2013 200DX 240 Volt Version First Impressions

[cbmkr]

After a few hours of playing with the New model 200DX i am impressed, ( I had my Son In Law under a hood also first time tig welder ) Had a little setback with the pre flow knob set to high ( Mark Set me straight on that) Tried some passes on 11 ga Aluminum The machine had a very smooth and stable arc, Had to set the heat lower than i was used to with the 185, 95 amps was too hot with the 200DX settled on 75 amps and it did well. We tried some .095 Mild Steel tubing for exhaust and settled on around 65 amps. I also tried some .025 and .030 aluminum with the pulse setting and had good success keeping warpage to a minimum on the thinner sheet. I will have a little more time in tomorrow afternoon to try some more applications and see how the 200DX performs.

So far it's a Great Machine.

[Gwaltnak]

Did I read correctly that you were using this DC machine on aluminum? How did it do? I'm new to tig, and thought you had to use AC for Aluminum.

[Rambozo]

Did I read correctly that you were using this DC machine on aluminum? How did it do? I'm new to tig, and thought you had to use AC for Aluminum.

The 200DX is an AC/DC machine.

[zedron]

Did I read correctly that you were using this DC machine on aluminum? How did it do? I'm new to tig, and thought you had to use AC for Aluminum.

I doubt he used DC for alum. I just don't think he mentioned that he changed the setting over to AC since it is an AC/DC machine.

[cbmkr]

Sorry i did not mention it , AC for Aluminum and DC for Steel, I did change over the stick holder to a Tweco as this is all i have used for 40 years. I have some stick work to do this weekend and will post the results on that ,weather permitting .

[Trip59]

Sorry i did not mention it , AC for Aluminum and DC for Steel, I did change over the stick holder to a Tweco as this is all i have used for 40 years. I have some stick work to do this weekend and will post the results on that ,weather permitting .

Which Tweco, I can't get used to the screw type clamp myself either. Have you found a brand you prefer over others?

[cbmkr]

Tweco A-532 rod holder , has the different angles along with straight.

[DaveO]

Which Tweco, I can't get used to the screw type clamp myself either. Have you found a brand you prefer over others?

Sadder but wiser voice of experience: I got what I paid for when I went cheap online and bought a stinger. It has the angled slots that cbmkr mentions but the jaws don't actually touch, and there's enough of a gap that I'm not sure it would hold a 1/16" rod, for instance. I was so annoyed with it I didn't even attempt to install it. So it may be worthwhile to go with a name or at least hold the thing before you buy.

[Kempy]

Yes and this can change a little if you use 100% Argon or 100% Co2 or argon Co2 mixes and then a little Helium mix changes thing again or the size of wire to thickness of steel, aluminum or grade of material to many variables or as Rambozo put it as a good start is baseline 1 amp per .001" on most material but aluminum alloys change alot on types of welders and now with welding advancements as Advanced Squarewave, Soft Squarewave,Sinewave and Triangle Wave with AC balance and in AC Frequency with Independent AC EP-EN or EN-EP then comes the type of Tungstens that change things again. Welding is so much fun. I learn new things weekly some times daily every day it changes like yesterday I welded 1/4 armor plate.

[performance]

Kempy,

You won't be welding TIG if you use so much as a smidgeon of CO2. It jsut ain't gonna happen.

[Odyknuck]

So I understand I could weld 3/8" aluminum with the 200DX if I pre heat the material? I ask because I am in the process of deciding on buying a TIG machine. I am down to the 200DX and the 250EX. I do not want to find myself with a machine that is under powered. At this point I do not know if I will ever need to weld 1/2" thick aluminum however would be nice if needed and I had the proper welder. Decisions, decisions!

[bswinn]

My understanding (please someone with more experience chime in and correct me if I'm wrong) is that the thickness ratings on most welders are for "one pass" welding. Meaning the 200DX should be able to do 3/8" Aluminum with one pass. If you go any thicker you'll need to do multiple passes.

Like I said...I very well could be wrong but that is my understanding of all the "suggested thickness" ratings.

[cbmkr]

So happens i was working on a fence bracket for a machine in the wood shop and was adding a 3/8" flat to a piece of 3/8" x 3" flat bar. 200DX was flawless heated up quick made short work of the weld. 160 amps 15cf gas 1/8" 4043 filler. Maybe Mark or someone can shed some light on the thickness rating. But as far as i am concerned for what i am doing it will be just fine on 3/8"

.

[vicrc]

If your even thinking 1/2" aluminum, I would go for the 250EX.

I was only thinking 1/8" and thinner material and settled on the 200DX because it had some features that I wanted that would work with thinner stuff like pulse, it just so happen I wanted to make some slightly heavy tooling stuff and did some 1/4" plates and machine did excellent.

[Kempy]

Thanks for correction I guess I should have said in general the new style weld work different then old ones with Tig gases and Mig gases.

Kempy,

You won't be welding TIG if you use so much as a smidgeon of CO2. It jsut ain't gonna happen.