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TIG welder quandary, replace my Hobart 300S or get 3 phase?
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Author:  RichardSIA [ December 2, 2018, 3:08 am ]
Post subject:  TIG welder quandary, replace my Hobart 300S or get 3 phase?

Just had to move my shop and so no longer have three-phase power for my old but excellent Hobart 300S AC/DC TIG and Stick welder. :(
It's an 800 Lb. monster that probably cost $6K back in the 80's, around $25K in todays worthless scrip!
Welds great and has a 60% duty cycle, uses a water cooled torch, does stick welding when needed.
Looking to find values I learned a new trick tonight, run a stick from the TIG terminal and modulate with the pedal!
But without 3-Ph. power it's deadweight. :ack:

Made the mistake of the year when I sold my Phase Perfect converter. :BH:
New replacement is about $6K.

Been looking at the newer inverter machines, small, light, single-phase, fairly cheap, but also seem to all be air-cooled torches and should not be expected to last for decades?
Also apparently do not run as smooth as the old machines but "Easier" to set up and run?

I have 3-Ph. NEAR my new shop, and across the street from home but have not been able to get an answer from the utility company on getting it INTO either property. (We will have an engineer call you back....)

No longer have CNC machines so wondering if a less expensive rotary phase converter is an option, or would that degrade the performance of my welder?

Need to get a solution soon, wondering if anyone knows of a fairly inexpensive DC/AC TIG that does not cut too many corners so can use my water-cooled torch and has a duty cycle to justify it?

Really cannot pay several thousand to install 3-Ph. into a shop I do not own, cannot get an answer for the home, 100 Amp capable phase converter cost more than a new high-end welder.

Suggestions?

Author:  Miatav8,MstrASE,A&P,F [ December 2, 2018, 7:33 am ]
Post subject:  Re: TIG welder quandary, replace my Hobart 300S or get 3 pha

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_ ... der+review

Chuck is one of several different youtubers that do a lot of TIG reviews, torch comparison, and parts interchange.

Standard torches fit most machines so you can size and or type (air/water) as necessary for the heat. FWIW, I just bought an AHP Alpha 200.

Author:  SkinnyG [ December 2, 2018, 12:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: TIG welder quandary, replace my Hobart 300S or get 3 pha

Not a welder, but I run Teco VFD's on my mill and my lathe, purchased from here:

https://dealerselectric.com/230V-single-phase-input.asp

For my 1hp lathe and 2hp mill, they were cheap and work awesome.

Author:  RichardSIA [ December 3, 2018, 4:42 am ]
Post subject:  Re: TIG welder quandary, replace my Hobart 300S or get 3 pha

Miatav8,MstrASE,A&P,F wrote:
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=chucke2009+tig+welder+review

Chuck is one of several different youtubers that do a lot of TIG reviews, torch comparison, and parts interchange.

Standard torches fit most machines so you can size and or type (air/water) as necessary for the heat. FWIW, I just bought an AHP Alpha 200.


Hmm, I was considering the HF Vulcan Pro-Tig 200, https://www.harborfreight.com/protig-20 ... 63619.html but the AHP Alpha 200 has a better price, apparently more control, and a 60% duty cycle vs only 25% for the Vulcan.
I also like the three year warranty vs the HF ONE year and then BUY additional warranty. :shock:
The local box store is out of them and I refuse to buy ANYTHING from Amazon after getting junk Miata parts from them (And their feculent politics), so I have to search out a retailer.

Thinking I may put the Hobart into storage for the day I get 3-Ph. again but concerned that the caps may suffer it it's not powered up occasionally?
Maybe "Store" it with a guy I know who does have 3-Ph. but does not do TIG? :?

Author:  RichardSIA [ December 4, 2018, 3:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: TIG welder quandary, replace my Hobart 300S or get 3 pha

The AHP site now displays a slightly different model designation, AHP AlphaTIG 201XD.
I am going to call in the morning to see what changed.
$720.00 price is nice but I will still have to see about selling the Hobart.
If I cannot get a reasonable price for the Hobart it will be stored until I can get three-phase.

Author:  RichardSIA [ December 4, 2018, 4:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: TIG welder quandary, replace my Hobart 300S or get 3 pha

Hobart is now for sale, kind of cheap.
If I cannot get my price I will put it into storage until I regain 3-Ph. power.

reno.craigslist.org/tls/d/hobart-cyberwave-300-tig-stick/6764296986.html

Author:  duratec7 [ December 4, 2018, 1:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: TIG welder quandary, replace my Hobart 300S or get 3 pha

Another option a friend of mine is considering is https://www.amazon.com/PRIMEWELD-TIG225X-Stick-Welder-Warranty/dp/B07BXHRBQ8
Obviously if Amazon averse, it isn't your thing, but seems to have similar specs as the AHP unit.

Author:  RichardSIA [ December 4, 2018, 2:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: TIG welder quandary, replace my Hobart 300S or get 3 pha

AHP $750 with shipping, and no Amazon involvement to bother my conscience.

Author:  Miatav8,MstrASE,A&P,F [ December 4, 2018, 9:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: TIG welder quandary, replace my Hobart 300S or get 3 pha

I chose AHP for support and some history.

They seem to change the model suffix every year with small improvements.

Author:  RichardSIA [ January 20, 2019, 7:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: TIG welder quandary, replace my Hobart 300S or get 3 pha

Well, I scraped together $720 delivered for the AHP 201XD and put the order direct with AHP a few minutes ago.
Did a lot of on-line reviews first.
Appears to clearly be the best deal in this price range, amazing how many less capable units are being sold for much more.
Expect that it should be here about Thursday.
From what I've seen it will either be fine for years to come or will catch fire when I plug it in! :roll:
Did not want to buy a toy welder but it makes no ssense to spend hundreds of dollars upgrading electric on a building I am only leasing for one year if my plans work out.

Author:  geek49203 [ January 20, 2019, 7:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: TIG welder quandary, replace my Hobart 300S or get 3 pha

Is this the one that can either do 110 or 220?

If so, what would I lose if I ran it on 110 (versus 220)? Would really love to have a way to weld aluminum, but so far figure that it's not happening w/o 220.

Author:  RichardSIA [ January 20, 2019, 8:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: TIG welder quandary, replace my Hobart 300S or get 3 pha

Yes, 110V/220V and DC/AC plus stick.
You lose about 30% of power on 110V but still plenty for most Locost type work.
Weight around fifty pounds so "Portable" but not super light.
Newer model is much improved from just a couple of years ago.
60% duty cycle compared to 25% or less from more expensive competitors. :ack:

IF buying only go factory direct, ensures the warranty will be honored and much cheaper than Amazon, feeBay, and the rest of the bandit middle-men only charging you to delay your order! :BH:

I almost bought a used U.S. Made Lincoln for only $500, but it weighs 500 Lb. and requires 80A of power. :cry:

Author:  rx7locost [ January 21, 2019, 11:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: TIG welder quandary, replace my Hobart 300S or get 3 pha

You're gonna like that Alpha TIG unit. :cheers:

Author:  RichardSIA [ January 21, 2019, 12:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: TIG welder quandary, replace my Hobart 300S or get 3 pha

I forsee a water cooled torch in the future.
Hoping the new tech is as much easier to use as is claimed.

Author:  RichardSIA [ January 22, 2019, 2:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: TIG welder quandary, replace my Hobart 300S or get 3 pha

Now here is a pleasant surprise!
Ordered the AHP on Sunday, apparently they do not get over-excited about MLK day, as UPS says delivery TOMORROW! (Tuesday)

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