Hobart Plasma and Tig Welder - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

okthunder · 12-04-2006, 11:18 PM

I am looking at buying both these items and want some feedback for those with experience with TIG and Hobart. I have never tig welded but want to learn and use on my new roll cage project along with several link/tabs I will be mounting for the new four link setup. I would also like to weld up an aluminum or stainless steel fuel cell in the future. Anyways, shoot me straight if these machines are not cabable of doing what I want which is cut up to 1/2inch plate and weld .120 DOM tubing or they are just plain shit than let me know. I am getting them for a real deal from a buddy that inherited them from his father-in-law and he dhas no use for them.

Here is the information on the Plasma:
Hobart AirForce™ 625
The Airforce™ 625 plasma cutting and gouging system is excellent for light and heavy industrial users. Automated operations are also well within its range. Unit is compatible with engine-driven welders when powered with a 240 V generator power outlet of 8 kW or more.

Comes complete with: ICE-40C hand-held torch with 25 ft (7.6 m) cable or 50 ft (15.2 m) cable
25 ft (7.6 m) or 50 ft (15.2 m) heavy-duty work clamp
Extra consumables (3 electrodes, 3 tips and 1 air fitting)
12 ft (3.7 m) industrial power cord and plug

Power DC
1 Phase
Process Air Plasma Cutting and Gouging
Skill Level Low
Applications Maintenance
Light construction
Prototyping
Body shops and fabrication
View Cutting Chart

http://www.hobartwelders.com/products/airforce625.html

And this is the TIG
Hobart TIGMATE™
The TIGMATE™ is a complete AC/DC, TIG and Stick welding package. All you need is a bottle of argon shielding gas or your choice of Stick electrodes and you're ready to start welding.

In the TIG mode, the TIGMATE™ offers superior performance: 18 gauge to 3/16 in. (1.2 to 4.8 mm) steel and stainless steel; 14 gauge to 3/16 in. (1.8 to 4.8 mm) aluminum. For thicker metals, take advantage of the Stick mode using 3/32 and 1/8 in. (2.4 and 3.2 mm) electrodes.

Comes complete with: 150 amp TIG torch with 12-1/2 ft (3.8 m) cord and flow-through quick-connect
25 ft. (7.6 m) TIG torch supplied with finger tip control models
Fingertip or foot-operated amperage control
12 ft. (3.7 m) work cable with clamp
Electrode holder and 15 ft (4.6 m) cable with quick-connect
Gas regulator, flowmeter and shielding gas hose
"How-To" DVD

Power CC
AC/DC
1 Phase

Processes TIG (GTAW)
Stick (SMAW)

Material Thickness Welds 18 gauge up to 3/16 inch stainless steel and steel, 14 ga up to 3/16 in aluminum
Skill Level High
Applications Maintenance
Construction
Auto Repair
Farm/Ranch
Rental
Home

http://www.hobartwelders.com/products/Tigmate.html

Wicked_S10 · 12-05-2006, 12:03 AM

On plasma cutters, make sure you select one that has a rated "quality cut" capacity in excess of what you actually plan on cutting. I bought a Miller Spectrum 375 based on the fact that it was rated to cut 3/8" quality, it only really made good cuts in material up to about 1/4". Far bellow it's specifications. It would cut thicker material, but it really wasn't a good quality cut, lots of dross and it took a lot of time to cut material over 1/4" thick. It looks like the hobart 625 is a 40 amp machine. My miller was only a 27 amp machine. I still would not expect it to cleanly cut 1/2". I recently sold my miler, and bought a hypertherm powermax 1250 which is a 80 amp machine. It performs admirably in materials up to 1/2" thick, I mainly bought it to cut some 3/4" thick parts I use in fabricating bumpers, and while it will cut 3/4, the consumables have to be fairly new and it struggles with it and leaves a lot of dross. The powermax is rated for 1" quality cut. Another thing to keep in mind is that in thicker steel, no hand made cut is going to be pretty unless you have extremely fine muscle control. Any shake or wiggle and you will have a very striated cut. With thicker material, I still have a fair amount of disc sander/grinding finishing to do.

As for tig, it is a great process to learn, and it looks like that machine will do what you are asking, but keep in mind it is not a good idea to learn a new welding process on a critical part of your rig, nor is it a good idea to learn on somehting intended to save your's or other's lives. Also Tig welding is a reletively slow process compared to stick or mig, it requires a lot of dexterity, and it is best suited for bench welding. That said, get it, learn it, but dont make your first project a roll cage or suspension. Also, from experience, air cooled torches suck, but you can buy a water cooled torch, and build or buy a cooling rig for reasonable prices, especialy if you shop eGay. In the past, welding with an air cooled torch for extended periods of time, I have left myself with pretty good "snake burns" from the torch lead being wrapped around my arm. Just something to keep in mind.

Later,
Jason

JuniorHeep · 12-05-2006, 09:11 AM

hey wicked, something just doesnt sound right with your setup. i have the powermax 1000. i can cut 1/2 inch plate like nothing when the machine is set at 40 amps. i have full confidence that if i cranked it all the way up it will cut 1 inch easy. i will go out today and cut some just for the hell of it to see.

