Miller high frequency arc start

I ended up with an Everlast 185 PowerTIG.

You can use an AC/DC stick to tig weld with it, but you lose a lot of control, unless you mod it. It has more to do with how the machine starts and what you plan on doing with it, as to it's bells and whistles.

You use AC to tig aluminum. I see that the machine goes up to 100hz or so, which isn't bad, but from what I've played with on my AC with my machine, 60hz is insanely slow for what you want on a fine/ controlled arc so it doesn't wander, I like 100-150hz on aluminum.

DC on that machine will probably do just fine.

My welder came with a torch mounted trigger that I modded and made removable with velcro attachment, instead of zip ties, which is great for tac welding, even though you can tac with higher than needed amp setting and full pedal, sometimes its a pain to use a pedal to tac things, like in a cage or under a car with exhaust. Its nice to have both.

I sent you a message about the welder I have. Its a learning curve, getting used to the techniques to get nice, show quality welds from the tig on different types of joints and materials, but it was so worth it. I only wish I had done it sooner, but it takes a lot of research, working with different applications, because they all require variations of not just settings, but extremely different techniques, to achieve the best results.

One example; Right now, I'm playing with silicon bronze rod to attach copper to stainless steel and you don't heat the metal to weld/ melting point. The bronze melts quicker and you use it's lower melting point to make the braze. That requires a lower setting and finding the melt point on the amp control that flows the bronze without catching the stainless or copper.

I spent a lot of time cleaning tungsten tips with the grinder, learning not to touch it. Sharpen both ends. Saves time. I use 2% Thoriated on everything, because it holds up. You should wear long sleeves when using it, since thorium is radioactive, it sunburns when it is heated as fast, if not faster than torch welding.