The Chopper Compendium

I've been looking at TIG welders recently, and finally bit the bullet.

My buddy had a good experience with Eastwood, buying and shipping, so I decided to check out their products. Found this...

http://www.eastwood.com/tig-welders-eas ... elder.html

I considered and was tempted by a ThermalArc, but it was DC only, and wouldn't work for aluminum.

This welder is AC/DC, 200 Amps, 115/220V. It's a few hundred dollars more, but I decided I want the option to weld aluminum. Got this and 2 kits with 3/32" and 1/16" consumables for about $945, with free shipping. They don't offer free shipping to Alaska, so I'm gonna use a freight forwarder. That should cost about $127 more.

The 2 kits combined have 2 one lb tubes of 36" 4043 wire rod for aluminum, 2 one lb tubes of ER70S-2 wire rod for steel and SS, 4 red thoriated tungsten for steel and SS, and 4 green pure tungsten for aluminum. Half are 3/32" and half are 1/16".

Reviews were 95% very good, but some of the early ones spoke about problems with electrical components. The most recent reviews were all pretty positive.

The ability to weld aluminum was the primary reason to go with this welder. It is the most reasonable price I thought I could find without waiting for the deal of a lifetime.

looks like a smoking good deal to me I think I paid around 2500 for my Lincoln 225 it was a few years ago and prices seem to change fast as tech gets better

MAN I AM JEALOUS!!!!

I want a TIG so bad and even thought about postponing my build untill I had one but, was itching to build too bad!!!

The unit with the built in plasma cutter in it too would knock two major things off my want list!!!

I can find all kinds of the DC only units here second hand cheap but, like you want an AC/DC unit to weld aluminum too!!!

NICE SCORE!!!

Awesome! Great new tool. I'd love to have one of those (and the ability to use it). I do have a friend that owns a welding shop. I'm really nice to him!

Great buy, and versatile.

I did not know they did not ship free to Alaska.

I'm expecting to put it to good use this winter. My work load will be minimal or non-existant (unemployed). I like to stay home and keep the wood stove burning 24/7 to cut down on heating costs.
Maybe, just maybe, I'll get back on my trike build. Making the frame is the next step.

Indian Mark wrote:Awesome! Great new tool. I'd love to have one of those (and the ability to use it). I do have a friend that owns a welding shop. I'm really nice to him!

funny how the grass is always greener id love to have the tools and ability you do

curt wrote:

Indian Mark wrote:Awesome! Great new tool. I'd love to have one of those (and the ability to use it). I do have a friend that owns a welding shop. I'm really nice to him!

funny how the grass is always greener id love to have the tools and ability you do

Amen to that Curt, I've always been in awe of the stuff Mark turns out.
Especially those wheels he did for Hosedragger!

Thanks guys. Working on a new project. was considering a build log here, but didn't know if anyone would dig it. I'm building from scratch a 1911 (pistol). Been studying prints and talking with gunsmiths. Haven't actually cut anything yet. I'm thinking it'll take a year to build.
(Sorry about jacking your thread here Curt)

Indian Mark wrote:Thanks guys. Working on a new project. was considering a build log here, but didn't know if anyone would dig it. I'm building from scratch a 1911 (pistol). Been studying prints and talking with gunsmiths. Haven't actually cut anything yet. I'm thinking it'll take a year to build.
(Sorry about jacking your thread here Curt)

I would be interested!!!

Some precsion work would have to go into that!!!

Indian Mark wrote:Thanks guys. Working on a new project. was considering a build log here, but didn't know if anyone would dig it. I'm building from scratch a 1911 (pistol). Been studying prints and talking with gunsmiths. Haven't actually cut anything yet. I'm thinking it'll take a year to build.
(Sorry about jacking your thread here Curt)

its railroad bobs thread I think and I like those wheels too bob check out his site those springer parts I would kill for too

Indian Mark wrote:Thanks guys. Working on a new project. was considering a build log here, but didn't know if anyone would dig it. I'm building from scratch a 1911 (pistol). Been studying prints and talking with gunsmiths. Haven't actually cut anything yet. I'm thinking it'll take a year to build.
(Sorry about jacking your thread here Curt)

Hmmm, I'm tempted to harass ya for jacking my thread, but I'm too interested in your 1911 build. Please share, I'm sure there is a lot interest. Put it in the bullpen probably. I've been getting some 80% receivers myself, and DLing plans, vids.

crap! that's a heck of a deal. i've just gotten the stuff scraped together to have a scratch start TIG setup, but if i could get my hands on one of those here, it would be really tempting. (well, if i had the money, too…)

be sure to let us know how it works. i may need one of those in the next couple of years.

-dan

budoka wrote:be sure to let us know how it works. i may need one of those in the next couple of years.-dan

Count on it. I've always admired a well made TIG weld. I hope to make a few myself. I know quite a few guys who are good at it, and I'm sure I can get some good advice.

Keep the tungnsten clean and do not touch the work piece with it!!!!
HA HA HA!!!