TIG Stick Welders

[Bobhaight]

I am relatively new to this. Been gas welding and MIG welding for a couple of years. I want to weld some heavier materials (e.g. angle iron, etc.) and should probably have a stick welder. I have seen several ads that seem to say that some TIG welders (maybe all) can also be used as stick welders.
I just thought that if I was going to buy another toy, I might get something like this and eventually be able to weld aluminum.
Any thoughts?
Thanks

Hi Bob,

Yes most TIG welders will stick weld also. I have a Lincoln 250/250 IdealArc Tig machine. To stick weld you simply turn the HiFreq to the "off" position. My machine was already wired with a stinger off the output - Tee'd off the "regular" output lug. Piece of cake.

Personally if I was gonna look into purchasing a NEW TIG -I'd at least consider the new Inverter machines - they really are SLICK. Super smooth arc - and also use LESS power for same effective output. We've got a Kempi at work - man is it awfully nice!!!!!

This will vary with the particular user but I would consider the 250/250 as a minimum sized machine. Personally speaking of course. Of ocurse lots of guys get by nicely with less, but I have already had my machine high enough where a lesser one would not have gone. Again - personal requirements.


Good Luck - there's LOTS to choose from.



Jacin in Ohio

[rkilgore29]

Hi Bob,

Welcome to Metalmeet.

I have not run across a TIG welder that couldn't be used as a power-source for stick. They may exist and I have just not seen one.

Many places have a small lead with a connector attached so they can plug in a rod holder and lead, sometimes called a stinger and whip. On the rare occasion we need to stick weld at work we just attach the rod holder and lead on the terminal post and remove it when we are done.

Originally Posted by Hemirambler

This will vary with the particular user but I would consider the 250/250 as a minimum sized machine. Personally speaking of course. Of ocurse lots of guys get by nicely with less, but I have already had my machine high enough where a lesser one would not have gone. Again - personal requirements.

Jacin in Ohio

Mind if I ask why you recomend a machine of this size. What work thickness in steel and Al can you expect to work with? I have some TIG experiance, and definatly come from the bigger is better schoool of tool purchasing. :twisted: Any experances would be appreciatied.

Thanks, Brian

Pretty much as long as a machine is Constant current, CC it can be used as stick, or tig. Constant voltage is a setup used for Mig, however high end migs are sometimes CC/CV.

I think as long as you can pump out at least 150 amps youll be fine, youll need more if you go over 1 inch plate, but youd really have to spec out quite a machine to be able to handle that kind of steel, think 3 phase.

Originally Posted by Black Sabbath

Mind if I ask why you recomend a machine of this size. What work thickness in steel and Al can you expect to work with? I have some TIG experiance, and definatly come from the bigger is better schoool of tool purchasing. :twisted: Any experances would be appreciatied.

Thanks, Brian

Aluminum is a great conductor of heat. What this means for welding (A/C TIG) is that the heat you apply to make the puddle gets pulled out to the rest of the piece, making it harder to form the puddle. So you need more amps to weld Al than you would with steel.

I have a Miller 180SD, which is only 180A, and I have to agree that I wish I had more power. On the other hand, it's really nice to have a TIG and if I had to wait for something bigger, I'd still be waiting right now.

[Ernie Ferrucci]

Hello Bob

Good thinking on the welder purchase. Stick welding is very effective on the thicker steel. I going to agree with Jason about the 250/250. I bought the same Lincoln 20 years ago and it's still in use, almost daily. True, it rarely gets used much past 140 amps but I have been up higher. It' nice to have the extra power when needed. As Barry mentioned, Tiging aluminum does require more heat than Tiging steel. The new Inverter Tig machines are nice, they are also smaller and lighter. I honestly don't know if you can stick weld with them.
Other thoughts: To Mig the thicker steel, (3/8" - up) you need a larger machine (250-300) set up with .045 wire, (larger depending on the work). I have a Millermatic 250 set up with .030" wire. On the infrequent occasions I need to weld extra heavy steel, I put the rod lead on the Lincoln & stick weld. This is quicker and easier than changing the wire in the Mig. Welding 1/4" stock with the .030" wire is about where I switch over. Even here the .030" wire is like high speed dental floss.
Welding manufacturers always like to stress the capacity, (thickness) but the everyday reality is somewhat less.
Bottom line: Once you own a Tig, and know how to use it, you will find it extremely useful. Of course this depends on the work. The Tig is No. 1 in my shop.

Ernie Ferrucci

[dribble]

hello Bob,all the best for the new year.,
I to have small gear[140 amp mig,130 amp pocket inverter welder[which will do stick or tig]],both came in at around 1000 nz dollars[about $700 US]and will weld up to 1/4inch plate.It was going to cost over $6000 nz for a single phase dc inverter that could weld aluminium[phew].My friendly local salesman suggested that would get alot of hirage hours at our local industrial hire outfit.That could be a way to go.
Cheers from this side of the world,dribble[dave]

[dribble]

hello Bob,all the best for the new year.,
I to have small gear[140 amp mig,130 amp pocket inverter welder[which will do stick or tig]],both came in at around 1000 nz dollars[about $700 US]and will weld up to 1/4inch plate.It was going to cost over $6000 nz for a single phase dc inverter that could weld aluminium[phew].My friendly local salesman suggested that would get alot of hirage hours at our local industrial hire outfit.That could be a way to go.
Cheers from this side of the world,dribble[dave]

[cyberrodder]

good info, I too am looking at one of these tig inverter units, I have been doing some homework. As I never go over 3/8in and havent welded aluminium yet, (thats what my oxy setup is for) I figure these tig inverters are pretty good value. I have been speaking recently to quite few people on this subject locally from a factory builder to a another rod builders and everyone seems to agree that anything thick do it via the stick and if you want to do sheet metal use the tig side of it. Also the small portabilty of them make it very handy. As personally I have a decent oxy setup (henrob) and very old arc welder I can weld stick quite well just would like some of the new options that come in these new units. Like non stick and easier starting? Price wise they look very good also in a cramped garage I really dont have the room for a large mig plus its bottles.

So my mind is made up I just got to find a locally decent unit for the price I wish to pay.

Dave.