I'm going to paste the specs for this inverter-based ESAB TIG machine below. What do you guys think of this one in comparison to the Lincoln Square Wave 175 Pro and Miller Syncrowave 180 SD? It's about the same price range, but lighter (30 lbs vs 150lbs+), draws half as many amps from the wall, has a balance adjustment, etc. I think someone has said before that ESAB is considered to be a respectable brand (not a fly-by-night brand), right? Is this a highly functional AND high quality machine?
Also, can anyone tell me what this "Two Stroke Non HF Starting or Four Stroke with HF starting and Trigger Lock" feature is? I know with the Lincoln Square Wave 175 Pro that I tried on aluminum, all I had to do to start the arc was to bring the torch tip close to the metal after stepping on the foot amptrol. How does this differ?
Best regards,
Dave
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Square wave AC output gives superior welding with improved cleaning and lack of rectification
AC wave balance control - allows adjustment from maximum cleaning to maximum penetration
Arc force control - fine tunes arc for stick weling from soft to a high penetration, digging arc
Two Stroke Non HF Starting or Four Stroke with HF starting and Trigger Lock
Direct connections for Tig torch and electrode holder for maximum convenience
Adjustable preflow and postflow gas control - protects weld area and extends tungsten life
12 ft.(3.6 m) gas hose
Protected against overheating and overcurrent
One-year warranty
10 to 160A AC & DC TIG Welding
Trigger Lock
Adjustable downslope control
Presettable start current
Low current draw
Ordering Information
Heliarc 161 packages listed below include power source, HW-17V, spare parts kit, input cable, Reg/Flowmeter, gas hose, 15 ft Work Cable & 1# Electrodes.
Heliarc 161 AC/DC
Heliarc 161 AC/DC w HW-17V TL 12 1/2ft 0558002775
Heliarc 161 AC/DC w HW-17V TL 12 1/2ft & Electrode Holder/FC-5B 0558002776
Heliarc 161 AC/DC w HW-17V TL 25ft 0558002777
Heliarc 161 AC/DC w HW-17V TL 25ft & Electrode Holder/FC-5B 0558002778
Heliarc 161 AC/DC Options & Accessories
Kit, Accessory HW-17 999126
R-33 FM 580 Reg/Flowmeter 21557
Primary Extension cord (25 ft) 50 amp 37833
FC-5B Foot Control 33646
Work Cable 15 ft TL 35881
Gas Hose 6' 31503
Gas Hose 12 1/2' 40V77
Gas Hose 25' 34V38
HW-17V TL 12 1/2' 35857
HW-17V TL 25' 35856
Electrode Holder 15' 175 amp 0558002692
Tee Connector (1 Male/2 Female) 13792692
Torch Adaptor HW-17 Std to Twist Lock 0558002692
TC-3A Remote Torch Switch - 30 ft cable w/ 14 pin plug 35783
TC-2B Torch Control - 25 ft cable w/ 14 pin plug 33839
Instruction Literature F-15-655
Sales Literature ARC-23101,(4/01)
Specifications
Primary Input Voltage/Phase 208/230Vac, 1ph, 50/60 Hz
Primary Input Current @ Rated Load 30/27 Amps
Efficiency 83%
Power Factor .81
TIG Duty Cycle & Rated Output 40% - 160 amps @ 16.4 v
STICK Duty Cycle & Rated Output 35% - 160 amps @ 26.0 v
Open Circuit Voltage (max) 50 v
Net Weight 28.7 lbs(13 kg)
W x L x H(both models).............................8.0in.(200mm) x 14.4in.(360mm) x 16.4in.(410mm)
Dave, I'd hazard a guess that the "two stroke non HF starting" would mean either scratch start or lift arc. I lean more to the latter as it's a current machine.
As for four stroke with HF starting, I think it could be a four hit cycle on the trigger which is what my OTC machines, both new and old use.
Going by the specs posted the machine comes with presettable start current. Which if it's anything like my OTC anything from 0 amps to the machines maximum, in your case 160 amps.
What happens with my OTC machine is when I hold the trigger on to start, the current runs at whatever preset I have set on the machine. When I let go of the trigger, the machine then goes on to welding current which is what amperage I think the machine needs to do the work. When I next hold the trigger on, the machine goes through downslope to my crater fill setting. When I let go the trigger again, the arc stops immediately.
The benefit that I get is that during the welding current phase I don't have to have my finger on the trigger.
It sounds confusing but it's become 2nd nature to me and I like it.
Trigger lock sounds just like it says. A lock on the trigger to prevent accidental arc starts.
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