Larry,
I dont think it's been established that the builder was proficient at GTAW; there may have been little improvement in weld quality had he been using a name brand machine, but I accept your point; it was not one I was addressing.
I doubt it would be advisible to learn to weld on any RubeGoldberg power supply- I know I would have to be desperate to attempt to do so. It's hard enough to self-teach using good to excellent equipment. Rather than ridicule a valiant and innovative imagination I sought to find a place where it might be recognized for the merit it does, in fact, deserve... I see no advantage to denegrating the idea even if it may be loosely described as "right for the wrong reason" and submit that any crackpot crazy enough to come up with a contraption like that which even remotely works is worthy of some kind of credit, and as individuals we would get more out of it by using our energy to see how it could be put to good and productive use SOMEHOW. I would like to think of it as good forum form, courtesy and manners.
Naturally niether Lincoln, Esab, Miller nor Thermal design their power supplies like that. I've no great surprise if it welds like it were the crude equipment it actually is, but it works better than the one I built,and I suspect better than the one you built as well. If I knew how to improve on it by adding a capacitor or something I would mention it. I would hope anyone else here would do the same- being unable, perhaps we should demonstrate some discretion.
There's a lot to be said for crackpot ideas, and that crackpot has my vote. I'd be curious as to how to improve it's arc and I think it would make for a good discussion and even better project.
It would be appropriate to present the concept to AWS directors; as many school systems are treating manual arts with increasing disdain think how effectively this might bring welding to the masses through the science cirriculum... serving a fundamental purpose of the Society.
This idea has merit perhaps even the designer didnt have the vision to identify. I would venture that with a little refinement it also can be made to run a decent bead, and if and when he discovers how, he will be more a master of the art than most of us who can manage to turn a switch and set a knob... more power to him.
It's probably not a good sign that I can understand crazy ideas and off-the-wall motivations.
Regards
d