Newbie from the Northwest signing in!

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Hi,

New to everything welding - including this site! Hope to save enough to buy a welder for myself. Want to soak up as much information between now and then so that I'll be prepared to "lay down some bead" when I get some equipment!

[MigPlazArc]

Hi,

New to everything welding - including this site! Hope to save enough to buy a welder for myself. Want to soak up as much information between now and then so that I'll be prepared to "lay down some bead" when I get some equipment!

Welcome to the Everlast forum. What type(s) of welding are you planning to do? MIG, Stick, TIG?

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Welcome to the Everlast forum. What type(s) of welding are you planning to do? MIG, Stick, TIG?

Worst case possible - very, very green, hobbiest (for now!) no money, no place to weld indoors! That doesn't leave me with many options so I've decided stick but I'm not complaining as I'm loving just reading about welding let alone doing it (although I suspect I would *love* TIG)!

Hey, you are from Iowa. I went to Cedar Rapids a couple of times on work related trips. Not sure if they are still there but I believe Quaker Oats had a facility in Cedar Rapids. Loved the smell of cereal / oatmeal in the air first thing in the morning.

[everlastsupport]

You will want to look at the power arc series. The 200 is nice, stick unit and 6010 capable.

I am waiting on the new PA160STH Stick, TIG with HF start and runs one 110volts AC. That might be the machine to look at. You will need an argon tank though for the TIG. But you can stick until you get one.

[Rodsmachineshop]

Benjamin what part of Iowa lol i was born in Iowa lived in Waterloo. ceder falls and Nashua

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You will want to look at the power arc series. The 200 is nice, stick unit and 6010 capable.

I am waiting on the new PA160STH Stick, TIG with HF start and runs one 110volts AC. That might be the machine to look at. You will need an argon tank though for the TIG. But you can stick until you get one.

Yes, the 160sth - curse Everlast .... Been saving my pennies for the 140st - trying to keep the 160sth out of my mind as it is out of my budget. Major drooling. I shouldn't even be going there as the welder price is outside of my range and TIG will require the tank as you say, and the regulator, gas refill and another set of consumables .... But TIG looks so tempting to learn especially if there is HF start! Curse Everlast! Curse them! They seem to know my weaknesses.

[everlastsupport]

Yes, the 160sth - curse Everlast .... Been saving my pennies for the 140st - trying to keep the 160sth out of my mind as it is out of my budget. Major drooling. I shouldn't even be going there as the welder price is outside of my range and TIG will require the tank as you say, and the regulator, gas refill and another set of consumables .... But TIG looks so tempting to learn especially if there is HF start! Curse Everlast! Curse them! They seem to know my weaknesses.

No curse. Just read your post and put what "I" would do or recommend. And appears you know what you really want.

If you are on a budget, here are a couple ideas for you.

Talk to Oleg, I know margins are low on the new 160STH but he is pretty cool. Get him early in the week, not Friday afternoon.

True you will need a tank of argon, the consumables are not that much per pound. HF start a very nice feature. If no gauge comes with it, talk to Oleg about that when you order.

On the tank, while you save up the money, find a older MIG or TIG, with a tank, on craigslist local to you. Use the saved money to buy the set and then sell only the welder. Make sure the welder if one of two big names and someone will buy it even without the tank (done that a few times myself). Now you have a tank or lower cost tank, and your money back. Maybe more money. If not an argon tank, go to LWS and swap it. That will be $35-$75 for a fair to good size tanks.

ALSO, make sure the tank is within dates and owner tanks. If not an owner tank, make sure there's someone local that can fill it. Ask them questions, make sure you note where they live .

[undercut]

No curse. Just read your post and put what "I" would do or recommend. And appears you know what you really want.

If you are on a budget, here are a couple ideas for you.

Talk to Oleg, I know margins are low on the new 160STH but he is pretty cool. Get him early in the week, not Friday afternoon.

True you will need a tank of argon, the consumables are not that much per pound. HF start a very nice feature. If no gauge comes with it, talk to Oleg about that when you order.

On the tank, while you save up the money, find a older MIG or TIG, with a tank, on craigslist local to you. Use the saved money to buy the set and then sell only the welder. Make sure the welder if one of two big names and someone will buy it even without the tank (done that a few times myself). Now you have a tank or lower cost tank, and your money back. Maybe more money. If not an argon tank, go to LWS and swap it. That will be $35-$75 for a fair to good size tanks.

ALSO, make sure the tank is within dates and owner tanks. If not an owner tank, make sure there's someone local that can fill it. Ask them questions, make sure you note where they live .

All very good advice. Many thanks! May need to save up for a while to bump up to the 160sth. I'll see how well my savings are doing before I speak to Oleg. Don't want to get my hopes up only to find them dashed.

What do you mean about "within dates". In my area propane tanks can only be used if they are less than xx years old - regardless of condition. Is is like that? And with owner tanks, I'm not sure what's with that. I could google but you've got my mind racing now!

