250EX oedered

[Skeeter]

Hello, Thanks to everyone that answered questions I had on the 250EX and Everlast in general. Including Oleg,who I grilled a couple times. I ordered a 250 EX + water cooler with a 20 series flex head 25 foot torch. It looks like it will be here on Thursday. Wondering if someone could provide me with external dimmensions of both units? I have 16 feet of 1x1 1/8 wall left over from something as well as 16 feet of 1-1/2 x 1-1/2. Thinking I will start putting a cart together ahead of time. Also wondering what comes in the "starter" consumable kit.Picking up a tank this morning. Thanks again, Ski

[DaveO]

Welcome, Ski! Here's a post that contains machine dimensions:
http://www.everlastgenerators.com/fo...344-Dimensions

What kind of projects do you have in mind?

[Skeeter]

Thanks Dave , Just what I needed. To start, a cart. I also need to do some thinking about some usefull "at machine" storage for odds and ends tooling at the mill and metal lathe. I have a small shop for what I have. I am about 1/2 way finished with the Lagun [spanish] FTV-1 verticale mill I am rebuilding. Just finished up with converting some Bridgport wipers to work [Lagun wanted 450.00 bucks for upgrades and I converted for about 30.00$!!] and finishing up with the lubrication system. Having alot of fun working with BSPT,BSPP and NPT and R and JIS threads. I sort of got spanked on this machine but decided to make lemonade out the proverbial lemon. Doing complete overhaul which included regrinding and scraping/flaking the way surfaces. Learning tons in the process. My addiction is fixing "crap"!! If you can relate to that. Anyone have a few tips on what to pick up as far as torch consumables to get started? Ski

[DaveO]

You might check out a welding calculator for what size tungsten and cups your next projects will need, and get spares and collets to match. Members on this board report good results here:
http://www.weldingcity.com/

Sounds like rebuilding the mill / lathe is quite the project, good on ya. Are you just starting out with TIG?

[SeanMurphy265]

You started off with a good machine! I've had to grow as I can! You will not regret that purchase, your doing it right by going big the first time.

[everlastsupport]

Tungsten and filler, a tank of Argon, power plug (gloves, helmet, etc). Should be good to start. Not sure you need to load up on cups just yet, but weldingcity.com is a great place to start.

Good choice on the 250EX. It will handle about all you can throw at it.

[Skeeter]

I am new to TIG so more or less trying to figure out the little things that are needed. I had some classes a long time ago [like 40 years] so that will not be much help. Love the videos on you tube though. I can watch those for hours. Way better than my wifes Dr Phil!! I am looking at Part# AK-4-Pro, from arc zone which is a kit of various torch parts. Is there any compatibility issues with with the wp20f torch? I bought a 125 tank yesterday. I have the personal protection equipment already. Going to get a variety of different tungstens up to 1/8 as well as filler rod. Nearest welder supply is about 20 miles from here and hate to make a ton of trips. Money is not the biggest issue just yet but nearing the end of money I saved from not smoking in 2012.

[DaveO]

power plug

Mike raises a good point here: do you have 220v power sorted out yet?

money I saved from not smoking in 2012.

Good on ya, congrats and stay with it!

[Skeeter]

220 is ready to go. Will be adding an addition outlet at the rear of the shop where the 2 phase mill is to be located. That will be run with a phase converter. I should have quit years ago. It is a personal choice. New compressor and plasma next year. I hope!!

[Skeeter]

meant 3 phase on the mill.

[zoama]

I am new to TIG so more or less trying to figure out the little things that are needed. I had some classes a long time ago [like 40 years] so that will not be much help. Love the videos on you tube though. I can watch those for hours. Way better than my wifes Dr Phil!! I am looking at Part# AK-4-Pro, from arc zone which is a kit of various torch parts. Is there any compatibility issues with with the wp20f torch? I bought a 125 tank yesterday. I have the personal protection equipment already. Going to get a variety of different tungstens up to 1/8 as well as filler rod. Nearest welder supply is about 20 miles from here and hate to make a ton of trips. Money is not the biggest issue just yet but nearing the end of money I saved from not smoking in 2012.

I would not buy that kit from ☠arc-zone☠ since you'll be paying a lot for parts you'll probably never use.
Here's a list from weldingcity.com that will have you covered for a long time. You can add the length back caps you need for $1.79 each.

