Learn to Weld in your own home on your own time with your personal welding instructor! weldcoach.com/ Buy the Primeweld 325x here: weldmetalsonline.com/collections/welding-machines/products/primeweld-tig325x-ac-dc-tig-welder-with-foot-pedal Use discount code TFS10 at Weld Metals Online weldmetalsonline.com/
Primeweld customer service is great. I had a rare issue with my 225, they worked with me on diagnostics because I was comfortable doing so and eventually simply sent me a new machine. Old one went back in the box, return label included.
Thank you for posting this! I have been wondering what the difference between the two machines was and have been reviewing the specs on the Primeweld site. While I can read and understand them, you having them side by side and discussing them together is much more understandable for my tired old brain to absorb. I have had my 225x for just over a year and couldn’t be more pleased with it. I am a home/hobby user and while I typically adhere to the more bigger more better MO, I think I wouldn’t benefit from the additional features of the bigger machine simply because I don’t weld anything remotely close to what the 325 is capable of handling. For those reading this comment that are considering a machine for themselves, you can’t go wrong with any of the primeweld products in my honest opinion. I also have a Cut60 Plasma cutter that kicks absolute butt when it comes to cutting metal stock. I went thru three cheap-o machines from “other” suppliers and had seriously dreadful experiences. Got the Cut60 and haven’t regretted the purchase in the slightest way since. Thanks again for the side by side comp for us tire kickers. 🤓
I love my 225, which I bought based on your review. And Primeweld's customer service is amazing. I got a notification from UPS that my shipment (argon bottle) had been cancelled. I pulled up Primeweld's customer service number and gave them a ring about 40 minutes later. 2 rings and someone picked up the phone. As I started to explain why I was calling, the man on the other end of the phone immediately knew who I was by first name, and explained that UPS had damaged my argon bottle in shipment. A new one was already on the way and I received a tracking number very shortly after. Also, best owners manual I have ever read.
Took a class from Justin in Vegas. Worth the money and the time invested. No, after a day of welding (attempting) with this machine I am not an expert but I have the confidence and the drive now to go out and practice because that is what makes you better. Great class and a great machine. Thanks Justin for your no BS approach!
As someone who has bought Primeweld equipment, kudos to you Justin for doing this video. Their customer service is exceptional. And as someone who has dealt directly with packaging from China in a former job (and packaging and container design), Primeweld is stunning on protecting their products say vs... a Green Welding company who are almost fraudulent. I have owned a 225x and stupidly sold it...for a profit but that was a mistake. So was curious on the 325x. My take. For a garage welder like me the 225x is still the best bang for the buck. And its lighter. I can move a 225x with one hand at 54lbs but the 325x would be a struggle for me as I am almost 60 and my back is not the best. The fan call out is key. I agree with Justin that it would be an issue. Myself, I almost get the feeling that if the 225x were visually re-freshened that the 325x would not even sell that well. And, given that Primeweld does have ears and listens to what the consumers are saying, this where they score big points vs Blue and Red. The Red box that does TIG is 10 years old and is way way overpriced (marketing costs) so going to a Primeweld you get a competitive machine for much less. Just don't be like me and sell your welder. Keep it. Its a good friend. And Justin, thanks for the review.
I'd love to keep a few dollars in my pocket (or spend on materials/upgrades) but I'm going 325 because It has more power and range. I hope Primeweld will reprogram or replace the loud fan with a quieter unit. I'll do it myself once the warranty is over--I have some soldier and a retired electronics engineer handy, but it shouldn't be that difficult for a thinking man. Thanks for your input.
As an owner and user of a 225X, I appreciate your honest reviews. I can say from experience that Primeweld is a great company. Their packaging says they care how the units arrive to customers, and their customer service is second to none! When I call them, they actually answer the phone and are upbeat and ready to help if they can. I will be giving the 225X to my son and ordering a 325X and a water cooler so we have both. It's kind of like buying heavy equipment, when you find a good dealer that works with you , you buy that brand.
My 325 comes in today!! I am so excited thank you for your reviews and your teachings brother I can’t wait to learn Tig. Maybe one day I can meet you in one of your classes that would be cool.
I personnaly havent run into anything the 225 hasnt been able to tackle so far (which i purchased due to your review on that) but the screen showing the value for all the knobs is almost worth the fine tuning adjustability in my opinion. Im close to upgrading just for that reason. Id like the confidence that im getting the same setting for repeatable results without wondering if im "close enough"
Thank you Sir. just found this company so far all is 1st class now I own the 225 & 325 with water cooler my buddy has a boatyard always needs my support keep up the great work
My only complaint about my two year old 225x is the lack of digital numbers for each dial. With that being addressed by the 325x, I'm tempted to upgrade. But the 225x does everything this newbie needs (for now).👍
Thanks for the informative video. I'm just a hobbyist that always wanted to learn to weld. I'm 68 so not looking to make a career out of it and didn't want to spend the $$$ for the name brand welders. After much research, including your videos, I got the 225. This was a few years ago but fortunately after they started shipping the new pedal. A little while ago I looked at the current machines out of curiosity and I see the new machines have an outlet on the back for a water cooled torch. Doubt I'd ever need it but just another example of how Primeweld listens to their customers.
Thanks Justin for the review! I definitely enjoyed your class back in August and I really appreciated your teaching style and recommendations! I have my eye on the 325x so hopefully I can get a garage soon to finalize the purchase.
I bought the 225 about 3-4 years ago and I have to say. It has performed flawlessly for me. The two big features I like on the 325 are the power switch on the front, and the digital readout for all knobs, i'm not a fan of the buttons though. I prefer the switches. Are the perks worth an extra $500? Do I ever really weld at 225 often? The answer to both of those is a no, so I am happy sticking with my 225. Surprisingly, I've used my machine for stick welding way more than tig welding. It has worked very well for that purpose running 7018 and 6011 rods. I run them mostly because of convenience and for working outside in the wind. I don't have to deal with dragging out the foot pedal and setting up a table in my garage etc. So Its nice to be able to just put a stick in the stinger and go. The tig225 has given me no issues whatsoever and I will likely be buying a Mig 180 from them next just because of their customer service. I also have a CUT50 plasma machine and it has been flawless as well!
