My new HTP Invertig 221 TIG Welder!

I was in the market for a new TIG welder to add to my growing collection of metal fabrication equipment. I wanted a TIG welder because you can weld virtually any kind of metal with it! I primarily want to weld aluminum and steel with it, but having the capability to weld anything, with one machine, is a great advantage.

Gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), also known as tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding, is an arc welding process that uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode to produce the weld. The weld area is protected from atmospheric contamination by an inert shielding gas (usually argon), and a filler metal is normally used, though some welds, known as autogenous welds, do not require it. A constant-current welding power supply produces energy which is conducted across the arc through a column of highly ionized gas and metal vapors known as a plasma.

GTAW is most commonly used to weld thin sections of stainless steel and non-ferrous metals such as aluminum, magnesium, and copper alloys. The process grants the operator greater control over the weld than competing processes such as shielded metal arc welding and gas metal arc welding (MIG welding), allowing for stronger, higher quality welds. However, GTAW is comparatively more complex and difficult to master, and therefore, it is significantly slower than most other welding techniques. Additionally, TIG welding machines generally cost more than other types of machines. 

I started researching TIG machines and was a little shocked by the prices, even for entry level machines. I learned to TIG weld on a Miller machine and that's pretty much all I had ever used, so started out looking at their offerings. Their basic, entry level welders did not have the power or versatility that I was looking for and the higher end machines were all very expensive. I then turned to Lincoln. My neighbor has a couple of Lincoln machines that he loves. Again, what I found was limited functionality on the lower end machines and high cost on the better machines. Then I found HTP!

I had never heard of HTP welders, but in my research, I could not find one negative thing said about them or their equipment. I originally thought it was maybe cheap, Chinese made crap but that is not the case. The HTP welder is made in Italy, (that's where Lincolns high end, $5000 TIG welder is made), and offers more power and features that the other brands machines that are twice the price.

After thinking about it for a while, I called and placed my order. HTP has excellent customer service and threw in quite a few freebies with my new welder! I upgraded the torch to a water cooled torch but did not buy their water cooler as I planned to build my own (separate blog to come on that project!). My welder arrived about a week later, and once I finished building my water cooler, I ran some beads on both steel and aluminum, this machine makes it easy! Welding on aluminum, for the 1st time in about 10 years, was so easy I felt like I was cheating somehow! The modern, inverter based machine is so much better than those old, transformer based machines I used to use!! I am very happy with my new welder and look forward to creating things with it for years to come! If you are in the market for a new welder, check HTP out!


