So, as a 67 yr. old retired mechanical engineer/ inventor, I've been a died in the wool Miller guy for years. I started demanding more and found the Syncowave 180 wasn't enough. I researched ALL the brands and decided based on YOUR reviews, to buy a 255ext. Unfortunately it was backordered, so I chose the 350ext and have had it a week now. I was a bit disappointed with the Owners/Operating Mannual compared to the 255ext manual you expounded upon in your video. But I've been assured by the great folks at Everlast that I can download the 255ext manual. Besides that, the unit is amazing. I almost bought a Dynasty, I can't imagine needing more. Thank you for your work and your ending message. Lastly I didn't know about your link to Everlast, so I made point of calling them to make sure you get credit for helping me with my decision. I told them "Justin" at Pacific , sorry, poor hearing, to may years of audio abuse. Thanks Again.
I hate digging up older videos, but I feel this is the perfect place to leave this. After trying to find an AC tig welder because my Miller is only DC tig, I stumbled across a company called YesWelder. I dropped a very palatable $780 CAD Shipped for the TIG-A250P-AC/DC w/Pulse, now they had a discount code to get it that low, but Amazon Canada has it for around $899 sale price. My 15 years of welding experience has always been with wire feed mig, so my feedback as a professional is non existent on this subject, but the hundreds of reviews I read, very little negativity.
I own a Prime Weld & for the $800 I spent it certainly does all I will need. Been In storage the last year so after my garage remodel is finished I can start practicing once again lol
I'm what you would consider, at best, the weekend warrior, self-taught welder. I purchase the Canaweld at the end of last year, and Dusty's review of it is what finally made me pull the trigger over an everlast. And I'm so satisfied with it. Does more than I'll ever need. If that welder can't handle what I'm doing, it's beyond my skills anyways.
I got the much loved primeweld 225 and I gotta say that I love it. It runs just as nice as the 4k machines in welding class. Comes with pretty much every feature youd want too, all for the cost of a harbor freight tig. Cant recommend enough
@Will Swift Everlast Welding do multi process machines. They have machines that do the lot except for MIG. Their Power Pro line is Tig AC/DC /Stick / Plasma. The only downside of getting an all in one machine is that if something goes wrong and you need to send it away to be repaired then you have nothing. I have collected several machines over the years, so have backups of various things so not so bad. That's just my 10 cents. Hope it helps
Been using miller dynasties for over 6 years working aerospace fabrication, and they are amazing machines. All the extensive and various settings are mainly for AC and its great to have them for heat control and proper penetration when dealing with unique fitups, joints and circumstances you find yourself in daily. When it comes to DC, its pretty much the same across all machines from either brands as your heat is going in either positive or negative. Idk about how other brands are with AC TIG, but the dynasty is pure excellence and very reliable with it.
I’d say, the choice is even easier: 1) do you need to TIG weld aluminum? ➔ more expensive machine 2) do you need to TIG weld stuff thicker than approx. 5 mm (above 200A)? ➔ more expensive machine (water-cooled) 3) do you need to TIG weld non-stop? ➔ more expensive machine with high duty cycles Other than that… yes, much more important are the ergonomics (CK torch, pedal, straight welding table, large viewing aperture helmet, fixtures…), gas lenses + Pyrex cups… and above all, TONS of material (base, filler, ScotchBrite discs) and GAS (not cheap in Europe, where you pay even for the empty leased bottle, monthly!), plus ELECTRICITY to get those 19 years of practice. 😃 The only cheap thing is acetone… Oh, and, did someone mention that your practice time = a monetary investment with an uncertain moment of return?
Hell I probably spent less than 1500 on my whole setup, including water cooler and torch. I use a Primeweld 225 and, despite having a pretty high arc start amperage, this thing rips with the best of em.
Great video Dusty this is the first video I have seen on your channel and I definitely subscribed 👍 I also appreciate your message at the end to pass on a random act of kindness to others, Excellent message man! Thanks for posting 😊
Yea the dynasties are pretty rad. I learned to tig aluminum at my last job with the 400 and 280. So when I bought a $900 machine for home use I figured I would be sad but I'm fairly happy with it
Hi Dusty This video made me feel a little better today . I have had a Miller Dynasty for about 15 years and often times I go back to it and I have to refresh myself on the features .To hear you say the menus are confusing and sometimes simpler is better.Made me feel like hey it’s not just me ,this machine can be confusing and a pain to dial in. I am just a hobby welder and this machine may sit for a year at a time with no use.As far as random acts of kindness we can all help no matter what your capable of sometimes just a little thing to you can mean something to someone.
I swear by my fronius 230i , it's super easy to use , 100% reliable, made in in Europe and welds lovely on single phase, honestly can't recommend it enough, it is a bit expensive but you get what you pay for.
My first TIG machine was a cheap Amico ($200 US on Amazon) rig that worked fine. But then I wanted to play around with pulsed TIG welding, so I bought a second machine (HZXVOGEN for $349CAD). That once developed a couple of issues, so I finally decided last year to buy a "proper" machine. One that would do everything that I could imagine wanting in a TIG welder, and that would last. So I got a Primeweld TIG225x and could not be happier. It doesn't have an LCD screen, doesn't have programs or a memory, but it is *really* solidly built and I can see it lasting for years and years. Definitely worth checking out if you want 110/220, ability to do AC as well as DC, and can't justify one of the fantastic but pricier options.
I have had a Everlast 200DX for a few years now. I can easily recommend them. Now that I have been watching your channel for a year or so I wish I would have known about the Canaweld. Thanks for the vid.
Interesting comment. You are saying you have a way to weld with 3 car batteries? I have used one car battery to weld tabs onto my 18650 batteries. You are likely saying that 3 in series welds more stuff? Above 36 volts scares me a little. As I recall, human skin resistance can be breached by as little as 40 volts. And, it only takes a litte amps to stop the heart. I used to get shocked constantly by my 1960s era train track as a kid, so I am not so sure what to believe.
@@dennisgarber 3 car batteries lasts longer. His point is that with the crudest equipment possible, good skill makes good welds. The fanciest machine won't make you a good welder.
@@carpediemarts705 maybe, but could I be able to weld aluminum with a dc tig? I think not. But the difference between a dc tig welder and an ac tig welder it maybe a lot of money. And this is one example, maybe all the bells and whistles help you be faster or produce more. I'll say buy the best welder you can afford.
Had the 210 EXT since it got released here in Australia its given me no problems in 6yrs, I sprung for the water cooler so I can keep it pegged flat knackers using a tiny wp20 torch(CK set up)
I use a miller syncrowave 350 lx and the only thing I can adjust is the ac balance on it but i love it for everything so far and it stays nice and quiet.