Thanks!

[everlastsupport]

All very good advice. Many thanks! May need to save up for a while to bump up to the 160sth. I'll see how well my savings are doing before I speak to Oleg. Don't want to get my hopes up only to find them dashed.

What do you mean about "within dates". In my area propane tanks can only be used if they are less than xx years old - regardless of condition. Is is like that? And with owner tanks, I'm not sure what's with that. I could google but you've got my mind racing now!

Thanks!

Main one is the tested date, if out that can get you another $25. I have to run out, but PM me a reminder and I will post up where is it at on most tanks.

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Main one is the tested date, if out that can get you another $25. I have to run out, but PM me a reminder and I will post up where is it at on most tanks.

Thanks to Mike R. (everlastsupport) for the following link:

http://www.airgas.com/content/detail...=7000000000243

[Brian Ski]

Main one is the tested date, if out that can get you another $25. I have to run out, but PM me a reminder and I will post up where is it at on most tanks.

Most are good for 10 years from the date marked. But if you swap tanks drop it off and pick up a filled one they usually don't check the dates. The place I go to told me it was $30 to get a tank tested, and that was quite a few years ago.

Usually if you swap the tanks they have to have the suppliers name on the neck. Or no name. The usually won't swap a competitors tank, but they might fill it.

[everlastsupport]

Most are good for 10 years from the date marked. But if you swap tanks drop it off and pick up a filled one they usually don't check the dates. The place I go to told me it was $30 to get a tank tested, and that was quite a few years ago.

Usually if you swap the tanks they have to have the suppliers name on the neck. Or no name. The usually won't swap a competitors tank,
but they might fill it.

They, by law, can not fill the competitions tank (Right. Law According to PraxAir). I wish we had those guys around here that would. PraxAir would get almost none of my money. But my owner tanks and WSI tanks all get filled there. Can you tell I have one Prax tank I have to deal with (250CF always Stargon inside).

But Brain is right in most areas. If you use the same place for refills, they will generally not charge you on an older tank as they probably gave it to you on a swap. They swap tanks, you tell them you refilled it a month ago and it it 10 years old now.

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They, by law, can not fill the competitions tank (Right. Law According to PraxAir). I wish we had those guys around here that would. PraxAir would get almost none of my money. But my owner tanks and WSI tanks all get filled there. Can you tell I have one Prax tank I have to deal with (250CF always Stargon inside).

But Brain is right in most areas. If you use the same place for refills, they will generally not charge you on an older tank as they probably gave it to you on a swap. They swap tanks, you tell them you refilled it a month ago and it it 10 years old now.

So if I purchase an empty one from, say, Harbor Freight, it is an "owner tank"? OK, time to check out Craigslist and gas suppliers!

[everlastsupport]

So if I purchase an empty one from, say, Harbor Freight, it is an "owner tank"? OK, time to check out Craigslist and gas suppliers!

My Harbor Freight only has small MC type tanks. Nothing big enough. Get a 125 or bigger, anything smaller will cost you time and money. I would go 250 myself if you think you will be doing a lot of welding. Make sure it is an owner tank though.

[everlastsupport]

Well, here is what comes with the 160STH. I just heard they're are under $500. Small and cool.

It has a case, welder, stinger, clamp, WP-17 torch (and cups/collet kit) and a flow meter.

You just need an AC plug (going 30 amp twist lock for a generator), consumables (filler) and argon tank.

Opened the top of the small box (small for our products)

Packed by small hands.

everything out.

I was able to put it all back in the case. A portable TIG, stick if the environment is not suitable for gas. Runs on 110volts or generator at 220.

WP17 might get replaced. Otherwise a nice little package, you are HF start TIG welding for $470 plus a tank.

[Rodsmachineshop]

like the welder but would toss the case and get something more sturdy with foam padding inside to protect welder or line the case with foam

[everlastsupport]

No plug on it yet. Son is not here and I am old. So no rush on my part.

Yea, the lack of foam, had scratches on the bezel, then I scratched it some more putting it in and out. Not that it affects welding.

Has post flow, amps, TIF/stick and HF/lift switch. Really simple and all I would need for thinner steel TIG. The size is the cool part, and I have a couple small tanks of argon so I will throw a 125 in the back of the truck this weekend maybe and go play. Have a diesel inline 6 to an impeller that needs some help. Was gonna MIG it. But might TIG it if the weather is right.

Front panel. Simple. Purge gas by hand, like I always do, it has post flow, perfect.
Has a shoulder strap, but I might opt to just carry it and the leads over the case.
But with the case you can drop in the flow meter, filler, electrodes, tungsten, wrench/screw driver, etc.. OK, keep the case.


The TIG-160STH On top of the IMIG 205 and it's above a 250EX
This thing is small like the 200 and the PA200.


These two belong together. What a couple.
Actually, to give an idea of the size.