miller 250 dx

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I was hoping to get some help here, I want to understand what each and every function, switch, and feature does on the 250, here is a pic I found online of a machine, this is not my unit, it's just a pic I found which is the same as mine. I know one of you guys is a tig welding guru who can give me the straight scoop on everything. thanks, Mike Attached Images
Reply:You can download a manual here:http://www.millerwelds.com/service/ownersmanuals.phpRex
Reply:Is there anything in particular you have questions about?
Reply:Mike,-Give some background on what your experience level is with TIG-Do you own the machine now or is this something you are considering buying or just bought?-Explain specifically what you want to do.-What do you want to know that isn't answered by reading the manual? (RTFM)-Matt------------------------------------------
Reply:still reading that manual...... already has answered alot, but I'm sure I'll have more questions about the controls after I read the manual. I am kinda self tought with tig, I have formal training in stick welding, so I'm sure there are alot of simple things about tig that I don't know about short of what I figured out by making mistakes. I'm having a few issues, first off with a gas lens tip, they keep kinda melting on me, just a little. aluminum is like going to a bar to pick up on women, sometimes you get lucky sometimes you don't. let me read and experiment a little and I'll get back to you guys, thanks
Reply:WTFAsking a question like that is like saying "I've never driven a car but I just bought a new Escalade.  Can someone tell me how to drive it".Do you really expect someone to go thru every knob/function on the Sync 250 and explain it's purpose/function.  The same thing it takes Miller about 90 pages to do in the owners manual.  Don't forget also about the "hidden menus" that control such things as preflow, etc.This is going to require a "little effort" on your part.  First off, RTFM, and then get back with us if you have any "specific" issues.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:Originally Posted by eyeball engineerstill reading that manual...... already has answered alot, but I'm sure I'll have more questions about the controls after I read the manual. I am kinda self tought with tig, I have formal training in stick welding, so I'm sure there are alot of simple things about tig that I don't know about short of what I figured out by making mistakes. I'm having a few issues, first off with a gas lens tip, they keep kinda melting on me, just a little. aluminum is like going to a bar to pick up on women, sometimes you get lucky sometimes you don't. let me read and experiment a little and I'll get back to you guys, thanks
Reply:Dear Hephaestus,Actually, I find the owner's manual for the Syncrowave 250 DX Tigrunner to be very well written and quite informative.  Granted, it's a little more "involved" than the manual for a basic "squirt gun" welder, but that's the nature of the process.  If you think that manual is a "little confusing", download and check out the owner's manual for a Dynasty 350.For those people who are not willing to commit considerable time, energy, and thought into understanding the wide range of adjustability with the Sync 250, they probably bought the wrong machine.  They may well have been better served with a Diversion 165.I do agree however, that based on the OP's original and subsequent posts, he's got a LOT to learn about TIG before he even begins to understand the full capabilities of his machine.  Maybe the OP would be better served spending his time picking up women in bars.  Sounds like he's got some experience in that arena.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:Originally Posted by SundownIIIDear Hephaestus,I do agree however, that based on the OP's original and subsequent posts, he's got a LOT to learn about TIG before he even begins to understand the full capabilities of his machine.  Maybe the OP would be better served spending his time picking up women in bars.  Sounds like he's got some experience in that arena.
Reply:Down19992000,Then why don't you tell him what every knob, button, and switch is for.Probably should start with that little switch over there on the right side, under the sequencer control.  The one that says on/off.I have no problem helping anyone and do quite frequently.  OP had made no effort on his own part (not ever to read the owners manual) but asks that someone explain to him what every switch/button/etc is for.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:Lookin' at the front of that thing, I think I'm stickin' with what I gotLooks like ya need a damn college degreeee to run itHell, play with it, read the stuff that's available, and you ought to come up with somethin'Not for this dude  Too much for my old noodle to handle"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by SundownIIIWTFAsking a question like that is like saying "I've never driven a car but I just bought a new Escalade.  Can someone tell me how to drive it".Do you really expect someone to go thru every knob/function on the Sync 250 and explain it's purpose/function.  The same thing it takes Miller about 90 pages to do in the owners manual.  Don't forget also about the "hidden menus" that control such things as preflow, etc.This is going to require a "little effort" on your part.  First off, RTFM, and then get back with us if you have any "specific" issues.
