Has anyone TIG using a Thermal Arc Fabricator 211i (or 181i/252i)?

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I bought the Thermal Arc Fabricator 211i a few months back and have only used it for MIG welding. I'm almost ready to pull the trigger on the TIG torch, pedal, another regulator, and a bottle of Argon. I just wanted to see if anyone else has used the TIG function on this machine. Thermal Arc website sucks so I couldn't find much info on it. From my understanding, the gas controls are manual correct? Is it a on/off switch or is it a momentary switch (have to hold it the whole time)?
Reply:you have a switch t2/4t, when it's on 2t you have to keep the button on the torch pressed.. 4t >1 click to start the arc another one to end it.I see it's a lift arc only machine.. meaning no high freq start...--------------------------------------------------------------www.becmotors.nlyup, I quit welding.. joined welder anonymous
Reply:The gas control is manual, or in other words you open the valve on the torch body. I demoed a 181i for ThermalArc last year. It is lift arc only but worked perfectly fine with the foot pedal, which I asked for. What you do is open the gas valve, press the pedal slightly and hold to open the circuit, then touch or lift start. The arc is then adjustable with the foot control. The arc was smooth, strong, and the pedal had a very good range to avoid craters. Just remember to close the valve when done welding. And no it was not a button that you hold down, it was a valve that you have to twist.The great news is the wonderful range in the foot control, which is an SSC controls unit made in the USA, and typical of them.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:Originally Posted by minhsterI bought the Thermal Arc Fabricator 211i a few months back and have only used it for MIG welding. I'm almost ready to pull the trigger on the TIG torch, pedal, another regulator, and a bottle of Argon. I just wanted to see if anyone else has used the TIG function on this machine. Thermal Arc website sucks so I couldn't find much info on it. From my understanding, the gas controls are manual correct? Is it a on/off switch or is it a momentary switch (have to hold it the whole time)?
Reply:thanks shovelon, that's exactly what i wanted to know. I'm aware that there is no HF start which I knew all along. Broccoli1, i did read that part of the manual, but it wasn't clear if it was an open/close button type valve or a twist valve as shovelon mentioned. I just pulled the trigger and ordered the torch and foot pedal. Will have to wait until after the holidays to get another regulator and argon tank though.
Reply:I just finished a bit of s/s railing, 1.5 x .065 s/s tubing and I used the 181i. I didn't bother with the foot pedal just the switch on the torch and it worked great. I do have a pedal, I used a Miller and got the correct pins and plug and adapted it to the TA machine.The only thing I don't like is the manual gas valve, I either forget to turn it on or off but it's something to get used to. I do like the lead connection to the end of the torch, it's not a rigid hose/cable going into the handle, it's like a small ......swivel I guess you'd call it.The 4T position on the panel is good in that you can click it to start the arc and then let go of it. Either break the arc by pulling away, hit the trigger and release which will stop the arc immediately or hold it down and you get a nice adjustable downslope for filling in the crater.....Mike
Reply:I am trying to find an economical pedal to work with the 181i. Browsing ebay for used, but I am not sure which older units will work with this ThermalArc pin. Is it pretty easy to modify/replace a pin from an older 5,6,7 or 8 pin to the current TA 8 pin?Like THIS: (7 pin)http://www.ebay.com/itm/EXCEL-TIG-We...21204549559%26Anyone have a link for a conversion, or will this be 'plug and play'?Thanks!Last edited by rideit; 03-30-2013 at 02:55 AM.Motorboating...in the Cleavage of the Tetons
Reply:Don't know if this will help but here's a thread re the 181i, http://tinyurl.com/c7tlnrx post #137 I have the part numbers listed for the pins/plugs that fit into the 181.....Mike
Reply:Originally Posted by rideitI am trying to find an economical pedal to work with the 181i. Browsing ebay for used, but I am not sure which older units will work with this ThermalArc pin. Is it pretty easy to modify/replace a pin from an older 5,6,7 or 8 pin to the current TA 8 pin?Like THIS: (7 pin)http://www.ebay.com/itm/EXCEL-TIG-We...21204549559%26Anyone have a link for a conversion, or will this be 'plug and play'?Thanks!
