I have been thinking of getting a TIG welder, but have noted that ac/dc welders are reccomended for ali as opposed to dc. The reasons I'm not sure of but the cost is much higher. Being a used to stick/mig would it be possible to dc tig ali. what would one look for in a tig welder being used mainly for aluminium?.

would it be possible to dc tig ali. what would one look for in a tig welder being used mainly for aluminium?.

No you can not tig aluminum with dc you need ac with high frequency start to properly weld aluminum and shielding gass of pure argon

DC tig is used for stainless and mild steel

Make sure you get a good "square wave" machine, and control over the HF is a MAJOR bonus.

And if you can afford it, get an inverter type. Amazing arc control, 1/4 of the weight and size, less power draw... Only dis-advantages are initial price and easy to steal so lock it up!

MC

I agree wit Arizona...I have used dc tig to fix motorcycle cylinder heads...I used helium in the shielding gas and it worked great...