From their website

The Invertig 221 AC/DC Inverter TIG welder will allow you to produce welds with all types of metal! We increased the maximum welding current by 10% to a full 220 amps of rugged welding power. And we put the machine on a diet, the HTP Invertig 221 weighs in at only 40 lbs, so it’s easy to take right to the job! We also added the Invertig 221 DV (Dual Voltage)which welds on both 110 volts and 220 volts – the ultimate in portability. The Invertig 221 is packed with features many of our competitors don’t even offer at twice the price! It’s the only welder in its class with independent AC amperage adjustment. This feature gives you precise control over the heat input to both the workpiece and the tungsten by allowing you to separately adjust the electrode negative and electrode positive amperage.
Conventional transformer TIG welders have a fixed AC frequency of 60 Hz (same as your household current). They use a pure tungsten electrode which forms a ball when welding AC. The Invertig 221 offers you the ability to adjust the AC frequency from 20 Hz to 200 Hz – the higher AC frequency gives you a more focused arc with greater arc control. With an inverter, running a higher AC frequency, say in the 150 Hz to 200 Hz range allows you to use ceriated, lanthanated, or thoriated tungsten sharpened to a point. Which:
	• Allows the arc to jump from a point instead of a ball, which provides unparalleled arc stability and reduces "arc wandering". • Produces a more focused arc, resulting in a narrower bead and making it much easier to weld inside corners. • Minimizes the heat affected zone as the heat is more concentrated, making it easier for both the novice and professional to weld thin materials. The 221 also gives you precise control over the AC balance (from 10% to 90%) so you can control the arc cleaning action.
The 221 is also an excellent DC welder too. The smooth, stable arc coupled with the 221’s high speed pulse  DC pulse make intricate work on mild steel, 4130, stainless, inconel and titanium a breeze. High speed DC pulse focuses the DC arc much like the AC balance focuses the AC Arc – the end result – more control  and less arc wandering. With a pulse rate of up to 999pps, there isn’t a job out there the 221 can’t handle. Let’s face it, control of the arc is the foundation of better welds and precision results. With the 221’s  independent AC amperage adjustment, adjustable AC frequency, adjustable AC balance, and high speed DC pulse, the 221 gives you arc control like you never before experienced. The 221 allows you to store up to 64 separate welding programs. So, say you found a setting you really like for welding aluminum radiator tanks to cores. AC – On, HF – On, Max Current = 180 amps, AC Balance = 65%,AC Frequency = 180 Hz, EP = 60%, Pulse Freq 1 Hz, Peak Time 80%, Background Current 30%. Simply  store this program and you can come back to it when you have another tank to core job. Assigning banks  of memory slots to multiple welders allows them to access their personal settings in a job shop environment. Our Dual Voltage model can be ordered with or without a Water Cooler. Conventional arc welding is really simple with the Invertig 221. Using the stick mode in  conjunction with the foot pedal, allows you to vary the welding amperage. Perfect when doing pipe welding! Select the touch start mode for welding aluminum or any other material without High Frequency. This is  important if your application takes you near sensitive electronic equipment, such as on site repairs in a  hospital or repairing aluminum vehicles with on-board computers. This package of power weighs just 40 lbs and fits into a cabinet measuring 19 ¾” long by 7 ½” wide by  15 ¾" high. The Invertig 221 package includes a 12 ½' long 17-Series air-cooled TIG torch, 12 ½’ long foot pedal, flowmeter and 70 minute TIG DVD. The advanced technology found in the Invertig 221 will allow you to produce professional quality welds in all types of metal – quickly, easily and affordably. And every Invertig 221 comes with our 90-Day Money-Back Guarantee. We are so sure you will love your Invertig 221 that you can try it in your own shop for 90-days – if for any reason you don’t like it we will take it back, no questions asked. Further, we back the machine with a 3-year warranty. Specifications Invertig 221 Invertig 221 DV Input Voltage 220 Volts 230 Volts 115 Volts Input Amperage TIG 36 amps @ 220 amps 26 amps @ 220 amps 30 amps @ 130 amps Output Amperage TIG 4 to 220 amps 4 to 220 amps 4 to 155 amps Duty Cycle 20% @ 220 amps 60% @ 165 amps 100% @ 145 amps 20% @ 220 amps 60% @ 165 amps 100% @ 145 amps 20% @ 155 amps 60% @ 130 amps 100% @ 110 amps No Load Voltage 65 volts 65 volts 44 volts Stick Welding Amps 200 amps 200 Amps 140 Amps Arc Voltage 10.2 to 18.8 volts 10.2 to 18.8 volts Torch Length/Type SR 17 – 12.5’ Long SR 17 – 12.5’ Long Foot Pedal Length 12 ft 12 ft Ground Cable Length 10 ft 10 ft Slope Down .1 to 10 sec .1 to 10 sec Pre-Gas Flow .1 to 2 sec .1 to 2 sec Post Gas Flow .1 to 30 sec .1 to 30 sec Final Current 10% to 90% 10% to 90% Pulsing Frequency 0.1 to 999 Hz 0.1 to 999 Hz Back Ground Current 10% to 90% 10% to 90% Peak Time 10% to 90% 10% to 90% Spot Welding Time .1-10 sec .1-10 sec AC Frequency 20 to 200 Hz 20 to 200 Hz AC Balance 10 to 90% 10 to 90% Weight 40 lbs. 41 lbs. Size 19 ¾” L x 7 ½” W x 15 ¾” H 19 ¾” L x 7 ½” W x 15 ¾” H