Reply:Originally Posted by eyeball engineer I can actually weld pretty good, enough to get by at least. You should be happy  it's not a "chinese crackerbox welder" that I bought with my welfare check since we live in a "obamanation"
Reply:eyeball engineer/Craig,that makes three of us!  I am sitting here watching TV (got a call from a friend who is vacationing in Hawaii (still hasn't rung in the New Year).AS for learning Tig--- I can relate to the learning curve with this process,  I can tell you after burning through my first 150cf of Argon and grinding (or should I say regrinding tungsten more often then welding I am still having a blast with my new Dynasty 200dx  (Eyeball Engineer) looks like you can at least see what yours does with all those knobs---got to be a gadget guy to own a inverter rig (LOL)Have fun with it and the guys on this site that are humble, and GOOD will be willing to help you out as long as you put in the time.  (I think I have read my manual at least 5 times and decided to leave the machine with the basic default settings and just work on the basics of tig.  (trust me it will keep you occupied)Have fun in the New Year and if you can post some pictures of your progress (it will humble you) (did me)TimA rich man is not the one who has the most but instead one who needs theleast. Retired IUEC local 19AK Bush pilot,  Chaplain  CMA Chapt 26victor torchesMiller110v migDynasty 200dx (new in Dec 08)Hypertherm PM-45MM-252 (new 2/09)
Reply:Clearing the AirLet me make this point perfectly clear.  My problem is not so much with Eyeball Engineer but rather, with the general attitude some new posters bring to the board.That attitude is one of entitlement.  If you go back and read EE's original posting there was not a question asked about how to accomplish a specific task.  The way I read this particular post could be translated to, "I just bought a high end industrial welder and I'm too lazy to do any research/study on my own, so I'd like one of you smart tig guys to explain every knob, button, switch to me".Let me tell you.  I've been tig (heliarc) welding for over forty years.  I've been using Miller Sync welders for the last 20+ years.  I just replaced my Sync 250 (purchased new in '96) with a new Sync 250 DX Tigrunner.  You know what I did first, before ever turning the dang thing on.  I read the OWNERS MANUAL from front to rear.  And you know what.  I learned a lot.There is a wealth of information on the net which is available to anyone willing to put forth a little effort to find it.  Had the OP come to the board and asked for recommendations about where he could go to further his knowledge/skill set regarding tig I would have had no problem.  He didn't.Tig welding has long been recognized as one of the best processes available to join two pieces of material.  Along with that, it is also recognized as one of the most difficult to master.  Not going to happen overnight.  In fact, it's not going to happen at all if you're not willing to put forth considerable effort and commitment to learning the process.  No one's going to become a proficient "tig welder" because they were taught on an internet message board.Now, several days later, in reading postings on the board, I see the same OP (Eyeball Engineer), the one who had never read the first tig reference, giving advice to other posters about the use of a gas lens, etc., etc..  Talk about the blind leading the blind.Further, I will say to Eyeball Engineer, as long as you look at tig welding as a hit or miss proposition, "like picking up a chick in a bar", you'll play he11 getting good advice from the "professionals" that frequent this board.  Personally, I was insulted by that comment.That's my position.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:Sundown is a bit of a grouch, but I will at the very least, agree with his position. To not understand what the machine does is one thing. To ask a question as to how do you do (??) or when you step the pedal, the machine makes (??) sound is one thing. But at the very least, the best #1 question you could ask would be " I just bought this machine, and I do not know how to run it. I have no manual for it. Where can I get info about this welder?" Personally?? I have read my manual for my Invertec 205 like 23 times now. And I am still learning stuff with it. I don't use 70% of what I have learned, simply because I don't have that many complex welding projects. Tig welding is all about 2 stages: #1. Trial and error. Try the tungstens, try to weld pieces in different positions, try shocking yourself by not hooking up the grond lead, etc. The second stage is: #2. Practice. Once you can make metal melt with the machine, it becomes all about hours behind the hood. There is no easy way to get good at tig welding, unless you are a prodigy. But even then, with great torch and filler control, there is much to learn about the metal itself.Do yourself a favor, and learn the basic functions of the machine. Then try some things, just to try them. After that, you will have more targeted questions which the guys will be more accomodating  with answers.Sundown- chill brother. Chill....And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:One thing I have discovered from my use of the internet forums is that it is very hard to "really" understand the intentions of the OP, especially if you don't know them "personally".I guess that is why most Internet dating doesn't work out?I also, know many of us are not very articulate (or edumacated) and we often hit send, not having a clue as to how what we typed will be received.  (I have been shocked more then once) by how my intentions were received by forum members.I can tell you (and my wife can confirm)  I am absolutely anal when it comes to research and reading on any subject I am interested in, and as well I am often addicted to the "process" until I achieve the desired results!  (to a fault) sometimes as it often leaves a debris field behind me---like other unfinished projects, relationships and (other responsibilities that I just forgot about!)Thanks guys for being patient with me as I (will) continue to practice, seek my own information and post my results (photos) for critique.As is with (craig from denver) I am basically retired and I am learning this process cause I want to (plan on getting profiecient enough to sell my services to some, and donate my skill to most others.Happy New Year--IT IS GOING TO BE A GOOD ONE!TimA rich man is not the one who has the most but instead one who needs theleast. Retired IUEC local 19AK Bush pilot,  Chaplain  CMA Chapt 26victor torchesMiller110v migDynasty 200dx (new in Dec 08)Hypertherm PM-45MM-252 (new 2/09)
