DC vs AC TIG Welding

If you are curious about DC vs AC TIG welding, this page should help.

This first video explains why we tig weld aluminum on AC and most  other metals like carbon steel, stainless steels, nickel alloys, and titanium on DC.

Difference in cost between DC and AC TIG welding machines

In my opinion, the primeweld 225 is one of the best choices in affordable tig welders.

The problem with most other really affordable tig welders is usually the foot pedal and the torch are just bad and clunky.

Primeweld went to extra expense to include genuine ck torches with superflex hoses along with a smooth SSC style foot pedal.

They also have a responsive primeweld equipment users group on facebook and also have demonstrated great customer support

Watch some primeweld videos and you will see what I mean.

Not that long ago, there was a pretty big difference in the cost between an AC/DC tig welder and a DC only TIG welder.

There is still a small difference in cost but it is minimal so unless you are doing something very specific like sanitary stainless tubing where a small DC only welder works fine, The best value is an AC/DC tig welder.

Primeweld TIG325x Videos

I like the digital readout feature on the primeweld tig 325x. It makes setting pulse rates easier.  

water cooled package shown below with ck 20 torch

DC only TIG welder

DC only inverter TIG welders are extremely small and portable.

Some of them weigh less than 20 lbs and are as small as a lunch box.

They do have there place because they are so portable.

With a DC only tig welder, you can weld carbon steel, chromoly, stainless, titanium, inconel, and a bunch of other metals but you cant weld aluminum or magnesium. ( at least not in a practical way).

That is why an AC DC tig welder is usually the best choice for a shop.

An AC/DC TIG welder is much more versatile than a DC only TIG welder

With an AC/DC tig welder, there are not limitations as to what metal you can weld.

• Carbon and low alloy steels like 1018, 4130 chromoly, tool steels etc.
• stainless steels like 301, 304, 316, 321, 410, etc.
• nickel alloys like inconel, hastelloy, 
• aluminum alloys like 3003, 5052, 6061
• magnesium alloys like AZ31b
• titanium alloys like 6AL4V
• Cobalt alloys like haynes 188, L605
• Copper alloys
• Aluminum zinc alloys like pot metal

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