HITBOX 200AMP TIG AC DC Aluminum TIG Welding Machine Digital Inverter TIG Welder with AC DC Pulse/Square/DC TIG Welding Machine, TIG & Al Weld(HBT250P)

Does what it says on the tin.. I trained on Oxy/acetylene in the 70s.. TIG is very similar- got some nice beads on first outing.. would recommend this product to anyone interested in TIG. (get your Argon from Hobbyweld or similar - 60ltr in small disposable vs 1.4m^2 ~ 1400ltr on small tank)

Note: This is just first impressions - will update as I continue to use it•Packaging-We’ll sized triple-walled cardboard box-Polystyrene cushions-Accessories in resealable bags, some in a secondary cardboard box but some loose•Initial Inspection (addressing past reviews about the fuse)-Mains flex is marked 2.5mm H05, terminated in a moulded BS1363 13A plug-Plug contains an off-brand fuse marked BS1362 13A-Neither the plug nor the fuse are suitable for >13A and should be replaced with a more suitable connector if required•Accessories inspection-Ground clamp and rod holder cables are marked 16mm² H01 - but it’s copper clad aluminium (CCA) so not really H01-Ground clamp is of typical design but with copper jaws both sides and CCA braid between the jaws. Cable is crimped into a copper-plated brass ring terminal stamped 50A then bolted to the clamp.-MMA electrode is of typical medium current design, GF phenolic plastic shell with brass jaws and a heavy spring. Cable is fixed in a hole in the brass by a shim and two grub screws-TIG handpiece has one current conductor marked 16mm² H01 (but it’s CCA), one multicore going to a single micro switch (multipin connector on the other end), and one rubber hose for argon with taper fitting. All in a baggy rubber sleeve. Strain-relief is provided by the rubber sleeve clamped into a flexible boot - it is effective but loose. The whole loom is quite heavy and a bit unwieldy.-TIG torch is a generic WP-17 (but with a somewhat flexible head) in an ergo handle with microwsitch. Supplied with 2x #4 and 2x #6 standard ceramic cups, 5 sizes of collets, stub and full-length cap.-TIG electrodes included are 1x 1.6mm and 1x 2.4mm thoriated, 175mm. They oxidised even under argon where branded tungstens do not.-Semi-rigid clear hose supplied for gas has slightly too large ID for the barb on the back of the unit. It is supplied with 2x jubilee clips but still leaky. Replaced with a more appropriate hose.•Welder inspection-Somewhat small, somewhat light, gloss powder-coated formed sheet steel unit with a decent handle, and case protrudes over the controls for some protection-Gas inlet is on the bottom rear-Power inlet is on the top rear, with a power switch beside-Front panel is all LED, but they forgot to remove the protective film from the digit display before assembling. It works fine, just a little glossy.-Rotary encoder knob has an indexing line and is pushable, but neither seem to serve any purpose-Buttons are tactile domes under plastic•Conclusions to-date:It’s certainly built down to a price. Overall it seems good value, but I will try to focus exclusively on the quality, usability and reliability.Fans run all the time and aren’t super quiet but they push a lot of air.CCA cables aren’t a disaster and make the handpiece slightly easier to move about, but coupled with the undersized brass ring crimps and uncrimped ferrules, they’re not super low resistance.Most plastics have a bit of flashing left, making them uncomfortable to handle unless it’s trimmed off. They all seem to be glass-filled, phenolic where required.Otherwise, part quality seems perfectly acceptable. It’s not got all the ratings, features or ergonomics, but it’s absolutely not the most basic model out there. I’d have few complaints if stuck using it instead of a more well-known model.HF start, variable pulse, variable AC/DC, variable ramps and time-variable gas solenoid control make it a highly versatile machine. There are very few jobs I do that absolutely require a better one especially when paired with a foot pedal.It’s an inverter design so inherently square wave.With light use I haven’t hit any thermal limits yet.

Easy to set up good value for money does high quality job

Only the tungsten brokeBeth I'm happy

I bought and imediately returned this item as I value my families life to much to risk using it.The welder draws 27Amps to run , The plug that is fitted is a standard UK 13 Amp plug ( not designed to carry 27Amps) so I investigated the plug further to see how a 13Amp fuse cold possibly work without blowing when the item wants to draw 27 Amps. It was fitted with a normal 13 Amp fuse , or so it appeared until I turned it round to see the other side ( see the picture) . The makers have soldered a thick wire across the fuse to stop it blowing. I'm told that thin silver paper in a packet of cigarettes will carry 80 amps without blowing so with wire the thickness they used it would possibly take 100 amps or more for it to blow and before it did your house wiring gets so hot it would catch fire and burn your house / family. As a retired insurance salesman I can tell you they would not pay insurance on a fire caused by a botched fuse like this. I thought Amazon had been unlucky and sent a bad batch of these welders so I reordered the same model but this time from Ebay. That too came with the doctored fuse. I can only assume they are all like this . I wrote to the ebay seller and said it was faulty but didnt say what the fault was but his reply said ( this is a snip from their email )...Hi，We will accept your suggestion and investigate our products. We will improve our quality. Regarding this plug,So obviously they already knew the plugs were faulty because I hadnt said what the fault was yet they still sold it to me .Doing this to a fuse is strictly agains the UK wiring codes so my next move is to inform trading standards. I hope Amazon read this and stop selling it before someone dies. If you have ordered one please check the fuse by removing it from the plug and checking. If it has the thick wire soldered on DONT use it

I will update when I get time to put some decent use in with itanyone buying this before you use change the fuse in it, as it has been bypassed by the manufacturer, this will overheat and set on fire, it is extremely dangerous.- Update, I am overall happy with the welder, Let me just add that I am a complete armature when it comes to TIG welding ad I am only welding things that I personally use, ride and drive ect.I have upgraded the torch to a CK worldwide flex head before even using the supplied torch, I will keep it as a spare or when a footswitch is not an option.I have welded lots of mild steel, a few bits of stainless and no aluminum as of yet, I have bend tested and hammer tested all of these in my vice and under great stress, I have had nothing crack or snap so far, 6mm thick steel is bending and holding the weld well, no cracks or splits in the welds when i've hammered with force, so I am confident the tabs ect I will weld will hold as well as I need them too.so I am really happy with the welder, for the price, capabilities and setting it provides, as I said change the fuse as its a danger to you and then you are all set. Ive attached some images of my terrible welds so don't judge too much, these were done after about 10 minuted of flat practice and a stress test 🤣

The welder is as described but, as a novice to tig welding, it would be useful if the manual could expand the setup section with examples for basic settings tig welding of mild, stainless, aluminium sheet, butt joints etc.Also reminder to check for gas leaks when setting up machine for the first time as jointing is basic and not precise.

Gas hose is too big for the inlet spigot and the clips are rubbish otherwise so far so good