I bought my 225X because of this channel 2 months later they came out with the 325x LOL. I wanted to learn both ac and dc tig and I'm happy with the 225X, I don't feel the need to upgrade maybe down the road pick one up and have both setup using the 325X for aluminum. All that being said IF you have neither just grab that 325X out of the gate. Primeweld has stellar reviews, believe is New Jersey Based and alot of bang for the buck. Also have the CUT 60 which is pretty badass.
2 years and my 225 is running perfect! I also got the Primeweld cut50 plasma. another great machine from Primeweld. Whoever Primeweld has contracted to mfg their stuff for them is great,
Since it has a higher amperage and it can stick Weld and TIG weld I can see someone using this as a combination machine in utility IE compressor stations Refinery work maybe even boilers combination type welds tig root and 7018 stick fill and cap
I've been on a 225x at work with over 300 hours, I'm not experienced (just learned at work). Love the user friendly features, however the pedal feels like it ramps up crazy between the 85-100% range. Able to weld pretty well regardless of the issue!
Got my new 225x via fedex yesterday afternoon. Was excited to get it set up and start learning today, but found that the included 25ft torch option was water cooled and therefore unusable. I called customer service but it's Sunday and they're closed so I did the contact form and plan to call tomorrow. Update, checked email this morning, monday, and they've already responded to my contact form submission from yesterday. A CK17 25ft torch is on it's way UPS 2nd day air with return label for the incorrect torch. Either they really do have great customer service or they really want their more expensive water cooled torch back. Either way I'm pretty impressed by the service.
I think it's great that you did a comparison between the 225 x in the 325 x I have the 225 x with the water cooler and a water-cooled flexloc torch. I was debating on upgrading to a bigger machine and was actually looking at Miller dynasty 300. With all the aluminum welding that I do a lot of aluminum welding in a lot of 5/8 aluminum I found adding helium to the mix makes it a lot easier with the 225x. But definitely have Justin put it if it's in your budget it's a good purchase if you don't have it in your budget you could do an upgrade like I did with my 225x and add a water cooler. But all-in-all Justin thank you for the great comparison and keep up the great work...
Thanks. Good review. I have the PrimeWeld 225 with the stock CK17 torch. It's an impressive machine. I've been completelysatisfied by the welder. There may be a water cooled torch in my future. .
I seriously considered the 225x but went with the AHP alphatig 203xi and its more than enough welder for me. The digital display and smaller form factor were what sold me. Glad to see the bigger brother not quite as tombstone-like as the 225x
My 225 showed up with a dent in the side it was very small so i did not complaim to customer service but it was packaged very well ans very surprised that it had a dent. Good to see the wooden crate with the new machine
@11:44 Maybe it's an optical illusion, but something looks off with the comparison of the Aluminum coupons. The one that is supposed to be 1/4" looks to be half the size of the one that's indicated as being 3/8". That is, where there should be only 1/8" difference in thicknesses, it appears to be much more. If it's the way it looks, I'm assuming this is a result of Justin just picking up the wrong coupons when shooting that bit of the video, but if all the welding tests were done with those coupons then I may question the accuracy of the results with regards to settings and such. Not the performance of the welder overall, just the performance we see with regard to how the machine is set for the supposed thickness of the material.
I have the 325x with a 26 style gas cooled torch. My fan blows so much cooling air that I had to put up an air dam on my welding table so the gas wouldn't get blown away. I did not block the air outlet per PrimeWelds recommendations. My fan is whisper quiet. The fan is at the very front at the bottom of my 325x. Perhaps the cooling fans are located deeper inside the 225x? Maybe your fan mounting fasteners are a bit loose allowing vibration? Anyway I love my 325x 👍 Keep up the great videos.
I am glad they add future to show the value of each knob on the display , that what I miss on my 225. Is not such big deal when on DC , but sucks when using AC. Trying to find balance and frequency setting is kind the challenging. Probably not such big deal for experienced TIG welders, but for sure for the rest of us I think is. Will be nice if Primeweld come up with upgraded front panel with the same future as 325 have for 225, but not sure if is even possible.
My only complaint with the 225x is the DC arc start. Anything set to under fifty amps, you can see the arc start hot then settle down to the set amperage. Other than that it's a great machine and from the looks of it, the 325x is going to be awesome 👍
i have the same machine, i agree. i notice that too, cause i weld automotive sheetmetal (classic cars), id get that burst of amps and then it settles down. only way i found to get by on that is by trying to lay the welding rod right on the metal and hitting the tip of the rod and body, then back up some. other than that , i love the machine. i always used footpedals in the past and still do, but i gave the tig finger control a try when i was under a car and loved it for hard to reach pedal situations.. no more pedals between the knees laying on my back.. haha
I got the 225x with watercooled and gas cooled. I usually practice welding pipe. From 2"-4" so far and from schedule 60-xxh. Its awesome but heres my kick. I'm grateful theres a bigger style watertorch (18) because the 20 for me is really small. Therefore I mainly use 17 ck and let cool between passes at 135-140 amps.
Thank You Sir . I think many of Us would love the ability to weld thicker metals . I have been a proponent of filter equipped centrifugal cooling fans for greatly reduced noise . Even at the risk of a slightly larger machine case . You didn't mention a water cooler option which at 200 amps would make sense .
Well, I like things analog, so for me, I'm still glad I have the 225acdc. About six months after I got it, I did get the cooler and 20 torch . MAN, that was a great addition, no more hot torch . And I don't even need wedge collets in fear of smoking and warping the little buggers . lol The only problem I had was when I first got the cooler I couldn't get the warning buzzer to shut up . But with a quick call Gene (great guy) said well, you can send it back and we'll send you a new one, or if you want to tackle fixing it, I'll walk you through the simple task ... And it's been working perfect since . The one thing I would love to have is the 5 amp start on the 325x . But there's ways (pulse and such) to get around that . Actually this welder's really great for me . Next I would like to have the cut60 ... :)
Never tried 225. but i wrap 325 cable around my shoulder and dont even notice it. The 17 torch cable at 125A does get uncomfortably hot just sitting on-top of my shirt/shoulder after like 30m of welding (not 30m of arc time... 30m including looking at and messing with parts/welds, still just learning to weld, running beads).
In your experience, is the TIG325X any less capable when running air cooled instead of water cooled, or is the reduced duty cycle at high amperage the only limitation? I don't mind taking more breaks to get a heavy weld done, but I wouldn't want to buy a big machine and just not be able to make the same welds that it could make with the right accessories.