I have a few Tig machines......... my most recent is an Everlast Power Tig 200 DV .. nice cheap machine but China cheap, I have a Miller Diversion 180 very nice entry level basic American made , good portable field dual voltage, automatic machine, bit spendy compared to the import stuff but will last and durable....... then my favorite that I bought 30 years ago, not portable, defiantly a shop machine and back when HOBART was the cream of the Cream, When HOBART were mustered colored and before they were bought out by Miller, it's a TigWave 250........ not for beginers.....back in 1992 it was about $5000 but OMG what a bullet proof PRO lifetime machine! Heavy, big, lots or dials, but so smooth and water cooled, and you can weld 100% and won't overheat. You get what you pay for!!!!! You can not run away with that!
I finally got argon yesterday. My sub $200 TIG Chinese welder (with HF start) allowed me to get a decent welding table, helmet, gloves and a mess of coupons to practice with. Even on a 110 volt 20 amp circuit it can push 130 or more amps. It may be running a bit hot in that it can burn through a 1/8 coupon at 95 amps. So far I have been able to run a handful of beads without filler wire. Most are mud ugly. A scant few are shiny. Some of the ugly ones have the tip of a tungsten stuck in them. I won't yearn for a more expensive welder until I can master this two knob box - amps and post flow.
Got a super cheap stahlwerk 200 tig welder as my first, just to get the hang of things before splashing out. Still using it on bigger jobs with plenty of material. it doesn't have a foot pedal so once things heat up it can get a bit runny but it's great for rebuilding lumps broken off castings like manifolds and gearbox housings. I love it
I was a hardcore Blue guy, swore by them for many years. I use to make fun of my friends who owned Everlast, I would call them Popcorn makers. But when I couldn't afford a new Dynasty for my home shop, I bought an Everlast PowerTig 200 DV. Once my hood drops, can not tell the difference from Blue to Green. Oh and something no one mentions on UA-cam about machine settings is, there are many features on more sophisticated tig welders, that are designed for automation welding. And you will probably not ever use. The Upslope and Down slope are settings for welding pulse tig on thin wall tubing on a orbital or rotator. Well anyway, my Everlast tig machine rocks!
I started tig welding about 18 months ago. Since the moment i pressed the pedal down for the first time ive been hooked. Its like holding a little piece of the sun in my hands. I started with the primeweld tig225x. Now im looking into dropping 3k on an everlast typhoon 230. The specs show it to be out of this world. Especially for aluminum. 5 wave forms, split wave forms, split wave amplitude, 2 amps min dc and 3 amps min ac. And for stick welding it has more features than some dedicated stick welders including anti stick, adjustable arc force, and adjustable hot start time and intensity. Oh and the cherry on top is the 5 year warrantee
@Lifebreaks2 I also really recommend the Everlast superultra206. For 550 dollars you get a multiprocess welder/cutter that puts out 200 amps of tig, 160 amps of stick and 50 amps of plasma cutting. For that price it's worth it just for the plasma cutter, which Is why I bought it. I don't even use the stick/tig functions but if you want a tig welder I highly recommend it as a do-it-all machine
For a hobbies would recommend primeweld 225 is an AC/DC and manual knobs and has hz adjustments for US price is $869. A guy used it for a training welder in his classes never had a problem. AHP US Price is $750.
I’d spring for at least HF start and a pedal but not much fancier. My welding class had mainly scratch start and it was frustrating at first. We got to share a couple HF Miller machines for aluminum and that sold me on HF. Very tough to find decent affordable stuff used unless you buy some huge old hulking iron or lift conversion.
Excellent advice, I have watched your videos many times now, Still trying to make my mind up which machine to buy. Bearing in mind I would like one that will run on a domestic system.
I started with a crappy Amazon $100 flux core to see if it was something I was interested in. I saved up and got a Lincoln tig 200, love the machine. Had I seen this video I would have been more confident is getting a cheaper less known machine as you mentioned. That being said the accessories that came with it are too notch and I’m hesitant to get into accessories because there are so many sizes and terms and how they relate to what I’m welding isn’t clear. You’re videos are helping me better understand these things but I still find it challenging when I go to potentially order. As always, I appreciate your content and your positive attitude. Now to go find someone to pass it on this kindness to!
I bought a everlast 140 about 5 years ago, it’s tiny but it stick welds and tig anything I do around the house and portable with a small tank. Also got a Forney 220mp, plan on saving up to get the mig torch and pedal for it. Unfortunately can’t weld aluminum with either, so I might just have to get a ac / dc machine.
Fully agree with you there. Unless you have a company that relies daily on serious production in welding there's no need to mortgage your house to buy a Miller 🤣. Don't get me wrong, I've used them all the time in the industrial sector, gas, diesel or electric, and they're pretty much the gold standard for heavy duty workhorses in the welding trade. But for the hobbyist, a little overkill 😁.
Miller Dynasty is probably the best TIG ive used. id compare it to a Lincoln Precision Tig 375 both paired with a cooler underneath you could weld endlessly for a whole 10 hours. with the dynasty you could probably weld all day or night without the machine dying down on you. with the lincoln precision tig you could literally weld all day at any amps you want. they are both super nice machines
I have an older Miller Tig. It has an eye on top so you can lift it with a crane. Does not have some of the modern features like pulse. I may grab a newer machine to get those features for some of the thin aluminum I weld. This video helped me see what is out there now. Thanks
Only issue I've had with my Everlast 255Ext is the green display in any bright light , shop or sun. Had to make a dark light trap to see it. The rest has been excellent.
Buy the best you can afford . If you plan to do this for a living you can get the setup best suited for your needs. It's like buying the best car ir truck .. the vehicle can be for the long run or the short haul. Miller is the standard, as I said buy what you can afford. You woukd be surprised what you can weld with a middle of the road machine
Ive been thinking about buying a tig welder found a $250 machine should be good enough for my needs but two things im not sure about 1. How expensive is gas where do i even go to buy that and then regulators too and 2. Wiring... Pretty sure it wont just plug into a regular 20amp socket i know the welders at work dont do that... Really doesnt need to be anything super fancy i just want something that i coul do small projects at home with
I have the Everlast 185DV which is their least expensive AC/DC tig and it has done me well so far(about a year). Great machine to learn on with the help of your videos
I looked long and hard at the everlast website and nearly bought a 210 EXT. I spent a wee bit more and got a Powerpro 205 Si. Same 200 acdc pulse with slope I'd get in the Ext210 but for a hundred bux more, I have a plasma cutter in the same box. My downsides, I don't have 120v capacity and lose programmability and the extra fancy oscillating AC+DC mode that I was not actually going to use.
