powertig 225lx

[revkev6]

I've been using my powertig 225lx off and on since I bought it on last years black friday sale. I've had no issues at all with it and have been teaching myself to tig weld with it. I've welded everything from sheetmetal patches on my 32 ford to driveshafts to aluminum practice pieces. my only regret is that I didn't have the money at the time to buy the 250ex!

thanks guys been a great machine so far!

[performance]

Curious, what do you think you're missing on the lx that you'd get an advantage with the 250EX?

[revkev6]

Curious, what do you think you're missing on the lx that you'd get an advantage with the 250EX?

to be honest, nothing that I've actually had a need for yet. The only real reason I wished I was able to get the 250ex is the value. the wider range of functions, and the slight increase in amperage for only a moderate cost increase I feel I would have gotten even more for my money. the wider range of ac balance and pulse frequency seemed like a useful feature in certain circumstances.

my actual use of the machine at this point has been very limited in range of requirements, so there has been no need for me to even use those features anyway. (100% steel so far besides practice)

[zoama]

The most popular machines should have a higher resale value as well.

[performance]

I would say the 225LX is the best value that we have when you consider price and function. In terms of regular function, you gain nothing. Those panel features don't mean a thing unless you are using the torch switch...but even then most of the control functions are there, just missing a programmable start/end amps. The AC balance issue does give marginal improvement, but its to the point of being impractical. Can't do much at 90% EP. The pulse frequency is sufficient to work the puddle manually. The benefit of having 500 hz pulse frequency is mostly maximized only with automatic welding equipment. As for the spot timer, I rarely have found anyone who uses it...though I have used it myself. I know its human nature to always want the next nicest thing available...but objectively, from a price/feature/performance standpoint the 225 lx is probably the best deal we have.

[revkev6]

I would say the 225LX is the best value that we have when you consider price and function. In terms of regular function, you gain nothing. Those panel features don't mean a thing unless you are using the torch switch...but even then most of the control functions are there, just missing a programmable start/end amps. The AC balance issue does give marginal improvement, but its to the point of being impractical. Can't do much at 90% EP. The pulse frequency is sufficient to work the puddle manually. The benefit of having 500 hz pulse frequency is mostly maximized only with automatic welding equipment. As for the spot timer, I rarely have found anyone who uses it...though I have used it myself. I know its human nature to always want the next nicest thing available...but objectively, from a price/feature/performance standpoint the 225 lx is probably the best deal we have.

which given the money I had available (even that was a stretch for me) is why I got the 225lx. to be honest, I don't even need a tig but my father and brother both have decent mig welders if I needed to use one. I figured spending a little extra on a tig would benefit all of us. After getting the machine though, I have found the ability to control the heat so finitely to be the best part of having the machine. I've been able to weld up some pinholes in sheetmetal that I would NEVER consider doing with a mig. My biggest problem has been that I tend to rush through my projects. I don't take the time to prep, I try run the bead to fast, I don't wait to cool etc.

as for the frequency and pulse width, I watched the videos from weldingtipsandtricks.com and saw the benefits that could be had by changing them in certain situations. How much would you use those features in real life?? probably not often at all but I'm sure if I knew that certain feature I didn't spend a little extra for would make my life easier ...... well that always sucks lol

[hooda]

This thread has helped firm up my decision to get the 250EX. Why? Well, when I re-did the tailgate in my F250, The spot timer would have come in handy, plus having the xtra balance range, and pulse range will, in my humble opinion, serve me well as learning tools more than anything. Plus the extra amps/duty cycle. Hey, some people say a couple hundred dollars MORE than..... I say even at that, it's 1/3 the price of....

[performance]

Hooda,

Honestly...The extra cleaning range for aluminum is NOT necessary. It is of no real benefit to 99.9% of the welds. In fact, the range is virtually useless over 60% due to the balling. 10% isn't going to cut it very much unless the aluminum is perfectly clean. 25 amps aren't going to help you that much either. Not that I am trying to talk you out of the 250EX. If things go as planned the new 225 lx's will have an increased pulse setting...But again, plenty of high end welds are made every day without the benefit of ANY of these features.

[geezer]

I'm getting a bit tired of people blowing off the spot welding feature on the 250EX as though it was some kind of useless appendage, if they have ever worked in a body shop of a small sheet metal outfit fabricating they would soon learn that all the cars and trucks and many many other items are spot welded not continuous welded, sure you can spot weld with a 225lx but who wants to count one thousand and one one thousand and two, for eight hours a day , with the 250EX you set the machine up and pull the triigger and go. Jody overlooked the spot weld feature on the 250 EX when he did his video's, too bad. The 225 lx is a good machine at a good price but the 250EX is the top of the line with all the features, that's why I have one.

[DVA]

I'm getting a bit tired of people blowing off the spot welding feature on the 250EX as though it was some kind of useless appendage, if they have ever worked in a body shop of a small sheet metal outfit fabricating they would soon learn that all the cars and trucks and many many other items are spot welded not continuous welded, sure you can spot weld with a 225lx but who wants to count one thousand and one one thousand and two, for eight hours a day , with the 250EX you set the machine up and pull the triigger and go. Jody overlooked the spot weld feature on the 250 EX when he did his video's, too bad. The 225 lx is a good machine at a good price but the 250EX is the top of the line with all the features, that's why I have one.

I would say that a spot weld timer is very helpful. I have this on my Miller 252 welder and it is nice to make consistent tacks with out thinking. Best of all with a tig welder you can make these tacks with out filler material.

I was at a sheet metal shop and saw some computer boxes they were welding together that had about 20" seam welds of around 20 inches on six of the edges. The 16 Gage box was tack welded with a tig welder with no filler material. This allows to ensure that the project is square before seam welding and no grinding required on the tack welds. I would half to agree with geezer that a spot welder timer is a great benefit.

[everlastsupport]

The spot timer for a mockup and tacking is nice and works well.

However, if you are on a budget or do not really need the feature, you press the trigger, watch, let go. Works just as well with little extra effort. Note, the 250EX also has other features. The buyer really just needs to research the features and ask some questions. They will get lots of answers for sure.