There is no touch screen, therefore It gets immediate high marks from me. Not sure about those buttons, however I am keeping an open mind. Looks like a decent machine and the price is really right for those who can not afford the cost of a blue or red machine these days.
They should add a fan control switch on the back to switch from auto to on, I see them on a lot of different hardware. Also, the fans probably louder due to the higher amperage rating and being the roughly the same size. There are 2 ways to deal with heat, bigger heatsinks or stronger fans.
I was thinking if I got one I just might add a fan on switch & while I'm at it put a delay (off) on brake relay so the fan would keep running (unless it stayed running because of the temperature sensor) even if you switch of the machine. My little wire feed welder turns off the fan the moment you turn off the power switch, so I find myself leaving it on for a while just to let it cool down, no big deal but sometimes I want to leave the shop right away so I feel I need to hang around a bit to let it cool down.
I have the 225 . I use it in a commercial mobile environment. And I work the ever living crap out of it. Running off my Trailblazer 325efi. My concern on picking up a 325 . Is the power consumption at 300 amps on 220v . I'd like to see a 220/460 option and drop the 110 stuff . Any specs on what that 325 is drawing on 300amps through a 50am 220 plug?
Try to use the discount code at checkout and it doesn't work... It says it won't or doesn't apply to what I have in my cart..... I'm trying to buy the tig 325...... some help would be appreciated thank you
I really need to get my brand new 4 year old 225x out of the box and use it. I did plug it in to make sure it powered up when I got it but it has just sat on the shelf ever since. What's the worst part is all I was waiting on was getting a dedicated Argon tank
@@davidmuller1958 yea unfortunately I turned it on when I got it and it's still in the box today. I have a mig I use for most stuff just wanted to learn tig. Joys of your main job leaving not much for the hobby side
@jonsaircond8520 damn that sucks. Ive done that in the past. Purchased things and not used them for years. But for something that big, i dont think i could lol. I wouldve sold it then repurchased. Oh well, at least. Now you will. Just ordered a tig 325x
The behavior of the fan you describe is exactly what I would want to have! And it's fantastic it can go up to 125A in 110V mode, why is that a negative? Thanks for the review
I just bought the AHP 190MP and I pulled out of the box and it’s got an issue. Can’t get a response. Im definitely regretting not buying a primeweld. I think I’m still gonna grab the little mig from PW
The TIG225X can be used for both aluminum and steel, correct? One would simply change the filler material? Yes, I know nothing at all about welding, but would like to turn. Is there an equipment list of items a newbie would need to purchase get started? Thank you.
Having power switch on front is GREAT, membrane switches aren't. I prefer toggle, for several reasons, main reason "visible mode" you can actually see the active setting and membrane switches wear out quicker.
BF deals at Primeweld going on presently. I spent 2k. Thinking about getting one more product while it's marked down. GET SUM! For 2k I got the 325, a Plasma cutter/welder, and several accessories. Looking at their entry MIG machine for portability.
Really appreciate your content, looking forward to developing my own content using your vids as an example. I am a welder from the Caribbean, Jamaica specifically, just turned 20 years old 2 days ago and what I have noticed from high school is that I love welding its just I gravitate more to entrepreneurship side of it. so I have done my research and recently registered my business now I have to keep the business a float, pay taxes and 2 employees. Sometimes it gets overwhelming with the things I don't know but I don't want to give up. Some people say that I don't have enough experience. But I would argue that I have learned so much in such a short time more than they that has been in the industry for years. I can't give up and I won't. what are some advice you would give to a young welder who just want to make a honest living by following his entrepreneurial spirit with the talents and skills he has developed ?
Nice review, but the one thing missing on yours and most other reviewers it the power requirements. Plug type, current, duty cycles, etc. It is great that you can weld with 325 amps, But if I need a 50 or 100amp source it is junk to many small time welders (DIYers).
That's in the spec sheet. Inrush is 53A, continuous is 37A. So, it really should have a 50A circuit for full output. Still way better than a transformer machine that needs over 100A to reach the same output.
A welder can't magically make more power come out vs going in. If you want 325 amps, it is going to need a 50amp 240v source. There is no mathematical way around it. If you keep your amps below 250, you can probably get by with a 30amp 240v but be prepared to trip that breaker if you go over 250. If you stay under 200amps, you can probably get by with 20amp 240v. If you stay under 125 amps, then you can run on 20amp 120V.
8:25 water cooled… Here’s the dumbest question of the day: is there anything wrong with running 50/50 green automotive engine antifreeze in the water cooled torch reservoir? My workspace will be warm when I’m working but overnight or a few days of unused is likely to get below 32*F. Curious; I can’t think of a reason why not but I don’t think I’ve seen anyone mention it before.
There probably is. Many will tell you don't do it. I've run 50/50 in my TIG cooler for 30? years now. I'm expecting major issues any time now LOL Interestingly, I think most of the folks that say don't do it, are also the ones that sell the 'special' TIG cooler coolant.....at $50/ gallon.
My biggest question is will the 325 do smaller parts with a small arc, my 225 won't go down far enough to run smooth small beads, like a stainless steel contract that came in and I couldn't get the welds small like the specs and the example part showed which they where welding with a Miller 220 millermatic or something like that which was able to give them that small smooth bead they wanted, sorry to say I lost that job, I just didn't have the machine to do the Jon, but if this 325 which showed when down to 10, and 5, which my 225 want do, I might've gotten away with that project
I welded some razor blades together with the 325x. Keep in mind that was my first time ever doing so, but it only took 5 welds for me to get it correct. Could get the weld width to about .040" wide and keep the ends crisp. Did 15-20 amps 1/16" lanthanated with 1/4" aluminum backing.
After waiting almost 2 years to buy a primeweld MiG 180 nothing but problems straight out of the box can’t fine tune wire speed jumps around by 4-6-8 every turn of knob and turned all the way up doesn’t burn near as hot as my old wore out titanium 170, still trying to get a resolution they were supposed to send one to replace it but now want to talk about something after talking to engineer or something and working 12-14 hour days out of town hard to get time to be on phone but very disappointed may just get my money back depends on how they want to handle the situation….
Your opinion is overshadowed by hundreds of positive experiences. It was a faulty machine. I can find no bad experiences besides yours. So its just you.
