I bought a 200DX welder a week ago....

[225]

I have done some steel, and steel is super easy compared to aluminum.

Well I have been practicing everyday for about 20-30 minutes.

Here is about 2 hours of practice. Just to say, when I first started, I couldn't even get a arc without blowing the tungsten off. LOL.

[Rodsmachineshop]

looking good

[225]

looking good

Thanks! Anything I am doing wrong?

[Rodsmachineshop]

not really just welds a little wider when coming to end but it look good , it get wider at end because your aluminum gets hotter while welding so need to back off on pedal a little when aluminum is heated up

[Winky]

Not to get off topic but yours is a 2012 model right? I've been told the control panel is different from last year’s model could you please post a picture of the controls … I’m planning on buying one and I’m curious as to how it appears … thanks in advance ... by the way your bead looks great ... no porosity nice and even … really looks awesome.
Winky B.

[225]

Not to get off topic but yours is a 2012 model right? I've been told the control panel is different from last year’s model could you please post a picture of the controls … I’m planning on buying one and I’m curious as to how it appears … thanks in advance ... by the way your bead looks great ... no porosity nice and even … really looks awesome.
Winky B.

Thanks. Mine isn't the 2012 machine, I think. But I will post a pic for you in a minute.

[225]

[Winky]

Thanks. Mine isn't the 2012 machine, I think. But I will post a pic for you in a minute.

Ah ... you must be right ... was told there was an up slope adj ... evidently not on yours. When in 2T or 4T is the preset up slope adequite for your needs? Pedal control is better anyway. Even if there is no upslope control I'm ganna buy the 200DX ... looks like a sweet machine.

[Rodsmachineshop]

I put a slot machine arm on the side of my tig machine lol. I pull the handle and all the knobs spin and were they stop at' is what i weld at lol

[Winky]

I put a slot machine arm on the side of my tig machine lol. I pull the handle and all the knobs spin and were they stop at' is what i weld at lol

Does your machine ever spit out quarters? Let me know if it does and I'll put slot machine arms on all of my equipment ... LMAO

[Rodsmachineshop]

lol no just spits out penny's lol

[ncsugrad2006]

Ah ... you must be right ... was told there was an up slope adj ... evidently not on yours. When in 2T or 4T is the preset up slope adequite for your needs? Pedal control is better anyway. Even if there is no upslope control I'm ganna buy the 200DX ... looks like a sweet machine.

New one is only available in Canada at the moment. It will be later this year before it's available here, last I read.

I can't remember exactly when though. I can't decide whether to go ahead and get a 200DX, wait for the new one or get something a little bigger now so I get more features and don't have to wait.

Also, to the original poster: If I can make beads like that on aluminum after 2 hours, I will be ecstatic. Much previous welding experience?

[Winky]

New one is only available in Canada at the moment. It will be later this year before it's available here, last I read.

I can't remember exactly when though. I can't decide whether to go ahead and get a 200DX, wait for the new one or get something a little bigger now so I get more features and don't have to wait.

Also, to the original poster: If I can make beads like that on aluminum after 2 hours, I will be ecstatic. Much previous welding experience?

Thanks ... I will be making an upgrade soon and I have had my heart set on the 200DX so I will probably go ahead and get that one ... I probably will be doing most of my welding with the pedal ... I'm curious as to what the preset up-slope setting is in the triggered mode.

[225]

Also, to the original poster: If I can make beads like that on aluminum after 2 hours, I will be ecstatic. Much previous welding experience?

I am 33. When I was 18, I was certified in pipe welding using stick. But now I am so horrible at stick welding, I won't show my work on here.

I am familiar with welding. Haven't touched it in 10+ years. Never touched a TIG torch until last week.


Thanks for the compliment.

[Rodsmachineshop]

I like stick welding but i stick weld everything thicker than 1/2 inch since i know it will be a deep weld

[ncsugrad2006]

Thanks ... I will be making an upgrade soon and I have had my heart set on the 200DX so I will probably go ahead and get that one ... I probably will be doing most of my welding with the pedal ... I'm curious as to what the preset up-slope setting is in the triggered mode.

I believe Jodi at weldingtipsandtricks.com has a video on that that shows it very well. It's basically exactly what it sounds like, where when you hit the trigger on the torch it slows ramps up the amperage over however long the machine is set for (assuming this one is adjustable, I can't remember for sure whether it is or isn't). That way you get the benefit of being able to ramp amperage up and the beginning and down at the end without using a foot pedal.

Here's a page on it, but can't find the video

http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/...ngs-part3.html

[Winky]

I believe Jodi at weldingtipsandtricks.com has a video on that that shows it very well. It's basically exactly what it sounds like, where when you hit the trigger on the torch it slows ramps up the amperage over however long the machine is set for (assuming this one is adjustable, I can't remember for sure whether it is or isn't). That way you get the benefit of being able to ramp amperage up and the beginning and down at the end without using a foot pedal.

Here's a page on it, but can't find the video

http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/...ngs-part3.html

Thanks ... I've seen the video ... Jodi is great ... love his web site. What I was wondering ... on the model of the 200DX that only has a down slope control ... is an internal preset so when you fire up the torch in 2t 4t the arc doesn't start up with it's full intensity ... this could creat issues with thin metal.

[ncsugrad2006]

Thanks ... I've seen the video ... Jodi is great ... love his web site. What I was wondering ... on the model of the 200DX that only has a down slope control ... is an internal preset so when you fire up the torch in 2t 4t the arc doesn't start up with it's full intensity ... this could creat issues with thin metal.

I believe it does have a preset of some sort. I think I saw it on the webpage where you can buy that model, or maybe it's on the page that compares the different models.

[Winky]

I believe it does have a preset of some sort. I think I saw it on the webpage where you can buy that model, or maybe it's on the page that compares the different models.

Thanks ... I'll have another look.