Tig welding is the best choice amid all options to weld two or more dissimilar metals like copper, titanium, steel, bronze, nickel, brass, copper, magnesium, aluminum, gold and others, especially nonferrous metals. TIG welding is highly popular for its process of application. It is used extensively in aerospace industry for making space vehicle, Automotive industry for making motor vehicles including most components, such as engines, bodies excluding tire, batteries, and fuel. It is also applied in bicycle industries. TIG welding is often used to make root or first-pass welds for piping of various sizes corrosion and cracking for longtime up to longtime.
Top Rated TIG Welders
To purchase the best TIG Welder it’s sure that you will not compromise with the quality and price of the same. There are various types of TIG Welding Machines available in the market. You are required to know the information to choose the best among all. Some authentic information and reviews of the highest selling TIG Welding Machines are mentioned below-
1. HITBOX ARC Welder 160A Stick Welding Machine
People always want good products at cheap price. The ARC Welder 160A Stick Welding Machine will satisfy a lot of that expectation. The welder’s voltage is 220, the professionals use 220 volt welders on regular basis. It is digitally controlled, light-weighted and easily portable by a plastic handle. An inverter is connected with the machine that ensures the proper voltage and current. You will get 24 hours of after-sales service. Its warranty period is one year. It welds Iron Aluminum Copper i.e. different metals. Its power source is AC that satisfies the professional welders. The beginners also choose the machine for long planning. Welding machines cost increase with the rising of duty cycle, as reported from the market.
So, it is to be cleared that beginner can use the welder occasionally and the professional can also use the same on regular basis.
2. Amico TIG-165, 160 Amp HF TIG Torch Stick Arc Dc Inverter Welder, 110V/230V Dual Voltage Welding
Tig 165 is the most advanced inverter technology, dual input power is 110 to 230 volt. It is a multi-functional welding machine, which is used both for Tig and Stick welding. It welds steel, stainless steel, alloy steel, mild steel, nickel alloys, copper, brass, bronze, cast iron, chrome, etc. Because of its lightness and strength of the components, the professionals and individuals choose the welder confidently. Tig 165 is the best for high-frequency Tig torch. The machine is protected against voltage fluctuation like over-voltage, under-voltage, overload, over-current etc. The machine ensures 5-160 amps that are very appropriate for welding in a thin workpiece. The machine is auto temperature controlled that protects the weld area from atmospheric contamination by the inert shielding gas. It allows for stronger and higher quality welding.
3. Mophorn Tig Welder 200 Amp Tig Stick Welder 110V 220V Dual Voltage Portable Tig Welding Machine TIG ARC MMA Stick IGBT DC Inverter Welder Combo Welding Machine
The Mophorn Dual voltage portable welding machine is picked by the professionals and house users both for Tig and Stick arc welding. Its dual input power is 110V/220V. This is widely applied for machine manufacturing, steel metal processing, guardrail, automotive manufacturing, iron processing, large projects, factory, shipyard, house decoration and construction field. It has a current-output adjustable knob of 20-180 A for Tig welding and 20-160A for arc welding. The machine is compatible with weld 3/8” steel, stainless steel, titanium, copper brass. It is over-voltage, over-current, over-heat and power cooling protected system.
4. S7 TIG-200 Welding Machine, 200 Amp Gas HF TIG&ARC Portable (110V/220V) Inverter Welder for Stainless Steel, Alloy Steel, Carbon Steel, Copper, Copper Alloy and Other Non-Ferrous Metal Welding
ST7 Tig welding is the best for flawless welding. This is used both for Tig and Stick welding. You will not get spatter after welding and are not required to post-weld cleanup. In Tig welding by this machine thickness is 0.3 – 5.0 mm and in ARC welding thickness is 15 – 42 mm. Its portable handle makes it easy to operate and light weight makes it easy to carry. Suitable for stainless steel, alloy steel, copper, copper alloys, and other nonferrous metal not suitable for welding aluminum. Duty cycle is 60-80%. Warranty of the machine is 3 years, 24 hours online service and period of return is 30 days. Welder size is 36 x 24 x 16 cm.
