TIG Welding Aluminum with a Lincoln Buzz Box & Arc Pig | TIG Time

[@timothym2241]

Miller, airco, and even sears had theses back in the 70’s.

[@obfuscated3090]

You can also find AC-only industrial transformer welders dirt cheap because they are heavy, which is easily solved by welding a cart. They run AC rods very well. They have the duty cycle to match and have a nice arc. My Hobart T-400 would overload an Arc PIg if it were maxed out, but run within limits would barely get warm. If you don't have a small buzzbox keep an eye out for such beasts. I bought mine for the leads but kept it because it's so nice to use. Before solid-state rectifiers AC transformer machines were the only non-motor-driven game in town.

[@jacksonvillereclaimedwood6709]

The Arc Pig is amazing! I have one and I use it for stick and Tig. It’s bad ass. The high frequency start allows you to do DC or AC ( for aluminum) Tig and stick. It’s s game changer! I can EASILY start an maintain an arc at 10 AMPs on a basic stick welder! The high frequency helps you maintain arcs at low amps so thin material is MUCH easier!

[@AndyMuellerez2b]

Really refreshing video. No cheeseball music to make me gag. Just straightforward info. I am subscribing to your videos. Thanks.

[@codymccollum444]

Great piece. Its more about the "Weldor" than the Welder. 35 years ago I learned how to TIG on a Lincoln Round Top and a Miller HF-15 and fixed everything under the sun from heat exchangers to aircraft pieces. I just recently bought a Precision Tig 225. I'm just learning how to use all the fancy crap.

[@markhall7646]

I bought a Craftsman 225 amp buzz box (still in its box!) cheap at a garage sale. I will add a bridge rectifier for DC. And I'll save for an Arc Pig. You got another subscriber!

[@Equiluxe1]

My first TIG welder was a 450 amp transformer plus an add HF unit from ESAB inside the HF unit was what looked like a car ignition coil and a transformer and a few capacitors (very high voltage ones) plus an inductor to stop the HF feeding back through the transformer although some did, in fact the HF got every where back into the mains even and the HF spark on its own could be drawn out several feet long. It was a right beast of a machine.

[@paulkurilecz4209]

I learned to weld on the Lincoln buzzbox. When they were fully loaded, they sounded like an industrial disaster was imminent.

[@dmmdmm5435]

I use the Dayton high frequency arc stabilizer, bought through MSC about 20 years ago. Does the same thing.

[@idahosagebrush5662]

Reading the company's "Design Blog" and other material this looks to be a well engineered product and they have been pro-active about fixing potential faults before they happen and apparently take very good care of their customers who do have any problems. It's about time we see such an innovative product that has a price within reach of the hobbyist and occasional welders who can't afford or can't justify the expense of a new welder and have a perfectly good stick welder already. I'm looking forward to seeing more videos on this that show it's capabilities with DC and other materials. Thanks for another good video.

[@LJPV777]

@John Chrysostom Rev 3:9 compared to a $1200 high frequency box from Lincoln?

[@kyridgejumper]

Can we get some ore videos on this I really like this setup as I have a very old round top AC/DC lin. machine

[@turbochevelle5641]

I had the pleasure of meeting Gordon the inventor and owner of Arc-Pig and he was a very nice gentleman. I actually abrasive Waterjet cut parts for the Arc-Pig for him and I probably will buy one here shortly to use on thin wall tubing for turbo charger plumbing fabrication.

[@mikef-gi2dg]

Master TIG has found a use for my hardly used Lincoln ac 225-s. Looking to try arc pig to see what if on aluminum. Mister TIG is an ARC master.

[@Ma_X64]

I saw device with this exactly functionality made in like 1975 or so in USSR. I was working at a brewery (factory-kind of) in 2008-2011 and our welder used that device with a huge old 3-phase transformer machine to weld aluminum and stainles (with add-l rectifier) with TIG.

[@thebrokenbone]

wyatt your face says it all, unbelievable. i think it`s a game changer too and so hope all the hype is for real. there are many many places around the world i`ve worked where an ac aluminium tig is absolutely out of budget or maybe unobtainable at all. thanks for sharing

[@blauschuh]

yeah... however there are some really cheap AC options emerging out there... Assuming you've already got a buzz box laying around you still need to buy a tig torch, and a regulator... so toss in another $100 or so. Now you're up to $450. For $680 you can buy an AHP 200x Amp ac/dc tig/stick machine from amazon if you're willing to wait a few weeks or so for delivery that comes with everything you need. made in china though...

