NOOB, just hit the enter key on Amazon for the 210XT
Hi everyone. I've been doing the research for weeks on this site and Jody's videos. Decided to take the plunge, and just went with the 210EXT.
My welding history is limited, did some stick welding in HS (40 years ago), but went to a technical HS, so it was fairly in depth, with other mettalurgy and shop skills. Actually, it has all come back, an dnow building on that knowledge. Already have a couple of chinesse welders (MIG/TG) from Northern, and I hate to admit it, but the venerable HF Flux core wire welder. I still use it for outdoor repairs where neatness does not count. Been doing a lot of old school tig, with no controls, but am totally hooked on it. Have done some aluminum MIG on trailers and odds and ends.
Strictly a hobby user, my prime objective is fabrication of aluminum and steel for sports cars, and a restoration of a 1972 International Scout (MIG for most of the sheet metal work, TIG for inside the engine compartment, Aluminum radiator, shrouding, suspension parts, and roll cage).
My logic for the 210EXT was that I will be doing Aluminum, but not real thick stuff, mostly very thin sheetmetals, and some thin stainless, and thought the waveform control of the 210EXT would trump the 250EX's high end power (I could always use some helium mix if I need to tackle really thick stuff). Actually, works out to the same cost, once you factor out the needed water cooler for the 250EX. Price was right, and there was no way that I would have gone Blue for a hobby user. Only drawback I see on the 210EXT is the funky LED segment display, but I can probably learn to live with it. Understanding it is a little quieter than the 200-250EX series, and slightly more compact (not a big deal on size). I actually got to play with both the miller Dynasty, Diversion, and Lincol v205 at a local shop. The Miller is a little more dated, but the Lincoln and Everlast 210EXT approach while confusing at first is actually pretty usable. The memories are a bug plus IMHO. I wanted control of the up and down slope, vs being dependant on the pedal, and the way the EX product line is that ruled out the 200DX, and put me in the 225 250EX with the required water cooler. Same range as the 210EXT.
The unit will arrive tomorrow (Love Amazon for convenience and return policy). I will do some video's and photos of th packaging and set up over the next few weeks.
