Metal Working tips and tricks.
- Thread starter Chad.S
- Start date
MP&C
Member
Outlaw;n79166 said:
One of the few benefits to a MIG is that it is constantly providing filler wire, so it becomes a "point and shoot" so to speak. For Tig or gas welding, you need to provide that function, and anytime you see a gap you'll likely need to pick up the pace in the "manual feed speed" lest the heat from the torch burn away the parent metal..
Chad.S
Oldtimer
IMO the cost of that Lincoln new for around $1,400 is hard to beat, plus it is capable of doing aluminum. Plus that's their retail price, if you can get one a little cheaper it may be worth saving some pennies. Keep in mind some welders don't come with the accessories so you need to buy stuff and it adds up as well. If you are going to go on the cheaper side, that eastwood may be a good candidate. But I haven't looked into prices on the everlast or thermal arc machines. However I think they are raising in price as they are becoming a little bit more known.Outlaw said:
I also don't think you will want a cheaper inverter welder because a lot of them are lift tig, which means no pedal. I was considering a Inverter but the ones with all of the features such as different wave patterns, and such are really expensive. And you really don't need all of those extras.
O
Outlaw
16 seconds post flow at 200 amps on the Lincoln 200. Is that a argone hog? Spot welds 1 second of weld and 16 seconds of post flow? I am repeating what I saw on a forum for the Lincoln Squarewave 200 K5126-1. If I understand correctly, the length of the preset post flow is based on the amperage.
Update: I stopped by and looked at this machine on the shelf of a local dealer. He had demoed it and said he wished they would have had this machine available before he invested over 5K in his Miller several years ago to get the same options. I asked him about the post flow at 16 seconds at 200 amps. He said it was not only controlled by the amps, but also by the length of time you are welding. I called Lincold Tech Support and they confirmed its actually 17 seconds at 200 amps and is not affected by the time you weld. The 200 Amps if for 1/4" so I assume the pre programmed post flow will be much more reasonable at lower amperage. I did not think of asking this question while I had tech support on the phone. This is a brand new model and Lincoln can not keep up with sales. Now you alll know as much about the Lincoln Square Wave 200 as I do.
Update: I stopped by and looked at this machine on the shelf of a local dealer. He had demoed it and said he wished they would have had this machine available before he invested over 5K in his Miller several years ago to get the same options. I asked him about the post flow at 16 seconds at 200 amps. He said it was not only controlled by the amps, but also by the length of time you are welding. I called Lincold Tech Support and they confirmed its actually 17 seconds at 200 amps and is not affected by the time you weld. The 200 Amps if for 1/4" so I assume the pre programmed post flow will be much more reasonable at lower amperage. I did not think of asking this question while I had tech support on the phone. This is a brand new model and Lincoln can not keep up with sales. Now you alll know as much about the Lincoln Square Wave 200 as I do.
O
Outlaw
So, for you tiggers out there. I can see where welding sheet metal with a tig could have a lot of benefits. Especially when you can lay the sheet metal pieces being bonded out on a welding table where you can pull up a stool, get comfortable, and use the foot pedal. What about welding a seam that is difficult to sit at and uncomfortable to reach the foot pedal?
Chad.S
Oldtimer
That's where it can get tricky, and possibly another reason to keep a mig welder handy. I have tig'd laying on the ground using my knee on the pedal, in a cab with the pedal in my arm pit. and probably a bunch in between. Some people with get a torch control which eliminates the pedal, I just have yet to try one.
jlcustomz
evil painter
Don't know much on lincolns, but my miller syncro 200 [non invertor] has adjustable post flow, etc. Something else on better tigs, you have the option of pulse control which can be very useful with stainless & thin metals.
Invertor models are much smaller & can need less power, but older large units can be more reliable.
Invertor models are much smaller & can need less power, but older large units can be more reliable.
O
Outlaw
The Lincoln Tig Square Wave 200 comes with Pulse Control, AC Balance, HQ Start and maintains the HQ so if you vary the distance of the tip to the puddle, it still keeps the arc.
Chad.S
Oldtimer
I have the bigger Lincoln 275 and it doesn't come with pulse control, it's a add on, so just buying a bigger/better tig machine doesn't necessarily mean it's going to come with a pulse control. However I typically pulse with the pedal. I personally don't feel you need a pulse control with what you will be doing, if you're welding on a turntable or on a lathe where you can be super consistent you may want it but for what you are looking for. You don't need it.
B
Bob Hollinshead
Brad J.;n79159 said:
A lot of the weld softness has to do with the filler rod-(or no filler rod) IMO. I use a small diameter mechanics wire with the torch and just pull it through some scotchbrite-works way better than any copper coated sticks I've bought. The heat affected zone is larger with a torch though.
My Lincoln 225 likes sheet metal 30-40 amp range. If the 200 states 17 seconds at 200 I'm sure it's reasonable at lower amps. Aluminum seems to benefit more from postflow to cool it down. Much hotter process.
I can adjust post flow and usually it's the minimal setting. A friend teaches welding at a vocational school and says that a lot of postflow is just recommended by the gas companies. I used to go through a lot of gas before he mentioned it. Haven't noticed any side effects for sheet metal.
I will say the quality of my work has gone up big with the tig. The patchwork is a lot better. Not to mention welding on frames and doing SS exhaust systems without a bunch of grinding, just a pretty weld.
I can adjust post flow and usually it's the minimal setting. A friend teaches welding at a vocational school and says that a lot of postflow is just recommended by the gas companies. I used to go through a lot of gas before he mentioned it. Haven't noticed any side effects for sheet metal.
I will say the quality of my work has gone up big with the tig. The patchwork is a lot better. Not to mention welding on frames and doing SS exhaust systems without a bunch of grinding, just a pretty weld.
O
Outlaw
I think your right Brad. And one option I have is to just get a bigger bottle which brings down the cost of argonne considerably.
O
Outlaw
Arrowhead;n79160 said:
I wear glasses and Im 67. Whats my chances of ever mastering Tig welding? Im still pretty steady and dont have any shaking issues, but....
O
Outlaw
Chad.S;n79193 said:
That Lincoln 200 does have a dial on the welder that controls the amperage so if you floor the pedal, it will not exceed the amperage dialed in at the box. Probably a nice feature for non friendly foot pedal welds.
O
Outlaw
I was thinking more in regards to when you are in a position that you can only push the pedal and not pulse it or vary it. I know they make an adjustment that works on the gun too, but I cant chew gum and walk so making the puddle and feeding it is a big enough challenge. I think I could Tig weld when Im comfortable sitting on a stool in front of my welding table. Working on patch panels without a rotisserie....not so sure.