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Thread: Looking for advice on getting started with a 200DX

  1. #1

    Default Looking for advice on getting started with a 200DX

    My 200DX showed up this week (thanks to Oleg for the discount coupon from one of the past contests). It's my Christmas present from my wife. But, I'm not allowed to play with it until after Christmas.

    I probably won't have a lot of time to start learning TIG for a little while, so I'm looking for some advice on what to get do a general checkout on the unit and some very basic learning. Like, what kind of rod should I get for steel, and do I need anything special if I'm doing sheet?

    I do have all the basic MIG stuff, and just got have a new Argon bottle, but other than the DX, nothing for TIG. I'd like to order some basics so that I can play a little over the Christmas/New Years holiday.

    Any suggestions would be welcome.

    Thanks
    Just starting in Aug '10
    ---
    Hobart Handler 187
    Power Plasma 50

  2. #2

    Default

    To keep it basic some 3/32 Lanthanated tungsten, Some 3/32 Mild Steel Filler Rod ER70S2, For Aluminum 4043 3/32 Filler. Some 3/32 Collets and Collet Bodies , and some 5,6,7 Nozzles. A pound of each rod will last a while.
    Welding City or Riverweld on Nozzles Collets Collet Bodies, Ebay or your local Welding Supply for Filler rod.

    Find some 1/8" and 1/4" mild steel for practicing and the same size in aluminum.
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  3. #3
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    +1 for WeldingCity.com- they are quick shippers and have reasonable prices for tungsten as well as the collets and bodies that cbmkr mentions. While you're waiting for Christmas to arrive there's the WeldingTipsandTricks.com videos, which will tell you about TIG settings, for instance.
    DaveO
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  4. Default

    I am far from being expert but I have done what CB and Dave mentioned above. Weldingcity also have gas lense if you ever want to go that route. I like the gas lense because you can have tip stick out a little longer and will help with seeing the puddle easier. I dont think I will ever go back to the standard set, maybe only use them as backups.

  5. #5

    Default

    I'd go with 3/32 collets and bodies as well as a gas lens setup for the 3/32. Although I do have 1/16 setup as well, I really don't see the need to use 1/16 on pretty much anything. You also don't need to use the "proper" sized collet holder. Just use a 3/32 body and use smaller collets if you want to try a smaller tungsten.
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  6. #6

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    Another +1 for welding city. If you think you will do any stainless, you might want to pick up a pound of their rods (308, 309, and/or 316). They have the best price on stainless rods I have seen.
    Everlast PowerTig 200DX
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  7. #7
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    Here's a reference from Miller-
    www.millerwelds.com/pdf/gtawbook.pdf

    It's got a discussion of waveforms, and gives some explanation of the "why"s, as well as the "how"s.
    DaveO
    Oxweld oxy acet gear
    IMIG 200
    PowerTIG 210 EXT... Amazing!

  8. #8

    Default

    I appreciate all the feedback. But, I'm still at the "totally overwhelmed by TIG" stage.

    I haven't started looking at Welding Tips and Tricks yet due to time. I hope to do that over Christmas, but I'm trying to line everything up so I'm ready to start practicing once I start watching the videos.

    From the viewpoint of getting the initial supplies, I understand the recommendations on the filler rod, collets, collet bodies and nozzels. I'm not so sure about the electrodes.

    I've broken out my good welding book and read up on the different electrodes.

    I looked on WeldingCity and tound that they had 1.5% and 2% Lanthanated electrodes. My book says that Lanthanated is used with DC and that it's "Gold" or "Black", but welding city lists it as "Blue".

    So - a bunch of specific questions on electrodes:
    1. So what should I go for the 1.5% or the 2%?
    2. Can the blue be used with A/C or D/C?
    3. I want to do mostly thinner sheet steel (more artsy stuff), should I use 1/16" or is it better to learn on bigger stuff and use 3/32?
    3. Do I need to buy something to sharpen the electrode?
    4. I got the consumables started pack with the torch. Anybody know what size the collets are?

