Arc Pig -- Convert Buzz Box to HF Tig

[KenS]

For those who would like a less expensive entry to tig welding, here is some food for thought for converting a Lincoln tombstone or similar buzz box to true High Frequency (not scratch- or lift-start) Tig:

Arc Pig introductory video and test.

Arc Pig home site.

U.S. company with a unique user manual and web site FAQs.

 

[DSLTRK]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing.

 

[tcianci]

Wild!

I had my old Craftsman buzz box on Craigslist just a couple weeks ago. The buyer bailed so I never did sell it. Now I might have the best reason in the world for keeping it!

 

[zkling]

Eh, hobbyist gimick

And this (from their website) backs it up.

Q: Can I TIG-weld aluminum with DC?

A: No. DCEN gives you penetration, DCEP gives you cleaning. Aluminum TIG requires both, so you need AC, even with a Pig.

Welding aluminum without remote amp control is very difficult. If you want a tig machine get a real one. Many headaches will be prevnted.

 

[texasfiremedic]

Sweet. A cheap high freq starter. I want one.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Very interesting. May be useful if you have the buzz box.

However, $350 + $150 for a torch and other supplies. You can get a brand new AlphaTIG 200X for $711 and it will arc weld also !

For an extra $86 ($797) you can get a 110V/200V (their words not mine) version of the same machine !