Miller dynasty 210 cps is the machine i bought, it broke before the warranty wore out so i got it repaired for free, but im kinda worried now because warranty will end in a year.
Best route is to find a high quality machine in good condition used. Chinese machines seem fine for occasional use, but simply not going to cut it in a serious industrial environment.
I used 3 tig machine Lincoln precision tig 375, Lincoln tig 200, an a Miller I do not know model off top of my head entry level machine. only difference I could notice in all 3 machine was precision tig 375 had a cleaner starting arc but the weld itself all same.
An HTP machine has as many features as the miller for about half the price. Comes with a large water chiller and ck worldwide torch. Highly recomend this one have one in my shop.
For someone just getting into the world of welding. Would you recommend getting into TIG welding to start with or MIG/Flux core? I've been on the fence about what one I should start with. Thanks for all your videos they are a huge help in learning.
Tig is the most enjoyable/ addictive but fluxcore is the easiest. YesWelder makes a flux core machine for a $100. And also lets you do stick welding. It's not a bad deal. I would get that to start and if you like welding( Most of welding isnt actually welding it's mostly prep and measuring and stuff) Then I would look in to getting a tig welder
Love your videos they have helped me a ton! Can you do a video on hand propping and stability for both torch and filler rod hand? I’m having a lot of trouble getting ‘comfortable’ and stable.
@@august7324 AHP is essentially everlast's previous model/tech with a added feature or doodad... Primewelds community, customer support alone make the difference. Plus the accessories, comes with CK world torch etc.... the settings are manual, not digital, the manual is extensive.. the shipping and packaging is second to no one... look them up on youtube... tons of videos...
@@august7324 yup - haver to realize a lot of these youtubers get this stuff for free to shout out their brand... primeweld will serve you well, the community and customer support is the game changer... you have a problem with everlast, good luck... same for ahp..... primeweld will ship you a whole new machine if needed... notice how theres a wait for the primeweld????
@@joshuaclaygaines that seems true but the ahp seems easier to start welding (due to the digital screen) and is cheaper, as well it's has gotten really good reviews by weld.com and TFS. So I don't know if it's worth it to me to get the primeweld, hence why I'm here asking for advice
I would think, with your use, which seems to mostly, or entirely, thin sheet. For that, almost any welder will have enough reserve power. But if you weld thicker materials, then you need a more powerful machine, like your Miller, or my ESAB, or a bigger Lincoln. I like the computerization of my Rebel 205. But it’s not for everyone. However, I can weld all day on thicker materials without having any problems of overheating. You can get good, but simpler machines from the big three from around $500. I wouldn’t recommend an unknown manufacturer, because there’s very little, or no support. Many small brands are just Chinese machines made by unknown (to us) manufacturers that are sold by Chinese exporters in 50 batch intervals. Some cost the importers (often a guy in a garage) as little as $25 apiece, which they then sell for $100, or more. Don’t buy those. They’re all over eBay and Amazon.
I've got a wsme 200 acdc tig bought over 10yrs ago, only thing I hate is the trigger on the torch, should've paid a little more for the foot operated version
I want to start welding as a hobby a basic mechine with just Amp and adjustment will cost abt 400 and one with pre and post flow n pulse with cost double. Do I really need pre and post flow? Or pulse and 4T? Thks for your answer
Veteran TIG welder here, depending on what your welding, the pre and post flow helps reduce oxidation and discoloration (which causes welds to become brittle). The pulse makes for a more efficient process, you use less consumables because you're putting minimal heat into the work piece.
Do these new inverta machines last any amount of time com pared to a transformer machine .Also you show alot of Everlast machines on your show ,where do you get these machines serviced if need so?
I would say with you being Canadian to support your country and your brothers and buy the Canadian assembled machine Canaweld. I am a buy once, cry once person. I use to not care where things were made as long as they served the purpose... then I started researching who, what, when, where, how and why. I avoid Chinese built things as much as possible. I've had several "Chinese" machines in the shop. 3 of which I personally purchased new. Others were friends machines getting looked at or repaired. All 3 of my personal imported Chinese machines had the covers pulled for some sort of a repair straight out of the box. One was shipping damage only and it's still working fine ( Again, false power claim so it doesn't get used much). One let the smoke out immediately after power up, and it got returned. The other was a function problem but I repaired it and sold. (it has since self destructed due to false power claims which the owner knew about). Friends and others equipment thats came here to get looked at or fixed...same song and dance. Doesn't do what it says it's supposed to or doesn't work at all. That being said I have purchased 8 Miller machines new and 2 used. My Dynasty 400 was bought off of LWS show room floor as was the 3 Syncrowaves, 252, XMT350 and Feeder. The Dynasty had sat too long with out being powered up and the software was no longer valid. Millers customer service bout broke their neck to correct the problem. They were going to send me a new machine the next day. That's service. Fortunately after going to town and getting a SD card, downloading the latest version of software and updating the machine all is well. That was 4 years ago. Not a hiccup out any of them since. No more imported cheaper alternatives will come here and I'd like to be rid of the one I still have.
My Dynasty remains in Texas and I now live in Thailand. I have 5 welders and a plasma cutter, all but the MIG has been tinkered with/repaired. Yes all are Chinese and some now are excellent some ok and yes one shifty, with a grossly overrated output.
Was trying to figure out the origin of the Canaweld. It's got a Chinese look about it. I mean the pedal connector seems the same as my Chinese AHP but the power switch suggests EU. Is it just a repackaged Chinese machine? It's priced pretty close to the HTP which is a repackaged Italian machine.
@@quademasters249 the Canaweld is made in Canada. They use global components... a lot from Italy and the USA (yes there's miller and HTP components along with others involved). Great equipment. Great company Only fault I see with their line up is a huge gap from hobbiest market to industrial. Anything over 200 amps is 3 phase only. Some hobbiest need heavier equipment. You can turn a large machine down but you can't turn a small machine up. Canaweld isn't a rebranded Chinese machine. They are genuine manufacturers of welding equipment.
i cant call that Everlast machine cheap its like a grand when i have looked i am after a HF start machine single phase in the UK any suggestions your videos are great by the way i can do the other processes but i need to learn tig any suggestions i can teach myself into waht machine i can get mid-range i dont want something bad but not something stupid expensive
I Spent a good amount on a mid range tig welder + kit. Never welded with tig before but now i know that if the welds are bad it's all my fault and not my kit.