@@davidmuller1958that’s fine but is it a “opinion” when you have a $600 welding machine that won’t weld you must be a primeweld fanboy, I’ve talked to numerous people that have had similar problems with primeweld and they had same issues there posts deleted and blocked from there group on Facebook book guess there is no bad reviews if folks get blocked 🤣 but the fact is here is is 5 months later and still have a machine that does not weld worth a damn it’s obviously a faulty unit which happens with every brand but the point is instead of guy says yeah something is wrong I’ll send you a new one then made every excuse to not just send a replacement being that it’s under “warranty”
@ab75901 im not a fanboy. Ive never owned their machines. I did a lot of hours worth of research from multiple websites and forums looking for bad opinions randomly. If theyre deleting bad posts, its from people who dont know how to file warranties or understand that companies arent perfect and need to be given a second chance or sometimes third chances in rare occasions. Let me guess. You think harbor freight is also crap, so you pay for good ol American made tools.
Build quality? Inside view please- The bottoms are the same sitting in clock radios, they will not last in a shop. also I miss the dust cover. (you can always tear it off) like your videos , good info , just too few ;-)It would be no problem at no cost to design an inverter that makes no more noise than a modern A/C indoor unit! BUT 99.9% dont ask for it , and we 0.1 have to live with it , or go Transformer.
I at 75 yo, am no longer steady enough to use this welder. I have developed a tremor that just make welding impossible. Regretfully, I need to sell my rig. What is the best venue to sell it?
I wonder what happened to the Everlast machines he was using/promoting some years ago. This is why I have a really hard time believing all these positive reviews by the big channels. I'ts come to the point that I value the opinion of some anonimous guy with 40 subscribers more. Don't get me wrong, I like the channel and really want to believe he's being honest in his reviews, but you can really tell when a company is trying to push a product. Just do a search and you'll find plenty of channels "suddenly" coming out with reviews and they're seldomly critical.
I ended up getting a 225x after watch his review and a couple others and I can't say he is wrong about the machine at all. I was running a miller 200dx and my 225x is way way better. It's nite and day in how smooth the arc is.
Ditto. Upgraded to the 225 based on his original review which really did address all of my complaints. I can see the reasons why I should upgrade but the 225 handles my needs. If I need 325 amps, I’ll head over to my friends house. I attribute the decent review to a decent product.
You gotta set them machine up on a eletric scooter. Use the foot base for the tank. Get one of the 6 wheels with the large drive wheels in the center. It rolls over everthing smooth as butter but creates no jaring to allthe circuit boards you will get from a cheep cart. And youvan remote control it as well. Ohit willpull a man hanging on fro. The rear on a creeper stool 12 mph. Way to fast. I especially love driving it when the federal asme inspector is in the shop . Im driving the welder from on top of a tanker or something were the feddont see me. It creates a funny conservation and side tracks the Man . Lol
It's a simple power calculation. Maximum output voltage in DC and AC TIG for the 325X is 23 volts. 325 amps * 23 volts is 7475 watts. 7475 watts divided by 240 volts is 31.2 amps. Now that 7475 assumes 100% efficiency of the inverter. Primeweld says 35.7A at 240V, which is 8568 watts, giving us 86% efficiency. You'll need a 50 amp breaker and outlet for this, as breakers are spec'ed to run continuously at 80% of their rating. A 30A breaker wants to see 24A or less continuous, or it may trip (there's some variability, depending the age of the breaker, number of times it's been tripped, etc). With a 30A breaker, you could limit yourself to welding at 218A at 23V or settling for 17V at 325A.
Learn to Weld in your own home on your own time with your personal welding instructor!
weldcoach.com/
Buy the Primeweld 325x here:
weldmetalsonline.com/collections/welding-machines/products/primeweld-tig325x-ac-dc-tig-welder-with-foot-pedal
Use discount code TFS10 at Weld Metals Online
weldmetalsonline.com/
"TFS10 discount code isn’t valid for the items in your cart" @ Weld Metals Online. Just an FYI
@@stoichiometry147 it doesn't apply to welders. Works on everything else.
Great review. I purchased the 225 almost 4 years ago, in part, because of your review. Haven't regretted that choice for a microsecond.
Primeweld customer service is great. I had a rare issue with my 225, they worked with me on diagnostics because I was comfortable doing so and eventually simply sent me a new machine. Old one went back in the box, return label included.
What kind of issue did you have with your 225?
Total newb here. Got the 325 in July, burned through about 100cf of argon so far. It is still going strong.
Thank you for posting this! I have been wondering what the difference between the two machines was and have been reviewing the specs on the Primeweld site. While I can read and understand them, you having them side by side and discussing them together is much more understandable for my tired old brain to absorb. I have had my 225x for just over a year and couldn’t be more pleased with it. I am a home/hobby user and while I typically adhere to the more bigger more better MO, I think I wouldn’t benefit from the additional features of the bigger machine simply because I don’t weld anything remotely close to what the 325 is capable of handling. For those reading this comment that are considering a machine for themselves, you can’t go wrong with any of the primeweld products in my honest opinion. I also have a Cut60 Plasma cutter that kicks absolute butt when it comes to cutting metal stock. I went thru three cheap-o machines from “other” suppliers and had seriously dreadful experiences. Got the Cut60 and haven’t regretted the purchase in the slightest way since. Thanks again for the side by side comp for us tire kickers. 🤓
I love my 225, which I bought based on your review. And Primeweld's customer service is amazing. I got a notification from UPS that my shipment (argon bottle) had been cancelled. I pulled up Primeweld's customer service number and gave them a ring about 40 minutes later. 2 rings and someone picked up the phone. As I started to explain why I was calling, the man on the other end of the phone immediately knew who I was by first name, and explained that UPS had damaged my argon bottle in shipment. A new one was already on the way and I received a tracking number very shortly after. Also, best owners manual I have ever read.
Took a class from Justin in Vegas. Worth the money and the time invested. No, after a day of welding (attempting) with this machine I am not an expert but I have the confidence and the drive now to go out and practice because that is what makes you better. Great class and a great machine. Thanks Justin for your no BS approach!
mad respect for your complete transparency and no BS opinions and review.