    One other question. Is a "gas lens" the same thing as a "cup nozzle".

    Thanks
    Just starting in Aug '10
    ---
    Hobart Handler 187
    Power Plasma 50

  9. #9

    Default

    I use 2% Lan for everything It is light blue.
    I sharpen all of the tungsten on my bench grinder. Some say you can't, but it works just fine. Welds may not pass a radiograph, but if I needed them to be that good, I wouldn't be doing them myself...
    I have 3/32, 1/16, and .040" tungsten. I really haven't run in to a situation where 3/32 wouldn't work just find. I have used the smaller ones, but never really saw a benefit in them. They are cheaper though. I have Diamond Ground's ebay offering.
    The gas lens requires a different collet holder and different cups. They are much larger at teh base to accommodate the larger, screened diffuser.
    Everlast 200DX
    Everlast PT185
    Shoptask 3-in-1 (not currently in my garage, but I own it...)

    Any day on a motorcycle like this that ends just needing parts and labor is a good day.
    4.82, 158.67mph 1/8th mile 7.350, 200.35mph 1/4 mile

  10. #10

    Default

    Of course you can grind on a bench grider...That's all that they had for years. Yes, they will pass a radiological test. If it is cleaned and maintained, there is no reason it should not. Whoever says it won't has never been in the real world.

  11. #11

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by sportbike View Post
    I use 2% Lan for everything It is light blue.
    I sharpen all of the tungsten on my bench grinder. Some say you can't, but it works just fine. Welds may not pass a radiograph, but if I needed them to be that good, I wouldn't be doing them myself...
    I have 3/32, 1/16, and .040" tungsten. I really haven't run in to a situation where 3/32 wouldn't work just find. I have used the smaller ones, but never really saw a benefit in them. They are cheaper though. I have Diamond Ground's ebay offering.
    The gas lens requires a different collet holder and different cups. They are much larger at teh base to accommodate the larger, screened diffuser.
    So, a "gas lens" is different than a "cup nozzle"?
    Just starting in Aug '10
    ---
    Hobart Handler 187
    Power Plasma 50

  12. #12

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    Quote Originally Posted by performance View Post
    Of course you can grind on a bench grider...That's all that they had for years. Yes, they will pass a radiological test. If it is cleaned and maintained, there is no reason it should not. Whoever says it won't has never been in the real world.
    Does it need to be a wheel dedicated to tungsten or can I use the wheel that I use on steel and aluminium?
    Just starting in Aug '10
    ---
    Hobart Handler 187
    Power Plasma 50

  13. #13

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    Quote Originally Posted by EmptyNester View Post
    Does it need to be a wheel dedicated to tungsten or can I use the wheel that I use on steel and aluminium?
    I use the same for everything. This is what I was referring to wrt possible difficulties in passing some welds. If there is other material on the wheel or the base metal is not properly cleaned, welds that require varying levels of inspection may not pass. 99% of the welding you will encounter around the house will be fine.
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    Any day on a motorcycle like this that ends just needing parts and labor is a good day.
    4.82, 158.67mph 1/8th mile 7.350, 200.35mph 1/4 mile

  14. #14
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by EmptyNester View Post
    So, a "gas lens" is different than a "cup nozzle"?
    Yes, the gas lens is the collet holder, the cup nozzle, usually just refered to as the cup, is the pink piece that coes on the end. The gas lens requires a different cup than the standard collet holder.
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  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by EmptyNester View Post
    still at the "totally overwhelmed by TIG" stage.
    I hear ya- I'm just getting past this myself. Remember, though, you're the guy who turned a few trips to the Home Depot into a hovercraft- you can do this. I can't give advice- not good enough- but I can share my experience: I knew I wanted to start with steel, so I knew I could disregard all the AC settings on the machine. I set the machine to 2T (press the torch switch to establish the arc, release the switch to stop the arc) with no pulse, no pedal, just as plain jane generic as it could get, and started welding. This de-mystified it for me. I still need lots of practice but this tactic got me over the intimidation.
    DaveO
    Oxweld oxy acet gear
    IMIG 200
    PowerTIG 210 EXT... Amazing!

