Wow!

[Yofish]

I've been having problems with my venerable power source, the mysterious and short lived Hobart PortaFlex, CA. 1986. She's a little wobbly. I'd say the best machine I've ever used, even though the arc squeal makes cats yowl one half mile away. I've been interested in the ELast 250p for some time and have tried to get feedback with its use on AL but for naught. NOW, of a sudden, we have a new replacement that makes me even more interested, the Power i-MIG 275P. It has more stones, which is good and single phase too. No pictures though on the EL website! Can lugweld help me out here? Of course, I'm going to destroy the warranty as I will do my thing with it to hook up a Miller box but, don't care. Be danged if I'm gonna spring for a Miller 304 for twice the price and their pulse for another 1k. My experience with the iMig 200 makes me feel confident enough. It's all just wires. Pics please!

[lugweld]

Non professional pictures are here, above, in the stickies. We are waiting on a photo shoot which seems to keep getting rescheduled for the main site. That's why we keep so many stickies of them up there, so people can see the newest products for the year. The PowerMTS 251Si also provides similar capability, except for the push pull capability.

http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...ull-Capability

[Yofish]

Non professional pictures are here, above, in the stickies. We are waiting on a photo shoot which seems to keep getting rescheduled for the main site. That's why we keep so many stickies of them up there, so people can see the newest products for the year.

Thank you for the prompt reply which generates more questions re. the 275:

1) Can I assume that the wire diameter selection is not an issue when using 1/16" AL?

2) Is there a pic of the push-pull gun? If it's a re-work of the spool guns I wouldn't be too interested.

3) If I'm seeing correctly, the synergy aspect can be completely overridden but still have pulse?

[lugweld]

The synergic feature is only for standard MIG. The pulse is still set up manually. In manual mode, 1/16 shouldn't be an issue in either pulse or standard modes, as long as the gun liner can handle it. I don't know if it will, but think it should. I'll have to check.
But yes, the synergic mode can be easily overridden, even if it is engaged.

Keep this in mind. I know you are thinking about how to modify. Many basic features remain on the output side of things, but a lot is changed as it is 100% digitally controlled.

The Push pull gun isn't a rework of the spoolmate type spool guns that Miller and many others offer under 200 amps. This is a 300+ amp gun.

Push/Pull guns will be around 1250.00 list. It is a parker made unit.

[zoama]

The Push pull gun isn't a rework of the spoolmate type spool guns that Miller and many others offer under 200 amps. This is a 300+ amp gun.

Push/Pull guns will be around 1250.00 list. It is a parker made unit.

Pistol grip type gun ?

[lugweld]

Yes. But its an ergonomic type. Well made.

[Yofish]

Yes. But its an ergonomic type. Well made.

Thanks again, Lug. Do you have any pics? This could be a great thing! Hopefully, it has enough reach not just 15'. Also, how much does the 275 weigh? With 20lbs of wire, I imagine it not being a one-hand-to-move proposition thus the need for a long reach. I would completely re-think this if the package was capable enough. If it was, I could sell a lot of these here in Alaska because your are talking a price point that is LESS than say a Miller or Lincoln set up with a spool gun. The more I learn, the more intriguing it is. As a fantasy thought; if EL had a machine like this that had AC tig too, it would be the endall.

[lugweld]

It's heavy. It has a true geared 4 roll drive. 12" capacity roll. Without the wire, it is going to be near 50 lbs, pretty sure. The gun should have at least 25 foot length. I don't have any pictures as equipped with our unit other than catalog pictures, and none that show much detail.

[lugweld]

Almost 27 ft. from the details I have received. Had to go back and look over a few emails. But it should be available soon.

[Yofish]

Almost 27 ft. from the details I have received. Had to go back and look over a few emails. But it should be available soon.

Thanks again. Looks like I'll have to wait. I was about ready to pop on the 250p, which I saw was surprised to see no longer available, hence my looking at the site again. I have two others that want me to order the Imig 200 and because of a shipping situation I have, was wanting to combine. Am I hearing right that the 275 is not deliverable right now? Or is it just the gun?

[lugweld]

Just the gun.

[Yofish]

After speaking with Alex @EL, I got a picture of what the new gun looks like. Unfortunately, he doesn't know exactly when they will be available. The website of the manufacturer has a bewildering number of models, come to find out. If anyone is interested here is the address:

http://www.parkertorchology.com/index.php

This is certainly a step in the right direction for EL as they move up to the REAL world of mig welding aluminum. The only thing I see that worries me is how stiff the lead is to the gun which incidentally, is 8m or 26.2' If it's as stiff as my Hypertherm plaz is, I'll pass. Have to wait and see how parts availability/price works out. They are an international outfit and I've tried to get hold of who (I think?) is the US rep but haven't connected.

[zoama]

If it's as stiff as my Hypertherm plaz is, I'll pass.

Sean Delmore (when he was still at CK Worldwide) said I could change the stiff lead on my PP60 to a CK SuperFlex tig lead. He said it would be an easy upgrade but I never pursued it. Maybe worth investigating for your Hypertherm.

[Yofish]

zoama, thanks for the tip. The most user friendly plaz torch I ever used was an Esaab. I absolutely dislike the Hypertherm, though I bought it primarily for use with a machine torch for a TorchMate table. The thing about the Hyper is that it's a molded unit, so I'm don't think I could strip it. Unless it's alloy or thin material I still prefer oxy-fuel, far and away! I guess I'm showing my age?

[Yofish]

Down the road with this thread, has anyone yet now have experience with this machine? Any input for any process would be greatly appreciated. Contact information for a serious user would be even better, preferably commercial someone who uses it everyday.

[lugweld]

I've been working with the 275P and 275S. One customer here has the 275P. I've sold a number of both of them.
The unit works very well and is powerful.
But we've been working on dialing it in with .030 and .035" stainless 304. He has no way to back purge it or use some copper blocks. I am going to work some more. It's a fine line.

[Yofish]

Thank you for the reply. I'll take it that the new push-pull gun is not available yet and will proceed from there. I'm gonna assume that I would not void the warrantee by hooking it up to my Miller feeder without breaking into anything and just modifying a Euro connection to activate the (I know you don't use the the term contactor) weld circuit? I just need the machine to go on and off, the feeder/gun takes care of everything else.

[lugweld]

No, you won't by doing that. The push pull should be available soon, but the cost of it is about 1300.00.

[lugweld]

PM me. I have an idea. You may like it if I can get Oleg to go along with it.

[Yofish]

I PM'd but no reply. Did you get it?

[lugweld]

I pm'd you.

FWIW to all others. The Push Pull guns are now in stock.