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160A AC TIG, capability ?
NigeEss - 26/7/14 at 07:53 PM

Looking at replacing my ancient mahoosive AC/DC TIG with something more modern.
Was curious as to what thickness aluminium it can weld. My current one has been used to repair
wheels and engine casings, would a 160A (eg R-Tech) manage that ?

dave_424 - 26/7/14 at 08:22 PM

Yesterday welded 10mm aluminium with 140A, ground a nice bevel on both sides and worked fine, 140A and full pedal was a bit on the hot side.

160A would be able to weld pretty much any thickness, sonething like a 1" tee joint would just take a couple of passes

Volvorsport - 26/7/14 at 09:37 PM

interested in selling ?

prawnabie - 27/7/14 at 07:50 AM

I bought an RTECH 160 ac/dc nearly 2 year ago and have yet to use it : (

snakebelly - 27/7/14 at 08:16 AM

I have the R-Tech 160 AC / DC and have yet to find anything it can't do within reason, sometimes it needs multiple passes and yes on thick Ali it all gets a bit warm but as long you're not in a rush it copes well. I'm sure you've seen my post about the R-Tech discount code for this month?

froggy - 27/7/14 at 01:12 PM

I use a map gas torch on castings with my r tech 160 , still needs pretty much full power to get going but the heat lets you back off a bit once your flowing

NigeEss - 27/7/14 at 01:29 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Volvorsport
interested in selling ?


Yes, it's old, big and heavy. Sureweld AC/DC 180. Currently set up for 240v single phase but can be switched
to 440v three phase.

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Volvorsport - 27/7/14 at 03:28 PM

Does it have any accessories? Pm me if you have a price in mind

NigeEss - 27/7/14 at 04:01 PM

Yes, torch on quite a long lead/pipe, gas pipe and a long earth lead.
Mains cable currently has a poorly fitted 16a plug but could do being on a 32a as
it trips my supply when wound up to the higher settings.
I'll be keeping the gas bottle and regulator.

baz-R - 27/7/14 at 05:08 PM

remember in ac around half the current is goning the wrong way to break the oxide film
you want to go as big as you can so 200-250 is where you need to be to have a bit of kit thats useful but to weld wheels and castings you would still need to pre heat

r1_pete - 27/7/14 at 06:18 PM

I've done a lot of 1/4 inch casting to 3.2 mm alloy tube, building manifolds, and 5mm to 5mm casting with the R Tech 160 on 100 - 110 amp no problem..

When I bought it, I was going to go for the 200, but R Tech said on a domestic supply I wouldn't get any benefit from the extra 40 amps, as at much over 160 it would exceed the supply current, and pop fuses / breakers.

[Edited on 27/7/14 by r1_pete]