I got weldpro tig200gd because of the digital interface, size, and price. It comes with CK torch and a foot pedal. The digital interface is better than analog dials which has no tic marks or increments. I get my consumables from weldmonger, htp/usaweld and weldingcity. Practice coupons and filler rods from weldmetals
Hey my friend random question I'm tig welding 1/4 aluminum plate to 1/8 square tubing(new at aluminum) and every time I dip filler its jumping out of the pool? Any advice would be greatly appreciated thanks
Looking around but decided not to go cheapest. Rather a mid range machine I can grow a little with. Add water cooling down the road. Yes I am looking at you everlast 210 instead of the everlast 185.
Couldn't agree more - as far as Tig machines, I have an Everlast, and an AHP. Truthfully, it really wouldn't matter if it was those two brands, or the Red and Blues. I can just as easily suck at Tig welding spending 10k or 1k. Can you drive better (normal driving, LOL) in a Ferrari , or a Fusion?
Umm you just recently said that Canaweld was awesome, is it broken ? How many Tigs do you need ? or do have so much money that you need to spend some? that and many more questions that I get asked by my wife whenever I say I want another welder lol.
on the settings bro I was wondering can they do it like other weld machines and be like this material is this thick said that to there on the machine and then you set it on the machine for the thickness and what type of material and then you set that on there as well
AWESOME topic my friend! Good advice too! I have the Dynasty AND invertig 400, and I don't regret it, SIMPLY because I don't feel that I will have buy another one for at LEAST 10-15 years, I will have DEF paid for them by then. But anymore, the main investment is materials, tools, consumables, paint, art supplies, etc...and I agree, I would be JUST fine with the canaweld. Honestly. I'm invested deeply tho. Like $25,000 deeply lol. But hell, my truck is more than that, and it will get traded in 5 years or so from now prolly. GO CANAWELD OR HTP! thats my advice, they won't let u down! Even for a side business. Hey bro...another topic, "when should you start a side business OR a UA-cam channel?" Or is it better to just fly low under the radar and puddle around? Lol keep pumping out that prolific content, beast 💪 mode dude!
@WilliamHelstad what do u consider "grown up money"? Like 100k-150k a year(basepay) that can easily be done with side money included. I think it's a matter of staying there consistently,.until you have enough to survive for a YEAR if u don't nail ONE job. Then, go for it. Ya man. Benefits and 401k is hard to beat
rujac wse200p. blew up 10 years ago. i know as my pup at the time ate the circuit board whilst chasing a spare. she just died. sigh. um, yeah... sigh. noone will repair it, noone can repair it, and cant find parts. i did actually finally track someone down, but by then i had figured out that it wasnt the main brain board but was simply the driver for the inverter Hbridge switching...which i couldnt get hold of, and as the main board was now destroyed anyway... meh, the 400 odd in parts was half the cost of a new one... fixed frequency, only pissoff was the footpedal had no limit. really hard to control current when its full range and nothing else! 2nd welder... someone stole it. think it was also a wse200p but different brand, different layout. different colour. IGBT. dont recall much. last and current one, Giantz 200(250?)acdc. other than only having a switched footpedal, and noone knowing what clean area DEPTH means... (it actually varies the current on teh pos/neg swings!) yes, it has clean area width, thats what you expect. but DEPTH? other than the footpedal issue and feeling a bit cold on stick mode i love it... seems to need 120A min to run a 2.5mm properly. not actually a fan of DC stick welding. prefer the buzzbox. the chinese cheapies are getting pretty reliable now. though, here at least, i do recommend replacing the main rectifier caps with something a bit higher rated. invariably 450V, and well, ive seen 475v after rectification... thinking of plasma cuters and the like, its alwqays been those that tend to bulge and blow and release nice fluffy stuff :)
I got.me a weldpro and I tell ya it is perfect and I had more than enough to get all the gear with it. When I get as good as I want to be I will go get me the best one
I need a tig welder for aluminum . Structural reasons, not artistic. I have several ladders that need fixing and several other large items that are not brazing friendly, due to the large size. I bought blue demon triple play, but can't get enough heat into the part to do more than a tiny spot after map gassing for 20 minutes on the same area. Plus, heating 3003 h14 weakens the metal! I am wondering if a uber cheap unit could be used with one of these brazing rods... This way, I only need to hyper heat a local area and can get the solder to flow (700 to 1500 psi weld which wouldnt degrade over time like epoxy). I guess, I am looking for videos of guys buying ultra cheap gear and doing what ever work arounds to make the unit work. Also, I need to understand the limitations of the cheap units, since an ugly or inconsistent weld is way better than anything I got now. I don't understand why some tig welders are said by half of the reviewers not to be capable of aluminum, while the other half say that it can do aluminum with the right sticks. I also need a video showing this.
Thanks so much for watching!🔥Check out my last project HERE🔥 ua-cam.com/video/hpnbM4BXqR0/v-deo.html
So, as a 67 yr. old retired mechanical engineer/ inventor, I've been a died in the wool Miller guy for years. I started demanding more and found the Syncowave 180 wasn't enough. I researched ALL the brands and decided based on YOUR reviews, to buy a 255ext. Unfortunately it was backordered, so I chose the 350ext and have had it a week now. I was a bit disappointed with the Owners/Operating Mannual compared to the 255ext manual you expounded upon in your video. But I've been assured by the great folks at Everlast that I can download the 255ext manual. Besides that, the unit is amazing. I almost bought a Dynasty, I can't imagine needing more. Thank you for your work and your ending message. Lastly I didn't know about your link to Everlast, so I made point of calling them to make sure you get credit for helping me with my decision. I told them "Justin" at Pacific , sorry, poor hearing, to may years of audio abuse. Thanks Again.
I bought an "expensive" commercial TIG welder and I am very glad that I did. I just did my first paying job today!
I hate digging up older videos, but I feel this is the perfect place to leave this. After trying to find an AC tig welder because my Miller is only DC tig, I stumbled across a company called YesWelder.
I dropped a very palatable $780 CAD Shipped for the TIG-A250P-AC/DC w/Pulse, now they had a discount code to get it that low, but Amazon Canada has it for around $899 sale price.
My 15 years of welding experience has always been with wire feed mig, so my feedback as a professional is non existent on this subject, but the hundreds of reviews I read, very little negativity.
Just pulled the trigger on a HF Pro tig 205 after saving up. Wish me luck. I never see this machine bragged about much online but I’m rolling with it.
Progress update?
I own a Prime Weld & for the $800 I spent it certainly does all I will need. Been In storage the last year so after my garage remodel is finished I can start practicing once again lol
I'm what you would consider, at best, the weekend warrior, self-taught welder. I purchase the Canaweld at the end of last year, and Dusty's review of it is what finally made me pull the trigger over an everlast. And I'm so satisfied with it. Does more than I'll ever need. If that welder can't handle what I'm doing, it's beyond my skills anyways.
Which everlast did you get?
