Anything welding

Again.. Plus 1 for the 211i..

Wish I went with the 252, but hindsights always 20/20.

This question seems to come up about every day - maybe I should start a separate thread with FAQs or something..

 

Totally agree with ya!
I pretty much bought the 211i since it was 1/2 the price to test the waters per-se and see if the new machine proved reliable and whether I'd like it over the bigger older machines. I've come to LOVE my 211i, so much that the 252i will hands down be the next welder I purchase. I'll probably get one of the 252s, then once I have the funds aside for another I'll down grade my 211 to a home garage welder and as a backup for use in my shop and switch to solely running 252's.

 

I think Thermal Arc should give is a kick back for promoting their machines..

Have pretty much the same feelings as you about them. Really like the feel of the arc with MIG. Only issue was some feed problems when I started running 33 Lb. spools of .035, but that just took a little trial and error on my part.

Just noticed that the Tweco Fusion fun has a swivel head function; pretty cool.

May get a TIG setup for it when I get home, read good reviews on the pedal/torch/flowmeter that comes as a package from TA.

Are you running TIG with yours at all?

 

I've read that thermal arc had some issues with their foot pedals at one point. Not sure if they fixed em yet or not.

I got a foot pedal from SSC controls for my Lincoln and its been awesome. $187 I think is what I paid for it

 

Also their the torch isn't know for being the best either. Its a little bulkier than it needs to be. Weldcraft would be a better torch

 

I know right! I've definitely been whoring them out! LOL. But they're that good IMO so thats why I do.
I just got the TIG setup about a week and a half ago, havent had time to mess with it too much. All I had time for was to hook it up and check it out for about a half hour but I havent TIGed in like 7 years so it wasnt pretty. Seemed to work well though, I just need to find some time to spend with it!

 

I'm certain that it is bulkier than needed/should be, however for a novice learning TIG it's fine. My plan was to use it for practice and for the occasions I need to TIG rather than MIG, and then once I'm better and see more use for a dedicated machine I'll purchase a nice AC/DC machine at that point.
Cant beat a $350 TIG setup IMO, even if it's not ideal. A dedicated tig is 4-10x more money.

 

Heres a good torch. Cheaper than the TA one also
http://store.cyberweld.com/weavatigtopa2.html

And the foot pedal you would need

http://www.ebay.com/itm/High-Perfor...t=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item51988b3bb2

Also don't forget a regulator for the argon

 

Thanks man but I'm already all set up with everything

 

No problems here yet with my TD foot pedal and have had mine for about 3 months now and I weld with it regularly on SS for my business. Awesome welder as well I have the TD 252i with TD torch kit. Ya the weldcraft torch is great I use one at work but the TD torch is good as well with the foot control just a little heavier than the weldcraft torch. Still very capable torch setup for the price I paid. I paid $137.00 for my foot control which is a TD and the torch kit was $201.00

 

http://m.cyberweld.com/miwihacosy30.html This is going to be my next huge purchase . Tired of replacing hand remotes every few months .

 

Where are the plastic internals? My Hobart has an aluminum feed drive thing and what not... Seems pretty durable to me. Didnt notice any plastic when I mounted the spool, although I guess I didn't really look. I guess ill find out though haha. But I couldn't justify $400 extra just for an infinite power and many welding forums recommended the Hobart. As far as I know they are both made by the same company and parts are largely interchangeable. Works great for me as a beginning welder. Although sometimes I do wish I could start tigging off the same machine and I've read spool guns aren't as good but I don't really need to melt aluminum. Just my 1 cent

 

I never said it was bad, Hobart.and miller are made the same place, just Hobart has some cheaper parts, they are both great machines. I wasn't knocking the Hobart, just stating that one might last longer. I'm still using a 1991 millermatic 250, which is considered by some to be one of millers worst because it was the first of.its technology, but everyone has seen the welds I lay down with it. Get the best 220v welder you can afford and have fun. Thermal Arc stuff is nice, but some of its adjustments are too advanced for novel welders, their.price points are great though. I'm a die hard miller guy, becausr I've never seen one have an isssue in a shop environment. But opinions are like assholes, everyone has one. LOL

 

Where is everyone getting their foot pedals for their TIG machines. I don't really want to spend 160+ on a pedal. And any where online to buy cheap tanks?

 

Dunno about pedals.. But I'd be willing to bet any "cheap" tanks found online won't be worth the hassle once you add in shipping costs.. If you can even find any.

Check CL. I know there's quite a few around me, most of them are filled, too. Just make sure they've been certified.

 

Our pedals are $400ish. They're cordless miller pedals.
Try looking into the amperage control nobs that mount to the torch. I love them and used 'em for years

 

Making that money with the only Toyota welding rig out there

 

youre rig is fuckin bad!

 

Finished up my rear bumper and links this weekend, going to let the paint cure for a few days and throw them on. Definitely learned a ton about fabbing and welding on these projects, made quite a few mistakes that I learned from, but overall happy with the final product.

 

Just a tip...in the future for links...always spring the extra couple buck for the hex bungs. Nothing is worse than having to put a pipe wrench on a new fresh link to adjust the alignment.

Oh bumper looks great!