I just won a 4x4x2 ft box of tools that includes a "heliweld arc stabilizer". ($400 total). I am curious if I can somehow use it and other low cost components to make a nice wire or tig welder.
- posted
18 years ago
I just won a 4x4x2 ft box of tools that includes a "heliweld arc stabilizer". ($400 total). I am curious if I can somehow use it and other low cost components to make a nice wire or tig welder.
I think you'll find it's basically made of what will look a lot like a transformer, but is in fact a big inductor. This will tend to even out changes in current, since inductors resist changes in current. So you might be able to make an AC transformer into a decent CC welder. Yes, TIG welders are CC, but it takes more than an arc stabilizer to make a TIG welder. Wire? Forget it -- for that you need CV, which calls for a big-ass bank of capacitors.
GWE
Thanks.
How big ass? I am asking because I have some seriously big capacitors right now.
i
My Millermatic 250 uses 8 15000 uF 45VDC electrolytics in parallel. It's the only data point I have. Obviously, more would be better.
GWE
It may be a unit to add high voltage to a welder. It would make restarting an arc with 7018 a lot easier.
Dan
Ignoramus18245 wrote:
that's not a big deal, price wise... Right now I have 4 10,000 200VDC caps, and 3 10,000 60 VDC caps...
i
Millermatic 210: four 30,000 uF 45 volt
Normally these add high frequency output to an AC welder power source to stabilize the output for TIG welding.
Cheers,
Kelley >
Thanks. So, with this, I could make a "tig welder" by adding a gun and inert gas? Is that right? And could I weld steel and aluminum with that?
i completely ignorant about welding
No this would add high frequency to the normal output of a DC welder. High frequency is used to initiate the arc for TIG welding. This is done so that you don't have to contaminate the tungsten by scratch starting the arc. You can TIG weld with most DC welders but it requires contact with the work piece to start the arc. High frequency is a way to avoid it. What high frequency means is basically a very high voltage at a high frequency which is impressed over the normal DC voltage of the welder in order to start the arc without touching the work. This is what really separates the TIG welders from the Stick welders. There are other features on the newer (and older high end) TIG welders as well but this is the real difference.
Wayne Cook Shamrock, TX
You're correct, Wayne, I should have said something about high frequency arc starting. It's possible that the unit in question would work on DC. However, I'm pretty sure since, it's called a stabilizer, it will at least supply continuous high frequency output for an AC power source. Continuous high frequency is used to stabilize AC for aluminum TIG welding.
So, until there is more information on the exact model of the device, I think that, with the addition of a TIG torch and gas, minimally, it should allow TIG welding.
Cheers,
Kelley
I did say DC didn't I. I wasn't thinking to well last night. I've been sick this weekend and I'm not in top form. Yes it will provide high frequency for both AC and DC but it won't provide the welding current if it's what I think it is. For that he'll need a stick welder of some form preferably a AC/DC unit with remote capability.
Wayne Cook Shamrock, TX
So, with a heliweld, gas, torch, and an AC buzzbox, I could have a tig welder that would work on both steel and aluminum?
i
So, then, AC/DC plus Heliweld plus gun plus gas == TIG Welder?
iI
You'll want to make the buzzbox DC if you want to work with steel.
You wont need the High Freq High Voltage with DC TIG with this machine you are describing.
You will need the HFHV if you want to use this machine on AC. AC is really a must for aluminum
When it is complted, it is very unlikely that the welds made with the machine will resemble what is normally be considered TIG welds.
It is my observation that it is interesting to build a welding machine that uses the principals of the conventional TIG welding machine. But, if the ultimate goal is to actually do TIG welding, you awill almost certainly be dissatisfied with a buzzbox and a TIG torch.
If if it is your intention to actually do some TIG welding, wait till you find one thats affordable. You are really good at finding very good stuff, cheap.
Jerry (who has built several home brew TIG machines)
Pretty much. The only problem with using a AC/DC buzz box is that they don't have remote amperage control which is while not a necessity it is a extremely nice thing to have while TIG welding. There has been a few people on this group with a similar setup in the past. If you can find a little higher quality stick welder that has the provisions for remote control then you would be better off.
Wayne Cook Shamrock, TX
Thanks. There is a Miller DialArc 250 that I am eyeing.
I am not sure what does that imply. Are you saying that I do no need the heliweld part?
Got it. Aluminum is not a big priority for me, but it would be nice as several important parts on my boat are made of it.
Got it.
Thanks for the compliment. It is harder to find great deals with welders, as I have discovered, but I will keep waiting and looking. I already own the heliweld (have not picked it up yet), so I will just sell it.
i
How about a Miller DialArc 250, would it work for me?
i
Yes, much better than a buzzbox with addons.
(Been there, done that) The DialArc HF has the high-freq start built in, essential for aluminum though your Heliweld may accomplish that as an addon.
I have a Dialarc 250HF. The HF means it has the high freq start built in. The external HF I used with a buzzbox worked OK; the big improvement was that the Dialarc just welds considerably better. It's probably more "constant current" than a buzzbox. There is certainly a lot more copper and iron there, at 480 lb. I've had it for about 10 years now and am still completely satisfied with it. I use it on both steel and aluminum.
I recently had a guy who'd worked in a welding shop tell me the shop replaced their Dialarcs with Synchrowaves -- and the guys doing the welding (including him) didn't like the Synchrowaves nearly as well. He said they had more trouble getting consistently good welds, as in making tanks with no leaks first try.
Some of the newer TIG machines have lots more bells and whistles, but a number of people have told me that the old Dialarc was a good machine capable of doing good work.
PolyTech Forum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.