5. Lotos TIG160 160A DC Tig Welder with DC Stick/Arc Welding Machine, IGBT, 110V 220V Auto Dual Voltage, Brown
Lotos 160 160A is suitable for welding stainless steel, mild steel, and other metals. It is high frequency ARC start, hand-torch, and precise foot pedal welding heat controlled. Papst advanced cooling system ensures the plasma cutter which has a stable and durable high performance. 160 AMP DC Tig Electric current output. Dual voltage input of 110/120V and 220/240V, and frequency is 50/60Hz, world standard including America. It is a multifunctional welder used both for Tig welding and Stick/MMA welding. It offers one year warranty with 30 days refund confirmation.
6. SUNCOO 200A TIG Welder MMA/STICK/ARC Welding Machine Inverter DC TIG-200CP HF Dual Voltage 110/220V with LED Digital Display Brush and Mask Yellow
Suncoo 200A is a multifunctional welder used in Tig and Stick/MMA Arc welding and also for traditional electric welding. It has 10-200AMP Tig electrode current output, auto dual voltage of 110/120V and 60Hz American standard frequency with LED amperage display. The machine is HF hand torch controlled, easy to start the ARC and Duty Cycle is 60%. Its specialties are stable welding current, low welding noise, little spatters, well and smooth welding appearance. The machine welds stainless steel, carbon and copper. It’s easy to operate and by pressing button you can change the welding mode from Tig to Stick. Tig welding thickness is 0.30 to 5.00 mm and application of electrode diameter is I 2-3 mm. Suncoo 200A makes the perfect weld as you need. It is overheat, over-pressure, over-current protected and power fluctuation controlled.
7. Amico TIG-200 Amp TIG Torch, Stick ARC DC Inverter Welder, 110V & 230V Dual Voltage Welding
Amico 200 Amp is a Tig & Stick welding machine. It welds up to ½” stainless steel, alloy steel, mild steel, copper, cast iron, and chrome. Its Duty Cycle is 60% at 200 Amp and it is Dual Voltage Input that means you can plug into any common power supply. This is favorable to deliver flawless weld and you will get no spatter after welding and not require to post-weld cleanup. The machine has 200A 30 ft Tig torch, 300A 10 ft electrode holder, 500A 10 ft work clamp. The machine is tested in USA and listed in ETL.
8. Amico TIG-225, 220 Amp High Frequency TIG, Stick ARC MMA Welder, 115/230V Dual Voltage Inverter Welding Machine
Amico Tig-225 is an advanced IGBT inverter technology, ideal for high-frequency Tig torch used as a bi-functional welder in Tig and Stick welding. It is a high-frequency ARC start, simple to operate, and LCD amperage display. It is picked by professionals and individuals for its lightness and strength of its components. The machine has excellent ARC stability and ensures 15-220 amp that is very appropriate for welding in a thin workpiece. The machine is protected against over-voltage, under-voltage, over-current, overloaded and auto compensated for voltage fluctuation. The machine is auto temperature and steeples controlled that ensures the quality weld. It produces flawless weld, you will get no spatters after welding and are not required to post-weld cleanup.
9. Lotos LTPDC2000D Non-Touch Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter Tig Welder and Stick Welder 3 in 1 Combo Welding Machine,½ Inch Clean Cut, Brown
Welders consider various sides before selecting a device to purchase. Metalworks are something hard. Professional welders are very choosy to purchase their products. They always search long-lasting, quality and jobs easy equipment to provide the service better to their customers. All the devices in the market are not reliable.
Lotos LTPDC 2000D is a first to market as a multipurpose welder. It works in Tig welding, Stick welding and Plasma cutting, three fruits in one tree. It can cut various types of metal up to 1/2-inch with the 50 Amp non-touch pilot arc plasma cutting function. From these points of view, Lotos LTPDC 2000D is the best. It is a strong, long-lasting and a quality machine. It provides three jobs by a single device. It offers more benefit at a lower cost and saves accommodation also. It is portable and its weight is comparatively light.
