First try on Aluminum with my brand new 200DX

[Finhead]

Just bought a 200DX

[Rodsmachineshop]

looks good yes lol messed up once too the torch is neg for aluminum

[sportbike]

Looks good. Try a bead with about 60hz AC frequency, it may wet in a little more and give you a slightly flatter bead (although the 3/32 filler makes it a bit tougher to make a low profile bead)

[Brian Ski]

I would be very happy if my welds would look like that. (when I get a TIG). To me that looks quite nice for a beginner. Congrats on the purchase.

[Finhead]

Thanks for the comments and advise, I'll try the lower hz tonight.
Anyone have any info on the other settings at all? The Balance and the Arc Force, those look ok?
I guess a lot will come with seat time I'm sure.

[sportbike]

I don't think the Arc Force does anything unless in Stick (SMAW) mode.

Th balance is to promote cleaning / penetration when welding aluminum or magnesium on AC. Looks like you already have it at max penetration, min cleaning (fully counterclockwise).

If you have dirty material, you can turn the knob a bit more clockwise to help with the etching (the white frosty area around the weld). This is electrical de-oxidizing of the weld area. More cleaning (more clockwise) will etch teh surface more, but will also penetrate less, and tend to heat the tungsten more.

I have used a tip from Jakeru on dirty castings: increase the cleaning and make a quick pass over the weld area, then turn it down and make the weld. This limits the amount of "smut" that makes the welding difficult.

[Finhead]

Thanks, just found that info on the forum (about the arc force) , guess I should search first.lol

[Billspec]

Great first beads! Keep it up!

[jakeru]

Looks great for first weld beads. You've got them fairly consistent, and fairly straight. And with a minimum (if any?) of tungsten dips.
Looks like your shielding gas setup is all working nicely.
Looks like you've got your balance knob turned to the proper position. (all the way counter clockwise )

A few minor things you could think about if you try this again:
Try to make the beads straighter (although they're pretty straight.)
Try tapering off the current when solidifying the very last droplet to try and get rid of the slight dimple/crater (but don't get too hung up on it, it's not too severe.)

But, I think you could move on to thinner material, and some butt welds.

[Finhead]

Thanks for the tips.

[Titan winch]

Finead are you
Alberta or BC ?????
You have to be Canadian because you have a new model 200dx and i have only sent 2 South of the Border so it is easy to keep track.
Welds look good hope your enjoying the learning curve
Cheers
Duncan

[Finhead]

Just need to get myself 100% on all the settings and figure out the frosting area around the weld, seems fairly large on the outside edge.

[Titan winch]

Finhead i see you have removed all your pictures.
I am not sure why you will not accept my offer of a full refund if you feel the welder is malfunctioning. Why sell it as a used welder if you feel it is not working correctly?? Why not just let me send you a return label and refund you the purchase and shipping costs???.. As far as the discount on the welding cart and free shipping you can keep that . just return the welder .
cheers
Duncan

[Finhead]

As I said in the last email I don't want you to do any favors for me any longer.
I asked for help in figuring this out maybe get some support or whatever, work something out. You basiaclly wanted to wash your hands of the deal and not help and tell me I was wrong that you tested the welder yoursself before sending it out (you shipped it in 20min which was awesome but tested it out before hand?) and it was perfect.
So I'll take that for what it is a lesson learned and move on to a different brand as you suggested to me through email.
Done deal, and thank you for the outstand support.

[Titan winch]

As I said in the last email I don't want you to do any favors for me any longer.
I asked for help in figuring this out maybe get some support or whatever, work something out. You basiaclly wanted to wash your hands of the deal and not help and tell me I was wrong that you tested the welder yoursself before sending it out (you shipped it in 20min which was awesome but tested it out before hand?) and it was perfect.
So I'll take that for what it is a lesson learned and move on to a different brand as you suggested to me through email.
Done deal, and thank you for the outstand support.

First you are assuming i did not do any testing untill it was sold. This is not the case .We test units daily to go through all stock and not just as they are sold. So please do not assume this.
Second you keep qouting 3/8" overlap for etching when clearly the pictures you have now removed show different.
Thirdly you started asking about the 250EX and then the PP205 ,at that time i informed you there would be a charge for shipping back and $120 restocking as the unit is now used and no longer NEW .
you went from SUPER HAPPY in the morning to not happy in the Afternoon to a fault with the welder the following morning.
you complained about the costs involved in upgrading and YOU SAID YOU WOULD SELL IT AND BUY DIFFERENT BRAND .

[Finhead]

I did the test as Ray said to and it made a huge difference as I told you the etch was almost totally gone. He said if it did that then the unit pot/unit was most likely the issue which I told you. You then just wanted to refund and have me buy a different brand, your words not mine. I was contect to drop this and move on to something else as it seems I was getting no where with this, mine as well cut my loses and move on life is to short to be fighting with something that is going to get you no where. Oh and at no time did I complain about the cost of upgrading I actually said can I pay the difference and upgrade to something that may work better, you should really reread my messages.