[@thebrokenbone]

i agree on most points, for the us or europe (western) this product may or may not work. for the rest of the world, if works like it seems, and they adjust price a little they are sitting on a good idea, for example a buzz produced locally could be around 150, plus the 500 ish that would end up this pig, plus bottle and reg, let`s say 900?, in the same market a basic puke acdc inverter goes for uss 4000... it`s a different reality man. (how about 9000 for a lincoln precision tig 225).. AND this is really important, you got to use a transformer which never ever breaks, i can`t tell the same my inverters (always have to show up with a backup which never i had to carry when using transformers)... well all this is, if the machine companies don`t buy out or screw the inventor in the first place...

[@blauschuh]

What country are you in? Why can't you just buy something like an AHP 200x and have it shipped to Europe? Even with the VAT probably still $1000 US.... takes 110/240 50/60Hz.

[@thebrokenbone]

please read again my comment, i know other countries and the prices there. are you a sales rep for ahp?

[@blauschuh]

No way basic inverter is 4000... sorry don't believe it

[@marciooppido206]

Great video as always. ESAB here in São Paulo Brazil, has the "igniter", which serves to this function I even designed for me one, which is a high voltage of 5 kV generator. Here also says "high frequency" (50kHz), only because the high voltage is generated by a ferrite transformer type "Flyback" that works with "high frequency". I liked the design of this equipment is compact.

[@keithlucas6260]

The Lincoln 220 AC welder was the first machine I bought in 1973. Since then I've added a 1964 Miller 250 AC/DC-HF tig-metallic unit along with the S-52A wire feed unit, a cheap Cambell Hausfeld stick welder, a Hobart XL-225 AC/DC and my newest, a Klutch 200vsi inverter MMW, MIG, MFCW, TIG unit which beats the Vulcan from Harbor freight..... Would love to have an Everlast multi machine from Canada, but out of my price range for the moment.

[@jamesdavies7526]

And it's not cobbled together, a nice clean install.

[@cameronbartlett856]

"Tested on children" ... I want to buy one to show my appreciation for their sense of humor now XD

[@EastCoastWoodworking]

I wish years ago I knew about this for my Miller Thunderbolt 225 AC/DC machine. I have advanced from that up to my Miller Shopmaster 300 CC/CV and Miller Syncrowave 225. These little machine work great I still use mine from back in the early 80's for small on site welding where I cannot get my Trailblazer 302 up close or I do not want to run a mile of lead out. very interesting cannot wait to see how it goes for the DC. I have a miller HyFreq box paid 1800.00 for it

[@jmsmaxwell]

Very interesting demonstration of an item that appears to be worth the investment for those who have a need for it. Beats the hell out of the price of many TIG machines I've see, especially if you do not use one on a regular basis.

[@DUNEPLANET1]

Looking forward to seeing more on the arc pig

[@patrickscahill254]

I can't believe I didn't see this video sooner, my compliments for using the filter when filming and I hope you're well and making more very helpful videos.

[@jpguidry9062]

Just got a 225 buzz box from home depot with my money to do small welding for a little money 11 years old

[@BRENT3143945]

Love the old buzz box nose

[@robertblackshear8963]

Lol. I saw one of these in a shop at a work place and I didn't know what the hell it was lol. This things a beast. I must have one.

[@leonardpearlman4017]

What a sound! I got one of these just to help with stick-welding. Hoping to get the same arc initiation with the stick that you get with HF Tig. It's funny that the Arc Pig is bigger and more expensive than a lot of modern welders!

[@mceperformance8978]

That's absolutely amazing! Nice job Swaim

[@randymack1782]

any long term review of how this did? and more videos of it? or did it flop & you didnt make any more because of it?

[@AK74Man87]

Man I need this for mine. Always wanted to try TIG but I only would buy an ACDC one, and those are at least 700 bucks. Plus I don't have the extra room for another welder.

[@777smitty4]

i like the pig but truth is yes a hf box will work i have one that i have used for years now only down side is the Lincoln is limited on heat adjustment if you don’t already have a lincoln get the miller thunder bolt same thing just has a better range for heat.

[@woodbrassandglass]

I'm sold on this will be buying one soon!

[@Laura-wc5xt]

oldie but goodie...my favorite Wyatt... outstanding

[@luciusirving5926]

Gonna need an arc pig for my three MOT welder.