As someone who has bought Primeweld equipment, kudos to you Justin for doing this video. Their customer service is exceptional. And as someone who has dealt directly with packaging from China in a former job (and packaging and container design), Primeweld is stunning on protecting their products say vs... a Green Welding company who are almost fraudulent. I have owned a 225x and stupidly sold it...for a profit but that was a mistake. So was curious on the 325x. My take. For a garage welder like me the 225x is still the best bang for the buck. And its lighter. I can move a 225x with one hand at 54lbs but the 325x would be a struggle for me as I am almost 60 and my back is not the best. The fan call out is key. I agree with Justin that it would be an issue. Myself, I almost get the feeling that if the 225x were visually re-freshened that the 325x would not even sell that well. And, given that Primeweld does have ears and listens to what the consumers are saying, this where they score big points vs Blue and Red. The Red box that does TIG is 10 years old and is way way overpriced (marketing costs) so going to a Primeweld you get a competitive machine for much less. Just don't be like me and sell your welder. Keep it. Its a good friend. And Justin, thanks for the review.
I'd love to keep a few dollars in my pocket (or spend on materials/upgrades) but I'm going 325 because It has more power and range. I hope Primeweld will reprogram or replace the loud fan with a quieter unit. I'll do it myself once the warranty is over--I have some soldier and a retired electronics engineer handy, but it shouldn't be that difficult for a thinking man. Thanks for your input.
As an owner and user of a 225X, I appreciate your honest reviews. I can say from experience that Primeweld is a great company. Their packaging says they care how the units arrive to customers, and their customer service is second to none! When I call them, they actually answer the phone and are upbeat and ready to help if they can. I will be giving the 225X to my son and ordering a 325X and a water cooler so we have both. It's kind of like buying heavy equipment, when you find a good dealer that works with you , you buy that brand.
My 325 comes in today!! I am so excited thank you for your reviews and your teachings brother I can’t wait to learn Tig. Maybe one day I can meet you in one of your classes that would be cool.
Six months later, how are you liking your 325?
@@elektro3000 wanna know it, too
I personnaly havent run into anything the 225 hasnt been able to tackle so far (which i purchased due to your review on that) but the screen showing the value for all the knobs is almost worth the fine tuning adjustability in my opinion. Im close to upgrading just for that reason. Id like the confidence that im getting the same setting for repeatable results without wondering if im "close enough"
I just want a tig machine but I'm a broke student😆
Thank you Sir. just found this company so far all is 1st class now I own the 225 & 325 with water cooler my buddy has a boatyard always needs my support keep up the great work
My only complaint about my two year old 225x is the lack of digital numbers for each dial. With that being addressed by the 325x, I'm tempted to upgrade. But the 225x does everything this newbie needs (for now).👍
Thanks for the informative video. I'm just a hobbyist that always wanted to learn to weld. I'm 68 so not looking to make a career out of it and didn't want to spend the $$$ for the name brand welders. After much research, including your videos, I got the 225. This was a few years ago but fortunately after they started shipping the new pedal. A little while ago I looked at the current machines out of curiosity and I see the new machines have an outlet on the back for a water cooled torch. Doubt I'd ever need it but just another example of how Primeweld listens to their customers.
Thanks Justin for the review! I definitely enjoyed your class back in August and I really appreciated your teaching style and recommendations! I have my eye on the 325x so hopefully I can get a garage soon to finalize the purchase.
Yes sir! Awesome class
I bought the 225 about 3-4 years ago and I have to say. It has performed flawlessly for me. The two big features I like on the 325 are the power switch on the front, and the digital readout for all knobs, i'm not a fan of the buttons though. I prefer the switches. Are the perks worth an extra $500? Do I ever really weld at 225 often? The answer to both of those is a no, so I am happy sticking with my 225.
Surprisingly, I've used my machine for stick welding way more than tig welding. It has worked very well for that purpose running 7018 and 6011 rods. I run them mostly because of convenience and for working outside in the wind. I don't have to deal with dragging out the foot pedal and setting up a table in my garage etc. So Its nice to be able to just put a stick in the stinger and go.
The tig225 has given me no issues whatsoever and I will likely be buying a Mig 180 from them next just because of their customer service. I also have a CUT50 plasma machine and it has been flawless as well!
I bought my 225X because of this channel 2 months later they came out with the 325x LOL. I wanted to learn both ac and dc tig and I'm happy with the 225X, I don't feel the need to upgrade maybe down the road pick one up and have both setup using the 325X for aluminum. All that being said IF you have neither just grab that 325X out of the gate. Primeweld has stellar reviews, believe is New Jersey Based and alot of bang for the buck. Also have the CUT 60 which is pretty badass.
2 years and my 225 is running perfect! I also got the Primeweld cut50 plasma. another great machine from Primeweld. Whoever Primeweld has contracted to mfg their stuff for them is great,
Since it has a higher amperage and it can stick Weld and TIG weld I can see someone using this as a combination machine in utility IE compressor stations Refinery work maybe even boilers combination type welds tig root and 7018 stick fill and cap
I've been on a 225x at work with over 300 hours, I'm not experienced (just learned at work). Love the user friendly features, however the pedal feels like it ramps up crazy between the 85-100% range. Able to weld pretty well regardless of the issue!
Got my new 225x via fedex yesterday afternoon. Was excited to get it set up and start learning today, but found that the included 25ft torch option was water cooled and therefore unusable. I called customer service but it's Sunday and they're closed so I did the contact form and plan to call tomorrow.
Update, checked email this morning, monday, and they've already responded to my contact form submission from yesterday. A CK17 25ft torch is on it's way UPS 2nd day air with return label for the incorrect torch. Either they really do have great customer service or they really want their more expensive water cooled torch back. Either way I'm pretty impressed by the service.
Going to buy my first welder soon, more than likely it will be a primeweld. Thanks for the great comparison.
I love my primeweld 225, all thanks to you! now my skill is a different story
I think it's great that you did a comparison between the 225 x in the 325 x I have the 225 x with the water cooler and a water-cooled flexloc torch. I was debating on upgrading to a bigger machine and was actually looking at Miller dynasty 300. With all the aluminum welding that I do a lot of aluminum welding in a lot of 5/8 aluminum I found adding helium to the mix makes it a lot easier with the 225x. But definitely have Justin put it if it's in your budget it's a good purchase if you don't have it in your budget you could do an upgrade like I did with my 225x and add a water cooler. But all-in-all Justin thank you for the great comparison and keep up the great work...
Great Video Quality. I'll buy anything primeweld makes at this point. Im hooked.
All you reviews are very well layed out, and help us DIY guys far more than you can imagine.. Keep up the good work brudda..
Doc Upland Ca.