I got the much loved primeweld 225 and I gotta say that I love it. It runs just as nice as the 4k machines in welding class. Comes with pretty much every feature youd want too, all for the cost of a harbor freight tig. Cant recommend enough
Agreed 👍
Same here, no regrets at all!
So long as it does what YOU want it to do. Don't always need one with all the bells and whistles if you aren't going to use them
But they're shiny
@Will Swift Everlast Welding do multi process machines. They have machines that do the lot except for MIG. Their Power Pro line is Tig AC/DC /Stick / Plasma. The only downside of getting an all in one machine is that if something goes wrong and you need to send it away to be repaired then you have nothing.
I have collected several machines over the years, so have backups of various things so not so bad.
That's just my 10 cents. Hope it helps
Been using miller dynasties for over 6 years working aerospace fabrication, and they are amazing machines. All the extensive and various settings are mainly for AC and its great to have them for heat control and proper penetration when dealing with unique fitups, joints and circumstances you find yourself in daily. When it comes to DC, its pretty much the same across all machines from either brands as your heat is going in either positive or negative. Idk about how other brands are with AC TIG, but the dynasty is pure excellence and very reliable with it.
I’d say, the choice is even easier:
1) do you need to TIG weld aluminum? ➔ more expensive machine
2) do you need to TIG weld stuff thicker than approx. 5 mm (above 200A)? ➔ more expensive machine (water-cooled)
3) do you need to TIG weld non-stop? ➔ more expensive machine with high duty cycles
Other than that… yes, much more important are the ergonomics (CK torch, pedal, straight welding table, large viewing aperture helmet, fixtures…), gas lenses + Pyrex cups… and above all, TONS of material (base, filler, ScotchBrite discs) and GAS (not cheap in Europe, where you pay even for the empty leased bottle, monthly!), plus ELECTRICITY to get those 19 years of practice. 😃
The only cheap thing is acetone…
Oh, and, did someone mention that your practice time = a monetary investment with an uncertain moment of return?
Hell I probably spent less than 1500 on my whole setup, including water cooler and torch. I use a Primeweld 225 and, despite having a pretty high arc start amperage, this thing rips with the best of em.
Same here, it rocks. The customer service is the best on Earth.
Great video Dusty this is the first video I have seen on your channel and I definitely subscribed 👍 I also appreciate your message at the end to pass on a random act of kindness to others, Excellent message man! Thanks for posting 😊
Yea the dynasties are pretty rad. I learned to tig aluminum at my last job with the 400 and 280. So when I bought a $900 machine for home use I figured I would be sad but I'm fairly happy with it
Hi Dusty This video made me feel a little better today . I have had a Miller Dynasty for about 15 years and often times I go back to it and I have to refresh myself on the features .To hear you say the menus are confusing and sometimes simpler is better.Made me feel like hey it’s not just me ,this machine can be confusing and a pain to dial in. I am just a hobby welder and this machine may sit for a year at a time with no use.As far as random acts of kindness we can all help no matter what your capable of sometimes just a little thing to you can mean something to someone.
I swear by my fronius 230i , it's super easy to use , 100% reliable, made in in Europe and welds lovely on single phase, honestly can't recommend it enough, it is a bit expensive but you get what you pay for.
My first TIG machine was a cheap Amico ($200 US on Amazon) rig that worked fine. But then I wanted to play around with pulsed TIG welding, so I bought a second machine (HZXVOGEN for $349CAD). That once developed a couple of issues, so I finally decided last year to buy a "proper" machine. One that would do everything that I could imagine wanting in a TIG welder, and that would last. So I got a Primeweld TIG225x and could not be happier. It doesn't have an LCD screen, doesn't have programs or a memory, but it is *really* solidly built and I can see it lasting for years and years. Definitely worth checking out if you want 110/220, ability to do AC as well as DC, and can't justify one of the fantastic but pricier options.
If you think the Miller Dynasty is hard to use , you should try a Fronius great machine but hard to use interface .
Miller 220 definitely, I love mine. Might not have all the settings built to be versatile
I have had a Everlast 200DX for a few years now. I can easily recommend them. Now that I have been watching your channel for a year or so I wish I would have known about the Canaweld. Thanks for the vid.
Aside from welding with 3 car batteries and speaker wire, most of welding comes down to a simple rule: “it’s the wizard not the wand”
Interesting comment. You are saying you have a way to weld with 3 car batteries? I have used one car battery to weld tabs onto my 18650 batteries. You are likely saying that 3 in series welds more stuff? Above 36 volts scares me a little. As I recall, human skin resistance can be breached by as little as 40 volts. And, it only takes a litte amps to stop the heart. I used to get shocked constantly by my 1960s era train track as a kid, so I am not so sure what to believe.
@@dennisgarber 3 car batteries lasts longer.
His point is that with the crudest equipment possible, good skill makes good welds.
The fanciest machine won't make you a good welder.
@@carpediemarts705 maybe, but could I be able to weld aluminum with a dc tig? I think not. But the difference between a dc tig welder and an ac tig welder it maybe a lot of money. And this is one example, maybe all the bells and whistles help you be faster or produce more. I'll say buy the best welder you can afford.
Had the 210 EXT since it got released here in Australia its given me no problems in 6yrs, I sprung for the water cooler so I can keep it pegged flat knackers using a tiny wp20 torch(CK set up)
I use a miller syncrowave 350 lx and the only thing I can adjust is the ac balance on it but i love it for everything so far and it stays nice and quiet.
I have a few Tig machines......... my most recent is an Everlast Power Tig 200 DV .. nice cheap machine but China cheap, I have a Miller Diversion 180 very nice entry level basic American made , good portable field dual voltage, automatic machine, bit spendy compared to the import stuff but will last and durable....... then my favorite that I bought 30 years ago, not portable, defiantly a shop machine and back when HOBART was the cream of the Cream, When HOBART were mustered colored and before they were bought out by Miller, it's a TigWave 250........ not for beginers.....back in 1992 it was about $5000 but OMG what a bullet proof PRO lifetime machine! Heavy, big, lots or dials, but so smooth and water cooled, and you can weld 100% and won't overheat. You get what you pay for!!!!! You can not run away with that!
I finally got argon yesterday. My sub $200 TIG Chinese welder (with HF start) allowed me to get a decent welding table, helmet, gloves and a mess of coupons to practice with. Even on a 110 volt 20 amp circuit it can push 130 or more amps. It may be running a bit hot in that it can burn through a 1/8 coupon at 95 amps. So far I have been able to run a handful of beads without filler wire. Most are mud ugly. A scant few are shiny. Some of the ugly ones have the tip of a tungsten stuck in them. I won't yearn for a more expensive welder until I can master this two knob box - amps and post flow.