[@bstevermer9293]

I have a millerite just like that!! Had it rescraped to new tolerance!! Do a show on it!!!

[@Tristoo]

not welding over ceramic tile is something I learned from experience

[@bencreek9135]

can you guys do some out of position welding for us? Also would really like to see how it works on broken cast aluminum parts. Have a buzz box at home and want to know what the real limits of this kind of machine really are. Looks great so far, keep up the good work thanks.

[@billarroo1]

Arc Pig, interesting I had a Lincoln HF unit hooked to a Lincoln tombstone a.c. welder it worked but hard to get used to no peddle. Thanks

[@michaelszczys8316]

I use a Miller Syncrowave that is capable of arcing about 4 inches. I have been blasted by it a few times real good. For that strange machine I think I would use rubber gloves too

[@osbornebay944]

Super, love your videos, Sir. l have a Lincoln Buzz, ll hook up Argon and try 3/32 tungsten on cast alum.

[@chpr1318]

Hello, being that you did 8th” aluminum I would imagine you feel pretty safe on using it for aluminum boat is that correct,can I use it for my aluminum boat?

[@Ratridez]

I'll take my buzzbox 230 caveman tig with hf box anyday over those junky lightweight inverter welders , I've seen a few of them blow up and 2 of them were Millers . Btw cool product and keep up the videos , enjoy your videos .

[@dcwelder250]

I wholeheartedly agree. Lincoln's TIG 200 (an inverter) is great when it works...but a local manufacturing shop near me has had 7 machines go bad in less than one year. At least they were under warranty.

[@Fringeless]

"HI, I'M MR. PIG"

[@garyabc]

A Swine machine.

[@blah7657]

Those two comments... “GOLD”

[@jrogers4802]

The Arc Pig Works awesome with 7018 DC overhead much easier to start with the high frequency button

[@bigman7293]

Jason Rogers why tf would you use or need that for stick welding like wtf

[@jrogers4802]

QB Machine do even weld

[@horseblinderson4747]

QB Machine not needed but does help not sticking, having a start switch will make your stinger go cold, allows pulsed AC/DC stick welding or something similar allbeit not very adjustable. Thousands of reasons why you'd want it only one I can think why you wouldn't want it and that's because you'd rather spend 10x as much on a blue set up with less features.

[@turbochevelle5641]

@@bigman7293 you obviously don't know much about welding. There are many reasons and positives to hi freq welding.

[@bigman7293]

Turbo Chevelle takes the point out of stick welding tho. I have tried hi freq start with stick before and I do not like it one bit, it’s really odd feeling

[@scottishmale1970]

the buzz box id love one but here in the uk you wont find one arc pic never seen one i use a invertor machine and a newarc viper 2000 hf controler for tig but mainly i stick weld most of the time

[@TribbleBot]

From my old hometown. There's a plus.

[@kevinhornbuckle]

Thanks for this. Very interesting.

[@scrapmanindustries]

totally getting that setup for the stickmate.

[@zenteno5p]

i want to see the set up in a rig welder with AC very soon

[@haroldwatkins7059]

i am looking forward to your future testing of this unit. It seems too good to be true.

[@MohammadAbouBasha]

That's very useful, I just understand something after watching this video, which is: the ac arc welding needs HF between changing phases, because the plasma arc will disappear. I'm not sure if this is correct, but if some one has some technical info about how fast can the plasma vanish, is it of the same speed of light/electricity? If yes, so diffently AC arc welding needs HF between switching phases. And all tig machines should be doing that in an automated way.

[@MohammadAbouBasha]

I found a comment on quora that supports my comment. Thanks for the internet for making sharing knowledge that easy www.quora.com/Why-do-we-need-a-high-frequency-in-a-TIG-welding-machine

[@jaratt85]

The big problem is once you have everything you need you could go buy a used TIG off facebook marketplace or craigslist for that price.. It may be an old heavy as hell massive machine, but it will still be the same price and have more functions, including a pedal.

[@ziongray918]

How about a 2 rectangle graphite rail setup as a molten metal guide for the liquid weilding. placed on the bottom lip of that torch so you weild inbetween it. To cube surface align level and strengthen those puddles as your wielding along to make its surface strength unified instead of stacked? All weilding would be done between the rails. I made that up but dont see why it wouldnt work.

[@rickrunyon5086]

Will this work for an old (70's era ) gas engine weldenpower? It is AC/ DC + & - .

