Esab review help

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I'm looking at purchasing an Esab 2200IW tomorrow and would like to know if anyone has and hands on experience with one? They seem like an awesome unit but the feedback is literally slim to NONE. Please share some of your thoughts so I can attempt to make an informed buying decision tomorrow.Thanks!
Reply:I have used one and it is a very smooth machine.  The ability to adjust the frequency on A/C is awesome and creates a very stable arc.  What questions do you have about it and where are you located?I play with Robots and do some welding.
Reply:I believe those are Sweden made units. (Use to be) I used one for just a little bit, but it did not have a ft control, and was hard to get a read on...I owned a Swedish dc tig before, and they are great quality..  BTW no ac pulse on that 2200 unit.. If it maters to you.Mini jack...Question for 85cj7boySince you seem to know Esab . Did you know the the 50-90 amp  plasma  shield 0558006602 does not work very well at all with 90 amp consumables. You have to use the 100 amp shield 0558006601 to get the 90 amp tip to cut correctly Yes that is with the correct 90 to 100 0558004870 insulator. Esab need to change the shield to 50-70 amps. where it does work correctly.Last edited by Brand X; 10-30-2012 at 01:14 AM.Esab/Lorch ET-220iEsab 160i caddyThermal LM-200 Lincoln feedersThermal Pee-Wee 85sThermal 60i- 3phase /RPC powered (Beast)Thermal Drag-gun 35CINE 1500 Klutch 140i
Reply:I'm located in Az. I was just wondering how they compare to blue & red of similar size, capacity and capability. How is the longevity of the unit? I'm just looking for general feedback on the unit. I will more than likely be purchasing one tomorrow. I have a Lincoln 185 Precision Tig right now and love it! I just want a larger capacity unit and one that is water cooled.
Reply:The 2200 with the TA34 panel has pulse according to my manual. I have the DC only model with the TA34 panel. If you get the TA33 there's no pulse but I'm not sure if the TA33 comes on the AC/DC model. The TA33 also does not have remote control capability (No option for a pedal). I got my unit last week but haven't gotten my hands on a gas bottle or decent steel to really try it out yet. Only screwed around with some 6013 and some cheap framing brackets.One thing I've found out is that the system uses a CAN bus. So if you want a foot pedal, you're stuck with buying their $450 pedal. You won't be able to make your own. The water cooler is also on the bus.
Reply:no ac pulse on any of them.The one I used, just had a button, but was setup for a ft pedal.Last edited by Brand X; 10-30-2012 at 01:42 AM.Esab/Lorch ET-220iEsab 160i caddyThermal LM-200 Lincoln feedersThermal Pee-Wee 85sThermal 60i- 3phase /RPC powered (Beast)Thermal Drag-gun 35CINE 1500 Klutch 140i
Reply:Yea the website says no AC pulse and the 2200 AC/DC and TA34 manuals don't say anything about it. The manuals for these things are really lacking.
Reply:Originally Posted by SnuffyYea the website says no AC pulse and the 2200 AC/DC and TA34 manuals don't say anything about it. The manuals for these things are really lacking.
Reply:ESAB's quality is generally really good, I have owned a Migmaster 250, have a 300AVS feeder now and an 875 plasma.  All excellent machines.     Never owned a TIG from them though.  Also look at the Invertec line from Lincoln.  I had a V205T AC/DC.   Nice machine and has twice the duty cycle of a Dynasty 200DX.  However I sold it cuz I needed the cash and really didn't need all the fancy function or TIG portability.    Its also dual voltage like the Miller units.   Running on 110vac is a handy feature if u need portabilityTiger 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:Originally Posted by Brand XI believe those are Sweden made units. (Use to be) I used one for just a little bit, but it did not have a ft control, and was hard to get a read on...I owned a Swedish dc tig before, and they are great quality..  BTW no ac pulse on that 2200 unit.. If it maters to you.Mini jack...Question for 85cj7boySince you seem to know Esab . Did you know the the 50-90 amp  plasma  shield 0558006602 does not work very well at all with 90 amp consumables. You have to use the 100 amp shield 0558006601 to get the 90 amp tip to cut correctly Yes that is with the correct 90 to 100 0558004870 insulator. Esab need to change the shield to 50-70 amps. where it does work correctly.