Reply:Yes, however...I might be selling this to get a unit with HF start and pulse, (actually, probably just keeping it for mig and stick) it so I am looking for a really cheap footpedal to see if it improves the ergonomics of Tig with lift start. Ideally around $50. I am not so concerned with amperage currently (heh...heh...), as I rarely ever go over 20 in general. Just looking for an on off switch on the floor...Last edited by rideit; 03-30-2013 at 12:36 PM.Motorboating...in the Cleavage of the Tetons
Reply:Would this thing work for my needs? http://www.ebay.com/itm/TIG-foot-ped...item5d2e7f9827Motorboating...in the Cleavage of the Tetons
Reply:The one in the last link is $91.50 delivered."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:Yes, but I wouldn't be buying that, I would be searching for one like it used/dirt cheap. Just using it for reference as to whether it will actually work as an on off switch. amperage would be a bonus.Motorboating...in the Cleavage of the Tetons
Reply:The manual has the pinouts and says the potentiometer is 5K."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:HmmmN....well, shortcut thinking here, seeing as I generally never exceed 50 (ballpark) amps for my immediate needs, would this 'work' to test ergonomics, or would it HAVE to be 5k at all amperage values regardless? Please excuse my relative ignorance.Being a DIY kinda guy, I can't help but think that $190 MSRP is totally ridiculous for an aluminum box, a pot or two, and some cable.Motorboating...in the Cleavage of the Tetons
Reply:It's a Zero to 5K pot.  Looks more like a rheostat for the TIG amp function.  So something like a 0 - 2.5K should give you some range."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:Thanks, Oldensmart.Motorboating...in the Cleavage of the Tetons
Reply:I wonder about the connections shown in the manual for the TIG amps.  For the 211i, it shows just two connections for the pot (pins 5 & 7).  For a unit like my 161STL, it shows three (5, 6 & 7)."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:I think you are missing the point. You will not be experiencing the full potential of a quality foot control if you jury rig some cheapish controller to it. Of all the tigs I have ever used, the worst range with a foot control was the Miller Econotig. The remote control amperage range was half that of an adequate tig.The 181i had an excellent amperage range. You may come to appreciate it. Other than the wacky lift start sequence, I was able to put out very good welds without craters with the 181i. Eventually after the critique, I would choose the 252i for the advanced alum mig functions, with the SCC foot control for DC tig.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:No, that IS the point.Currenlty, I am only interested in using it for the on off.If i like using a footpedal, I will buy the good one. (and resell the cheap one)Check out the 'welding hard materials' thread, the last post says it all. A footpedal with the lift would be nice, but without a HF start, the trigger seems to work OK. I will likely be buying a 3k machine with pulse, plasma, hf start, etc, so I really have no interest in overpaying for a footpedal that might not work with whatever I choose to buy this summer..I totally get not buying junk, (because you usually need to buy twice) but this falls under 'renting', really! Thanks for the tips!Last edited by rideit; 03-30-2013 at 03:40 PM.Motorboating...in the Cleavage of the Tetons
Reply:Not sure how the welder works, but can you connect a simple on/off switch to the two appropriate pins and use the current you dialed in on the front panel?"USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:That is what I am trying to accomplish. Looking for someone who has tips/links/etc...Motorboating...in the Cleavage of the Tetons
Reply:Look at the part in the instruction manual about the front panel plug and the pinouts.  Pretty simple UNLESS they had a boo-boo on the pot connection diagram.  But the on/off switch is clear."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:Not sure if I follow. The only manual I got was the little 4x6" thing?Not really a technical manual.Motorboating...in the Cleavage of the Tetons
Reply:I'm talking about the Thermal Arc Fabricator 211i manual here:http://thermadyne.com/IM_Uploads/Doc..._March2013.pdfSpecifically, pages 3-6 and 3-7 about the "remote control socket". It's not how big the thing is (4 x 6), but you have to put it in the right place. "USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welderI guess I'm dense, I still wouldn't know how to rig up a cord or pedal to work from the manual?Motorboating...in the Cleavage of the Tetons
Reply:The On/Off switch goes from pin 2 to pin 3."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:Ok this may sound stupid but use the mig gun for your on and off switch rig up a couple pieces of 2 x 4 to hold the gun with the switch pointed up so your foot can operate it. Only hook up the plug set the front panel to the amperage it will operate just like the switch on the tig torch less than 50 bucks and  you already have the mig gun.
Reply:Originally Posted by OldendumI wonder about the connections shown in the manual for the TIG amps.  For the 211i, it shows just two connections for the pot (pins 5 & 7).  For a unit like my 161STL, it shows three (5, 6 & 7).
Reply:Thanks, Scott. I had a hunch that the manual was wrong, which is why I looked at the 161 manual."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder