TIG welder - this one big enough?

[mk1mark at gmail.com (Mark F.)]

On 9/4/07, LEF <rocco16@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> You probably won't need a water-cooled torch for what you want to do.
> TIP: If you want truly quality stainless steel welds, figure out a way to
> purge the inside of the tubing with argon.  It won't take much, but you need
> to keep oxygen away from the molten metal.  This is especially beneficial on
> the backside of the weld (inside the pipe).  You'll see.  :)
> If you need help, contact me off list.


Thanks for the advice Dan and Larry!  I just picked up this barely
used Lincoln Square Wave Tig 175 PRO welder:

<http://tinyurl.com/ytljkk>

The reserve wasn't met, but I made a deal with the guy for $850, with
an 80CF argon bottle, foot control, etc included.  It was his second
time trying to sell it, and I smelled a motivated seller, so I used my
inherited cheap-Dutchman negotiating skills and got what I think is a
killer deal on it.  :D   The included 80CF bottle is icing on the
cake...

I was torn between picking this welder up, or getting a new 225amp
Lincoln TIG w/ a pulser, but I just couldn't justify spending over
twice the money.  Besides, the winter Caddy paint/interior budget
would have suffered...

I'll be picking it up next Thursday (anyone near Commodore PA want to
meet up?).  I'm setting my mTDI project back a bit before I'm
comfortable TIG'ing, but I know I'd regret it if I tried to MIG weld
my manifold, intake and exhaust just to get it done quicker.

I can't wait to start TIG'ing!

Later,

Mark.
75
82
82 Caddy - mTDI swap in progress, slowly but surely (thread update one
of these days!)...
91 Jetta Coupe