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3 in 1 TIG welder
neilp1 - 17/5/10 at 10:08 PM

Seen this on the bay
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190397646325&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:VRI

Anyone got one? any good??

BenB - 17/5/10 at 10:10 PM

That's way too cheap for a proper TIG

mcerd1 - 17/5/10 at 10:15 PM

assuming its on of those inverter ones - my dad's got one for stick welding in places that you can't get a proper welder close enough (like the top of a ladder)

even with the TIG torch - you can't TIG alloy with them apparently

ReMan - 17/5/10 at 10:41 PM

Is it just the inverter add on?

Mr G - 17/5/10 at 11:40 PM

This is a picture associated with the model number on the ebay listing

HE RE


Product Description:

Model: CT-312 (D) , CT-416 (D) , CT-518 (D)
1. Advanced inverter technology, reduced size and weight, easy to carry.
2. Novel and effecitive, and low cost;
3. Three functions in one machine, tig welding, mma welding and air plasma cutting
4. Compact and easy for operation.
5. "D" Series are for 110 / 220 duel voltage input, automatic input voltage changing
6. Complete accessories: welding torch, welding cable (3 m) , earth clamp, welding holder, , cutting torch, carton box.

Full spec HERE


G


[Edited on 17/5/10 by Mr G]

wilkingj - 18/5/10 at 05:55 AM

quote:
Originally posted by mcerd1


even with the TIG torch - you can't TIG alloy with them apparently


You need an AC TIG to weld Alluminium.
These are DC Tig's and will not weld alluminium.
I paid £198 for my 200A DC Tig. I'm happy 2 years on, and it welds OK.

To get a plasma cutter thrown in for just a little more money, but only 160Amps instead of 200Amps. It's not that bad a deal.

I dont think its way to cheap, but probably about right for a Far Eastern Tig set with those capabilities

iank - 18/5/10 at 06:27 AM

Good to see the cheapies are starting to include HF start.

MikeRJ - 18/5/10 at 07:43 AM

DC only inverters have been available around this price for quite a long time. You can get AC/DC TIGs for £400. However, the quality of these is typicaly Chinese, i.e. varies from crap to mediocre.

If you are tempted my advice would be to check out the price of Argon in your area. The thought of paying yearly rent on a bottle that would not be used very often put me off, but there are some places in the country that you can just put a deposit down on a bottle and have no rental charges. Sadly none down here that I have found.

skinned knuckles - 18/5/10 at 07:57 AM

personally i would go for one of the AC tigs that doesn't have the plasma cutter try a WSE 200. that way you can have a go at ali welding.

in my experience the 3 in one machines dont do anything well, but do everything OK. i'd rather just jave the welder that works peoperly.

iank - 18/5/10 at 08:07 AM

quote:
Originally posted by MikeRJ
If you are tempted my advice would be to check out the price of Argon in your area. The thought of paying yearly rent on a bottle that would not be used very often put me off, but there are some places in the country that you can just put a deposit down on a bottle and have no rental charges. Sadly none down here that I have found.


I've seen this place recommended, they ship the gas using TNT with no rental.

http://www.adamsgas.co.uk/stat_ind_product.aspx?ctrl=argon

Still more expensive than MIG gases at £43+vat for 9L and some hefty delivery charges but better than paying a rental for hobby use.


[Edited on 18/5/10 by iank]

v8kid - 18/5/10 at 10:26 AM

My bro in law uses one of these as a stick welder on his boat and they are excellent. Because it is DC it works really well with stick welding with a classic weld and the slag peels off perfectly.

He welded up 4 aux fuel tanks out of quarter plate for the boat ( its a large boat) and they all passed air pressure test first time - not bad for an amateur and says a lot for the welder.

The tig torch that came with it looks a bit naff I'll try it out this weekend but don't have high hopes.

Cheers

Strontium Dog - 18/5/10 at 04:46 PM

quote:
Originally posted by MikeRJ
DC only inverters have been available around this price for quite a long time. You can get AC/DC TIGs for £400. However, the quality of these is typicaly Chinese, i.e. varies from crap to mediocre.

If you are tempted my advice would be to check out the price of Argon in your area. The thought of paying yearly rent on a bottle that would not be used very often put me off, but there are some places in the country that you can just put a deposit down on a bottle and have no rental charges. Sadly none down here that I have found.


You can get bottles from Bodmin, I have one for when my air product account finishes. The gas costs more of course but there's no rental so if you don't use it often it's the way to go!

Here's a link to the supplier

http://www.rusesgasandtools.co.uk/

MikeRJ - 20/5/10 at 09:13 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Strontium Dog
quote:
Originally posted by MikeRJ
DC only inverters have been available around this price for quite a long time. You can get AC/DC TIGs for £400. However, the quality of these is typicaly Chinese, i.e. varies from crap to mediocre.

If you are tempted my advice would be to check out the price of Argon in your area. The thought of paying yearly rent on a bottle that would not be used very often put me off, but there are some places in the country that you can just put a deposit down on a bottle and have no rental charges. Sadly none down here that I have found.


You can get bottles from Bodmin, I have one for when my air product account finishes. The gas costs more of course but there's no rental so if you don't use it often it's the way to go!

Here's a link to the supplier

http://www.rusesgasandtools.co.uk/


Thanks for that, Bodmin's not too far at all.