10. Lotos TIG200ACDC 200A AC/DC Aluminum Tig Welder with DC Stick/Arc Welder, Square Wave Inverter with Foot Pedal and Argon Regulator 110/220V Dual Voltage Brown
Lotos TIG200 is a multipurpose welding machine used by the professionals for Tig & stick welding and plasma cutting. It welds stainless steel, mild steel, aluminium and other metal materials. The machine is inverter and dual-voltage technology-enriched. The professionals choose the machine for its quality, and fancy jobs. It works for three machines but the price is for one machine i.e. investment is low but getting is bigger. As such the professionals choose the device easy for its quality, quality welding, and fancy works. Its weight and size make it easy to transport and store. Moreover, it confirms a 30 days refund and one-year service warranty.
VIDEO: TIG Welding Tips and Techniques
Related: Safety Tips
Welding:
Welding is a process, where metals and thermoplastics are being joined by applying heat with or without pressure. Steel, iron, aluminum, copper, copper alloys, nickel are being joined in welding process. Welding is performed in different environments like in open air, under water and in outer space.
Welding is done from different energy sources like gas flame, electric arc, laser, electron beam, friction and ultrasound, among all Electric Arc is widely used.
More than thirty types welding processes are existed but only the below methods are commonly applied:-
Mig (Metal Inert Gas) Welding process is used to weld carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, magnesium, copper, nickel, silicon, bronze and other alloys. Mig welding has the ability to join most type of metals with different thickness and it can be performed in most positions. This is a popular arc welding method for thin sheets and sections.
It is important to pay attention during welding to avoid electric shock, burns, vision damage, inhalation of poisonous gases and ultra violet radiation.
Consumable Metal Rod is used in MIG welding as electrode. Mig welder can weld mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. Electrode feed is required continuously in MIG welding. Mig welding is too powerful for aluminum but not enough powerful for cast iron. Mig welding is also known as Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) and Metal Active Arc Welding (MAGW).
Tig (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding is also known as Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW). In Tig welding non-consumable electrode (Usually tungsten) rod is used. It requires inert gas (Argon/Helium) and filler rod of similar composition of the parent material. This process is bit newer to the welders. Tig provides high quality welding. Many industries like aerospace, bicycle factory use Tig Welding Process to join pipes and weld tubes of small diameter and thin wall. Tig welding process is free of weld splatter and its distortion is low.
To keep safe from electric shock the welders use welding helmet, rubber boots, and rubber gloves under welding gloves.
Stick Welding
Plasma Arc Welding (PAW): This process uses ionized gases and electrodes that create hot plasma jets amid the welding area. This is better for narrow, deep and speedy wedding.
Flux Cored Arc welding (FCAW) process uses tubular electrodes that are filled with flux. It has a higher weld-metal deposition rate that is ideal for welding dense sections.
Shielded Metal arc Welding (SMAW): The SMAW process is simple, old and adaptable. The arc is made when the electrodes get touch welding area. This arc welding process is used in pipeline, shipbuilding and construction.
Submerged Arc Welding (SAW): This process functions with granular flux that creates a thick layer during welding. You will get no sparks and spatter here. It works like thermal insulators. SAW process is used for high speed sheet and plate steel welding and limited for horizontal welds.
Advantages of TIG Welding:
- Because of superior arc and controlled foot puddle system Tig welding creates high quality and clean work, where no further cleaning is required. The welder can increase or decrease the heat according to his requirement by using the foot pedal.
- Tig welding process is free of weld splatter and its distortion is low.
- Shielding gas in Tig welding protects the weld and tungsten.
- Tig produces high quality and clean welding.
- Tig welding welds more metals than any other welding process. This process can weld steel, stainless steel, chromoly, aluminum, nickel alloys, magnesium, copper brass, bronze, and gold.
- It may be done in all positions- flat, horizontal, vertical and overhead.
- One can easily operate this machine both manual and automatic.
- Welding may be done by applying less amount of heat.
- Thin materials are welded in this process.
Disadvantages of TIG Welding:
- This process is suitable for thick materials.
- It takes more times to weld.
- It is required high initial cost.
Why should you choose TIG Welder:
For joining thin pieces of metals and fancy works Tig Welding machine is used. Initial investment against Tig welding is something high but during welding your cost will be less.