@WilliamHelstad coupons are 1/8 inch and 1/4 inch.
Thanks Dusty. Great channel. Thanks for the tips, just starting out with TIg welding.
Got a super cheap stahlwerk 200 tig welder as my first, just to get the hang of things before splashing out. Still using it on bigger jobs with plenty of material. it doesn't have a foot pedal so once things heat up it can get a bit runny but it's great for rebuilding lumps broken off castings like manifolds and gearbox housings. I love it
I was a hardcore Blue guy, swore by them for many years. I use to make fun of my friends who owned Everlast, I would call them Popcorn makers. But when I couldn't afford a new Dynasty for my home shop, I bought an Everlast PowerTig 200 DV. Once my hood drops, can not tell the difference from Blue to Green. Oh and something no one mentions on UA-cam about machine settings is, there are many features on more sophisticated tig welders, that are designed for automation welding. And you will probably not ever use. The Upslope and Down slope are settings for welding pulse tig on thin wall tubing on a orbital or rotator. Well anyway, my Everlast tig machine rocks!
I started tig welding about 18 months ago. Since the moment i pressed the pedal down for the first time ive been hooked. Its like holding a little piece of the sun in my hands. I started with the primeweld tig225x. Now im looking into dropping 3k on an everlast typhoon 230. The specs show it to be out of this world. Especially for aluminum. 5 wave forms, split wave forms, split wave amplitude, 2 amps min dc and 3 amps min ac. And for stick welding it has more features than some dedicated stick welders including anti stick, adjustable arc force, and adjustable hot start time and intensity. Oh and the cherry on top is the 5 year warrantee
Have you got the typhoon yet? How does it compare to the prime weld? I'm drawn between the two😊
@Lifebreaks2 I also really recommend the Everlast superultra206. For 550 dollars you get a multiprocess welder/cutter that puts out 200 amps of tig, 160 amps of stick and 50 amps of plasma cutting. For that price it's worth it just for the plasma cutter, which Is why I bought it. I don't even use the stick/tig functions but if you want a tig welder I highly recommend it as a do-it-all machine
My initial thought would be to get a Lincoln TIG200 because it matches the 210MP which has been good so far.
For a hobbies would recommend primeweld 225 is an AC/DC and manual knobs and has hz adjustments for US price is $869. A guy used it for a training welder in his classes never had a problem. AHP US Price is $750.
I’d spring for at least HF start and a pedal but not much fancier. My welding class had mainly scratch start and it was frustrating at first. We got to share a couple HF Miller machines for aluminum and that sold me on HF. Very tough to find decent affordable stuff used unless you buy some huge old hulking iron or lift conversion.
Excellent advice, I have watched your videos many times now, Still trying to make my mind up which machine to buy. Bearing in mind I would like one that will run on a domestic system.
I started with a crappy Amazon $100 flux core to see if it was something I was interested in. I saved up and got a Lincoln tig 200, love the machine. Had I seen this video I would have been more confident is getting a cheaper less known machine as you mentioned.
That being said the accessories that came with it are too notch and I’m hesitant to get into accessories because there are so many sizes and terms and how they relate to what I’m welding isn’t clear. You’re videos are helping me better understand these things but I still find it challenging when I go to potentially order.
As always, I appreciate your content and your positive attitude. Now to go find someone to pass it on this kindness to!
I bought a everlast 140 about 5 years ago, it’s tiny but it stick welds and tig anything I do around the house and portable with a small tank. Also got a Forney 220mp, plan on saving up to get the mig torch and pedal for it.
Unfortunately can’t weld aluminum with either, so I might just have to get a ac / dc machine.
Fully agree with you there. Unless you have a company that relies daily on serious production in welding there's no need to mortgage your house to buy a Miller 🤣. Don't get me wrong, I've used them all the time in the industrial sector, gas, diesel or electric, and they're pretty much the gold standard for heavy duty workhorses in the welding trade. But for the hobbyist, a little overkill 😁.
I 100% agree. I have worked in shops both blue and red but but green for the home gamer
Miller Dynasty is probably the best TIG ive used. id compare it to a Lincoln Precision Tig 375 both paired with a cooler underneath you could weld endlessly for a whole 10 hours. with the dynasty you could probably weld all day or night without the machine dying down on you. with the lincoln precision tig you could literally weld all day at any amps you want. they are both super nice machines
I have an older Miller Tig. It has an eye on top so you can lift it with a crane. Does not have some of the modern features like pulse. I may grab a newer machine to get those features for some of the thin aluminum I weld. This video helped me see what is out there now. Thanks
At $800 I've had great success ( admitted novice). With my alpha tig 201xd. Had a couple yrs now.
Lake Havasu 🌞 Az
Only issue I've had with my Everlast 255Ext is the green display in any bright light , shop or sun. Had to make a dark light trap to see it. The rest has been excellent.
Buy the best you can afford . If you plan to do this for a living you can get the setup best suited for your needs. It's like buying the best car ir truck .. the vehicle can be for the long run or the short haul. Miller is the standard, as I said buy what you can afford. You woukd be surprised what you can weld with a middle of the road machine
It helps. I bought an HTP over an Everlast. So glad I did.
Dude, you're awesome. So glad I found you. Thanks!
Loving this channel, short videos with loads of useful information
And peace to you brother! That's one good for the day and plenty more to come! ✌️👍
Ive been thinking about buying a tig welder found a $250 machine should be good enough for my needs but two things im not sure about 1. How expensive is gas where do i even go to buy that and then regulators too and 2. Wiring... Pretty sure it wont just plug into a regular 20amp socket i know the welders at work dont do that... Really doesnt need to be anything super fancy i just want something that i coul do small projects at home with
I have the Everlast 185DV which is their least expensive AC/DC tig and it has done me well so far(about a year). Great machine to learn on with the help of your videos
I looked long and hard at the everlast website and nearly bought a 210 EXT. I spent a wee bit more and got a Powerpro 205 Si.
Same 200 acdc pulse with slope I'd get in the Ext210 but for a hundred bux more, I have a plasma cutter in the same box.
My downsides, I don't have 120v capacity and lose programmability and the extra fancy oscillating AC+DC mode that I was not actually going to use.
Miller dynasty 210 cps is the machine i bought, it broke before the warranty wore out so i got it repaired for free, but im kinda worried now because warranty will end in a year.
Was considering a dynasty until now 😯 maybe will save a little, get an Everlast after all..?
Another great video Dusty.
I use the Miller at work on a dairy basis. I would love to see a video going through all the settings
Always appreciate your videos, man!
Best route is to find a high quality machine in good condition used. Chinese machines seem fine for occasional use, but simply not going to cut it in a serious industrial environment.
