[kramerda]

I'd like to add a high frequecy arc start or a lift arc start to my home brew tig welder. I think I can design and build either. Please advise what you think is better, easier to use, for steel or aluminum...based on commercial machines.
Thanks
Dennis

[tadream]

I'd like to add a high frequecy arc start or a lift arc start to my home brew tig welder. I think I can design and build either. Please advise what you think is better, easier to use, for steel or aluminum...based on commercial machines.
Thanks
Dennis

You're going to want HF. Lift arc is okay for steel, but it's just an arc starter. Aluminum use AC and continuous HF to maintain the arc. You can weld aluminum with AC and no HF over about 80 to 100 amps, but that's not practical for most situations.

[kramerda]

Thanks for the reply. HF it is then since I do occasionally want to do aluminum. Any thoughts on whether a simple continuous on system is OK or
does it have to switch itself off after start to minimize RF interference.
dk