The Ford Barn - View Single Post

deuce_roadster · 04-01-2021, 09:38 PM

I have an older Airco Idealarc TIG machine that was used on building a nuclear powerplant that never operated in this state. Got it really cheap with a full large bottle of argon. The nuke cooling towers are visible from the highway but they never produced a watt of energy. The nice thing is that the welder was certified regularly. Has copper windings, an 845 lb machine that welds really nicely.
A note to Rockfla- don't expect to instantly be a great TIG welder. It takes a lot of practice even if you are a good all around welder. For me, it was hard to break old gas welding habits when it seemed to be getting too hot, I would pull back and lose the arc. Get yourself a cheap belt sander to put new points on your tungsten that is not used for anything else. Have fun learning!

04-01-2021, 09:38 PM	#15
deuce_roadster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Shelton, WA Posts: 3,800	Re: TIG welder recomendations I have an older Airco Idealarc TIG machine that was used on building a nuclear powerplant that never operated in this state. Got it really cheap with a full large bottle of argon. The nuke cooling towers are visible from the highway but they never produced a watt of energy. The nice thing is that the welder was certified regularly. Has copper windings, an 845 lb machine that welds really nicely. A note to Rockfla- don't expect to instantly be a great TIG welder. It takes a lot of practice even if you are a good all around welder. For me, it was hard to break old gas welding habits when it seemed to be getting too hot, I would pull back and lose the arc. Get yourself a cheap belt sander to put new points on your tungsten that is not used for anything else. Have fun learning!