally Posted by SpartanSV
I don't think I'd buy a DC only TIG.
Care to elaborate?
As I say they come very highly recommended by hobby and professional fabricators in the UK on the forums ive found.
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Old 09-13-2018, 08:12 AM
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Originally Posted by rrjwilson
Care to elaborate?
As I say they come very highly recommended by hobby and professional fabricators in the UK on the forums ive found.
You'll only be able to do steel with DC only. You'd be better off buying a mig or stick welder than a DC only tig.
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Old 09-13-2018, 08:29 AM
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Originally Posted by rrjwilson
Care to elaborate?
As I say they come very highly recommended by hobby and professional fabricators in the UK on the forums ive found.
DC only = no aluminium welding (normally THE big attraction of TIG over MIG).

This would be its AC/DC equivalent.
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Old 09-13-2018, 09:25 AM
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Originally Posted by Leafy
You'll only be able to do steel with DC only. You'd be better off buying a mig or stick welder than a DC only tig.
That is crap. I've since watched videos from the various YouTube fabricators demonstrating DC only TIG which offers mega penetration in comparison to AC TIG but it only works with certain alloys. I can almost guarantee I'll order the wrong alloy in this country regardless of me trying.
Originally Posted by damir130
This would be its AC/DC equivalent.
Thanks for this I'd gone back shopping immediately to find that and the cost is of course over 1k
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Old 09-13-2018, 10:01 AM
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Originally Posted by rrjwilson
That is crap. I've since watched videos from the various YouTube fabricators demonstrating DC only TIG which offers mega penetration in comparison to AC TIG but it only works with certain alloys. I can almost guarantee I'll order the wrong alloy in this country regardless of me trying.

Thanks for this I'd gone back shopping immediately to find that and the cost is of course over 1k
spending 1000 bucks for a tool that will probably last 10 years, is a GOOD investment. Buying a cheapo that will not let you explore new skill sets is not smart.

How many pairs of shoes do you buy in a year? almost certainly more than 1000 bucks worth. I know you crazy euros and shoes, so dont bullshit me on this.
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Old 09-14-2018, 06:25 AM
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I agree with the use per cost principle but that will stop my purchase for quite some time.

As for the shoes the last pair i bought were Etnies of Amazon for £62 last year. The previous ones to that were the same and in 2013.
The wife isn't even that bad. Her sister however is exactly as you jest
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Old 09-14-2018, 08:20 AM
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Save up for the good stuff. There is a huge amount of satisfaction when you open the shop and have a look at your awesome tools.

3 things I dont fell guilty for buying the nice stuff:

large tools like welders. not wrenches. I buy the cheap ones and they never get stolen
bicycles. They last forever and low quality ones suck the fun right out
fishing poles. Again, they will last until you die. Buy good fishing gear
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Old 09-14-2018, 08:35 AM
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How cheap of wrenches you talking about? Cheap sockets and wrenches are a great way to round off fasteners.
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Old 09-14-2018, 11:20 AM
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Originally Posted by 1RMDave
How cheap of wrenches you talking about? Cheap sockets and wrenches are a great way to round off fasteners.
,cheap. anything getting turned hard enough to round, would probably have a socket on it anyway. never really had any trouble with sockets.
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