I just received my PowerTig 210 EXT

[aclundwall]

UPS delivered it yesterday, but I didn't get a chance to unbox it till today. It arrived in good shape, the shipping box was undamaged! It's lighter than I expected, but still seems solidly constructed, at least externally.

I'm a little disappointed, because it doesn't include a hose to run between the regulator and the rear of the welder. I specifically asked if this hose was included when I ordered the welder, and was told it would be. I know it's not a high pressure line, and that lots of hoses can be made to work. What's the general consensus on what type of line to use and where are most of you getting it?

I supposedly received the 'deluxe accessories kit' which for me basically boils down to a better foot pedal. But how can I tell if I got the correct foot pedal? No invoice or packing list was in the box, and the website pictures are no help (plus they say that the pictures are not representative). The pedal I have is completely flat on top, and smooth.

Can't comment on whether it works or not, since without a hose, I couldn't try it. But I don't have any doubts it will work fine.

Art

[DaveO]

That's annoying. I've picked up similar hose for different applications at Home Deep, so I guess the Lowes or an auto parts place would have it too. You'll need to pick out the right hose ID, of course.

What do you mean, can't try it?!?! What about AC and DC stick!?!?!

[Lwlandy]

On the right size of the hose, I found when I connected mine up for the first time last week that the fitting on the back of the welder was a completely different size to the fitting on the regulator, in other words the hose bore size required is literally double the size at the regulator to that at the welder My quick and dirty workaround was to use a couple of different sized bore pipes, one over the other on the back of the welder before clamping.

[aclundwall]

On the right size of the hose, I found when I connected mine up for the first time last week that the fitting on the back of the welder was a completely different size to the fitting on the regulator, in other words the hose bore size required is literally double the size at the regulator to that at the welder My quick and dirty workaround was to use a couple of different sized bore pipes, one over the other on the back of the welder before clamping.

I went to HD and Lowes looking for some reinforced hose, but they didn't have anything small enough. I wound up buying fuel line with a 1/4" ID. It's tight on the regulator end, and borderline loose on the welder end. But I've got a bunch of 3/8" band clamps (which seem to work a lot better than hose clamps), and with two of them side-by-side on the welder end, it's leak free. I knew the nipples would be different sizes from other discussions on this topic, which still kind of amazes me. But no matter....I'm going down now to wire the plug up and see if she'll run. Then I gotta get to practicing, because I've got some stainless steel pieces to weld on my motorcycle's headers, and a skid plate to build out of AL.

[aclundwall]

Well, it ran like a million bucks, just as I expected. I didn't have a lot of time, so I got the plug wired, and got it set up just enough to run a half dozen beads on some 1/8" steel. Enough to prove the welder works fine, and I still suck at TIG welding. I was impressed at how quiet it was. Seemed like the arc struck really easily and was nice and smooth. I'm excited to get some more practice in so I can start on the projects I've got lined up. Now if that pesky job would just ease up off my back a little....

[jakeru]

Congrats on the working 210EXT!

My preference on that hose connecting flow meter to machine is something 1/8"-3/16" inside diameter. 1/4" ID will typically give the excessive (and wasteful) "puff" of shielding gas out the TIG cup each time you open the gas flow solenoid. Running only as long of a piece of hose there as you actually need also can help, and finding a flow meter that regulates to less than 50psi (I've heard some are available down around 25-30psi) would also help tremendously. 50psi seems most typical, though.

But it sounds like you're up and running, and you'll have plenty of time to optimize your setup layer on. Cheers.

[RichardH]

I went to HD and Lowes looking for some reinforced hose, but they didn't have anything small enough. I wound up buying fuel line with a 1/4" ID. It's tight on the regulator end, and borderline loose on the welder end. But I've got a bunch of 3/8" band clamps (which seem to work a lot better than hose clamps), and with two of them side-by-side on the welder end, it's leak free. I knew the nipples would be different sizes from other discussions on this topic, which still kind of amazes me.

Hi, Art.
I just got mine last week, and still the same deal with the hose barbs. You're right that hose clamps can make 1/4" i.d. work fine.

I took the fitting from the flow meter to my LWS and they gave me a replacement fitting for 3/16 i.d., which matches the hose barb on the 210 EXT quick-release fitting. If you get the white unreinforced poly tubing (usually in 10' or 25' rolls), it's rigid enough that you don't get so much gas "surge" when you light up. It's rated to like 100 psi, and the regulator output is about 30.
(For those who might try, the thread on flow meters is an odd straight thread, so don't think that you'll find a hose fitting at Home Depot to replace it. I've been down that road.)

Cheers,
Richard

[aclundwall]

I didn't think to check the LWS for a smaller barb that would work with this regulator! I guess I just assumed it would be some one-off imported thing! They would have been closed by the time I'd have gotten there anyway, but maybe this weekend I'll swing by there and check it out. While what I have is working (I used 3 feet of 200psi 1/4" id fuel line), I am a bit concerned that over time, the end with the smaller barb could loosen up and start leaking. The QR barb itself offered next to no resistance when I inserted it into that hose...if I'd gently swung the hose around, I'm sure it would have fallen out. So if I can get a replacement barb for the regulator that matches the one on the quick release fitting, that's what I'm going to do.

I'm still trying to figure out how to identify if the foot pedal that I got is the one I was supposed to get. Does anyone know of a way to identify which one I have? The one I have is totally smooth and flat on top...there is no raised lip to catch your heel.

[Lwlandy]

Sounds like the same foot pedal I got with my 210EXT a couple of weeks ago. It took me a little while to get used to it. It seems to be damped somehow, so if you push it completely down then release it comes back up slower than I would have expected. Seems to work ok though.