Every now and again Kevin gets a prototype to play with. He finally is able to reveal a prototype for the AHP AlphaTIG 203Xi. There were only two of them in existence when he got this one several months ago.
Kevin explains that his machine is a little bit different from anything you will buy, but it’s fun starting at the very beginning.
Right out of the box, the first thing he noticed was how small the machine is compared to the AHP AlphaTIG 200s or the AHP AlphaTIG 201s. It’s a little shorter front to back and a whole lot shorter in height.
On the front of the machine the cable hook up – the gas line, the hook up for your control – is all the same. The welder still has the clear plastic cover over the screen.
But it has an LCD screen now! Kevin shows the mode selection of AC and DC for TIG, AC and DC for stick. A new Rapid Set function makes it even easier to set up.
At the top left there’s the power light and fault light. On the right is a knob to adjust amperage.
Kevin is going to be playing with some cold rolled steel, so he’ll set it up for that.
He selects DC TIG and adjusts the amps to 130. It’s set for 4T for finger control and high frequency start. Across the bottom are more settings: pre flow, post flow, starting amps, ending amps. Then there are your pulse settings – you can kill pulse just with the right arrow button. If you are using AC, more settings will show up on the right.
Kevin is ready to put on some safety gear and make some sparks! After he welds, he shows how the nice, stable arc provides a good bead.
With 200 amps, all the pulse functions, AC and DC on TIG AND AC and DC on stick, he’s really liking this machine. It also comes with the NOVA package. The brand new foot pedal is butter smooth, and it includes the adjustable torch head you can set to any angle.
These machines are on the market right now – check out the AHP Website.
Before you do, though, Kevin wants to weld some aluminum with it!
With the top arrow he selects AC for TIG welding. Kevin presses the Rapid Set button, and sets the tungsten to 1/8″. It’s already on 1/8″ material thickness. It’s on 4T, high frequency and 125 amps – that was quick!
After Kevin welds a bead of aluminum, he says “That was just WAY too easy!” Quick to set up, easy to weld with, a nice bead, balance is just right, amperage range is just right.
This welder has all the features you expect on a much more expensive TIG welder. The only functions this prototype doesn’t have is upslope and downslope, but Kevin has been told they are on the production models. Price? They’re saying $800, and they have had 40 of them in the warehouse.
Kevin thanks you for watching. After you “like” this video, hang around another moment to hear someone consider a musical career ….