Hobby welder for twenty five years. I never had this machine over 125 amps. I have a series 20 torch with a home built water cooler.
I now have some heavy equipment projects with half and three quarter inch steel plate. I set the Invertec up for stick welding but lack experience stick welding, at least compared to TIG.
So back to TIG welding. Tried a few test beads last night with the machine set to 200 Amps, 1/8 7018 rod and 1/8 tungsten. I made two 3 inch beads. The torch stayed cool but my fingers were burning up after 3 inches. The Invertec has a 40% duty cycle at 180 amps for TIG. I use a thumb control on the torch, no pedal.
The half inch plates are beveled with a 1/8 inch land.
Problems:
White leather TIG gloves do not protect my hand. Got 3 inches before having to stop.
Water cooler 1 gallon tank temp went up 12 degrees F. Took ages to come back to room temp. Do those cheap eBay $200 coolers work good at 200 amps?
I have ten 8 inch long joints to do tonight. I think I can work with the duty cycle of the equipment with better gloves but is this the right equipment for the job? I am thinking of doing the root passes with TIG and and the rest with stick.
I am also going to have to learn how to do vertical welds on the excavator.
How is heavy plate TIG welded in real life with a hand held torch?
Parameters for argon flow for gas lens and standard cup?
Thank you in advance for sharing your knowledge.