bought the powermaster 256 maybe screwed up

i just purchased a powermaster 256 and after speaking to i think mark then i might have should boght the 250ex. I read somewhere the unit was basically a 250 ex and a 60 amp cutter in 1 unit. When i spoke to the other guy he explained there are alot of features that the 256 does not have from the 250 ex. Did i screw up?

Were is my primary welding stuff. 1/16 to 5/8 aluminum, chromoly steel for roll cages, and sheetmetal. Can this great machine tune down for sheetmetal alminum and steel? Parameters look like it can but i would like to see if it can.

Hi,
Yes, I talked to you this morning... But what I was trying to get across is that the ONLY feature differences with the 256 are as follows:

1)

The 256 does not have lift arc. It has HF start only, which is fine for 99% of the time for all types of welding, whether aluminum or not, a HF start is generally preferred because it prevents tungsten contamination, keeps a sharp point and is superior in nearly every way. Lift arc however, is generally used only in sensitive electronic areas. Some people want lift arc, because they tie the meaning of a HF start to a foot pedal. With our machines, we have switch on the torch that start the arc, and cycle the welding parameters like up slope, pre flow, start current etc. A simple toggle of the switch start the arc in HF. Even with lift start, the torch switch must be cycled or the foot pedal must be pressed. Until this new generation PowerTig, the 250 EX did not have lift start either.

2) The 256 does not have a spot weld timer. But proper with proper use of the torch switch, you can make a nice spot weld anyway, just you become the timer instead of the machine.

3) The 256 has a plasma cutter...60 amp at that. The 250EX does not. It is not a multi type machine, where the PM 256 is. The 256 will handle up to 1 inch comfortably and higher than that at severance when cutting. This also means it has a low pressure warning.


What the 250 EX and 256 DO have in common:

1) Pulse and pulse parameter control, with lo and hi pulse ranges, pulse current, frequency and time on controls

2) AC balance control: same range percent

3) AC Frequency control: same range going to max 250 hz for both

4) Digital read out

5) 2T 4T function

6) Up Slope

7) Down Slope

8) Start Current

9) End Current

10) Pre Flow

11) Post Flow

12) AC current out put

13) DC current out put

14) Water Cooled torch

15) Quick connects, and Dinse connectors

16) Arc force control

17) 250 amps at 60% duty cycle

18) 200 amp stick weld function @ 35% duty cycle.




My understanding is that you are mainly concerned about not having lift start? If you need lift start, can you tell me why exactly? The stuff you told me you are doing absolutely shouldn't require lift start unless you have a pacemaker.

Now, the PM 205 has many less features than the 256, and cannot be compared to anything else really, except the DX, and there are some more differences as well, but the 256 and 250 EX are roughly equivalent in nearly all areas except the one I mentioned.

Dont get up set dude. I was testing a company that has welders for a percentage Of other competitors. Yes i am scared and $1600 is alot to give for something that is garbage. The econoomy is getting better though. and hope it gets there soon. My name is mike gibson and own the muscle car shop in ashland ky and if anyone has questions just ask.

Just for disclaimer purpoes, i did not call everlast welders junk. What i meant was if they were not what they claim then they were junk. The guy Mark is very knowledgable. if you need any body advice ask away. Cant wait to get new welder.

The machine you purchased will work very well in the custom auto shop.
Wayne

I can not imagine someone with a PowerMaster 256 being unhappy? As Wayne said it will fit all your needs for what you are doing.

The 250EX is a great choice too if you want to have the plasma as a separate unit. You will spend more money to do that.

If you do occasional cutting, or are on a budget, or have space issues in your shop, the PM256 would be my pick. One welder on a cart and does all but MIG.

"i just purchased a powermaster 256 and after speaking to i think mark then i might have should boght the 250ex. I read somewhere the unit was basically a 250 ex and a 60 amp cutter in 1 unit. When i spoke to the other guy he explained there are alot of features that the 256 does not have from the 250 ex. Did i screw up?

Were is my primary welding stuff. 1/16 to 5/8 aluminum, chromoly steel for roll cages, and sheetmetal. Can this great machine tune down for sheetmetal alminum and steel? Parameters look like it can but i would like to see if it can."