[@kyridgejumper]

Can't wait too see the DC side of the video, great job on the video

[@mlbabineaux]

I have an old Millrite, just like yours !

[@jstrunck]

Might try it out. Thanks!

[@joehunt3512]

very cool. great review.

[@eross21]

so i’m looking for a tig welder that runs on 110 voltage. i am only looking to weld steel. any recommendation’s? i am experienced with steel and aluminum rig welding. but i am just looking for a small rig to use at home.

[@ddiablolll]

So its a buzz box taser attatchment basically. How reliable has it been?

[@grayem76]

so i have a tig/arc welder but no ability to weld aluminium would this fix it without changing the tig torch or do you need the power button to work it

[@Welddotcom]

The power button comes with the Arc pig

[@777smitty4]

you have to have ac and hf the button should just b on off

[@legallimitoutdoors9917]

Nice. I've been wondering about that thing. For curiosity's sake Can it hook up to DC Tig 200amp And turn it to AC tig? For Aluminum. Thanks for show👍

[@jrogers4802]

l love my arc pig it awesome

[@Alimotevalian-g8i]

it's $550 now , to weld aluminum i get disposable helium tank from balloon suppliers , run it with DC welder

[@thepolkster46]

These Hi Frequency units have been around since the 50's . it is about time someone made one that was affordable. The issue for Miller or Lincoln was that such a unit would compete with their own production machine. My old 300-300 TIG is old enough to vote three times over and exhibits the same welding behavior as your "Newly discovered" super imposed Hi Freq adapter and Buzz box welder. I think a better welder for this application might be a variable core transformer type welder rather than the defined TAP type welder like the Buzz Box Lincoln, allowing finer amperage control as the work piece heats up and amperage requirements need to decrease.

[@jafinch78]

I was wondering about adding a foot control and maybe a pot on the box.

[@zenteno5p]

greetings from Phoenix Az my ? is how long you can weld and the thickness I got a miller bobcat 250

[@stephenrolheiser6261]

Very informative! Thank you!

[@joshuawiley7200]

were you engaging the hi freq the whole time you were running it on aluminum, or just using it to establish the arc momentarily, and letting off the switch?

[@JT-tz5hp]

Would also like to know the answer.

[@dcwelder250]

You have to engage the hi frequency all the time when welding, otherwise the arc will sputter and stop.

[@mortarsquad12]

so it's a rectifier and diode assembly. I was going to build one for my 1948 250 amp welder, but I guess I can just buy one. COOL.

[@jedeastwick6844]

no , it dos`nt change it to dc , this is high frequency for ac to weld aluminium

[@Vo0d0o2009]

@@jedeastwick6844 its a fake high frequency , you clearly hear all distortion that produce this ''thing''

[@joeestes8114]

Ok i can understand the process but a person can always just put a diode on the leads and convert it to a dc welder right?

[@krazziee2000]

cool device there ,, just didn't know , thanks for the video.

[@ralfb8869]

Very interesting article

[@seandrake7534]

Hi I live just south of you and go through Geuda every day on my way to work I have a Lincoln Hi-freq box that I just pick up off Zack in ark city would I be able to stop buy and have you tell or show me how to set it up thanks

[@fvg3401]

I have a Plasma cutter that's dual voltage 110v or 220 v I can connect the 110-volt plug pigtail that will plug into 220 volts for heavy material?

[@Genxpoppy]

......READ THIS PLEASE I got a 1960 something buzzbox I inherited. I need to talk to someone thats in the industry I got a part thats needed its made nowhere I don't believe and I know getting rich is not the point but I just started welding and what I'm talking about is possible just need some reassurance and some backing. I would leave it in your hands because you have the experiance....

[@budlaing3117]

Can you test a pta 500 machine from Equipment Innovations in Prince George British Columbia? Can you test it's ability to weld Aluminum? Thanks

[@jwessonsr7503]

If there's anyone's viewpoint and opinion of a product I trust it's Yours. Thanks for this test and review.

[@joeestes8114]

Awesome Now people will be buying up all those old tombstone welders that you couldn't give away!

[@slowtaknow]

I thought at first yes, but you can get a good tig rig for 400 dollars, so why buy the adapter? For a hundred dollars i can see it though.

[@sjr7822]

Unit is around 500.00, the Honey Do Channel has invented a papercrete machine with PVC material cost around 30.

[@500hardcore]

S Robin Do u have a link bud

[@LSF25]

Am I hearing right, the arc pig is permanently on during your welding? Is it specified 100% dutycycle at all? Other than that really impressive work!