[everlastsupport]

I would not buy that kit from ☠arc-zone☠ since you'll be paying a lot for parts you'll probably never use.
Here's a list from weldingcity.com that will have you covered for a long time. You can add the length back caps you need for $1.79 each.

Ditto on the above Skeeter.

Also, look at river-weld.com for good prices. They are both good places to shop.

[Skeeter]

Thanks for the tips. Checking out the recommended sites.

[dread320]

Congrats on the Tig! Me Too, a week ago.
Sorry to kinda change the subject but if you have not gotten a phase converter for your mill you must look into a VFD or variable frequency drive. Sorta like an inverter tig in reverse. Tricks your three phase motor into believing 220 single phase is breakfast. Awsome way to go with tons of info available on the net.
Just my 2cents.

Have fun with the 250
Phil

[Skeeter]

Same to you phil. This mill is a variable speed. Fun to work on but not that much fun. It came with a static phase converter which basically provides for the 3rd leg with a bank of capacitors. This is at a loss of about 1/3 power. With a 3 hp motor I lose 1hp. I thought I'd try this and see how it works for me before changing it. The VFD's are nice though and will probably go with one on the lathe at some point[south bend 10L] but I need to find a 3 phase motor for that. Some day! Back to tig torch consumables. Thanks to Zoama for the tip[. I am interested in know what the difference is between say the gas lense you listed and a collet body [13n28] collet [13n23]? What is actually needed here with the WP20F? IS the Gas lense you listed a better system? Or is it an additional part to it? Just trying to understand the way these work. Also, I am anticipating learning to weld thin material[alum/steel/stainless] ,Is the 3/32 a "catch all" size? Or should I include another? Prices are sweet on the web site you aimed me at! When it comes to Tungstens ,are there any that should be avoided? In the sense that there could be low quality/problem causing sources? I checked tracking on the welder and it is out for delivery. Shop is warming up as we type. With 3 degree this morning it is a little chilly. Although I am anticipating a warm up to 13.

[Rivets]

220 is ready to go. Will be adding an addition outlet at the rear of the shop where the 2 phase mill is to be located. That will be run with a phase converter. I should have quit years ago. It is a personal choice. New compressor and plasma next year. I hope!!

Skeeter,

Your mill motor is 220 volts, 3 HP, 3 phase, correct?

You can make your own rotary phase converter quite inexpensively with a used 220 volt, 5 HP, single phase motor plus another small (say 1/4 HP) single phase induction motor.

Are you comfortable working with 220 volts?

rivets

[Rivets]

Edit the above:

Should have said "used 5 HP 3 phase motor" - NOT single phase.

rivets

[Odyknuck]

You could also use the static convertor to start a 5HP 3 phase motor. It will require a time delay off contactor to disable the static convertor after about 20 seconds. Thats what I did then VFDs came out. If i had to do it over, a VFD would be on the wall.

[zoama]

Back to tig torch consumables. Thanks to Zoama for the tip[. I am interested in know what the difference is between say the gas lense you listed and a collet body [13n28] collet [13n23]? What is actually needed here with the WP20F? IS the Gas lense you listed a better system? Or is it an additional part to it? Just trying to understand the way these work. Also, I am anticipating learning to weld thin material[alum/steel/stainless] ,Is the 3/32 a "catch all" size? Or should I include another? Prices are sweet on the web site you aimed me at! When it comes to Tungstens ,are there any that should be avoided? In the sense that there could be low quality/problem causing sources? I checked tracking on the welder and it is out for delivery. Shop is warming up as we type. With 3 degree this morning it is a little chilly. Although I am anticipating a warm up to 13.

The parts I listed are all you'll need to start welding. The gas lens simply replaces the standard collet body and gives better gas coverage. This pic shows a standard collet body and cup on the left and a gas lens on the right The CK push on style pictured looks different from the ones I listed but they work exactly the same. The gas lens ceramic cups have threads inside and screw onto the gas lens. 3/32 2% lanthanated tungsten will work well for most of your welding. The ones weldingcity.com sells are high quality 7" and the 10 piece box will last you a long time, probably years. I use these same parts myself.

[Skeeter]

Thanks Zoama on an excellent description. Will be ordering as suggested. Thanks as well to the other members with the 3 phase suggestions. We got a bit off topic but I am going to try the static converter that came with the mill and see how it runs to begin with. The loss of 1 hp out of 3 on a hobby machine is most likely acceptable. Not being a school trained machinist I tend to take smaller cuts and sneak up on the number I need. I know it is more time consuming but hey, I'm having fun! Ski