Thanks. Good review. I have the PrimeWeld 225 with the stock CK17 torch. It's an impressive machine. I've been completelysatisfied by the welder. There may be a water cooled torch in my future. .
I seriously considered the 225x but went with the AHP alphatig 203xi and its more than enough welder for me. The digital display and smaller form factor were what sold me. Glad to see the bigger brother not quite as tombstone-like as the 225x
Dang. Biggest thing that amazes me is the price. 325 machine for $1500 with the same lead you recommended. That’s a killer deal.
My 225 showed up with a dent in the side it was very small so i did not complaim to customer service but it was packaged very well ans very surprised that it had a dent. Good to see the wooden crate with the new machine
@11:44
Maybe it's an optical illusion, but something looks off with the comparison of the Aluminum coupons. The one that is supposed to be 1/4" looks to be half the size of the one that's indicated as being 3/8". That is, where there should be only 1/8" difference in thicknesses, it appears to be much more. If it's the way it looks, I'm assuming this is a result of Justin just picking up the wrong coupons when shooting that bit of the video, but if all the welding tests were done with those coupons then I may question the accuracy of the results with regards to settings and such. Not the performance of the welder overall, just the performance we see with regard to how the machine is set for the supposed thickness of the material.
I have the 325x with a 26 style gas cooled torch. My fan blows so much cooling air that I had to put up an air dam on my welding table so the gas wouldn't get blown away. I did not block the air outlet per PrimeWelds recommendations.
My fan is whisper quiet. The fan is at the very front at the bottom of my 325x. Perhaps the cooling fans are located deeper inside the 225x? Maybe your fan mounting fasteners are a bit loose allowing vibration?
Anyway I love my 325x 👍
Keep up the great videos.
Hi Justin, great vid 👍 would it be possible to see a macro-etch and maybe a knick-break test on a 3/8" aluminium weld single pass?
I noticed he didn't show the single pass weld... That would tell me what I wanted to know.
I am glad they add future to show the value of each knob on the display , that what I miss on my 225. Is not such big deal when on DC , but sucks when using AC. Trying to find balance and frequency setting is kind the challenging. Probably not such big deal for experienced TIG welders, but for sure for the rest of us I think is. Will be nice if Primeweld come up with upgraded front panel with the same future as 325 have for 225, but not sure if is even possible.
Nice review Justin. Thanks!
My only complaint with the 225x is the DC arc start. Anything set to under fifty amps, you can see the arc start hot then settle down to the set amperage. Other than that it's a great machine and from the looks of it, the 325x is going to be awesome 👍
I was literally just going to post the same thing. I weld thin sheet metal and it can be extremely frustrating.
i have the same machine, i agree. i notice that too, cause i weld automotive sheetmetal (classic cars), id get that burst of amps and then it settles down. only way i found to get by on that is by trying to lay the welding rod right on the metal and hitting the tip of the rod and body, then back up some. other than that , i love the machine. i always used footpedals in the past and still do, but i gave the tig finger control a try when i was under a car and loved it for hard to reach pedal situations.. no more pedals between the knees laying on my back.. haha
@@matmcclary9840 to achieve the softest arc initiation make sure your start amps and upslope are turned down all the way when using the foot pedal.
@@weldphdaren't those disabled when not in 4T mode?
@@AlessioSangalli no.
I got the 225x with watercooled and gas cooled. I usually practice welding pipe. From 2"-4" so far and from schedule 60-xxh. Its awesome but heres my kick. I'm grateful theres a bigger style watertorch (18) because the 20 for me is really small. Therefore I mainly use 17 ck and let cool between passes at 135-140 amps.
Thank You Sir . I think many of Us would love the ability to weld thicker metals . I have been a proponent of filter equipped centrifugal cooling fans for greatly reduced noise . Even at the risk of a slightly larger machine case . You didn't mention a water cooler option which at 200 amps would make sense .
What welding helmet were you using in this video with the high 3/8" amps?
Well, I like things analog, so for me, I'm still glad I have the 225acdc. About six months after I got it, I did get the cooler and 20 torch . MAN, that was a great addition, no more hot torch . And I don't even need wedge collets in fear of smoking and warping the little buggers . lol
The only problem I had was when I first got the cooler I couldn't get the warning buzzer to shut up . But with a quick call Gene (great guy) said well, you can send it back and we'll send you a new one, or if you want to tackle fixing it, I'll walk you through the simple task ... And it's been working perfect since . The one thing I would love to have is the 5 amp start on the 325x . But there's ways (pulse and such) to get around that . Actually this welder's really great for me . Next I would like to have the cut60 ... :)
I wish these come with cordlesss foot pedal I got so comfortable with my company miller dynasty 300
My question is how noticeable is it dealing with that large cabling on the 325 TIG torch versus the smaller cabling of the 225?
Never tried 225. but i wrap 325 cable around my shoulder and dont even notice it. The 17 torch cable at 125A does get uncomfortably hot just sitting on-top of my shirt/shoulder after like 30m of welding (not 30m of arc time... 30m including looking at and messing with parts/welds, still just learning to weld, running beads).
In your experience, is the TIG325X any less capable when running air cooled instead of water cooled, or is the reduced duty cycle at high amperage the only limitation? I don't mind taking more breaks to get a heavy weld done, but I wouldn't want to buy a big machine and just not be able to make the same welds that it could make with the right accessories.
Does the 225 show each knob control on the lcd display?
The TFS code does not work on weldmetalsonline for either of the welders.
Well, I tried the coupon number TFS10 with the 325x order, and was told that the coupon is not available with this item. 😕
I still bought it. 😊
There is no touch screen, therefore It gets immediate high marks from me. Not sure about those buttons, however I am keeping an open mind. Looks like a decent machine and the price is really right for those who can not afford the cost of a blue or red machine these days.
The nice thing about the buttons, is they are sealed so no worries about grinding grit getting into them like the rocker switches.
They should add a fan control switch on the back to switch from auto to on, I see them on a lot of different hardware. Also, the fans probably louder due to the higher amperage rating and being the roughly the same size. There are 2 ways to deal with heat, bigger heatsinks or stronger fans.
I was thinking if I got one I just might add a fan on switch & while I'm at it put a delay (off) on brake relay so the fan would keep running (unless it stayed running because of the temperature sensor) even if you switch of the machine. My little wire feed welder turns off the fan the moment you turn off the power switch, so I find myself leaving it on for a while just to let it cool down, no big deal but sometimes I want to leave the shop right away so I feel I need to hang around a bit to let it cool down.