[@garymallard4699]

I wired in a Pig to my Welder..but all it did was Squeal Loudly everytime i welded ??? Not sure why it failed....and after awhile it would cook the Pig...🤤 which turned out great actually.... and got quieter too... 🇨🇦🤓🤟

[@TheOneAndOnlySame]

Thoriated for aluminium?

[@skibee50]

Thank you

[@barharborbasher249]

wow sold !! thank you Sir!!🍻👍

[@diablo12377]

I would really love to get one ... but they don't ship to Taiwan...

[@michaelszczys8316]

Now what would be helpful is a simple device you could hook up to some car batteries so that you could get a little high voltage arc and be able to use batteries in a pinch

[@michaelszczys8316]

I wonder if that machine would do it.?

[@jafinch78]

@@michaelszczys8316 That would be a interesting hack and maybe you know someone that can get one to demo, test out and tear down. Wondering what the guts of this is... looks like is using a Champion CJ7Y spark plug, two 0.05 uF (50 nanofarads) 250 Volt capacitors between the leads and grounded as well as some other electronic stuff with some specifications in and after the schematic. www.arcpig.com/arc_pig_user_manual.pdf

[@chrisrichards6481]

i need one might test it on my wife in the kitchen! lol

[@woodbrassandglass]

You know, you have to sleep sometime, and she'll be waiting....

[@marciooppido206]

Can you use it on the inverter?

[@adamtarbaux7769]

Who needs a high dollar tig welder when you can get this and a 90 dollar buzz box

[@area46241]

I like it! I want one.

[@ernestocastellanos6446]

But can you hand feed the rod with those rubber gloves? I use kevlar kleen and they give the right amount of friction

[@Welddotcom]

That was one of the big concerns for us as well, but so far it's not too bad. The material is not textured at the finger tips so you can feel the wire better and it slides surprisingly well. I believe tehy are going to be demoing these at the FABTECH show in November. So if you plan on going, be sure to check out their booth.

[@stevejames2142]

I've tried many different Tig gloves and yet to find a favourite, I'm currently just using parwelds pu grip black engineers type gloves as my go to for low amp Tig jobs, although these don't offer any protection against heat only UV.. Maybe I'll give the Kevlar type a go, these stretch fit type of gloves are becoming more and more popular with Tig welders it seams and for good reason.. most Tig gloves I've tried are just uncomfortable.

[@ernestocastellanos6446]

The ones ive obtained are a dark green set. They're pretty old. They have no silicon or any of that stuff on it. On google images they show some with a texture. I dont know how those will work out

[@stevejames2142]

Ernesto Castellanos Thanks for the info pal.. Happy welding

[@haroldwatkins7059]

looks fantastic

[@rickrunyon5086]

And will this work on steal carbon and such

[@jsaz6661]

What brand are the silicone gloves?

[@Welddotcom]

West Chester Protective Gear. They will be introducing them at Fabtech this year.

[@jeffgood6441]

I need something that will give me pulse and dual voltage

[@Estabanwatersaz]

Great 👍 stuff!

[@Steelcrafted]

Try it with maybe a balled tungsten instead??

[@ernestocastellanos6446]

Have a pointed tungsten is always better. Due to the dc+ cycle, it causes it to ball up. You shouldn't need to purposely ball up your tungsten. I always put a blunt on the tip on the taper because when it balls up with a very fine point it starts melting to one side. I also put my AC balance cycle setting to 68/32 or somewhere near

[@1badpete999]

Nice video well explained ! It's fun to get an old welder machine back alive but now in 2019 you can buy a chinese 200 amp inverter tig and stick welder complete kit for around $299.00 C.A. with the torch complete all digital without the buzzing transformer ! for basic occasional use its cheaper that way ! If the company that makes the Arc pig could bring the price down to around $150.00 they will have a winner and sell thousands of these adaptor because these old Lincoln welder just won't fade or go away they were well built in USA to last 100 +years ! Thing is who wants to spend near 500$ total with the gun and accessories to fix a 50 years old welder when you can buy a new decent modern one for 200$ less ! Nowadays with technology they dont need that heavy expensive copper coil transformer anymore everything his made with electronic fast switching power supplies that make them less expensive !

[@EitriBrokkr]

Ah, good old 2019

[@moazamali6837]

Thankyou dear

[@djrowe10]

Must have dropped off market? Your link doesn't work , but says 404 page not found. Please update link or remove it.