Well I bought a better tig finally

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Currently it's $859 with free shipping on ebay so I bit the bullet and bought the eastwood tig. http://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-s-a...00-welder.htmlHoping to have it very shortly and will let you guys know how I like it. Keep in mind I'm not a pro by any means.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Cool. A good way to go is similar to the standard way folks review computers.Post pics of the machine and accessories (it's called "unboxing") then some weld pics for feedback so the TIG gurus (I ain't one!) can offer useful advice.
Reply:Will do for sure. I'm doing my research now to see if I need anything else. You can use red tungsten on aluminum right? Where can I find proper videos on how to control the foot pedal? Do you lay into the pedal when you lay a bead then back off when you don't?Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Braco Gamble... for taking the plunge! I expect quite a few folks will be interested in your pics and feedback on this new machine.Rick V 1 Airco Heliwelder 3A/DDR3 CTC 70/90 amp Stick/Tig Inverters in Parallel1 Lincoln MIG PAK 151 Oxy-Acet
Reply:Originally Posted by Gamble...Do you lay into the pedal when you lay a bead then back off when you don't?
Reply:Yep thanks. I'll be sure to make a video when I get it.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Still trying to figure out how many amps I can do on 110v. It doesn't say anywhere.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:I use the "increase amperage until the circuit breaker pops, then back off" method.
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleWill do for sure. I'm doing my research now to see if I need anything else. You can use red tungsten on aluminum right? Where can I find proper videos on how to control the foot pedal? Do you lay into the pedal when you lay a bead then back off when you don't?
Reply:Gamble,Congratulations on your new welder.I hope your "Gamble" is worth it.  (I couldn't resist)
Reply:I use red tungstens for Al on my inverter (tsw185) with no issues. It's nice for the lower amp stuff they keep a point.
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWDude, do yourself a favor. Learn to do basic tig on steel 1st before trying to do alum. If you have no clue on how to use a pedal you will have a nightmare trying to do alum where heat control is everything. On steel you will be able to see whats going on and have a bit of time to react and make changes. You won't have those luxuries on alum. Read a few dozen of the threads on learning tig alum here. You'll find almost every time it's suggested that you start to learn on steel before jumping in  and trying to do alum. Oh and my guess is you won't be able to do alum tig with the power available on a standard 15amp 110v outlet  with that machine, unless it's super thin alum ( less than say 1/16"). Millers Dynasty 200, about the best 110v capable tig on the market, draws almost 21 amps on 115v to get 100 amp output. That would do maybe 1/16" alum. To get the 140 amps @ 40% duty cycle it's rated at, that machine draws 31 amps on 115v. Finding a dedicated 20 amp outlet isn't that easy, finding a 30 amp 115v outlet is imposible. And thats using the best technology there is on the market, not some cheap China knock off. The fact that you can't find out basic info like this on your machine is probably a good hint you're in for trouble down the line.
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleWill do for sure. I'm doing my research now to see if I need anything else. You can use red tungsten on aluminum right? Where can I find proper videos on how to control the foot pedal? Do you lay into the pedal when you lay a bead then back off when you don't?
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWDude, do yourself a favor. Learn to do basic tig on steel 1st before trying to do alum.
Reply:It has arrived. I will look at it in a few hours and make a video.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Well not happy. There is a screw loose inside, you can hear it rattling around.Didn't come with any tungsten and they said it would come with a red one.Will not establish an arc at all. No matter what setting or anything it won't do it. As soon as I hit the foot pedal the overload light goes on and won't go off. Says nothing about this in the manual.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Originally Posted by VinnieIt's an inverter use any tungsten except "pure" green
Reply:Well that sucks [Account Abandoned 8/8/16 Please Do Not Attempt Contact Or Expect A Reply]. See you on YouTube! -ChuckE2009
Reply:No of course not, I was able to get the screw out.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Well don't say we didn't warn you....No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Will it fire the high freq arc?
Reply:oboy  not good>Innovations are what i leave behind for History
Reply:It won't arc at all. The second you hit the pedal the overload light goes on. I'm going to call them now. Probably just ask for a refund and see what kind of lincoln or miller I can find. I don't want to be over $1500 though and it needs to do 110v.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Chinese imports are ALWAYS  a gamble....sometimes it works out.....sometimes it doesn't.
Reply:Called up eastwood customer service and they transferred me to tech support, I told him the overload light comes on right away and he said ok we will send you out a new one. So fedex is coming to pick this one up tomorrow and once they have it, they will send out a new one. That is nice, however I wanted to do some welding since I'm off today/tomorrow, but I guess that won't happen.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal DealerI'm sorry, I just can't understand the "it needs to run on 110".  Take a small part of that $1500 budget and run a dedicated 240 line.  Then take the $1350 that's left and get a machine that can actually DO something.You need to spend a little for this to work. Once you have a 240 line, now you can look at better compressors, bigger welders, phase converters for bench grinders/belt grinders/etc, the list goes on.  Welding is not a cheap hobby to start with.  Might as well spend a little extra and get something you won't outgrow in a few weeks or months.Hell, I'm in NW Indiana and probably have everything you need to run a bigger line.  Send me a PM and I"ll come help you do it tomorrow.Last edited by jmtebbens; 07-13-2011 at 09:35 AM.
