TIG welder - this one big enough?

[jdbubb at verizon.net (Dan Bubb)]

Awesome deal! I paid ~$1600 for mine new many years ago, plus the argon bottle is ~$170.
As Larry pointed out on thin sections you also need to protect the backside of the weld or you'll get really crusty looking stalactites. Argon's pretty expensive at $75 an 80 cu.ft. refill so generally I use a product called Solar Flux. I imagine you can get it at your local welding shop but you can also get it at www.burnsstainless.com.

Also, you might want to think about getting a second argon bottle. Like I said the stuff is expensive and I always found myself about running out right before a big weekend project. No sense giving them back an only partly empty bottle!

I trust you'll start posting up pictures of your work as it progresses??
Dan


From: "Mark F." <mk1mark@xxxxxxxxx>
To: "LEF" <rocco16@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: "Scirocco-L" <scirocco-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, September 06, 2007 2:24 AM
Subject: Re: TIG welder - this one big enough?

> 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
>