To start off, I am a novice welder. I'm a chemical engineer (process engineer) in my real life job. I have been playing with a Lincoln WeldPak 100 for the past 10-15 years or so on various home projects and the true love of mine, my '69 Camaro. I have finally decided to upgrade my welder and welding skills with the Lincoln Power Mig 210MP. I plan on learning to TIG. So I got my 210MP on 12/23. Merry Christmas to me. Since then, it has been sitting inside my house waiting for me to do something with it. I bought this welder for use in my garage, but it has just been too cold for me to get out there in the unheated garage. I tend to be easily demotivated. Anyway, I ordered and have received a new 6 pin SSC foot pedal and the K4104-1 foot amptrol adapter. These just got delivered today. The foot amptrol adapter is designed to be mounted inside the MIG wire cabinet, but I believe that is a goofy place to put it. You then have to have the cabinet door open to connect the foot pedal 6 pin plug. There is definitely enough wire on the K4104-1 amptrol adapter to mount it on the left side (non-cabinet side) of the red box. So the first modification will be to drill a hole in my brand new, shiny, red box. The next concern is the argon gas control. Lincoln says the TIG torch should have a gas valve on it (to make things easy), but I ordered a CK, flex lock, water cooled TIG torch without a gas valve. I tore apart the welder, connected the amptrol adapter, connected the brand new foot pedal, turned on the welder for the first time, set it to TIG with a foot pedal, and stepped on the pedal! This was an exciting day for me, trying out a bunch of new stuff! Anyway, I was glad to find out that the foot pedal does activate the gas solenoid in the box. Unfortunately, it is of zero use for TIG-ing, unless you want to roll back your wire, disconnect the Mig gun and get a connector for where the Mig gun plugs in with an outlet for connecting the TIG torch gas line. So, my second modification will be to cut the gas line coming out of the solenoid, drill a second hole in my brand new, shiny red box, send the gas line from the solenoid to outside the box, and install a three way valve (or a tee with two valves), One side will go back into a third hole I drill into my brand new, shiny red box, and back to the cut hose which goes to the Mig gun, and the other side will go to a connector for the TIG torch gas line. I will then plumb two tanks (C25 and argon) to the gas inlet on the shiny red box. The only potential problem will be the valving of the gases. I will have to make sure the C25 is open and the argon is closed if I am MIG-ing, and the three way valve is lined up to go to the MIG gun, not the TIG torch. Or if I am TIG-ing, that the C25 is closed, the argon is open, and the three way valve is directing the gas to the TIG torch, not the MIG gun.I just thought I would post this info to let others know what is possible. For me, I think will work out well. I don't see any difficulties is doing these modifications, but as I said, I have NOT done them yet. Maybe I will get some of this done this weekend. I will have to see if I can sneak the drill inside the house and make sure I clean up any metal shavings before my wife kicks me out to the cold garage!
Reply:Sounds like it would work, but i would check out everything function wise in all the modes before messing with a new machine. The warranty would probably be void once you take something apart and punch holes in the case.
Reply:I would get a second gas valve and a toggle switch to select which valve opens, instead of a bunch of valves and cutting hoses. Just get identical valve to what is in welder. When moving things around. Remember the covers have to come off to service and repair the welder. Voiding the warranty will depend on the shop. You make it hard to get into the inside of the welder and they won't be happy. Just my opinion, But the warranty is not voided if mods have nothing to do with failure. If mods caused failure then warranty is void. If not clear cut what caused the failure, then Lincoln warranty rep has the final word. Be careful, be clean and neat in what you do and good luck.
Reply:MJD/ccawgc, both of you have good points. In regards to the modifications, personally, have more comfort with cutting the hose and doing the plumbing, rather than adding a second solenoid. I debated between both options, but finally convinced myself that that the plumbing route would be better (easier). The concern that I have with adding a second solenoid is: where to mount it. The existing solenoid is mounted directly to the backside of the box, near the bottom, on the metal base. The gas line inlet connector is the solenoid inlet. A second solenoid means needing a completely separate gas line inlet/outlet connection, so where should it be located? (rhetorical question) There is no space available above or below the existing solenoid on the metal base. It may possibly be mounted on the plastic backside cover, or the leftside of the box, or the solenoid could be plumbed loose on the gas line (not on the box). Either way, I have concerns with these options (personal concerns, others are more talented than I). Mounting the second solenoid on a welding cart could be a decent option. The argon tank could be mounted on the cart, the gas line ran to the solenoid inlet, and then the TIG torch gas line could be plumbed to the solenoid outlet. This would reduce the length of "loose" wires for the solenoid. The toggle switch for selecting MIG or TIG gas would definitely be a cool option, but I don't have many friends to impress.
