[Noisebridge-discuss] let's get a TIG welder

[Matthew Silvey]

I think this is a great idea but maybe not good for NoiseBridge for
the following reasons.

You may want to install it in a building not made of wood.  I don't
think NoiseBridge is in one of these.

TIG welding does not create noxious fumes in the sense that using a
welding method that relies on an inert gas doesn't.  The material you
weld might.  Some lightweight reference here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_fume_fever

Thanks,
Matthew

On Fri, Aug 17, 2012 at 12:55 PM, Jake <jake at spaz.org> wrote:
>
> at Toorcamp i was reminded of how badly noisebridge, and all hackerspaces,
> need a TIG welder.  It is the soldeing iron of welding, because you can melt
> things without necessarily adding metal or sticking them together.
>
> Also, very importantly, TIG welding does not create noxious fumes because
> the only gas released is Argon or Helium, as a shielding gas (to prevent
> oxidation of the hot metal) and no flux is used.
>
> Harbor Freight Tools carries a TIG welder for $400.  It has good reviews and
> I think it would be worth the money.  Monad has an Argon tank he will donate
> toward its operation.
>
> It seems that its only drawbacks are the lack of a foot pedal (gee i wonder
> if we could make one) and an unusual hose fitting for the argon (easily
> replaced).
>
> I have welded with fancy and cheap machines and the cheap machines are fine
> if you mod them to do what you want.  I had a cheap tiny Arc welder with a
> low duty cycle (overheats fast) and guess what - if you put a fan in it the
> duty cycle goes way up.  Imagine that?
>
> I just talked to the store in Concord and they have one in stock.
> $399.  The guy recommended the 2-year extended replacement warrantee for $79
> or 1 year for $49.  If we get it we should also get a nice automatic LCD
> welding mask (i can donate a regular mask for spectators) and gloves and
> shit.
>
> http://www.harborfreight.com/tig-mma-inverter-welding-machine-with-digital-readout-98233.html
>
> Professionals liked the smooth quiet ark. The highvoltage arc starter works
> great (they should include this feature in the prod description).
> Odd gas inlet connector but easily fixed by removing and replacing with a
> 1/4" pipe elbow and hose barb. Don't be fooled by the light wieght. Modern
> design uses a much smaller power transformer with a highfrequency power
> supply (like all modern computers) to hold down wieght.
> BOTTOM LINE Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
>
> Most Liked Negative Review:
> Good Machine
> I have this machine and was wanting a foot pedal. I might like this machine
> more if I had a foot pedal.
>
> (I'm sure Rusty the Welding Teacher would turn up his nose at this welder,
> because his TIG machine was $2000, but he also turned up his nose at helping
> us with the bus so whatever to that.)
> _______________________________________________
> Noisebridge-discuss mailing list
> Noisebridge-discuss at lists.noisebridge.net
> https://www.noisebridge.net/mailman/listinfo/noisebridge-discuss