Hi, I have an old Daytona Mig Tig welder. It is the 150 amp unit. Bought it in the 1980's and it has worked O.K. My issue is with the scratch start. On thicker material the arc will start better but thin auto body stock it is hit and miss. I installed a bigger ground and have a good connection to the welding table. I even have an extra cable I attach to the work piece. I flow about 10-15 CFM of support gas. I have used 2% thoriated Tungsten , and am trying 1.5 % Lanthium electrode. 1/16 electrode with a # 7 cup. Would the Cerrated electrode work better for easier arc starting? Would a smaller electrode work better for thinner gauge steel? I can only get the #7 cup around my area and the corresponding collet and collar for 1/16 electrode. If I can use a smaller electrode and #5 cup where can I buy them for the T150 torch head. I have opened up the welder blew it out and made sure everything is connected well. Thanks.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Daytona Mig Tig welder
- Thread starter Orca
- Start date
jonesg
Well-known member
Hi, I have an old Daytona Mig Tig welder. It is the 150 amp unit. Bought it in the 1980's and it has worked O.K. My issue is with the scratch start. On thicker material the arc will start better but thin auto body stock it is hit and miss. I installed a bigger ground and have a good connection to the welding table. I even have an extra cable I attach to the work piece. I flow about 10-15 CFM of support gas. I have used 2% thoriated Tungsten , and am trying 1.5 % Lanthium electrode. 1/16 electrode with a # 7 cup. Would the Cerrated electrode work better for easier arc starting? Would a smaller electrode work better for thinner gauge steel? I can only get the #7 cup around my area and the corresponding collet and collar for 1/16 electrode. If I can use a smaller electrode and #5 cup where can I buy them for the T150 torch head. I have opened up the welder blew it out and made sure everything is connected well. Thanks.
You got your money's worth out of that 40 yr old welder, what about getting a nicer tig machine with foot pedal.
No more scratch start.!
I agree and it has welded up many cars and projects. It works well on thicker steel no problem. Checking out an older transformer unit or the newer inverter models. See alot of complaints from users from poor quality tig welders. So what do I buy for about up to 200 amp unit with a pedal. I had a Miller syncrowave 300 at work for years so I know what a good welder with a pedal is. Stitching thin auto panels is my goal at the moment so do not need high power units just a good quality unit that will not break down in a short time. I have a nice Miller mig welder again nice unit. Local welding shop guy said there are problems with both Lincoln and Miller recently. He would know as they come in for repair. Guy has been there many years so I trust him. Do not want HF or knock off units.So not looking to cheap out but not wanting a $3000.00 unit either. I recently worked a vintage Thermal arc unit from Sanrex. Nice unit and smooth as silk running. Believe it is a 185 amp unit purchased about 20 years ago. But anybody that has one for sale want stupid money for them. Some units cannot get boards for anymore. New units being told not as good as old ones. Just want honest answer from a hobbist who works them. I cannot understand what the issue is with the scratch start. Trying to get a better start of the arc. Thanks.
I agree and it has welded up many cars and projects. It works well on thicker steel no problem. Checking out an older transformer unit or the newer inverter models. See alot of complaints from users from poor quality tig welders. So what do I buy for about up to 200 amp unit with a pedal. I had a Miller syncrowave 300 at work for years so I know what a good welder with a pedal is. Stitching thin auto panels is my goal at the moment so do not need high power units just a good quality unit that will not break down in a short time. I have a nice Miller mig welder again nice unit. Local welding shop guy said there are problems with both Lincoln and Miller recently. He would know as they come in for repair. Guy has been there many years so I trust him. Do not want HF or knock off units.So not looking to cheap out but not wanting a $3000.00 unit either. I recently worked a vintage Thermal arc unit from Sanrex. Nice unit and smooth as silk running. Believe it is a 185 amp unit purchased about 20 years ago. But anybody that has one for sale want stupid money for them. Some units cannot get boards for anymore. New units being told not as good as old ones. Just want honest answer from a hobbist who works them. I cannot understand what the issue is with the scratch start. Trying to get a better start of the arc. Thanks.