Anything welding

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.

 

Those lights are awesome. The magnets have gotten so good, I’ve forgot them stuck to the frame of my truck and it was still there the next time I changed oil.

I pretty much only use two different sets of parameters on my machine. One for open corners, and 1 for everything else. I just memerized the two, I’m horrible about writing stuff down. The one place I have started keeping good track of my settings is when using the weld positioner since you really can’t speed up or slow your movement to compensate for slightly of settings without stopping your weld, plus you waste a lot of time trying to dial in the rpms of the positioner as well as the machine settings. Now I snap a picture of the part and use Markup to jot down the positioner and welder settings on the pic. I save them in an album on my phone.

 

Make sure you’ve removed the protective film on both sides of the front and inside plastic covers...

Makes a big difference. Doh!

 

I’ve got about 100 pounds of wire through my little inverter 211 and hasn’t skipped a beat. Only issue I had was a faulty gun setup in the beginning, which Miller replaced

Having spent most of my time welding with a 252... the 211 is definitely different and can’t recreate the same quality of weld. Just seems something is different about the inverter machines

Does pretty close though. I just might be picky

 

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Lincoln-Electric-Auto-Darkening-Welding-Helmet-with-No-11-Lens-1-38-x-3-82-in-Viewing-Area-K3057-1/202715826

This is the one I have. It’s an auto. Though from my reading, it looks like #11 is too dark for my current project. I’m welding together a fence with 16ga steel. So I have the machine turned all the way down so I don’t burn through every two seconds. Is this likely why I’m not able to really see the puddles? I’m looking more and more at the HF Vulcan that’s adjustable.

What you say makes a lot of sense. Check out my reply just above in this post. I’m honestly open about what helmet to invest in, either passive or not. But the darkening adjustability on the autos are appealing to me for varied projects in the future. The down side is that from reading reviews, it’s just more stuff to break.

 

LOL that was the first thing I looked at

 

That’s the problem I know I’m picky. But I also don’t expect it to weld as good as my 252. I just need to weld a little better than my millermatic 180 did. I have a 252 now. It’s my second one. I love it. I’ve been tempted to buy a 255 I’m pretty sure it’s inverter based. Everyone I know that has one raves about it. I’d really like the hot start. But for me the 211 will just be used when I’m general repair work around the house or if the bigger welder ever went down.

 

When I started welding, auto darkening hoods weren’t what they are now, so I just got used to a passive hood. But for most people starting out an auto darkening hood will definelty be faster to get started with when. Ideally I’d try to get one that has adjustable shades. I’m personally not a fan of the old school green style light given off by most older or cheaper auto darkening. I get a lot more out of the colors of a gold lens or the nicer auto darkening lenses. That’s the one thing I like about the sellstrom, it’s not as high end as the big name stuff, but it has really good color and all the features you would want.

As far as being able to see the lower you have the welder set, generally the lower the shade you can get away with. So the 11 shade could definelty play a role. I weld with an 11 sometimes and it doesn’t bother me, but I’ll also go months without cleaning my lens and then wonder how I could see anything before.

 

Depends if your talking Hobby level machines where most buy the foreign low cost units or Industrial level .

Since as of yet none of the low cost importers have come up with parts or tech support for their products we turn most of them away.

In any given week I venture 20 to 30 Inverter machines that have gone Kaboom and the magic smoke has escaped get written up . Millers, Lincolns and those Yellow ones. Some Warranty some not

 

Comparing a Millermatic 252 which is Inverter based with a Millermatic 211 another Inverter Machine

Is like comparing A 22R to a 3.4 they are both engines move a vehicle from point to point.

Both do the job for what they were designed.

 

I can understand why you were given that hood !!

A hood that retails for $100.00 or so with one shade no wonder no body will buy them.

Wait till I see my Lincoln Rep This gotta be a good Story

 

Maybe !!

When Inverter Machines( Pow Con) first came out to the Average Weld shop I was not a big fan I can only compare it to going From Holley Carbs to Fuel Injection they both do the same Job I don`t know the last time I tuned a Holley Carb Now I use Inverter Welders all the time.

Blow Jobs are good for machines every few months depending how often you send grinding dirt at them when powered up.

Most of the Inverters have a Wind tunnel design air pulled through the wind tunnel which is Aluminum Heat sinks with the goodies mounted to the mounted on the other sides. It helps some what . Then Lincoln is good for coating boards to help protect them which making removing components a royal pain.

big difference between some one like you and an Employee who has not yet figured out equipment in working condition pays the wages.

 

.

Ah - so it's auto but it's *fixed* shade. Yeah, #11 is gonna be tough to see, especially when you've got the machine turned down.

I find I'm usually at #10 or even a little less depending on what I'm doing. Makes sense you'd find the #11 too dark.

My current (starter) helmet is a cheapo HF variable shade: It works "okay" - but I'm tempted to upgrade for more view area and the newer shade technology without the green. I notice the Vulcan claims 1/1/1/2 clarity vs others at 1/1/1/1 - not sure how much real world impact that has, particularly at the hobbyist level. I did see this article you might find interesting: 1+1+1+1 = Clarity (thefabricator.com)

 

I use to sell those at the counter. Impulse buy. I impuls'ed 2 times I think. LMAO
Zim

 

Same. Except they are so good ive bought 5 or 6.

 

Looks like you might not now about "Multi-Quote +" and then "Insert Quotes"

 

Yes... My first welder purchase was an everlast mp whatever the fuck si
I've yet I do solid core mig with it but it sucks at stick... Can't keep a 6010 arc for more than 3 seconds tig is alright

 

@EMR

If you are looking for a cheap helmet that works well enough for hobby usage, here's my experience this past year. Bought one and returned it. Bought a second one and its fine. Not perfect by any means, not meant for 8hr days, but good enough for an amateur, driveway warrior like me.

I liked the idea of the outside adjust knobs, but, returned due to headband issues:



Had this one since Sept 2019. Like the True Color, has grind and weld settings, light weight, large view area. Even occasionally welding inside my garage in reduced light, I can still get decent visibility. Half the price of the one I sent back!

Edit, BTW with the large view area, I was able to tape a cheater lense inside on the bottom half and its kind of like the bifocal in a pair of glasses: look straight=normal; look down=magnifier.