Tig conversion kit?

[Mike Davis]

I have a lincoln 200 arc welder, can i get a tig conversion kit for it? I understand it will probably be a scratch start, but i would like to do 1/4 to 3/8 aluminum. Also some mild stainless would be nice.

[toxicz28]

They sell tig torches that you can clamp a stinger handle on, attach a gas hose, etc. and weld with. Mild and stainless steels aren't a problem, make sure your torch is - and the ground is +. The question is "Does the machine weld AC? If not, you can forget about welding aluminum.

[wendell]

Pretty much isn't going to work. With out HF and AC balance control, you're not going to be able to weld AL.

[Mathius]

They sell tig torches that you can clamp a stinger handle on, attach a gas hose, etc. and weld with. Mild and stainless steels aren't a problem, make sure your torch is - and the ground is +. The question is "Does the machine weld AC? If not, you can forget about welding aluminum.

If he's talking about those little 220amp buzz boxes that are sold at home depot, lowes, etc. they're ac only to begin with. You can grab them on craigslist for about $100 regularly used.

But can't you weld aluminum with DC+ ? I thought I had heard that, but I've never tried to tig aluminum with anything besides ac and I haven't done that in about 4 years, so I can't confirm it.

Then again, if memory serves, high frequency is what starts the arc prior to touching the material if you're not using a foot pedal and I don't know how you could scratch start aluminum? It's too susceptible to contamination. The tungsten burns at a much higher temperature than aluminum and contaminates the weld from the word "go."

Mathius

[80proZ]

But can't you weld aluminum with DC+ ? I thought I had heard that, but I've never tried to tig aluminum with anything besides ac and I haven't done that in about 4 years, so I can't confirm it.

Then again, if memory serves, high frequency is what starts the arc prior to touching the material if you're not using a foot pedal and I don't know how you could scratch start aluminum? It's too susceptible to contamination. The tungsten burns at a much higher temperature than aluminum and contaminates the weld from the word "go."

Mathius

You can weld AL on DC+ but it runs really hot.You can also scratch start it but you wont like it.The HF does more than just start your arc.
IF its a AC only machine you will not be able to TIG steel or SS.