Welding Tips and Tricks

Hi All,

I am a new member here! I have welded since High School 1983, Stik, mig and acetylene!
I currently own a Miller 212 with spool gun and have done some Aluminum with the spool gun with decent results.
I am considering building an aluminum boat for my own use from a kit with plans etc. and am interested in possibly purchasing a tig machine.

I have been shopping and I have kinda narrowed it down to either the CK worldwide machine or an Everlast 255ext, which are both at about the max that I want to spend for a machine right now.

Any comments or suggestions that you all may have I would really like to hear and would really appreciate!


Gary

Hello

I can't help with your question but welcome from Stokes County, North Carolina.

You'll see mixed referrals for both. Many love theirs, others have had poor results. Both are quite capable boxes.

For the money you probably can't beat PrimeWeld 225 TIG. It's $800 and complete.

gfrost wrote:Hi All,

I am a new member here! I have welded since High School 1983, Stik, mig and acetylene!
I currently own a Miller 212 with spool gun and have done some Aluminum with the spool gun with decent results.
I am considering building an aluminum boat for my own use from a kit with plans etc. and am interested in possibly purchasing a tig machine.

I have been shopping and I have kinda narrowed it down to either the CK worldwide machine or an Everlast 255ext, which are both at about the max that I want to spend for a machine right now.

Any comments or suggestions that you all may have I would really like to hear and would really appreciate!


Gary

Welcome Gary,

I've built aluminum boats using Glenn L plans. I did mine with a combination of a Spool gun and Tig but in reality I could have done it all with the spool gun. I had the Everlast and the Miller when I was doing that. One of the biggest problems I had was learning when to stop and not let things get too hot. Warping is going to be your biggest hurtle to overcome. The spool gun is faster and goes in hot so you can get out quick. If you tig, get a mixer and add helium so you can start faster and get out quicker. Good luck with your projects, I'd keep the Miller with the spool gun and only get the TIG if you find that you absolutely need it. TIG Welding aluminum takes a lot of practice but if you are prepared to invest the time in that then you can have some very rewarding results.