Reply:I guess I was to laid back and relaxed in the way I asked my question, I should have asked the exact functions I am not sure about, I was just assuming the forum users would know which ones I was talkin about, to say that I went out and bought high end welder and I don't know how to use it is ridiculous, I have had this for over a year now and had practiced with it, after my old one took a $hit. I just wanted to understand more in detail what some of the knobs do, like the dig and balance, final slope, and some of the other ones. sorry if I offended you sundown, I have already learned a lot from reading the post on here, and kinda dig that there are other people like myself out there. everyone is pretty friendly so far and you come out with with stuff like "WTF" and "RTFM", I think I can say I was equally offended by your post as you were from my vague question that started this thread. I respect that you have all kinds of experience, but to say I am lazy based on a post is outrageous. "Entitlement", I guess since I have less than a 100 post and I am a young lazy newbie, I have to earn your respect before I can post? dude this is a freakin Internet welding forum, free for any moron to use. I am here to help others and get helped. If I was a old timer that already knew everything I wouldn't waste my time here, sorry if I offend anybody else. I want to apologize, hopefully with all of your experience you can help and advise me when I have future issues. thanks sundown, even though this turned into a little tiff, I did learn something, so my goal has been accomplished, I hope if you have a issue with me in the future you can just shoot me a pm and you and I can resolve it without involving everyone else. cheers my friend
Reply:No big deal eyeball. Now, the cleaning dial is how much time the machine is on EP, vs. EN. Basically, the higher the balance, the more penetration you get with EP. Then, when the cycle turns to EN, the cleaning action comes from the arc reversing back into the tungsten. This only happens in AC welding. Now, upslope and downslope: Let's say you are set at 200amps. You will have a start voltage, it may be preset, maybe you can get into a sub menu to set it up. I am not sure. But the upslope takes you from the start voltage, and corresponding amperage up to full strength welding. Downslope does the same thing. The best way to describe it is like a soft start function on a hand tool. The lower time you set the upslope for, the faster the arc will hit wide open. The exact same for downslope. For steel, especially SS, you might want a good bit of downslope to feather out the end of a weld. Same theory for the upslope. Maybe you don't want a hard hit of amps, say on thin sheet. You may want the torch to almost preheat as it ramps up so you won't burn off the edge of thin tube, etc. so fast. With Aluminum, I tend to like the upslope and downslope set near zero. I want a lot of start amps to fire up a puddle quickly. And, when I stop, I usually want the arc to cool instantly, so it does not collapse. I seem to have a problem with this on aluminum, even after lots of practice. Recently, I have gotten over it, but it took a good while to figure it out.I do not know what the 'dig' function is, it may be what is called upslope onother machines. One thing you can do, is to get a sample plate, and a sharpie. Screw with the settings royally, and try to make a weld!! Wrie the settings you change next to the bead you put down. After a couple sessions, and about 37 burnt pieces of tungsten, you can go back and add a bit of this to a bit of that, and you will find some settings you really like. While practicing, keep your preflow and postflow real short; you're just wasting gas when it is a dummy piece. I hope this helps you. Good luck! Paul.And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:eyeball engineer,Took some ba!!s to come on with that post.  Quite possibly I totally misjudged you from only a few posts.  I apologize.Not saying I know all there is to know about a Sync 250, but I have been using one for more years than I care to count.  My current machine is just like your's so I may be able to be of assistance if you run into a snag.  Just ask.With regards to the dig feature, it applies to stick welding only.  The way I like to think of dig is in relationship to arc force.  The higher the dig, the greater the arc force.  On a low dig setting you will get a soft arc at the end of the electrode.  As the dig is increased the arc becomes more forceful.Rojo did a good job of explaining the sequencer controls.Good luck.  You've got a great machine to refine your tig skills.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:Oh, and just thought about something.  (Dang board has no provision for editing a post).Be careful with the postflow.  Too short a postflow (even practicing on scrap) can result in a frosted tungsten.  I tend to set mine at a minimum of 1sec/10A of machine setting.  I normally set my preflow at .6 sec (have to go into the hidden menus to change this one).Go melt some rod and keep the tungsten out of the puddle.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:Now the last three posts are what an welding forum should be all about.