Reply:Originally Posted by 85cj7boyI will have to check that out.  I take it you are referring to the PT-37? .
Reply:Originally Posted by 85cj7boyI will have to check that out.  I take it you are referring to the PT-37?  And to the OP I just realized you didn't really say you we're looking at an AC/DC model.  The TA 34 panel has DC, DC micropulse and A/C but no A/C pulse.  They are really nice lightweight machines with a smooth arc and good control.
Reply:I would start with these for AC, and will work for DC too. Red is probably a bit better in arc starts on DC. http://www.diamondground.com/lanthanated_blue.htmlEsab/Lorch ET-220iEsab 160i caddyThermal LM-200 Lincoln feedersThermal Pee-Wee 85sThermal 60i- 3phase /RPC powered (Beast)Thermal Drag-gun 35CINE 1500 Klutch 140i
Reply:Originally Posted by myfast70I was looking at the AC/DC model. Ended up buying a 2200IW w/ TA34 panel at the Sema show. I'll be picking it up hopefully tomorrow sometime. Got a chance to use it at the show. Seems pretty decent but it will definitely take some time getting used to no foot pedal and finger control on/off.I may eventually order a foot control if I have a hard time with finger control. Does anyone have an idea which color tungsten I need to run with this machine? I always run Green for AC/Aluminum and Red for stainless/mild steel with my Lincoln Precision Tig 185. Any ideas would be great. Thanks!
Reply:Originally Posted by BlauSchuhWhy was your heart set on the ESAB?
Reply:The ability to adjust the frequency on A/C is awesome and creates a very stable arc.
Reply:Blue 2% lanthanated is the best all round Tungsten for Inverter machines.   Order it off ebay and the price is pretty reasonable...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:The welding supply place I stopped in only had red, green and orange, no blue   They recommended I run orange for my machine...I got home and tried it out today and it seemed to work ok on aluminum (didn't attempt any steels). The only thing I wasn't crazy about was the fact that the tungsten turns black after a pass or two and then my puddle starts to contaminate and turn black (I think due to the tungsten). Now, I will have to admit that I haven't gone thru every setting and may not entirely have the machine setup correctly. I'm used to my Precision tig 185 where I just set it on AC and go. Could it be wrong tungsten or more than likely setup wrong? Can I try the red or green that I already have without any issues?
Reply:Originally Posted by myfast70The welding supply place I stopped in only had red, green and orange, no blue   They recommended I run orange for my machine...I got home and tried it out today and it seemed to work ok on aluminum (didn't attempt any steels). The only thing I wasn't crazy about was the fact that the tungsten turns black after a pass or two and then my puddle starts to contaminate and turn black (I think due to the tungsten). Now, I will have to admit that I haven't gone thru every setting and may not entirely have the machine setup correctly. I'm used to my Precision tig 185 where I just set it on AC and go. Could it be wrong tungsten or more than likely setup wrong? Can I try the red or green that I already have without any issues?
Reply:Originally Posted by Brand XUse your red. Might loose it's point after a bit. but should get you going until you can get some blue ones.. I have a feeling that Esab is going to be excellent once you get it dialed in..
Reply:Originally Posted by myfast70Now that you mention it, the tip does get funky. I'll try the red in the mean time and see how it acts. I think you're right about liking this rig. I just can't get over how compact it is, even with the water cooler. Even after about 10 or so minutes of welding, the torch head was still cool  to the touch.  Thanks for the info!
Reply:Ok guys. I finally have some torch time with my new Esab and can report back that I love it! I don't have any pics to share right now. As far tungsten goes, I've had some time to experiment and have found the White (tri-mix) to work the best by far. I tried the blue but the tip stability was terrible! I didn't hold a sharp tip very well at all. The white was great, even when pushed beyond the recommended current for the size. I absolutely love the fact that it's water cooled, in fact I think it's my favorite part about it. One big let down for me is the fact that it lacks a foot pedal. It has a switch on the handle the turns the torch on and off. It took a while to get used to but with some practice I got pretty decent with it. What I really missed though was the ability to lighten up on the amperage when getting to an edge or when some heat started building up in the piece. I did break down and buy a foot pedal and am glad I did so. Overall, it's a great purchase. Oh, forgot to mention that I really like the "trolley" cart setup that it came with. I have a full size large tank and its still very easy to move.