New to TIG, 250ex first use

[Phill]

Well I have to say I'm impressed. I have been building a new garage, and what garage isn't complete without a tig? I was looking for a used Miller for awhile, and couldn't find anything worthwhile. I stumbled across Jody's videos on weldingtipsandtricks.com and thought I woul give Everlast a try.

I ordered a 250ex from your Canadian branch, along with water cooler, cart and wp-20 torch. Apon set-up there were a few minor things tell-tale from china like the instructions, the cart, too short of water cooler lines on the wp-20 torch to hook up ect... but all minor and fixed for less then 10$ at my local hardware store.

Once I fired the unit up, I was happy. I've never TIG welded before (welded oxy/acet lots though when I first learned 15 years ago), so I spent a hour or two practicing on steel and aluminum, and today did my first actual "structural" weld. All it was, was a mount for a shackle on a oxygen bottle cap so I can use my hoist to load/unload them, since I run only 330 Cuft bottles. I was impressed with my results.

So thanks guys, I appreciate the product, and wanted to say Jody there on weldingtipsandtricks basically sold me on the unit with his videos, probably worth keeping him happy.









My welding has a ways to go, but for less then 2 hrs seat time on a TIG, I'm happy.

[Jake98]

You must be a natural.. nice shop!

[zoama]

Welcome to the forum. I agree that nothing sells a product like a good video of it actually being used and how to use it. Join the latest contest ↓↓↓

[todmorg]

Watch the threads on the caps and tank, I almost knocked myself out once with the cap off a 100# LP tank. We always have 3 or 4 extra 100# tanks at the cabin, and the easiest way to check if there is gas in the tank is to grab the cap with both hands and try to lift the tank, if its empty it lifts kind of easy, if its full its pretty heavy. Well we had a tank with the cap screwed all the way on, so I tried to lift it, just about the time I was at full grunt, the cap popped off and drilled into my forehead ( I saw stars ).

CHECK YOUR THREADS!!!!!

[Phill]

haha Thats a good point, the cap was new (new threads) so as long as my tanks are good it should be fine. I always snug em up before I move them anyways.

[Buzz]

Looks like you did a good job for your first time. That Oxy/Ace experience really helps. And your garage is very nice, Id love to have a hoist but for now a wood floor with a pit is all I can afford.

[67cudafb]

Nice job but I am with todmorg about lifting tanks by the cap. I use nylon choker around tank to pick them up with hoist. Nice shop, how big is metal building? I built one a few years ago out back with help from good friends and family.

[hooda]

I'll echo everyone's sentiments so far by saying, excellent job. Questions: What size/type tungsten? Did you use pulse? Did you use 2t/4t with up/down slope or just pedal it? Cup size? Thanks in advance. I'm a relative newb with lots of O/A experience, too, with a new machine on the way, so this kind of info always helps. Thanks in advance, and please continue to post your projects as your ability advances. That garage is awesome by the way!!

[Grizzly1944]

I think the guy's a wringer.

Great Work!

[everlastsupport]

I would worry about the threads before the welds. Looks solid to me. Welcome to the forum. And yes, the O/A does help a lot starting out with TIG

[CGCINC]

Is that a Personal garage or a garage for a business? Very nice

[Phill]

Thanks guys , Tungsten was 3/32" 2% lanthinated, DC, No pulse, used foot pedal, 3/32 Er70S2 filler, amperage was set at 130, wih 1 second pre flow, and 5 post.

The garage is a personal garage thats been in the plans for years. 32x45' two 10x10 doors, all insulated R20, and 200 amp single phase panel with tons wired in. It's coming along nicely.

[CGCINC]

Thanks guys , The garage is a personal garage thats been in the plans for years. 32x45' two 10x10 doors, all insulated R20, and 200 amp single phase panel with tons wired in. It's coming along nicely.

That's not a garage...That's Heaven!!!!

[Jason]

I have had a shop like in the plans for a few years now to but they are still just that, plans.. Nice shop and I would love to have a lift that I could use anytime I felt the need or want. The TIG looks good, got any pictures of your aluminim welds?

[Mike J]

What you guys do not have shops like that?

My "man-cave" is 55'x25'x10.5' ceilings, two 16' doors, 200 Amp service, full 9000lb two post lift with raised ceiling section above the lift at 14' with six 4'x4' skylights for natural light - it was one of the primary reasons I bought the house 20 years ago. The raised section is recent (I had to replace the deck above the shop since it was 18 years old and leaking, so I decided to put the raised section in then - its 14' x 10' running on 14" x 8" glulam beams this summer).

Here is the funny part - I find it TOO SMALL! I have woodworking, metal working and automobile equipment/parts in the shop, and with a few cars as well, I just, well, run out of room. I am sure Phil will get there soon.

Ok, you can now start to kill me... lol!

OK, back to welding.....

Cheers,

Mike

[Phill]

I'm working on filling it up

I keep the car in the house two car garage, keeps it cleaner.

[Phill]

1/8" 6061 Aluminum, 120 amp, AC/DC, 30% cleaning, 100 hz frequency. No pulse, 3/32" 4043 filler rod, Argon.

It looks bad because I re-started in the middle, and was fiddling with rod feed rates for weld appearance. I really enjoy this, beats watching TV!

[Powertig]

Welcome to the Forum. You have a great shop. jealous here,but happy for you. you did a great job on that cap.

[Mike J]

Yeah, looks pretty good with the aluminum. I find the finishing part the hardest, I see you went a bit hot there, but nice job!

[Phill]

I always seem to end hot as well on aluminum. Is the trick to just feather off the foot pedal near the end, or should I do the whole thing slower with less amps, or faster with more amps? I used to weld 1/8" with ~135 amps on the machine, but found setting it at 120 gave me a better "domed" weld, but I still get hot at the end.