Reply:I got a few friends that are going to come look at my electrical to see what can be done. They have to crawl from one end of the house to the other end in a vaulted ceiling with about 2' of space top/bottom and i'm not sure how long I'm going to live here. So it would a waste of time/money to put in a 220 then move elsewhere and do it again.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:If you change your mind, just shoot me a PM.  I wasn't talking about selling you the materials or labor BTW.  Just offering a hand and some drops/extra supplies I have.
Reply:When I first saw this post I said to myself here we go again the machine probally was damaged in shipment I would call customer service asap and get a return authorization and return this puppy and rethink my purchase.wbolden
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleI got a few friends that are going to come look at my electrical to see what can be done. They have to crawl from one end of the house to the other end in a vaulted ceiling with about 2' of space top/bottom and i'm not sure how long I'm going to live here. So it would a waste of time/money to put in a 220 then move elsewhere and do it again.
Reply:Originally Posted by jmtebbensIf you change your mind, just shoot me a PM.  I wasn't talking about selling you the materials or labor BTW.  Just offering a hand and some drops/extra supplies I have.
Reply:I'm about ready to just make the jump to the miller 180. It's 1891 after tax locally.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleI'm about ready to just make the jump to the miller 180. It's 1891 after tax locally.
Reply:sorry for yer problems, they will resolve one way or the other..to yer original question..floor the pedal to get a puddle..feed  with filler..observe..back off the pedal a little and move, make the next puddle, adding heat with the pedal if needed..the puddle should form immediately, if you are waiting around for it to happen  you are overheating the piece  because you have too little heat....i wouldnt recommend manual pulsing, but the pedal lets you go up and down as needed..observe the puddle..
Reply:Miller Diversion 180 I mean.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:I know you want a 110v capable machine, but you will get a lot more machine by spending the extra $224 and getting the Syncrowave 200 without the wheel kit especially if you wantto do alum.http://www.brweldingsupplies.com/sho...der-907308.cfmThe Diversion is underpowered for alum even on 220v power. On 110v power you will be able to do alum sheet metal and nothing else. You give up all the advanced features and can't stick weld with that machine. If you want a better choice and can do without AC for alum, I'd look into a Maxstar 150 instead. It's a much nicer DC tig than the Diversion 180. If you get the maxstar 150 STH you get more options than with the STL model, but the cost goes up some.http://www.brweldingsupplies.com/sho...-907135017.cfmYou can save some money by getting the bare machine and adding your own reg, torch and remote rather than getting the kit. I'm sure the sales people at one of the sites I listed can get you set up with everything you need..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:And I'm sure a few hundred up from those I can get better and better. I'm not welding for a living just for a hobby. Nothing thick and I didn't want to spend $1500-1600 in general. So I think the 180 will do more than what I need it do to and I don't think I'll be growing out of it. I'm going to get it and stick with it.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleAnd I'm sure a few hundred up from those I can get better and better. I'm not welding for a living just for a hobby. Nothing thick and I didn't want to spend $1500-1600 in general. So I think the 180 will do more than what I need it do to and I don't think I'll be growing out of it. I'm going to get it and stick with it.
Reply:Here is the video. My first narrated video so don't judge me too much. Damn flip camera screen is so small it's hard to see what your filming. [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kb3ap4A48m0[/ame]Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Originally Posted by jmtebbensI'm sorry, I just can't understand the "it needs to run on 110".
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleWell thank you sir. I will let you know once my friends come look at my house. They are electricians so I will see if they think it's going to be too much of a bitch to do or not.Stove and dryer are 110v
Reply:Originally Posted by MikeGyver... Hell tonight at a jobsite I was blasting in 1/8" 7018 @ 135amps with my Miller Maxstar 150 STH on a 20amp 120v line.
