Welder

[kenmac]

Comments (good,or bad) on the Eastwood Tig 200 ac/dc welder ? I know it's chinese, as most of these welders in this price range are. It does seems to have a good warranty.

I wouldn't be using it for production welding. just for things around the farm from time to time
For $741.00 I can weld, tig metal, tig all in one machine.

Eastwood TIG 2 AC/DC Welder - Eastwood TIG Welder

 

[RNeumann]

If u go Chinese at least get a common one like AHP or Everlast. Much easier to find parts and info. While Eastwood had a recognized name, the welder really doesn’t.

 

[kenmac]

If u go Chinese at least get a common one like AHP or Everlast. Much easier to find parts and info. While Eastwood had a recognized name, the welder really doesn’t.

when I called, they said they stock all the parts for the unit.
According to them.The items are off the shelf from anywhere for the tig torch

Chinese can't be too bad. Most (if not All) the inverter a/c units are made in china

 

[MinnesotaDaveChalmers]

If you want inexpensive and easy to use warranty - the Vulcan tig from Harbor Freight is a no brainer.

It was designed/modeled from the Lincoln square wave 200.

A pro weld shop that I know was involved in the long term beta testing and vouches for the unit.

 

[RNeumann]

when I called, they said they stock all the parts for the unit.
According to them.The items are off the shelf from anywhere for the tig torch

Chinese can't be too bad. Most (if not All) the inverter a/c units are made in china

I was thinking more like someone besides the dealer. If the thing is common enough, 10 years from now you will be able to find parts.

Check out this website or another that sells parts etc. You will get an idea of what’s common.

MIG/TIG/Stick Welders & Plasma Cutters | USA Weld

I’m sure the one you are looking at is fine. But you asked and that’s just MHO.

TIG is a fun skill to have!

The other couple things to look at is the AC balance and pulse features. Some are limited. Also, the inverter machines don’t like 6010 stick rod and some won’t do 6011 either. I’d want one that does 6011.

And I know most have the old buzz box for 6011. It’s nice to haul the little inverter machine somewhere and make a quick repair on 120v. And a crusty dirty rusted quick fix is a good candidate for 6011.

 

[MinnesotaDaveChalmers]

I was thinking more like someone besides the dealer. If the thing is common enough, 10 years from now you will be able to find parts.

Check out this website or another that sells parts etc. You will get an idea of what’s common.

MIG/TIG/Stick Welders & Plasma Cutters | USA Weld

I’m sure the one you are looking at is fine. But you asked and that’s just MHO.

TIG is a fun skill to have!

The other couple things to look at is the AC balance and pulse features. Some are limited. Also, the inverter machines don’t like 6010 stick rod and some won’t do 6011 either. I’d want one that does 6011.

And I know most have the old buzz box for 6011. It’s nice to haul the little inverter machine somewhere and make a quick repair on 120v. And a crusty dirty rusted quick fix is a good candidate for 6011.

The ESAB 161, Thermal Arc 161, Lincoln Invertec v250/300 pro/350 pro all run 6010 (as well as some others).

I've not used any of them that didn't run a 6011. For example my old miller maxstar 150s would not run 6010 but ran 6011 fine.

I'd consider a machine that won't run either 6010 or 6011 to be designed wrong or broken.

 

[kenmac]

I was thinking more like someone besides the dealer. If the thing is common enough, 10 years from now you will be able to find parts.

Check out this website or another that sells parts etc. You will get an idea of what’s common.

MIG/TIG/Stick Welders & Plasma Cutters | USA Weld


The other couple things to look at is the AC balance and pulse features. Some are limited. Also, the inverter machines don’t like 6010 stick rod and some won’t do 6011 either. I’d want one that does 6011.

New one on me. I had no idea they wouldn't run 6010 or 6011 rod
Something I'll have to check into.

Just found another machine that may be a little better than the eastwood machine.
This TFS: AHP Alpha-TIG 2x Setup and Review - YouTube one has a digital read out.

I have no idea if it will burn 6010, or 6011. Will have to do some checking on that

 

[RNeumann]

I bought an AHP just to see what It would do. So far, so good. I did get the aftermarket food pedal which was about $160 for an American made model.

The torch is a CK knock off and works fine. It runs 6011 just fine.

Someone way smarter then me can explain why some inverters doesn’t like the 6010 and some don’t like the 6011.
The guy you linked on YouTube seems good. Chuckie2009 also did a YouTube review of the AHP.

I believe everlast has some involvement with TBN and they will probably chime in on this as well.

 

[kenmac]

I bought an AHP just to see what It would do. So far, so good. I did get the aftermarket food pedal which was about $160 for an American made model.

The torch is a CK knock off and works fine. It runs 6011 just fine.

Someone way smarter then me can explain why some inverters doesn’t like the 6010 and some don’t like the 6011.
The guy you linked on YouTube seems good. Chuckie2009 also did a YouTube review of the AHP.

Thanks, at least you have this brand and know it will burn a 6011. This is the rod I use 99% of the time

The videos I watched show them using a 7018.

 

[MoArk Willy]

If you haven't bought yet, look at Amico Power.
I bought a small 120/240 volt DC stick welder and I couldn't be happier. They also have TIG machiines.
The quality looks very good. I've had mine for about 8 months and it's a great welder. They will also be a bit less costly than the machine you are looking at.

 

[yomax4]

Adding Open Circuit Voltage to a machine so that it will run 6010 has a cost. To see if a machine will run 6010 just look up the OCV. If it's around the upper 70's or higher it will be fine. Many or most are built with price in mind. I'm not a big 6010 fan but i'd still want my machine to be able to run it.

 

[MinnesotaDaveChalmers]

Adding Open Circuit Voltage to a machine so that it will run 6010 has a cost. To see if a machine will run 6010 just look up the OCV. If it's around the upper 70's or higher it will be fine. Many or most are built with price in mind. I'm not a big 6010 fan but i'd still want my machine to be able to run it.

When Miller was questioned as to why the arc didn't stay lit on the inverter based Maxstar 150s that I owned when attempting scratch tig, they said the computer saw an arc voltage that was out of range for stick welding, so the arc shuts off.

That machine didn't have a stick/tig switch. It is different than the 150stl.

It also would lose the arc with 6010 unless held super close. My theory is that the computer again saw a voltage out of its set range.

Just one possible interpretation of the reasons

 

[yomax4]

Scratch start tig should have worked on the Maxstar. It's all there was in the beginning of the small machines. We even used to put scratch start tig set ups on the old 115v Lincoln SP100 mig units. Not pretty and you couldn't turn it down for thin stuff but they worked well for 3/32" steel and stainless. Talking Early 90's.

 

[MinnesotaDaveChalmers]

Scratch start tig should have worked on the Maxstar. It's all there was in the beginning of the small machines. We even used to put scratch start tig set ups on the old 115v Lincoln SP100 mig units. Not pretty and you couldn't turn it down for thin stuff but they worked well for 3/32" steel and stainless. Talking Early 90's.

You are correct, it's the only DC machine I've ever used that wouldn't do it.

But, when it's programmed to shut off in the tig welding voltage range, it's not a very good chance of working.

Miller agreed that it was made that way.

My opinion is they did it so folks would have to spend the extra to get the 150stl instead of the base model 150s.

 

[Lelandwelds]

All the top tier manufacturers target a segment of the market when they design a machine for each price level. Some of their assumptions and decisions won't fit every user. ( such as "most users of E6010 are running engine drives and not 120 volt capable inverters".)