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Vulcan Pro-tig 200 thread

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consumables setup tig vulcan
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108K views 135 replies 35 participants last post by  outsider347  
#3 ·
But I did notice a video by ChuckE2009, where he demo-ed one, and had an obviously bad time with AC arc starts on aluminum, if I recall correctly.
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Chuckee is the same guy who dismantled his harbor freight portaband to change the blade....completely idiotic. I am sure his issue with arc starts could have been alleviated by checking the ground and/or using a non contaminated tungsten. I wouldn't put too much faith into anything Chuckee says about anything Harbor Freight. His paying sponsors wouldn't be happy if he said a Harbor Freight welder was just as good as anything in it's price class. I am sure he is biased since he doesn't want to bite the green/yellow hand that feeds him.

That being said, Harbor Freight really will stand behind their try it for 1 year money back guarantee. I bought an Omnipro 220 that wouldn't stick weld at all...defective unit. I brought it back and they not only refunded the purchase price, but the extended warranty as well, no questions asked. I loved the way that unit MIG welded. So don't be afraid to buy one and try it. You really have no risk which is something hardly anyone else offers you.

Terry (Shovelon) said he ran a beta model of the Pro-TIG in production until he smoked the torch, and said the unit did pretty well. Hopefully he will be along here shortly to give you his own words. The only real gripes people have had is the machine doesn't have an adjustable post flow timer, and they squawk about the cost of the wasted argon shielding gas. To me that dog doesn't hunt. If the machine has a post flow that is 15 seconds too long, then 15 seconds of argon at 20 CFH per hour is 0.08 cubic feet of argon, which cost between 2 and 4 cents depending on where you get your gas and the size of the bottle you buy. You lose more money in the cushion of your couch than you will lose in argon costs.
 
#6 ·
I don't think there's a conspiracy afoot with ChuckE2009 having a problem with the AC arc starts
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My issue with him is he makes no attempt to fix the problem and automatically blames the machine, which is at worst dishonest, and at best, lazy film making. If he tried to fix it, he sure didn't document it at all. You may give him a pass, but I actually see a trend in how he deals with harbor freight. Whether he spent his own money or not, he is not demonstrably unbiased. In fact I think he is demonstrably biased against them. I tend to believe Terry's review(s) of this unit much more than I do Chuckee's. And you raise a very good point. If he got a bad unit, return it, and let's see the follow up with a second unit. But no, because that would possibly demonstrate that Harbor Freight's return policy is clearly superior to the yellow or green box return policy. I am sorry, I can't take Lance's reviews seriously. But I keep giving him a chance for some reason, hoping he will turn it around.
 
#8 ·
I mean, he did an earlier video on the new, smaller DC-only HF Vulcan TIG/Stick unit, and gave it a pretty favorable review, in a cursory way.
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I agree with most everything you said except this. He bashed the lift arc function of that 165 unit and says he flashed himself, but there was no explanation, no attempt to remediate, and no video on what actually happened. He also repeatedly called it an $800 welder which was incorrect. at the time the Pro Tig 200 was $800, this machine was $600 I believe. again, just pointing to some repeating patterns.
 
#11 ·
Since this machine is purchased by us newbies I would like to see some info on basic setups and getting going with TIG. The manual is not always clear on what the experienced guys take for granted..
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I would suggest you look up posts by late member Doug (DSW) he had a great method for getting people started. I would also watch the intro to TIG videos by Jody Collier (Weldingtipsandtricks on youtube) and by Lanse (aka Chucke2009 on youtube) both are good. Most of the info has been documented so it doesn't make sense to put it here in this thread.

https://www.youtube.com/user/weldingtipsandtricks/search?query=tig+welding+basics

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_P7k0CDx5cUye7RNHc5WhUix5grt2Ykm
 
#40 ·
Would the protig 200 be an ok unit to learn/tinker with?
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It is designed to make life easier for beginners while still having enough capabilities for almost all welders, except maybe industrial applications. Plus with the one year risk free trial, if you get frustrated with TIG welding, just bring it back and get all your money back. I would say its perfect for you.
 
#47 ·
My buddy's kid goes to UPenn to study engineering. The have a highly acclaimed robotics team that is reportedly difficult to get on to. Lots of people apply and only a couple are selected each year. His kid got on because he had a basic understanding of stick and MIG welding that he picked up from his Mexican immigrant grandad, God bless him. How he does a fair amount of the fabrication on their robots. I think everyone should know a bit of basic welding.
 
#52 ·
Congrats!

Chucke had his problem because I belive his tungsten was contaminated. if you accidentally dip your tungsten, be sure to re grind it right away or swap out for a clean one.
 
#64 ·
Any opinions on the duty cycle? Seems a bit low.
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The rated duty cycle is 25% at 200 amps and 100% at 100 amps. So a rough guesstimate is it is 60% duty cycle at somewhere around 155 amps. So two questions for you: How often is a self confessed hobby guy going to be running this flat out at 200 amps? The Everlast unit that comes closest to this machine in price is their powertig 185. It has a max output of 185 amps and 60% duty cycle at 145 amps. Sure the Alphatig has a higher duty cycle, but it can't stick weld near as nice. Honestly, if you need more duty cycle, none of these three welders are what you need. 2. How often is a self professed hobby guy going to actually weld above 150 amps? Probably not that often really. I really believe that except for Moto, most people here don't do a lot of aluminum work at home.
 
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