Does it require 220 to run it with the cooler? Or can i run it on 110?
you didn't mention max amps @110v on the 225, The way you worded that makes me think it is a bit higher for the 225x
I have the 225 . I use it in a commercial mobile environment. And I work the ever living crap out of it. Running off my Trailblazer 325efi. My concern on picking up a 325 . Is the power consumption at 300 amps on 220v . I'd like to see a 220/460 option and drop the 110 stuff . Any specs on what that 325 is drawing on 300amps through a 50am 220 plug?
Try to use the discount code at checkout and it doesn't work... It says it won't or doesn't apply to what I have in my cart..... I'm trying to buy the tig 325...... some help would be appreciated thank you
I really need to get my brand new 4 year old 225x out of the box and use it. I did plug it in to make sure it powered up when I got it but it has just sat on the shelf ever since. What's the worst part is all I was waiting on was getting a dedicated Argon tank
Youve had it for FOUR years without using?!?!?!?!?
@@davidmuller1958 yea unfortunately I turned it on when I got it and it's still in the box today. I have a mig I use for most stuff just wanted to learn tig. Joys of your main job leaving not much for the hobby side
@jonsaircond8520 damn that sucks. Ive done that in the past. Purchased things and not used them for years. But for something that big, i dont think i could lol. I wouldve sold it then repurchased. Oh well, at least. Now you will.
Just ordered a tig 325x
Having bought a solar generator for 3k and it was in a box with some Skelton foam (came with a dent), I appreciate that packaging 😂
I wonder how Primeweld 325x compares against Everlast Typhoon 330 and 230?
I got the junk pedal, think they would swap it for the good one? I probably got the last of the kits with that pedal.
Yeah just file a warrantly claim on your pedal and they'll send you a new one
The behavior of the fan you describe is exactly what I would want to have! And it's fantastic it can go up to 125A in 110V mode, why is that a negative? Thanks for the review
@@jackhammer- nah, I don't interpret it that way. I don't think he was talking to people that want to upgrade but to people that wants to buy one.
I just bought the AHP 190MP and I pulled out of the box and it’s got an issue. Can’t get a response. Im definitely regretting not buying a primeweld. I think I’m still gonna grab the little mig from PW
Ordering a 325x today :)
My watercooler fan on my Everlast is a loud Beotch . Good thing in myshop its loud anyways but if it was at home I wouldn't take it very long.
The TFS10 discount code doesn't seem to work for me.
The TIG225X can be used for both aluminum and steel, correct? One would simply change the filler material? Yes, I know nothing at all about welding, but would like to turn. Is there an equipment list of items a newbie would need to purchase get started? Thank you.
Nope, just have to flip a switch to weld on AC instead of dc for steel, and also configure your ac frequency and ac balance.
Is there an updated coupon code?
Having power switch on front is GREAT, membrane switches aren't. I prefer toggle, for several reasons, main reason "visible mode" you can actually see the active setting and membrane switches wear out quicker.
What is the giveaway@TheFabricationSeries
Yep, the membrane switches will keep me from buying this machine. A really bad design choice. Give me a milspec steel toggle switch any day.
your store sells the Mig185 why havent you done a video on it. do you not like it. I'm just wondering because I'm thinking of buying one from you
BF deals at Primeweld going on presently. I spent 2k. Thinking about getting one more product while it's marked down. GET SUM! For 2k I got the 325, a Plasma cutter/welder, and several accessories. Looking at their entry MIG machine for portability.
got any coupons? I want to pick up the 325x but want to wait for a coupon.
@@davidmuller1958 Black Friday was my coupon. Good luck between now and then.
Really appreciate your content, looking forward to developing my own content using your vids as an example.
I am a welder from the Caribbean, Jamaica specifically, just turned 20 years old 2 days ago and what I have noticed from high school is that I love welding its just I gravitate more to entrepreneurship side of it. so I have done my research and recently registered my business now I have to keep the business a float, pay taxes and 2 employees. Sometimes it gets overwhelming with the things I don't know but I don't want to give up. Some people say that I don't have enough experience. But I would argue that I have learned so much in such a short time more than they that has been in the industry for years. I can't give up and I won't. what are some advice you would give to a young welder who just want to make a honest living by following his entrepreneurial spirit with the talents and skills he has developed ?
How about a 325A steel single pass? 1in plate? Dynasty 210 has a jet turbine "fan on demand"™ by Miller.
where did you get the glasses i need the big frames im going blind haha
Is there any wireless pedal options
Does anyone know why some 325x tig have red knobs and others have yellow knobs ???????? I received mine with all Yellow knobs
Outstanding as always
Nice review, but the one thing missing on yours and most other reviewers it the power requirements. Plug type, current, duty cycles, etc. It is great that you can weld with 325 amps, But if I need a 50 or 100amp source it is junk to many small time welders (DIYers).
That's in the spec sheet. Inrush is 53A, continuous is 37A. So, it really should have a 50A circuit for full output. Still way better than a transformer machine that needs over 100A to reach the same output.
A welder can't magically make more power come out vs going in. If you want 325 amps, it is going to need a 50amp 240v source. There is no mathematical way around it. If you keep your amps below 250, you can probably get by with a 30amp 240v but be prepared to trip that breaker if you go over 250. If you stay under 200amps, you can probably get by with 20amp 240v. If you stay under 125 amps, then you can run on 20amp 120V.
Does the 325x run 6010?
The 325x has a closed circuit voltage of 30 volts so it will run 6010 stick rods where the 225x isn't rated for 6010.
Decided to buy from weld metals online, can find a place to enter your code
8:25 water cooled…
Here’s the dumbest question of the day: is there anything wrong with running 50/50 green automotive engine antifreeze in the water cooled torch reservoir? My workspace will be warm when I’m working but overnight or a few days of unused is likely to get below 32*F. Curious; I can’t think of a reason why not but I don’t think I’ve seen anyone mention it before.
I had the same question too when I upgraded to a water cooler. I ended up using water water and RV coolant.
There probably is. Many will tell you don't do it. I've run 50/50 in my TIG cooler for 30? years now. I'm expecting major issues any time now LOL Interestingly, I think most of the folks that say don't do it, are also the ones that sell the 'special' TIG cooler coolant.....at $50/ gallon.
My biggest question is will the 325 do smaller parts with a small arc, my 225 won't go down far enough to run smooth small beads, like a stainless steel contract that came in and I couldn't get the welds small like the specs and the example part showed which they where welding with a Miller 220 millermatic or something like that which was able to give them that small smooth bead they wanted, sorry to say I lost that job, I just didn't have the machine to do the Jon, but if this 325 which showed when down to 10, and 5, which my 225 want do, I might've gotten away with that project
I welded some razor blades together with the 325x. Keep in mind that was my first time ever doing so, but it only took 5 welds for me to get it correct. Could get the weld width to about .040" wide and keep the ends crisp. Did 15-20 amps 1/16" lanthanated with 1/4" aluminum backing.
If you don't have the fn proper equipment to do a job it's your fault u dmf'r
Can it weld 6010/6011 stick rod also does it have arc force and hot start on it
yes it can. It does have arc force and hot start
Im trying to find a video of the 325x butning some 6010 rod
After waiting almost 2 years to buy a primeweld MiG 180 nothing but problems straight out of the box can’t fine tune wire speed jumps around by 4-6-8 every turn of knob and turned all the way up doesn’t burn near as hot as my old wore out titanium 170, still trying to get a resolution they were supposed to send one to replace it but now want to talk about something after talking to engineer or something and working 12-14 hour days out of town hard to get time to be on phone but very disappointed may just get my money back depends on how they want to handle the situation….
Your opinion is overshadowed by hundreds of positive experiences. It was a faulty machine. I can find no bad experiences besides yours. So its just you.
@@davidmuller1958that’s fine but is it a “opinion” when you have a $600 welding machine that won’t weld you must be a primeweld fanboy, I’ve talked to numerous people that have had similar problems with primeweld and they had same issues there posts deleted and blocked from there group on Facebook book guess there is no bad reviews if folks get blocked 🤣 but the fact is here is is 5 months later and still have a machine that does not weld worth a damn it’s obviously a faulty unit which happens with every brand but the point is instead of guy says yeah something is wrong I’ll send you a new one then made every excuse to not just send a replacement being that it’s under “warranty”
@ab75901 im not a fanboy. Ive never owned their machines. I did a lot of hours worth of research from multiple websites and forums looking for bad opinions randomly.
If theyre deleting bad posts, its from people who dont know how to file warranties or understand that companies arent perfect and need to be given a second chance or sometimes third chances in rare occasions.
Let me guess. You think harbor freight is also crap, so you pay for good ol American made tools.
Prime weld kicks ass!
Build quality? Inside view please- The bottoms are the same sitting in clock radios, they will not last in a shop. also I miss the dust cover. (you can always tear it off) like your videos , good info , just too few ;-)It would be no problem at no cost to design an inverter that makes no more noise than a modern A/C indoor unit! BUT 99.9% dont ask for it , and we 0.1 have to live with it , or go Transformer.
I at 75 yo, am no longer steady enough to use this welder. I have developed a tremor that just make welding impossible. Regretfully, I need to sell my rig. What is the best venue to sell it?
There’s always Facebook Marketplace. It might not be the best option but it’s easy to list for sale and for buyers to contact you.
So the additional cost is bigger cables, read out for each knob, bigger MMA stick holder... I dont see the need to upgrade
Does it do the dishes too?
My friend Brendan actually blew out the HFS on his 225x ... Aaaaaaaand, it's out of warranty!
How do I get this in Alberta Canada?
Would consider this machine better than the Fronius Tig Welder?
😂
Send me a free 325x unit I'll do the stick welding review for you. Which rod do you want it reviewed with? 7018? 6011? 6013?
Nice welder, i will have to try one out.
I have a primeweld 225x and it just stop welding..had it for 4 Year. Opened it up, blow it with air. No Arc..I wonder why
Need one like rite now
Like a remote Pedal needs to be added
Dang, you gave primeweld a good review AND you sell em? Crazy how that works 😂
I wonder what happened to the Everlast machines he was using/promoting some years ago. This is why I have a really hard time believing all these positive reviews by the big channels. I'ts come to the point that I value the opinion of some anonimous guy with 40 subscribers more.
Don't get me wrong, I like the channel and really want to believe he's being honest in his reviews, but you can really tell when a company is trying to push a product. Just do a search and you'll find plenty of channels "suddenly" coming out with reviews and they're seldomly critical.
I ended up getting a 225x after watch his review and a couple others and I can't say he is wrong about the machine at all. I was running a miller 200dx and my 225x is way way better. It's nite and day in how smooth the arc is.
Ditto. Upgraded to the 225 based on his original review which really did address all of my complaints. I can see the reasons why I should upgrade but the 225 handles my needs. If I need 325 amps, I’ll head over to my friends house. I attribute the decent review to a decent product.
But do u see how it's not a bad thing to do?
I bought the 225 last year and it is a great machine
You gotta set them machine up on a eletric scooter. Use the foot base for the tank. Get one of the 6 wheels with the large drive wheels in the center. It rolls over everthing smooth as butter but creates no jaring to allthe circuit boards you will get from a cheep cart. And youvan remote control it as well. Ohit willpull a man hanging on fro. The rear on a creeper stool 12 mph. Way to fast. I especially love driving it when the federal asme inspector is in the shop . Im driving the welder from on top of a tanker or something were the feddont see me. It creates a funny conservation and side tracks the Man . Lol
After you made the 3/8 weld, you didn't turn it around so we could see... Was it that bad? Lol...
TFS10 code not working...
@TheFabricationSeries no thanks
HAHAHA. HUGE points for the Se7en reference.
325 A on 220V?
Yes, 240v USA.
Yes
@@weldphd impressive so much amps on 240V
It's a simple power calculation. Maximum output voltage in DC and AC TIG for the 325X is 23 volts. 325 amps * 23 volts is 7475 watts. 7475 watts divided by 240 volts is 31.2 amps. Now that 7475 assumes 100% efficiency of the inverter. Primeweld says 35.7A at 240V, which is 8568 watts, giving us 86% efficiency. You'll need a 50 amp breaker and outlet for this, as breakers are spec'ed to run continuously at 80% of their rating. A 30A breaker wants to see 24A or less continuous, or it may trip (there's some variability, depending the age of the breaker, number of times it's been tripped, etc). With a 30A breaker, you could limit yourself to welding at 218A at 23V or settling for 17V at 325A.
@@JCWren👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