Reply:Is it really that big of a deal to the valve on the torch? This sounds like a waste of time. Or get a machine like the 252i that has 2 solenoids (1 for mig, 1 for tig)Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Hi gwbutch,I would make an adapter that fit the gas inlet (Tig torch side) and the gas output (from Gas Diff user or from Gas Nozzle, Mig gun side). So, the only change from Mig to Tig is disconnecting the gas regulator from your C25 tank and connect to your argon tank.Hope this helpMauricio
Reply:Is it really that big of a deal to the valve on the torch? This sounds like a waste of time. Or get a machine like the 252i that has 2 solenoids (1 for mig, 1 for tig)
Reply:You know they make a flex loc torch with a valve in the handle. It's a red piece around the hand that rotates. Look it upTorchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:I see the air cooled, flex loc torches are available with a gas valve, but I'm not finding any water cooled, flex loc torches available with a gas valve. Is it a special order item?Last edited by gwbutch; 01-10-2015 at 04:53 PM.
Reply:I will look when I get near a computer but why would you want a water cooled torch on that machine anyway?Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Originally Posted by gwbutchI was thinking of that too, but where could I get (or how would I make) that kind of adapter. Would I have to get an old MIG gun and cut off the connector and fabricate something that way, or could I buy a pre-built adapter, and if so, who would have something like that?
Reply:Thats the idea, without disconnect the Mig gun, to start TIG process only changing the gas regulator fron C25 to Argon.
Reply:Originally Posted by gwbutchBut the argon would still go out the Mig gun nozzle though, right?Yes.I'm sure I don't need the water cooled torch, but the chemical engineer in me prefers a water cooler rather than an air cooler.
Reply:Obviously with a water cooled torch you're going to have to look at some kind of cooling system whether purchased or built by you. Either way, it's not cheap...maybe the garden hose variation will work for you. Other question; how will you deal with Ar pre and post flow, without a timer, it will be arbitrary and create issues at both ends of the weld, no? The gas valve would take care of that obviously; no W/C torch with gas valve available? Including timers into the build will really complicate things.In my experience, manufacturers are like insurance companies in this day and age and will use ANY excuse to cancel warranties & payouts. I would exercise caution and make only easily reversible mods that can be returned to "factory" origional at least until the warranty runs out otherwise that will make an expensive boat anchor. Cheers!! Last edited by bearston; 01-11-2015 at 12:24 AM.When a welder tells you to "stick it", what do they really mean?"In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act." - George Orwell
Reply:After doing all these mods, would the cost not be similar to a dedicated DC TIG/stick and a dedicated MIG that already do this for you?Tiger Sales: AHP Distributor www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P, Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma. For Sale: Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun. Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Obviously with a water cooled torch you're going to have to look at some kind of cooling system whether purchased or built by you.
Reply
ol what a waste of time and money. You never tig welder before how do know you need a cooler? And 15 gallons? You bulking a swimming pool? 2 gallons is more than enough. The machine is made to be portable. You should have bought something else. And if you really want to add gas flow without a pedal get a valve and T into the gas line. If what you say is true and the foot pedal actives the gas solenoid on tig just divert the gas to where its usable. ( a second connector for gas on the machine)No need to reinvent the wheel and make it more difficult.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Originally Posted by gwbutchThese modifications are definitely not needed for this welder, but I enjoy doing these kind of projects. That's why the rebuild of my '69 Camaro is still going on after 13 years! I find little things that I want to change (improve in my opinion).
Reply:All of your gas mods are a waste of time because the mig solenoid has no post flow. You will fry your bead termination and tungsten at the end of every weld. Gas valve on the torch seems the way to go.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:Take it back and get a Multimatic 200. Spend the time welding. A few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps
Reply:I added a micro switch to the foot pedal. Added a solenoid to the flow meter and it is controlled by an agastat time delay relay witch give me post flow for whatever I set it too. Operates on 115 volt seperate power source.
Reply:Any update on your mods?
Reply:
Reply:So, just checking in, how did it all work out over time?