  16. #16

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    HI Empty
    Here is a kit for gas lens with a selection of tungsten electrode sizes.
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/SR-PTA-DB-WP...item1e6bb59be4
    AS you can see the cups, white seals and collect holders are different but fit the torches in the same way the normal ones do. You just need to know which torch number group you have this one is for any 17,18,& 26 torches. There may be other kits with single sizes on Ebay.

    have fun
    Tom

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  17. #17

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    Could just contact these guys and have them eliminate the 1/8" stuff and add more in the 3/32 and 1/16th. I've never dealt with them but you'd have plenty to experiment with.
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/51-piece-TIG...item2c66ef6ae6
    Everlast 200DX
    Everlast PT185
    Shoptask 3-in-1 (not currently in my garage, but I own it...)

    Any day on a motorcycle like this that ends just needing parts and labor is a good day.
    4.82, 158.67mph 1/8th mile 7.350, 200.35mph 1/4 mile

  18. #18

    Default

    Here is a chart of consumables. You should have a WP-26 air cooled torch with yours.

    Everlast 200DX
    Everlast PT185
    Shoptask 3-in-1 (not currently in my garage, but I own it...)

    Any day on a motorcycle like this that ends just needing parts and labor is a good day.
    4.82, 158.67mph 1/8th mile 7.350, 200.35mph 1/4 mile

  19. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by EmptyNester View Post
    I looked on WeldingCity and tound that they had 1.5% and 2% Lanthanated electrodes. My book says that Lanthanated is used with DC and that it's "Gold" or "Black", but welding city lists it as "Blue".

    So - a bunch of specific questions on electrodes:
    1. So what should I go for the 1.5% or the 2%?
    2. Can the blue be used with A/C or D/C?
    3. I want to do mostly thinner sheet steel (more artsy stuff), should I use 1/16" or is it better to learn on bigger stuff and use 3/32?
    3. Do I need to buy something to sharpen the electrode?
    4. I got the consumables started pack with the torch. Anybody know what size the collets are?

    One other question. Is a "gas lens" the same thing as a "cup nozzle".

    Thanks
    1.5 lanthanated is gold
    2% lanthanated is sky blue (there is also a dark blue for something I can't remember)

    Beware of older welding books that do not deal specifically with inverters. If they do not specify, you can bet that are talking about transformer machines.

    Have a look here for a nice test of all the various popular tungstens and the current capacity.

    http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/...odes-gtaw.html



    1. Basically you can do just about everything with 2% thoriated or 2% lanthanated, with an inverter. No real need to buy all the different kinds.
    2. Yes, works fine and is probably the best all around electrode.
    3. 3/32" will work for just about everything, and you can change how you grind it for thinner materials, but if you really do just thin stuff, the 1/16 will work fine for you and is my favorite for sheet metal.
    4. It looks like everyone gets something different. The should be marked, but probably in mm.

    Nope. A cup or nozzle or gas nozzle is the ceramic cup that screws on the end. A gas lens replaces the collet body and has diffusion screens for the gas to flow through. This straightens the gas flow. It is larger in diameter and requires special size cups to match.
    Long arc, short arc, heliarc and in-the-dark!

  20. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by sportbike View Post
    Could just contact these guys and have them eliminate the 1/8" stuff and add more in the 3/32 and 1/16th. I've never dealt with them but you'd have plenty to experiment with.
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/51-piece-TIG...item2c66ef6ae6
    Nice blurry pics there. For a moment I thought I didn't have my glasses on.
    Long arc, short arc, heliarc and in-the-dark!

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