Used Toy, V250-S

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I bought this off ebone.  I wanted a stick welder with tig capabilities.  I started out getting a V160S, then LWS said it was discontinued and replaced by the V155-S which has no plug for remote tig.  The other option was a V160-T which had pulse tig and a gas valve, but it was big bucks.  I ordered it on the 21st of last month.  This machine does not have adjustable arc force.  Well, it was back ordered for a while.  I canceled the order and picked up this off ebone for a good price.   Stick welder, adjustable arc force, Touch start Tig and a plug for a remote.  Here are some of the results.  It came in today, I started out with some dry 3/32" @ 85 amps and 1/8" 7018 @ 140 amps  It works pretty good.1/8" 70181/8 6013 DCENClose up.  Its starting to rain, so I have to go inside and TIG on the bench.Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Here is some tig on 1/4" plate, fillet.  150 amps, 1/16" S6 filler.Vertical up, a stringer and a weave.Pics were taken in natural light.  I took the cover off and blew all the dust and junk out of it, cleaned off the outside and hit it with a coat of lemon pledge.  I I tried running it off my Ranger 250.  I turned it all the way up and tigged with no problem.I think its going to do what I want.  The instructions claim it will gouge, I will know tomorrow.David Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:If you like it, Here is another one on Ebone.  Sold as is, but looks like brand new.http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA:IT&ih=008DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Well it runs the 7018 smooth. Looks good on the tig as well.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:David,Looks like a great find. Over the years, I've owner 3 of them, 2 where stolen and the 3rd one had a very course rheostat, for amp adjustment, a needle width adjustment could be 3 amps or 30 amps, it never to seem the same adjustment twice, once you got it where you wanted it, and it was like that for 5+ years, it worked great. During a job in southern PA, and the unit became unusable the Lincoln service rep in Pittsburgh replaced the rheostat, and for some reason, never welded the same again. Really too bad as it was light weight, worked on multiple voltages and except for that rheostat, never gave a minute of grief. I still have that unit, seeing this post has got me thinking, I'll take to the LWS and have it checked out.Jack
Reply:I did a BUNCH of testing yesterday.  I got out the amp meter and scope.  I welded at different amp settings to see if they matched.  Nope.  At 50 amps, it puts out 36.  At 85, its 85.  at 100, it puts out 110.  At 145, it puts out 164.  at 170, its 170. Now that I know it, life will be easier. I may replace the pot.   The knob has been replaced and I can't get it off.  I tried to drill out the set screw, but its too hard.Jolly Roger, my biggest concern was if it would run 7018.  Arc force is a little high, I can run dry 7018 with it on all the way smooth.  It works almost as well as the ranger 250 or V350. I did set it for 145, weld, check the output, then turn the knob all over and put it back on 145. Still 164 or 165 amps. Its  consistently wrong, but repeatable.  Potentiometer is only 2 or 3 bucks.  When I replace the main one, I will also do arc force and Hot start pots.I also bought a new V155-S that is not here yet.  Stay tuned for another review.  The question is with the V155-S is will it run 1/8" 7018.David Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:I looked at the 155 but am much more interested in the 250. More power means it doesn't have to work as hard.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:I have 3 inside jobs for the 155 at customers.  Two are stick, one is on the roof, one is in a laundry and one is stainless in a kitchen.  I wanted the 160-S, but........This is why.155  100% duty cycle at 100 amps.160 100% duty cycle at 130 amps.The 155 does not have a plug for a remote.    The 250 does David Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.