Thanks for the confidence boost. Time to research
I used 3 tig machine Lincoln precision tig 375, Lincoln tig 200, an a Miller I do not know model off top of my head entry level machine. only difference I could notice in all 3 machine was precision tig 375 had a cleaner starting arc but the weld itself all same.
That Lincoln 375 s one hell of a welder...
@@trevorjarvis3050 it is a very nice machine we had two of them in old shop I work for. was machine I learn to tig weld on .
So far I enjoy using the Miller Dynasty 280 AC/DC TIG/Stick Welder It’s very awesome but yes it’s very pricey costing Me around $7,000
An HTP machine has as many features as the miller for about half the price. Comes with a large water chiller and ck worldwide torch. Highly recomend this one have one in my shop.
For someone just getting into the world of welding. Would you recommend getting into TIG welding to start with or MIG/Flux core? I've been on the fence about what one I should start with. Thanks for all your videos they are a huge help in learning.
Tig is the most enjoyable/ addictive but fluxcore is the easiest. YesWelder makes a flux core machine for a $100. And also lets you do stick welding. It's not a bad deal. I would get that to start and if you like welding( Most of welding isnt actually welding it's mostly prep and measuring and stuff) Then I would look in to getting a tig welder
Love your videos they have helped me a ton! Can you do a video on hand propping and stability for both torch and filler rod hand? I’m having a lot of trouble getting ‘comfortable’ and stable.
Reading my mind …. !!! Great vid ..!!!
Was just about to email you about this. Boom, thanks!
Can’t go wrong with the everlast 325 ext with water cooler, had mine for a year and love it
Primeweld... hands down best bang for the buck!
ive been looking at the AHP 203xi can you help me to undertand what makes the primeweld better at the ~$800 price point?
@@august7324 AHP is essentially everlast's previous model/tech with a added feature or doodad... Primewelds community, customer support alone make the difference. Plus the accessories, comes with CK world torch etc.... the settings are manual, not digital, the manual is extensive.. the shipping and packaging is second to no one... look them up on youtube... tons of videos...
@@joshuaclaygaines would you recommend the primeweld over the Everlast welder at the same price point
@@august7324 yup - haver to realize a lot of these youtubers get this stuff for free to shout out their brand... primeweld will serve you well, the community and customer support is the game changer... you have a problem with everlast, good luck... same for ahp..... primeweld will ship you a whole new machine if needed...
notice how theres a wait for the primeweld????
@@joshuaclaygaines that seems true but the ahp seems easier to start welding (due to the digital screen) and is cheaper, as well it's has gotten really good reviews by weld.com and TFS. So I don't know if it's worth it to me to get the primeweld, hence why I'm here asking for advice
Bro your work is beautiful. I’m gonna try the everlast.. thank you 🙏
Very nice work, Great video
Have you ever tried the arccaptain 200p or heard about them they seem to weld good on utube just wondering thanks
I picked a Weldpro over Millermatic. Glad I did.
I would think, with your use, which seems to mostly, or entirely, thin sheet. For that, almost any welder will have enough reserve power. But if you weld thicker materials, then you need a more powerful machine, like your Miller, or my ESAB, or a bigger Lincoln. I like the computerization of my Rebel 205. But it’s not for everyone. However, I can weld all day on thicker materials without having any problems of overheating.
You can get good, but simpler machines from the big three from around $500. I wouldn’t recommend an unknown manufacturer, because there’s very little, or no support. Many small brands are just Chinese machines made by unknown (to us) manufacturers that are sold by Chinese exporters in 50 batch intervals. Some cost the importers (often a guy in a garage) as little as $25 apiece, which they then sell for $100, or more. Don’t buy those. They’re all over eBay and Amazon.
RAK! Love you buddy.
I've got a wsme 200 acdc tig bought over 10yrs ago, only thing I hate is the trigger on the torch, should've paid a little more for the foot operated version
I want to start welding as a hobby a basic mechine with just Amp and adjustment will cost abt 400 and one with pre and post flow n pulse with cost double. Do I really need pre and post flow? Or pulse and 4T? Thks for your answer
Veteran TIG welder here, depending on what your welding, the pre and post flow helps reduce oxidation and discoloration (which causes welds to become brittle). The pulse makes for a more efficient process, you use less consumables because you're putting minimal heat into the work piece.
For longevity you buy brand name. If you just use it now and again it doesn’t matter.
Where do you get stainless and aluminum coupons for practice??
At work I have a Miller dynasty at home I have a yeller chinasty (ahp) CK UPGRADE welds very well
Do these new inverta machines last any amount of time com pared to a transformer machine .Also you show alot of Everlast machines on your show ,where do you get these machines serviced if need so?
I would say with you being Canadian to support your country and your brothers and buy the Canadian assembled machine Canaweld. I am a buy once, cry once person. I use to not care where things were made as long as they served the purpose... then I started researching who, what, when, where, how and why. I avoid Chinese built things as much as possible. I've had several "Chinese" machines in the shop. 3 of which I personally purchased new. Others were friends machines getting looked at or repaired. All 3 of my personal imported Chinese machines had the covers pulled for some sort of a repair straight out of the box. One was shipping damage only and it's still working fine ( Again, false power claim so it doesn't get used much). One let the smoke out immediately after power up, and it got returned. The other was a function problem but I repaired it and sold. (it has since self destructed due to false power claims which the owner knew about). Friends and others equipment thats came here to get looked at or fixed...same song and dance. Doesn't do what it says it's supposed to or doesn't work at all. That being said I have purchased 8 Miller machines new and 2 used. My Dynasty 400 was bought off of LWS show room floor as was the 3 Syncrowaves, 252, XMT350 and Feeder. The Dynasty had sat too long with out being powered up and the software was no longer valid. Millers customer service bout broke their neck to correct the problem. They were going to send me a new machine the next day. That's service. Fortunately after going to town and getting a SD card, downloading the latest version of software and updating the machine all is well. That was 4 years ago. Not a hiccup out any of them since. No more imported cheaper alternatives will come here and I'd like to be rid of the one I still have.
My Dynasty remains in Texas and I now live in Thailand. I have 5 welders and a plasma cutter, all but the MIG has been tinkered with/repaired. Yes all are Chinese and some now are excellent some ok and yes one shifty, with a grossly overrated output.
Was trying to figure out the origin of the Canaweld. It's got a Chinese look about it. I mean the pedal connector seems the same as my Chinese AHP but the power switch suggests EU. Is it just a repackaged Chinese machine? It's priced pretty close to the HTP which is a repackaged Italian machine.
