Kevin introduces the AHP Alpha-TIG 200X, a new welder that is creating a lot of buzz. He likes the machine and explains why, as well as sharing some tips and tricks. The AHP is a combination TIG welder and arc welder (“stick” welder), which is not unusual. It has a nice, old school panel, featuring knobs instead of the computer input panels many machines have these days. It’s easy to understand.
Kevin shows each of the controls. The first row are toggle switches, letting you select TIG or stick, AC or DC, T2 or 4T, pulse on or off and hand control or foot pedal.
Kevin takes a moment to explain 2T or 4T. When the welder is in 4T mode, you can click the finger control once to turn on the torch and start welding, and then click it once again to turn it off. In 2T, you need to click and hold the control continuously to keep the the torch running. When you’re ready to stop welding, you let go, and the arc stops. The 4T setting is just for the finger control on the torch; the switch needs to be on 2T if you are running the foot pedal on this machine. Having the welder set on 4T activates all the functions on the panel so you can set your amperage, upslope, downslope, etc., then control it from the torch handle control with a single click. Kevin confrms this is a TIG feature only.
The next row is a series of knobs: pulse frequency, pulse time on, post flow, and AC balance. The AC balance is only for when you are welding aluminum or when you are in AC.
On the top row, you have the end amperage, the pulse amperage (or pulse base), the main amperage and the starting amperage knobs.
Above that is the display screen that shows what amperage the machine is set on. The display does have a little quirk, though. Only the starting amps are displayed on the indicator. If you adjust the main amps knob, it doesn’t change the display until you put it in 2T. The ending amperage level does not display at all. AHP is working on this issue, which should be resolved by next year – this is the first year for this welder. So for now, you have to just guess at your setting, but Kevin says you get used to it pretty quickly.
He then shows how to set up the welder for arc, or stick, welding. He shows how to attach the stinger by plugging the cable into the port marked “stick” and giving it a quarter turn. Then you just switch the toggle on the control panel from TIG to stick, and you’re ready to go.
He also said he’s noticed after welding with the machine for the past week that his tungstens seem to last a lot longer with less clean up, a nice benefit of this machine. The welder has good fit and finish, including a clear plastic shield that covers the controls, which he took off for this video so he could display the front panel more easily.
Finally, he mentions a big benefit: the price. It’s only about $700. TIGDepot.net at plans to carry the machine, and will likely create a nice package, or you can get it at Amazon