256 duty cycle

[Blaze]

Looking for the duty cycle of the 256 at less than max. I found 250 amps@35%, but I am looking for lower amp duty cycles. 60% and 100% duty cycle amps? Trying to decide between the 256 and the 250ex. Thanks for any help.

[Rodsmachineshop]

if doing some heavy welding get the 250 ex . i really don't like multi unit welders the 250ex has a 100 percent duty cycle at 200 amps

[geezer]

I wouldn't make a choice based on duty cycle for either one,,,to my knowledge there isn't anyone out there that has had either machine hit it's limit on the duty cycle and had to give it a rest,,,even if they did,,,how many welding jobs does a person do to make that an issue..the 250 EX has a larger dutycycle due to it's simlicity compared to the 256 which has more components for the plasma feature etc....I would make a choice on features and requirements, budget etc,,my choice was the 250Ex and separate plasma unit,,,haven't looked back since,,,what ever choice you make will be a good one,,,

[Rodsmachineshop]

I have hit the limit but i weld aluminum cylinder heads even fried a torch lead because forgot to turn water cooler on lol . Just like Geezer i have a separate plasma since dont like switching leads

[undercut]

Personally, I try to keep to discreet (separate) units as well. Fewer parts in each to go wrong and if one dies, it doesn't take the other with it. It is an age-old problem, go with a multi and save a bit of money and floor space or go separate, keep things simple and don't intertwine the well being of one unit to the other. My two cents. Best of luck with your decision!

[geezer]

I have hit the limit but i weld aluminum cylinder heads even fried a torch lead because forgot to turn water cooler on lol . Just like Geezer i have a separate plasma since dont like switching leads

I used to be able to do things all day long,,,but 3 1/2 minutes is a long time,,,welding is like sex we think we can go to the limit,, but my girlfriend knows better..and I power out before my welder does too,

[undercut]

I used to be able to do things all day long,,,but 3 1/2 minutes is a long time,,,welding is like sex we think we can go to the limit,, but my girlfriend knows better..and I power out before my welder does too,

Hehe, a bit too much information there but an excellent point. I don't have jobs that would require me to weld continuously for that long but I do take a big difference in duty cycle as an indication of the overall robustness of the engineering of the machine - but only if the difference is pretty big like 30% duty compared to 60%.

[undercut]

Hehe, a bit too much information there but an excellent point. I don't have jobs that would require me to weld continuously for that long but I do take a big difference in duty cycle as an indication of the overall robustness of the engineering of the machine - but only if the difference is pretty big like 30% duty compared to 60%.

Oh, and only if comparing duty cycles for products from the same manufacturer.

[Blaze]

Thank you all for your views, appreciate the advice.. The 250EX sounds like the better way to go.

[undercut]

Thank you all for your views, appreciate the advice.. The 250EX sounds like the better way to go.

That's a great looking machine. Don't think you can go too far wrong with that choice.

[fdcmiami]

Thank you all for your views, appreciate the advice.. The 250EX sounds like the better way to go.

i own a 250 EX; i use it soley for welding aluminum and it works great. absolutely no complaints here.

[everlastsupport]

Hey Blaze,

I use the 250EX as well. Great welder, can handle the heat (point fdcmiami is making and good duty cycle 100%/200amps).

The 250EX is my current TIG over the years with Everlast (and I also work for Everlast). I have a 160STH as well (110/220volts, HF start, DC only, small and dirt cheap) aka portable TIG.

Now I'll tell you I've used the 250LX (no longer sold) and 225LX for years and was never disappointed. 250EX gets you more power for a little more money.

You have a lot of room here, the new 200DX now has all the features of, just not all the extra power of the 250EX.

Like Geezer said to Rod. Budget, space, workload, type work, needs. You have to pick what fits your needs. Also, I don't like to swap from plasma to TIG as well so I have never owned a multi-process unit. But if it's for a hobby, the PP256, you get a lot for the price, takes up less space. The 256 has a lot of fans too.

We do a lot of welding (few times a day), not a ton of TIG, but the 250EX has never done a bad job for us. The 256 will weld the exact same way, same features and plasma. Just not as heavy duty. But we weld a lot, not as just a hobby and prefer separate tools for the job.

Hope that helps.