@@quademasters249 the Canaweld is made in Canada. They use global components... a lot from Italy and the USA (yes there's miller and HTP components along with others involved). Great equipment. Great company Only fault I see with their line up is a huge gap from hobbiest market to industrial. Anything over 200 amps is 3 phase only. Some hobbiest need heavier equipment. You can turn a large machine down but you can't turn a small machine up. Canaweld isn't a rebranded Chinese machine. They are genuine manufacturers of welding equipment.
@@billshuey7422 why is your dynasty in Texas? Do you have plans to relocate it to Thailand with you?
i cant call that Everlast machine cheap its like a grand when i have looked i am after a HF start machine single phase in the UK any suggestions your videos are great by the way i can do the other processes but i need to learn tig any suggestions i can teach myself into waht machine i can get mid-range i dont want something bad but not something stupid expensive
I Spent a good amount on a mid range tig welder + kit. Never welded with tig before but now i know that if the welds are bad it's all my fault and not my kit.
I got the Everlast 210 but the UK branded R-tech AC/DC 260. They look like the same machines
Thank you! your channel is awesome!
Miller dynasty, I got the esab 220i great machine a little to get used to. But welds nice,
What do you tink of the powertig 200DV compare to the 210EXT?
I got weldpro tig200gd because of the digital interface, size, and price. It comes with CK torch and a foot pedal. The digital interface is better than analog dials which has no tic marks or increments. I get my consumables from weldmonger, htp/usaweld and weldingcity. Practice coupons and filler rods from weldmetals
Hey my friend random question I'm tig welding 1/4 aluminum plate to 1/8 square tubing(new at aluminum) and every time I dip filler its jumping out of the pool? Any advice would be greatly appreciated thanks
I have no idea, but maybe that's a sign of using the wrong filler material? Just a wild guess.
What do you think about the Eastwood MPI 250 multi-process welding machine? Have you ever used one>
0:26 nice paint
I’m having a problem with my Miller not wanting to struck an arc . Could it be the foot pedal?
Can you name off a few "Welding Forums" that you recommend ?
hello
eastwood 200 digital Ac dc it's a good for aluminum var mags crack welding?
please
Looking around but decided not to go cheapest. Rather a mid range machine I can grow a little with. Add water cooling down the road. Yes I am looking at you everlast 210 instead of the everlast 185.
Look into the Everlast 255ext with water cooler.
Couldn't agree more - as far as Tig machines, I have an Everlast, and an AHP. Truthfully, it really wouldn't matter if it was those two brands, or the Red and Blues. I can just as easily suck at Tig welding spending 10k or 1k. Can you drive better (normal driving, LOL) in a Ferrari , or a Fusion?
Umm you just recently said that Canaweld was awesome, is it broken ? How many Tigs do you need ? or do have so much money that you need to spend some? that and many more questions that I get asked by my wife whenever I say I want another welder lol.
I personally have 3 tigs myself lol. Never too many machines
not broken, still rips:) More machines more fun haha:)
on the settings bro I was wondering can they do it like other weld machines and be like this material is this thick said that to there on the machine and then you set it on the machine for the thickness and what type of material and then you set that on there as well
For starting out what would be a good Edge cup size i would use most of the time and what gas setting should i start with? Thank You.
Been really happy with my forney220.
AWESOME topic my friend! Good advice too! I have the Dynasty AND invertig 400, and I don't regret it, SIMPLY because I don't feel that I will have buy another one for at LEAST 10-15 years, I will have DEF paid for them by then. But anymore, the main investment is materials, tools, consumables, paint, art supplies, etc...and I agree, I would be JUST fine with the canaweld. Honestly. I'm invested deeply tho. Like $25,000 deeply lol. But hell, my truck is more than that, and it will get traded in 5 years or so from now prolly. GO CANAWELD OR HTP! thats my advice, they won't let u down! Even for a side business. Hey bro...another topic, "when should you start a side business OR a UA-cam channel?" Or is it better to just fly low under the radar and puddle around? Lol keep pumping out that prolific content, beast 💪 mode dude!
@WilliamHelstad what do u consider "grown up money"? Like 100k-150k a year(basepay) that can easily be done with side money included. I think it's a matter of staying there consistently,.until you have enough to survive for a YEAR if u don't nail ONE job. Then, go for it. Ya man. Benefits and 401k is hard to beat
did you adapt the CK torch to the Everlast? would love to see how you went about that.
rujac wse200p.
blew up 10 years ago. i know as my pup at the time ate the circuit board whilst chasing a spare. she just died. sigh. um, yeah... sigh.
noone will repair it, noone can repair it, and cant find parts. i did actually finally track someone down, but by then i had figured out that it wasnt the main brain board but was simply the driver for the inverter Hbridge switching...which i couldnt get hold of, and as the main board was now destroyed anyway... meh, the 400 odd in parts was half the cost of a new one...
fixed frequency, only pissoff was the footpedal had no limit. really hard to control current when its full range and nothing else!
2nd welder... someone stole it. think it was also a wse200p but different brand, different layout. different colour. IGBT. dont recall much.
last and current one, Giantz 200(250?)acdc.
other than only having a switched footpedal, and noone knowing what clean area DEPTH means... (it actually varies the current on teh pos/neg swings!) yes, it has clean area width, thats what you expect. but DEPTH?
other than the footpedal issue and feeling a bit cold on stick mode i love it... seems to need 120A min to run a 2.5mm properly. not actually a fan of DC stick welding. prefer the buzzbox.
the chinese cheapies are getting pretty reliable now.
though, here at least, i do recommend replacing the main rectifier caps with something a bit higher rated. invariably 450V, and well, ive seen 475v after rectification...
thinking of plasma cuters and the like, its alwqays been those that tend to bulge and blow and release nice fluffy stuff :)
I got.me a weldpro and I tell ya it is perfect and I had more than enough to get all the gear with it. When I get as good as I want to be I will go get me the best one
I need a tig welder for aluminum . Structural reasons, not artistic. I have several ladders that need fixing and several other large items that are not brazing friendly, due to the large size. I bought blue demon triple play, but can't get enough heat into the part to do more than a tiny spot after map gassing for 20 minutes on the same area. Plus, heating 3003 h14 weakens the metal!
I am wondering if a uber cheap unit could be used with one of these brazing rods... This way, I only need to hyper heat a local area and can get the solder to flow (700 to 1500 psi weld which wouldnt degrade over time like epoxy).
I guess, I am looking for videos of guys buying ultra cheap gear and doing what ever work arounds to make the unit work. Also, I need to understand the limitations of the cheap units, since an ugly or inconsistent weld is way better than anything I got now.
I don't understand why some tig welders are said by half of the reviewers not to be capable of aluminum, while the other half say that it can do aluminum with the right sticks. I also need a video showing this.