DanG
11-04-2008, 10:53 AM
Day 1
Well, I just got the unit yesterday. It came through with a bent case and a loose AC cord, but the controls were OK and the front panel was intact. I gave Alex a call and he will send me another case. I took this opportunity to open the case up and tighten the AC cinch connector. I also took some pictures of what my fiancée calls the ‘innards’. The overall impression that I got was that the construction was done professionally with some attention to detail. The front panel stenciling was a little beat up, but that could be from the trip over.
I will have photos at this location as I go along into this process: http://picasaweb.google.com/ddvg44278/EverlastWelder#
First impressions:
1.) I really like the construction details with the component layout and wire dressing. I saw that the critical parts were cemented in place. The unit won’t take a very big drop, but the parts are serviceable and well positioned.
2.) You will need to get a length of tubing for the argon gas, a plug for the AC tail and at least one tungsten electrode to make the first weld.
3.) After I assembled and got it going, it seemed to make a pretty decent weld on my steel test strip.
4.) The controls took a little bit to figure out. The idea of adjusting the current via the foot pedal is a little different, but with the digital meter on the front panel, I can get a good handle on the upper end of the current range.
5.) The argon gas regulator seemed to work pretty good and the internal gas and electric controls seemed to function as intended.
Suggested Improvements:
1.) Clearly state that this is a single source AC 220 Volt single phase welder. That way, no one will hook it up to 3 phase or 110 thinking that it will handle either. Some welders have the capability of running on any input voltage that is present, from 110 to 480 3 phase simply by changing plugs.
2.) A much clearer explanation of the controls would be more helpful. Make this explanation by mode. For instance, which controls work for DC, as opposed for AC or pulsed.
3.) Give a starting point for the different processes for the two main metal types, steel and aluminum. In most welders, there is a chart that is welder specific on the different modes and metals. It doesn’t have to be detailed or lengthy. Just where to start with the control settings. Kind of a general starting point that will get you into the ball park on either aluminum or steel.
4.) How do I hook up the compressed air for the plasma torch? If it goes into the same fitting as the argon, what is a good way to get a quick disconnect to work?
My main goal is to learn the machine and process this winter and make an aluminum trailer in the spring. I will follow up with notes on steel and aluminum with this machine including starting settings for different metal thicknesses and welding configurations.
Any help or comments would be greatly appreciated.
Well, I just got the unit yesterday. It came through with a bent case and a loose AC cord, but the controls were OK and the front panel was intact. I gave Alex a call and he will send me another case. I took this opportunity to open the case up and tighten the AC cinch connector. I also took some pictures of what my fiancée calls the ‘innards’. The overall impression that I got was that the construction was done professionally with some attention to detail. The front panel stenciling was a little beat up, but that could be from the trip over.
I will have photos at this location as I go along into this process: http://picasaweb.google.com/ddvg44278/EverlastWelder#
First impressions:
1.) I really like the construction details with the component layout and wire dressing. I saw that the critical parts were cemented in place. The unit won’t take a very big drop, but the parts are serviceable and well positioned.
2.) You will need to get a length of tubing for the argon gas, a plug for the AC tail and at least one tungsten electrode to make the first weld.
3.) After I assembled and got it going, it seemed to make a pretty decent weld on my steel test strip.
4.) The controls took a little bit to figure out. The idea of adjusting the current via the foot pedal is a little different, but with the digital meter on the front panel, I can get a good handle on the upper end of the current range.
5.) The argon gas regulator seemed to work pretty good and the internal gas and electric controls seemed to function as intended.
Suggested Improvements:
1.) Clearly state that this is a single source AC 220 Volt single phase welder. That way, no one will hook it up to 3 phase or 110 thinking that it will handle either. Some welders have the capability of running on any input voltage that is present, from 110 to 480 3 phase simply by changing plugs.
2.) A much clearer explanation of the controls would be more helpful. Make this explanation by mode. For instance, which controls work for DC, as opposed for AC or pulsed.
3.) Give a starting point for the different processes for the two main metal types, steel and aluminum. In most welders, there is a chart that is welder specific on the different modes and metals. It doesn’t have to be detailed or lengthy. Just where to start with the control settings. Kind of a general starting point that will get you into the ball park on either aluminum or steel.
4.) How do I hook up the compressed air for the plasma torch? If it goes into the same fitting as the argon, what is a good way to get a quick disconnect to work?
My main goal is to learn the machine and process this winter and make an aluminum trailer in the spring. I will follow up with notes on steel and aluminum with this machine including starting settings for different metal thicknesses and welding configurations.
Any help or comments would be greatly appreciated.