Reply:Thanks Rick.  I thought that looked off, but didn't have the time to work it out.I'm at HD right now:33.75 - 100A subpanel, includes 6 - 20A breakers32ish - depends on your current main panel, 100A two pole breaker1.91/ft - 2ga THHN stranded multiply distance by 3 (two hot legs and neutral)1.10/ft - 4ga THHN stranded, ground wire4.07/10ft - 1 1/2 PVC conduit8.99 - 50A outletObviously, the wire is the most expensive thing.  Take that out of the equation (because I would be happy to donate it to help out a fellow WW member) and you are looking at $150ish for a whole new 100A subpanel in your garage.  Think about that.I went further than that at home and installed a 25KVA transformer in my garage (take out from another job) and now have 480V single phase in my garage.  I can now run my XMT350 on a 30A breaker, grannted this not at max capacity, but I don't need that when I'm at home.  I also can feed my phase converter with 480V and run all sorts of nice heavy industrial, which is cheap, at my home.  No more driving to the shop at midnight because I came up with an idea and want to machine something quickly for work tomorrow.Just consider the options before you tie yourself into a 110V machine. /rant
Reply:Well, I tied myself into a Dynasty200. Been operating off a 20 amp 115volt service for year and a half now at various places but mostly at home when I take work home for the weekend. I can weld tons of items at 100 welding amps without incident all day long.Just picked up a generator for those items that I want to weld at 200 amps. Did so last weekend. It's a 5500 watt unit from Harbor Freight on sale for $479. The had a special going that gave me the 2 year warranty for free. Now I can have the ultimate in portability and do any job I want.The Diversion like the Dynasty is inverter type power supply. Really quite amazing. The only difference that I see is that the Diversion has a bit lower duty cycle, but is incredibly simple to operate. Preprogrammed settings get the new tigger off and running.There is absolutely nothing wrong with a 115volt welder as long as it is inverter. In fact no way I will ever buy a power hog transformer welder again.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 Rick VSorry, this is not possible.Acccording to the Miller sitehttp://www.millerwelds.com/pdf/spec_sheets/DC27-2.pdfInput Power.........................Amps Input at Rated Output...........Rated Welding Output230 VAC Stick...................21.6......................  .............................150 A at 26.0 VDC, 30% Duty Cycle115 VAC Stick 15 A..........17.4...................................  ................70 A at 22.8 VDC, 100% Duty Cycle115 VAC Stick 20 A...........26.4..................................  ................100 A at 24.0 VDC, 35% Duty CycleMaximum Input watts = 115 volts x 26.4 amps = 3036 wattsRated Output watts = 24.0 volts x 100 amps = 2400 wattsYou claim 135 amps output on stick (1/8 inch 7018) on a 20amp 120v line.To get 135 amps output, the output voltage would have to be ~25 volts.Output Power = 25 volts x 135 amp = 3375 wattsNote: your claimed output watts (3375) exceed the max input watts (3036 watts).Not Possible.According to the specs, operating on 115 volts this welder outputs 2400 watts from an input power of 3036 watts, an efficiency = 2400/3036 =79%.Even with 100% efficiency, the input amps on a 20 amp line would be = 3375 / 115 = 29.35 amps!  That's just not possible... unless you're macgyvering!
Reply:Just got back from the store with thisI must say it's FU**ING AMAZING!!! I have only used it for 5 minutes and very impressed. I had to try some aluminum to see what it's like. 90-100amps on 110v on a piece of scrap. I never welded any type of aluminum ever and got this on my first filler rod.I'm going to go through the book thatTorchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Stupid simple huh?That and you have the touch.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:Thanks, but I just lost the touch. Grabbed 2 other pieces of aluminum and I couldn't even get a bead. What is the best thing to use to clean the aluminum? I tried a flap wheel and wire brush with no luck. Also I'm on a red tungsten. And one other thing, I thought the tungsten was supposed to ball up when doing aluminum? Mine did not. Is that because it's red?Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:How thick was the alum and what were your settings on the machine?. The 2 lower beads look cold to me.An inverter usually will keep a point with red on AC better than a transformer machine will. It will form a ball, but usually only a small one at the tip.Best way to clean alum is with a stainless steel brush. In some cases you need to apply some elbow grease, not just swish it over the surface if the alum is heavily oxidised. A sanding disk will imbed Alum oxide from the paper into the surface and also usually smear the existing oxide rather than remove it. In some case you might need to be more aggressive to start and use sand paper if the alum is hevily coroded, but then you will still have to prep it right from there.Last edited by DSW; 07-14-2011 at 04:21 PM..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWI know you want a 110v capable machine, but you will get a lot more machine by spending the extra $224 and getting the Syncrowave 200 without the wheel kit especially if you wantto do alum.http://www.brweldingsupplies.com/sho...der-907308.cfmThe Diversion is underpowered for alum even on 220v power. On 110v power you will be able to do alum sheet metal and nothing else. You give up all the advanced features and can't stick weld with that machine. If you want a better choice and can do without AC for alum, I'd look into a Maxstar 150 instead. It's a much nicer DC tig than the Diversion 180. If you get the maxstar 150 STH you get more options than with the STL model, but the cost goes up some.http://www.brweldingsupplies.com/sho...-907135017.cfmYou can save some money by getting the bare machine and adding your own reg, torch and remote rather than getting the kit. I'm sure the sales people at one of the sites I listed can get you set up with everything you need.