Justin, You should only use the unit with the Pedal 2T selected for torches with a amp control and a separate switch. This can create an issue when welding with the pedal. Select only Pedal. Also, for the best results on thick aluminum on Advanced AC Pulse, you should set Pulse Amps at 99 to 100%. This is how you get the extra penetration (up to 50% more in some tests). If you want an improved bead profile on thin aluminum then you would lower the DC Amps to 25 to 30%. Add filler on the DC side of the cycle after the cleaning side of the pulse has done its job.
I have the PowerTIG 185DV and love it. Easily one of the most gratifying tools I've purchased in a long time! I learned to TIG with that machine. I used to always ask "How am I gonna get this built?" and now I ask, "Do I have enough argon to knock this out before the end of the day?" I was given a queen size mattress by a family member and they said, "Do you even have a queen size frame?" Hah! I will in a few minutes!
Im wanting to get that exact machine. Would you mind telling me pros and cons of it? Also any thickness you would stay away from? Or do you have an Instagram I can message you at for more questions?
I'm new to tig Would you say this machine is too advanced for me to learn on? Should I purchase simpler machine then move up after aquired some skills- I have lot brazing experience from HVAC work just thought I could learn tig but most confusing as to so many types machines at all price points both foreign & domestic- Any advice surely appreciated, jack
@@juniorscollection6673 Sorry to reply so late. There's absolutely no reason to not like the 185 DV. I run it on 120 volts, which limits me to 125 amps, for .125" and thinner, which is 99.9% of my jobs. On 240 volts, I haven't come across a job I can't do. It's my most-used machine because it's relatively light weight.
@@jacklowe3788 The 185DV is a perfectly good machine. The PowerTig 210 EXT is a superior machine since it has a feature called "Advanced Pulse" that makes it easier to do very thick aluminum. The 185DV is quite possibly the best machine to learn TIG with. I haven't come across anything it can't do, minus some .75" thick aluminum. However, I did that .75" aluminum job anyway by using a different welding wire.
Oh and 6:00 when you say about being bitten by ending up in AC mode after being in DC pulse - yep, been there, done that! Had the 'wrong' tungsten in too so it was quite exiting as the tungsten essentially exploded.. funtimes! :D
At 2:18 did you mean on 120V that 150amps is 60% duty cycle and 120amps is 100%? Cause you said it reverse. Lol. Also at 4:27 was lil bit of a weird start, no?? Amazing video though great info!!! Ordering mine tomorrow! 🤗🤪☺ update: Have had I for about 3months and LOVE it!
Justin, I suspect that on the advanced AC setting the machine is switching from AC to DC which would explain the potential to weld thicker materials. If you were to reverse the settings so you're getting higher amps in the DC component then you get more penetration while the AC side applies the cleaning action to remove the oxide layer. If you look at your video at the switching you can hear it where one half is on AC but the other half is quiet which indicates DC.
What’s the thickness material this machine can weld . Steel and Aluminum. Also is this an inverts machine ? I heard inverts machines do not last that long!
After dismal results with a little MT125 I went full bore with a 325EXT and torch cooler. Most of the features are similar. I’ve been happy with it so far that it has top end capacity, kind of like being able to burn the tires off for 1/2 mile but only lighting them up for 1/4 mile... lol
2:20 you said that: “when you hook up to 110, you can get up to 150A at 100% duty cicle”, after that you say “up to 120 with 60% of duty cicle”. Let me know what do you mean, because is obvious that here is a confusion. Do you flip numbers or so?
@@JustVoss Hahaha, that’s happens a lot, but please don’t call you what you aren’t, instead do everything well done, and be sure to continue developing that type of content that everyone on this channel love!
Welding is high on my list of skills to acquire, recently got a used Craftsman MIG welder to start playing with. Sadly I know NOTHING about welding but I still love this video! LOL
@@JustVoss I was absolutely hopeless at welding doing that for years :) Then RU-vid came along with excellent channels like this one and now I can actually make things that don't even fall apart. It's hugely instructive to be able to see what it's supposed to look like when you're doing it properly. Still takes practice but if I can do it anyone can.
Huh, I was about to say "That looks *exactly* like the R-Tech range, but green instead of blue" and then you showed that purge button.. that's killer. I know, but it's the little things!
@@sbranham86 generally on steel and stainless I don't notice a difference in arc stability from brand of machine. Worked in a shop with the same exact kind of welder in all 12 stations, and we moved to different one every day, each of those had there own "personalities" but generally all good.
@@JustVoss I expect you'll want the torch button rather than pedal under a car - LOL. Speaking of jackstands, ours get a lot less use since we got a QuickJack, a shop safety and efficiency improvement I cannot recommend enough.
Can look up the current price through the link, the pedal is nice it’s “sewing machine” style. I’d have to look into the 6010, it might also say that on their website. I do practically zero stick welding sorry.
@@JustVoss I agree should have looked on price my self but had a list of videos to get through and figured may work out. I do need an ac tig welder, have a esab 161 lts and a Lincoln ranger 250gxt, Lincoln has ac but needs hi freq box and that's about as much as a dedicated tig machine I can plug into wall not just engine drive because it's over year old and don't even have 30hrs on it,was hoping to get business going but insurance on anything with people on gas,steam or about anything with pressure and your insurance is threw the roof and I don't have that without a job going and can't bid and be looked at with any respect without prior insurance and capitol to buy material if needed
@@JustVoss I agree but need cnc plasma to be competitive for that. I weld pipe in hydronics field for day job and would like to do something like that but about impossible for a family man with other responsibilities. Wish I could bid jobs and if u get be required for insurance prior to starting.. help the smaller guys out trying to start for sure
@@chrisjones6165 That EASB 161 LTS is a handy little lift-arc machine. I put the argon bottle in a dolley, then ratchet strapped that little baby TIG to it. When someone asks me to do a side-job repair, that's the machine I bring. They ALWAYS get a kick out of it. Only 4 people in town TIG. I'm the only one that does stainless and TIG brazing.