[fdcmiami]

one of the things that sold me on the unit, other than the video on youtube, was the fact that it fits perfectly in the forward compartment of the utility body on my work truck. i also have a miller xmt 350 on board that i have secured in an angle frame but i remove when the truck is parked and i am away from the vehicle. if i have to i put it in the front seat and lock the doors. the EX can stay locked inside the box, out of sight.


yes i like the 250 for the extra amps it delivers. the extra power is a big deal when welding aluminum. i hardly ever use a foot pedal in the field, my torches for the ex; wp20/26 are set up with on/off (rocker) switches. i don't have a pic of the EX inside the compartment of the truck, in this photo i am using it as a stick welder doing repairs on a rolloff truck; i wanted to see how it operated off of a generator. it did just fine. i guess it's not accurate to say i use it only for aluminum; tomorrow and monday i am doing a bunch of repair work to a couple of AL workboats and i'll be using it on that job along with a spool gun.

i am considering buying a 160STH; just waiting to see some feedback.

christ, where the heck did soley come from. lol

.

[performance]

It's 60% at 200 amps, and 100% at 160.

[undercut]

i am considering buying a 160STH; just waiting to see some feedback.

Nice setup you've got there. If you don't mind me asking, why the 160sth? Because it is a small, portable stick machine with the right maximum amperage, because of its HF start tig or a combination of the two?

[fdcmiami]

i want it only for it's ability to run off of 110. it would replace a unit i sold earlier this year that was out of warranty. i have an extra 9 flexhead that i can use with it.

[everlastsupport]

Same reason I went with it, for the 110vac and 90+ amps on the 110. Down side is no AC and the torch is NOT a WP-9 flex .

Also, HF start on the TIG if I wanted to do thinner TIG with it was a thought (case I find a pack of razor blades somewhere).

I was totally shocked it had full foot pedal control with it (I will never use it, I had to hook it up and see).

So for a "starter" TIG machine for a price you can not beat, this is the machine (minus aluminum). Great if you are 220vac outlet challenged as well.

For the guy making the cash welding, it will run on 110volts and might open a door for more money. You can weld anywhere inside or out stick wise.

[Rambozo]

You can weld anywhere inside or out stick wise.

Well I'm on a train at the moment, and even though there are 120 volt outlets, I get the feeling Amtrak would not be too pleased if I pulled out a welding machine and started burning rods. Although you never know, there is someone running a tattoo gun at the other end of the car.

[fdcmiami]

one of the things that sold me on the unit, other than the video on youtube, was the fact that it fits perfectly in the forward compartment of the utility body on my work truck. i also have a miller xmt 350 on board that i have secured in an angle frame but i remove when the truck is parked and i am away from the vehicle. if i have to i put it in the front seat and lock the doors. the EX can stay locked inside the box, out of sight.


yes i like the 250 for the extra amps it delivers. the extra power is a big deal when welding aluminum. i hardly ever use a foot pedal in the field, my torches for the ex; wp20/26 are set up with on/off (rocker) switches. i don't have a pic of the EX inside the compartment of the truck, in this photo i am using it as a stick welder doing repairs on a rolloff truck; i wanted to see how it operated off of a generator. it did just fine. i guess it's not accurate to say i use it only for aluminum; tomorrow and monday i am doing a bunch of repair work to a couple of AL workboats and i'll be using it on that job along with a spool gun.

i am considering buying a 160STH; just waiting to see some feedback.


.

just in case anyone thinks that i don't see the value in amp control switches, either torch mounted or foot pedal style, i own an east/west, and a north/south switch. i also had a slider but it seems to have found a new home. they are rolled loose and can be zip tied onto a torch if i need them. i also have two foot pedals, one for the EX and one for my other miller equipment. i don't like the adjustments on the torch mounted switches, both are a pain to use. for the most part the on off switch will suit me but if it doesn't i will change it out right away.

[ArcRay]

Just wondering???

If the 250EX has duty cycle of 60%@200 amps and the PP256 has a duty cycle of 35% @ 250Amps what is the duty cycle of the of the PP256 @ @200amps??

From what I understand duty cycle changes as the demand on the machine does.
Also wondering if the duty cycle parameters are calibrated at the manufacture under the familiar standard of 10 Min @40 deg??

I can't seem to find any info beyond the 35%@ 250 amps in the Manual for the PP256???

Waiting for My own PP256 .. according to Fed Ex's estimate, it should be here tomorrow.