Selection of right TIG Welder:
You will choose your welder based on your purpose. From that point of view first, you will see that you are an amateur or a professional. If you are an amateur you will select your welder considering the factors like weight, length, width, portability, welding position, welding materials, the thickness of the material, power source, welding quality, after-sales service, longevity, warranty and price. Detailed information of some welders of the latest and renowned companies has been shown in the above table, from where you can select your right product considering the points. A professional welder also searches pulsed welding, foot pedal, high-frequency settings, simple controls, versatility, cooling torch, arc quality, operating system (manually, robotic) in addition to above factors.
Welding Terminology:
Arc
The physical gap between the end of the electrode and the base metal. The physical gap causes heat due to resistance of current flow and arc rays. An arc is a sustained electric discharge through this ionized gas column called plasma between the two electrodes.
Tungsten
Tungsten is a heavy metal more than 2.5 times than steel, its melting point is 3422০ C. The temperature during welding of tungsten electrode reaches at 33250 C which is closer to the melting point of tungsten.
Slag
Substance that is used to remove or prevent the formation of undesirable oxide and other substances during welding.
Flux
Flux is the substance added to the molten metals to bond with impurities that can be readily removed.
Welding torch
Welding torch is a part of welding apparatus. It conducts electric current to the electrode and carries the shielding gas to the arc zone. It serves to adjust the mixture of gases and guide the welding flame during gas welding like Tig welding and Mig welding.
Shielding gas
Shielding gas protects the welding area from oxygen and water vapor. This is inert or semi-inert gases that are commonly used several welding processes most commonly in Tig and Mig welding.
Foot pedal :
Earth clamp
Earth clamp is a metal strip that connects the lead out cable of energiser to an earth rod like water pipe. It guarantees a secure connection between the energiser and earthing system for optimum electrical connectivity.
Frequency
Frequency is expressed in cycles per second, or Hz [The hertz (Hz) is the derived unit of frequency].
Auto compensated
Automatic Compensation Scheme means customers will get the money back from their provider when things go wrong, without having to ask for it.
Power Efficiency
Power efficiency is expressed in percentage. Power efficiency 80% means, the output is 80% of input.
Duty cycle
A 60% duty cycle is a signal that is ON 60% of the time and OFF the other 40%. For example, a 150 amp. welder with a 30% duty cycle must be "rested" for at least 7 minutes after 3 minutes of continuous welding.
Ampere
Ampere is a measuring unit of the rate of electron flow or current in an electrical conductor. The measurement of the amount of electricity flowing past a given point in a conductor per second. Current is another name for amperage.
One ampere = One coulomb of charge flowing per second.
One coulomb = 6.24 X 1018 electrons each second
Volt
Ampere is a measuring unit of the flow of current in an electrical conductor. Current is a count of the number of electrons flowing through a circuit. One ampere is the amount of current produced by a force of one volt acting through the resistance of one Ohm.
Dual voltage
A dual voltage device can accept 110-120 volt and 220-240 volt. Dual Voltage Input means you can plug into any common power supply. If you see something on the power label that looks like 110V AC or 120V AC, that is a single voltage device.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is an alloy of Iron with a minimum of 10.5% Chromium. Chromium produces a thin layer of oxide on the surface of the steel known as the 'passive layer'. This prevents any further corrosion of the surface. Increasing the amount of Chromium gives an increased resistance to corrosion.
Stainless steel also contains varying amounts of Carbon, Silicon and Manganese. Other elements such as Nickel and Molybdenum may be added to impart other useful properties such as enhanced form-ability and increased corrosion resistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How we can clean the base metal?
Ans: It is important to clean the base metal and keep from contamination including dirt, paint, and oil. Wipe the metal by cloths or scrap.
2. What are causes of unstable arc?
Ans: Due to the wrong size of tungsten that means if the tungsten is too large for the amperage the arc will rotate around the end of the tungsten. Conversely if the tungsten is too small for the amperage the current can melt the metal resulting to an erratic Arc.
3. Which current AC or DC is better for Tig welding?
Ans: AC (Alternate Current) is best for Tig Welding and DC is best for Mig Welding.
4. What are the precautionary measures for Tig Welding?
Ans: Clean your welder before starting welding to avoid inhibition of components. In case of Direct Current the welder should be manual and AC welder to be with reduced open circuit voltage. Flammable materials should be moved from welding area. Personal protections like goggles, fire proof protective cloths, face & head mask, globes wearing to be ensured.