Characteristics of Welding Machines

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More Curiosity Driven, really - Out of all the Welding Machines you have ever used - or own, What could you say about the "Arc Characteristics" that you have noticed?Keep in Mind that my opinion of these Machines (on my posts) are relative only to Other machines I have used, and these machines are only comparative in relation to the machines I've used)I am fairly Passionate about Welding machines, I know that some guys may like talking about their machine or machines they've used - Ultimately, this thread is more like 'Water Cooler talk'.. Has no significance, some wont care, few will like talking about their machines.    My 1969 Lincoln SA200 Redface: The Machine has an extremely 'doughy' soft Arc for Arc Welding. When the RPMS are adjusted from 1000 to 1800, the Machine Welds like a Glowing Red Hot knife cutting through a slab up butter thats been sitting at room temperature. For Tig Welding, I would say that it is a small step below a Miller Dynasty 200DX for tig welding. Right now I'm switching between the Dynasty & SA200 for tig Welding, and my mind is a blur on the arc characteristics.    Miller PipePro 450 Multiprocess - Used this one for a Job test (6010 root) Long ago and WOW! It was the most stiffest arc of any Machine I have ever Used! This Machine would literally Gouge! Gouge its way through a Bevel, and its like the Molten Metal was ripping its way through the Bevel and grabbing at absolutely any Undercut it could - (You know when the Machine Gouges, it Creates Massive Craters like Moon Landings! and'll leave undercut on the inside!') this thing was Scary! But, it passed - Root Pass was 'Mint', and walked out with another ticket. 2007 Lincoln 305G (For Tig Welding) I always find that the Tig welding characteristics of this machine are "Crisp". Other Machines, Tig Welding on them is like cutting through hot butter, but this one - It's like 'Crisp". The Arc is concentrated, and not sloppy. Has a very 'OldSchool Technology to it'. If other Welding machines are the Eqivalence to "Spray Transfer" (Which some remind me of a Spray transfer of heat - just like Mig Welding) The 305G is just like 'Short circuit' Mode. Very Crisp. Nothing like a Hot knife through Butter.I have used other Machines: RedDArcs, Vantage 400/500, 300D, BigBlue 40, 400, 500, Many different Multiprocess Welders from Lincoln & MillerThe Most Old School of Technology I have used, has to an Acklands Welding Machine from one of the training Facilities I often Frequent. That machine must be from the 70's, but for Arc Welding, The technology is very Old. Arc welding, it is Stiff and crisp - but not as bad as that pipepro 450. Tig Welding However, the arc flows like a Hot knife through butter. I would say it welds actually better than my 1969SA 200 for Tig Welding.
Reply:I guess I can kind of take a shot at this.What you see in difference is what used to be the volt/amp curve of the power supply. The stiffer arc comes from a flatter volt curve and is the hallmark of Miller and old school Hobart thinking. The softer arc comes from a more drooping volt curve which is Lincolns and old school Union Carbide/ Linde thinking.There were benefits to each, now with high speed regulation and wave form control you can make one act like the other if that's what you like.Matt
Reply:I had  a Mac 250 / red Miller from early 90s  great machine no troubles ran a ton of wire thought it.  smooth like frying bacon on a sunday morning. never could get good ripples or dimes weld.   lincoln precision tig welder 185 Got new in 06.  Never liked it. mainly because it was too small and air cooled torch.  Not the machine fault. Big learning cruve for me.lincoln 255xt mig welder spool gun dual tanks. 2010 new. I need more time behind the spool gun.  I've went thought more tips in 20 min. with this machine than my Mac in 20years I'm getting used to it.Pound to fit, paint to match
Reply:A tip on spool guns. Start with the wire speed way faster that you need. Then slow down the speed until it breaks into a good spray arc. Of course this is done on a test block.This way you don't melt the wire to the tip. Correct size tip and gas flow help also.extra gas flow cools the tip and nozzle and keeps the wire from jamming in the tip.I have even heard of home made nozzle coolers were they have turned a air cooled torch into a water cooled nozzle. They wrapped a copper tube around the nozzle and soldered it to it, then pumped water through it. This helps with long heavy welds,
Reply:Ill play:In my short experience, I miss the Ol' Idealarc 250 from the school. I never touched the heat after I found my happy zone. Smooth arc, predictable you know. Burned 6010 like it was its only purpose...Bobcat 250, 2 of em at work... I dont care for these, if there is a feature Im missing, please ****ing tell me, they flat suck at running 6010, spit and pop and arc goes out at the most inconvenient times...They do burn 7018 very nice, easy starting and puddle is very fluid, easy to manipulate.A friends SA200, the best DC welder I have had the pleasure of using, 6010 was surprisingly smooth, it flat out lays 7018, it makes me look better than I really am!!My Tombstone, similar to the Idealarc 250, but you can really tell when your hitting that duty cycle, she gets angry!Next is my Weldanpower, waiting on carb kit, so I havent burned rod with it yet....Lincoln Power MIG 210 MP ( boat anchor )Lincoln Weld-Pac 100 HDHobart IronMan 230Cutmaster 42Jackson NexGenSumner Ultra ClampsDWM120