12-04-2006, 11:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
okthunder Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Member # 17526 Location: Mid US Posts: 42	Hobart Plasma and Tig Welder I am looking at buying both these items and want some feedback for those with experience with TIG and Hobart. I have never tig welded but want to learn and use on my new roll cage project along with several link/tabs I will be mounting for the new four link setup. I would also like to weld up an aluminum or stainless steel fuel cell in the future. Anyways, shoot me straight if these machines are not cabable of doing what I want which is cut up to 1/2inch plate and weld .120 DOM tubing or they are just plain shit than let me know. I am getting them for a real deal from a buddy that inherited them from his father-in-law and he dhas no use for them. Here is the information on the Plasma: Hobart AirForce™ 625 The Airforce™ 625 plasma cutting and gouging system is excellent for light and heavy industrial users. Automated operations are also well within its range. Unit is compatible with engine-driven welders when powered with a 240 V generator power outlet of 8 kW or more. Comes complete with: ICE-40C hand-held torch with 25 ft (7.6 m) cable or 50 ft (15.2 m) cable 25 ft (7.6 m) or 50 ft (15.2 m) heavy-duty work clamp Extra consumables (3 electrodes, 3 tips and 1 air fitting) 12 ft (3.7 m) industrial power cord and plug Power DC 1 Phase Process Air Plasma Cutting and Gouging Skill Level Low Applications Maintenance Light construction Prototyping Body shops and fabrication View Cutting Chart http://www.hobartwelders.com/products/airforce625.html And this is the TIG Hobart TIGMATE™ The TIGMATE™ is a complete AC/DC, TIG and Stick welding package. All you need is a bottle of argon shielding gas or your choice of Stick electrodes and you're ready to start welding. In the TIG mode, the TIGMATE™ offers superior performance: 18 gauge to 3/16 in. (1.2 to 4.8 mm) steel and stainless steel; 14 gauge to 3/16 in. (1.8 to 4.8 mm) aluminum. For thicker metals, take advantage of the Stick mode using 3/32 and 1/8 in. (2.4 and 3.2 mm) electrodes. Comes complete with: 150 amp TIG torch with 12-1/2 ft (3.8 m) cord and flow-through quick-connect 25 ft. (7.6 m) TIG torch supplied with finger tip control models Fingertip or foot-operated amperage control 12 ft. (3.7 m) work cable with clamp Electrode holder and 15 ft (4.6 m) cable with quick-connect Gas regulator, flowmeter and shielding gas hose "How-To" DVD Power CC AC/DC 1 Phase Processes TIG (GTAW) Stick (SMAW) Material Thickness Welds 18 gauge up to 3/16 inch stainless steel and steel, 14 ga up to 3/16 in aluminum Skill Level High Applications Maintenance Construction Auto Repair Farm/Ranch Rental Home http://www.hobartwelders.com/products/Tigmate.html

12-05-2006, 12:03 AM	#2 (permalink)
Wicked_S10 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Member # 14848 Location: Midland, Mi Posts: 1,750	On plasma cutters, make sure you select one that has a rated "quality cut" capacity in excess of what you actually plan on cutting. I bought a Miller Spectrum 375 based on the fact that it was rated to cut 3/8" quality, it only really made good cuts in material up to about 1/4". Far bellow it's specifications. It would cut thicker material, but it really wasn't a good quality cut, lots of dross and it took a lot of time to cut material over 1/4" thick. It looks like the hobart 625 is a 40 amp machine. My miller was only a 27 amp machine. I still would not expect it to cleanly cut 1/2". I recently sold my miler, and bought a hypertherm powermax 1250 which is a 80 amp machine. It performs admirably in materials up to 1/2" thick, I mainly bought it to cut some 3/4" thick parts I use in fabricating bumpers, and while it will cut 3/4, the consumables have to be fairly new and it struggles with it and leaves a lot of dross. The powermax is rated for 1" quality cut. Another thing to keep in mind is that in thicker steel, no hand made cut is going to be pretty unless you have extremely fine muscle control. Any shake or wiggle and you will have a very striated cut. With thicker material, I still have a fair amount of disc sander/grinding finishing to do. As for tig, it is a great process to learn, and it looks like that machine will do what you are asking, but keep in mind it is not a good idea to learn a new welding process on a critical part of your rig, nor is it a good idea to learn on somehting intended to save your's or other's lives. Also Tig welding is a reletively slow process compared to stick or mig, it requires a lot of dexterity, and it is best suited for bench welding. That said, get it, learn it, but dont make your first project a roll cage or suspension. Also, from experience, air cooled torches suck, but you can buy a water cooled torch, and build or buy a cooling rig for reasonable prices, especialy if you shop eGay. In the past, welding with an air cooled torch for extended periods of time, I have left myself with pretty good "snake burns" from the torch lead being wrapped around my arm. Just something to keep in mind. Later, Jason __________________ 2006 JCORF Buggy, 60's,Locked F&R,42" TSLs,EFI460,C6,Atlas5.0 Comp Case 1988 Bronco,in progress

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12-05-2006, 09:11 AM	#3 (permalink)
JuniorHeep Wheeler Join Date: Oct 2006 Member # 80674 Posts: 142	hey wicked, something just doesnt sound right with your setup. i have the powermax 1000. i can cut 1/2 inch plate like nothing when the machine is set at 40 amps. i have full confidence that if i cranked it all the way up it will cut 1 inch easy. i will go out today and cut some just for the hell of it to see.