Bought Lincoln Invertec 275-s as a starter Machine, Any Advice??

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Hello All, After my first Welder/Generator purchase was a bust and I got scammed I decided to get a newer machine that I could use. I found someone selling an new Lincoln Invertec 275-S. I bought it so I could learn to tig and stick weld. I am new to welding so i am not sure where to begin. This friday I am going to buy a 244cf tank of C-25. The person has agreed that 325$ for the full tank is an ok deal. So what rods should I get for this machine? When I wire up a plug in my garage how many amps should I make it? I was thinking about 100 amps or so for most welding jobs. Im a complete novice so I have no idea what I would need to have to be able to learn sound welding practices. Any and all advice is appreciated.P.S. I know stacking dimes is a good practice for tig beginners so if anyone can help guide me to some materials/rods that this would be a good practice please let me know. I have some scrap aluminum but I'm unsure about the exact composition of the aluminum. Can you weld with general material knowledge or must all info be known in order to weld? Thank you all in advance.
Reply:I think you need to do some more reading. First, you can't use 75/25 for TIG. You need straight argon. Read this:http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...O2-Not-so-Good!Next, that is a DC welder. You need AC to TIG aluminum.You will also need a TIG torch with a valve since the V275-S does not have a solenoid valve.The good news is that you have a very nice welder. It is an excellent stick welder and will do fine for TIG welding steel and stainless once you get it set up properly.JohnA few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps
Reply:Thanks John, Im going to the link now to read up on it. Question still stands on the electrical. Is it a safe bet to go with a 100amp fuse for just the welder? Talking to the local Electrical Engineer/Planner and he is telling me that they need to replace the transformer to wire my garage for 220V and at 150 amps... Looks like it may be out of the question for the time being... Any guidance on electrical and materials is appreciated. Thanks agian.
Reply:60 amps is plenty. If you already have a 100A box in your garage, just put in a 60A breaker for the welder.A few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps
Reply:I've run my V350-Pro on a 65-amp breaker for a couple years now, never thrown it once.Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:I had this same welder... 100% argonIt ran awesome on a 6 50 plug and a 50 amp breakerTig should be simple 25ft 17 with a valve, dinse 2 ft chunk of lead and a regular regulator http://www.ebay.com/itm/WP-17V-25R-2...item2ebe6e7f1c
Reply:Get yourself a bottle of helium, and you can Tig weld aluminum on DC. First picture is DC with my Dynasty, second picture is aluminum with a friends Longevity Stickweld 250, no foot pedal, just a Tig rig. Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Awesome fellas, thank you for the input. I am trying to set the garage up with 220V. So far I have decided to setup a whole new service for just my garage. This way the bill for the house and garage will be seperate and the lights in the house wont dimm when using tools and such. I was thinking of setting the garage up with a 200 amp panel but I'm gathering that may be a bit overkill if I will only need 60 amps... Maybe I can be conservative and get 150Amp service and thet should be enough. I have a Hypertherm powermax 65 plasma cutter, a 60 gallon Craftsman Aircompressor, the invertec 275-s and an old Miller 330A/bp. And the smaller power tools, like grinder, jigsaw, tablesaw, skillsaw, and looking to get a Miter saw soon, Grinding wheel etc... Basically I have intentions of having a small shop in my garage for a one man show for now. Are you guys thinking 150Amp service will be enough??Nice welds CEP, hopefully I can join the ranks soon
Reply:Originally Posted by oldsilverAre you guys thinking 150Amp service will be enough??Nice welds CEP, hopefully I can join the ranks soon
Reply:I understand... I guess when it comes to a shop its go big or go home right?? Well at least in this instance it seems to fit the bill. Thanks guys for the advice thus far. Im looking around on ebay to see if I can get some deals on rod to try to learn with. I'm thinking 3/32" 36" rods for mild steel to begin with. Does that sound reasonable? or should I look into something else??
Reply:these rods are a great value here, I've used a bunch of them, they ship for free in the 50 statesEbay doesn't have this great of buy    1/16 er70s3http://www.amazon.com/INETIG-ER70S-3...words=tig+rods3/32 er70s3http://www.amazon.com/INETIG-ER70S-3...words=tig+rods1/8 er70s3http://www.amazon.com/INETIG-ER70S-3...words=tig+rodsLast edited by AKweldshop; 01-28-2014 at 11:52 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by AKweldshopI had this same welder... 100% argonIt ran awesome on a 6 50 plug and a 50 amp breakerTig should be simple 25ft 17 with a valve, dinse 2 ft chunk of lead and a regular regulator http://www.ebay.com/itm/WP-17V-25R-2...item2ebe6e7f1c
Reply:Just wondering... Why bother buying a 275s when you already have a Miller 330 a/bp? The Miller will do everything the Lincoln will and more. Both good machines in their own right though.IAMAW Local 330Airco 300 AC/DC HeliwelderAirco Dip-Pak 200 with Profax spool gunPowr-Kraft AC225Everlast PowerArc 200stBuffalo Forge No.21 drill pressSpeedglas 9100xxAirco, Oxweld, Purox, Victor torchesLincoln Ranger 8
Reply:Thanks for the rod recomendation. I will definitely pick up a few.  I got the Lincoln because it was a smaller machine than the Miller. I still have yet to pick up my miller. Its in another city for now. I have only my garage and its full of stuff so a smaller package welder was a good fit until I can get enough space for the bigger miller. I also have to hunt down all leads and connectors for the miller all I have is the power source. The lincoln was just a quicker smaller cheaper way to get to learn tig sooner. I will give the miller a nice home when I am able to though. I have two torches. I have the 17 that is air cooled and recommended for the lincoln and I have a weldcraft 25ft I think. Its a water cooled torch I picked up locally for 250$ some time ago. Nice torch just has not seen use.