Anything welding

Yeah, shop use only. Looking at used purely for cost savings. It seems the older style inverter lasted forever, but when they transitioned all I heard were the horror stories of those that failed of the inverter type.

 

Nice!

I'd be shopping Fumoto for a compatible drain though if it were mine ...

 

I feel like most of the distrust of inverter machines comes from Chinese models.

@koditten - do you remember the makes of the inverter failures? I seem to remember one ESAB unit on here for some reason.

 

That is the one I remember specifically. I can't recall the other.

 

There are a few with ball valves on the drain actually! Makes it much easier.

 

Mistrust of inverter machines mostly comes from dynasty’s. Best tig welder on the market for multiple reasons, but if you burn up one of the $800 boards you’re looking at about $2400 to repair it. But even with that said if you like saving money on electricity and need to weld aluminum it’s worth it. If you’re buying a welder to make money you’ll probably have it paid off in the first few months, so cost cost savings is mostly a wash.

I’ve been in the market for a 211 for a while. If I find a transformer machine sub $900 I’ll probably buy one, but the majority listed around me are usually around $1100-1200 which doesn’t make sense for a used welder. If I can’t find a used one I’ll roll the dice on the new one. I’m not worried about it crapping out, but I am worried I may not like the arc characteristics, cause I do know a few guys with multimatic 220’s that have told me they prefer the arc of the transformer machines much better. But that’s also a multi process machine and I don’t expect a $2000 machine to put preform $4000-5000 worth of welders and run as good or better.

 

Ehhhh!

 

Ok brain trust. So some of you know I’m brand spanking new to welding. I picked up a Lincoln 140 that came with the helmet. I’m doing FCAW for now and I can’t seem to really ever see the puddle. It’s not a positioning thing as I should have a clear view.

Is it the cheap-o helmet or am I doing something wrong? If it’s the helmet, what do you recommend for a middle of the road option?

 

Define cheapo? I had a $40 harbor freight helmet and when I switched to their Vulcan helmet ($150) I was amazed at how much clearer I could see stuff. Another suggestion is turn down the darkness a bit. What shade are you on?

 

Well said. I took a few welding classes in college (before inverter machines were common) and have plenty of hood time with transformer machines. It had been near 20 years since when I bought my MM 220.

I like the feel of the inverter machine, but again, it had also been 20 years since using a transformer one. I think it really just comes down to preference. If you've been using a transformer machine for a long time, the inverter is going to feel "foreign". If you're relatively new to the game, you probably won't notice much of a difference.

I know @koditten is going to flame me for saying this, but I like the digital screen too. Yes, it is one more thing to break, but it also allows you to really dial in a machine. Instead of big steps in voltages and feeds, you can dial them down into much more finite detail than a transformer machine.

It's not for everyone, but it is one of the main features that I find advantageous about an inverter vs transformer machine.

 

As long as it is under warranty your good!! The manufacture is picking up the cost

Any Inverter Welder is expensive to repair out of warranty if it goes boom!! ( Major Failure) When they fail it is a cascade effect till circuit protection opens . In some cases buying a New Machine is cheaper then an out of Warranty Repair .

 

Every ones Eyes are different what shade lens is in or what it is set for??

Sometimes extra lighting is needed to light up the area being welded .

 

We have thrown out several inverter machines after the repair quote came in.

 

It looks like Homedepot sells them for $100 with an auto shade of 11. I don’t believe this is adjustable?

 

For Mig Welding for the Most I need a Shade nine lens. Anything darker I can`t see.
Just what Hood do you have most all if they are passive can change the filter lens ??

 

At the end of the day it will really depend on what you’re welding. I’d say 11 is most likely too dark. Most literature will tell you it’s correct, but if you’re new to welding dropping down a shade will probably make a big deference. As you understand the puddle better and get more comfotable the 11 won’t affect you near as much, but when you’re still learning the puddle the lighter shade will let you see a little more of what’s going on.

 

also if you’re using a passive hood switch to a gold 10 lense, I’ve got an opted panoramaxx and a speedglas 9100xx and 9 times out of 10 you’ll find me in a $50 huntsman with a 10 or 11 gold lense in it. I only use the auto darkening if I’m in a crazy hurry, don’t have the space to put a hood up and down, or if I’m tig welding something a wondering arc start could ruin.

Also if you’re looking for an auto darkening hood with a great clarity I’d consider a sellstrom. I have a wph400 and it’s a great value for the cost.

 

I love the digital readout. I used to prefer less control over the machine because I felt the settings weren’t as repeatable, but with the digital readout I always know my exact machine settings at all times, and I don’t need to burn a piece of scrap every time I adjust the machine. To figure out if the dial is in the exact spot I like.

I haven’t run the 211 but I do have a Vulcan215 and while I’m not a big fan I feel like I could make pretty good welds with it and if I didn’t have my main welder to switch back to. I could get used to it. So I’m sure if harbor freight could figure it out Miller should have a pretty decent arc on their inverter based migs.

 

I love this this light! Helps so much when you find yourself in a position with poor lighting. The magnetic base is amazingly strong!

I like #10 setting, but like said, we all see different.

No hating on those that like the digital readings. The repeatable settings would be great...if I took time to note the settings between jobs...I don't take the time.

My transformer machines have infinite adjustable rheastats on both the heat and speed. I'm happy with what I got.

Edit: the light is called: Big Larry. Yeah, i laugh at the name too.