Looks like he wants to weld aluminum that goes to 5/8" 250 amps isn't near enough!! I hope he means 5/16" 1/4 will be 250 amps.
Just reading maybe a help, I own a PM-256 and its Great since its cold in the midwest don't use it much but what I have done it works better than expected, You'll love it and didn't spend the BIG bucks to get it the Plasma is an A_S kicker!
dwdw

250 amps should be enough to get to where he is wanting to get to, though the most common misconception by noob welders is that you weld 5/8 in one pass, which just ain't going to happen unless you are wearing an asbestos fire suit and are prepared for the warpage that ensues.

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/tig/dynasty_350/
Dynasty® 350 Series Inverter Welder

Latest Technology! The Dynasty 350 is a powerful, compact power source capable of welding up to 5/8” aluminum. Total arc control provides maximum productivity and weld quality while conserving energy compared to traditional welding machines.

Miller's TIG weld calculator is 1/2" fillet weld 320-350 amps and 3 passes.
Why would Miller build or spec their welders this way?
Miller must employ only noobs! They'll never stay in the welder market!
passing along what I read
dwdw

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dwdw

"i just purchased a powermaster 256 and after speaking to i think mark then i might have should boght the 250ex. I read somewhere the unit was basically a 250 ex and a 60 amp cutter in 1 unit. When i spoke to the other guy he explained there are alot of features that the 256 does not have from the 250 ex. Did i screw up?

Were is my primary welding stuff. 1/16 to 5/8 aluminum, chromoly steel for roll cages, and sheetmetal. Can this great machine tune down for sheetmetal alminum and steel? Parameters look like it can but i would like to see if it can."

Looks like he wants to weld aluminum that goes to 5/8" 250 amps isn't near enough!! I hope he means 5/16" 1/4 will be 250 amps.
Just reading maybe a help, I own a PM-256 and its Great since its cold in the midwest don't use it much but what I have done it works better than expected, You'll love it and didn't spend the BIG bucks to get it the Plasma is an A_S kicker!
dwdw

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Sir no disrespect but my buddies thermadyne 185 does 5/16 all day. And this machine should on occasion on multiple passes go 5/8 shouldnt it? I am a noob to aluminum welding even though i am certified. Chromoly is all i do as well as sheetmetal. I just got into aluminum when my dynasty took a crap. It never welded worth a crap. My buddies dynasty doesnt weld that good either that is why he goes with his 185 thermadyne. I have a 20 amp thermadyne(MATCO TOOLS) built unit i have had for many a years and no complaints. I only went with this company because if it gets me thru 6 units its done its job. But i feel after speaking DIRECTLY to tech and sales and the other staff without waiting 3 hours on hold it will be a good unit. Wish me luck and help me out when i need it if possible. Thanks guys,mike. And by the way i actually stole the unit i think.

Miller plays with their figures for marketing, just as everyone does a little I guess. You can look at their diversion 165 and find that it does 3/16 Al with 165 amps. So 35 amps only gains 1/16 over the Dynasty 200?

In fact, many things influence the thickness rating. How much DCEN are you using? More DCEN, more penetration. More frequency, more intense, concentrated arc. More intense concentrated arc, more penetration. More penetration, thicker metal can be welded. A helium/argon mix increases heat/penetration also. Duty cycle comes into play as well. The duty cycle can limit the total amount of heat that can be put into the weld at the top end. If you look at the Millers duty cycle ratings, they are poor on 220 and won't reach their maximum amperage either. Ours will and do it at an industrial quality 60% duty cycle.

Got unit today and while heavy the box itself is, well, light. never fired yet as i have to contact everlast as to look for shipping damage. They told me before what to look for but forgot. Other than that if it was to sell on looks this bitch has it. Very nice looking. Hope it performs. Going to try on some 1/4 sheet aluminum and see if it does nice. Any suggestions on settings? Picking up consumables tomorrow, might fire tomorrow or next day. Man she is beautiful no joke.

I have to chime in on this post. I am going through the same thing now trying to choose between the 256 and 25EX. I think I will go with the 250EX and get a seperate plasma down the road because of a few differences between the 2 . Duty cycle being my biggest concern between the 2..
I have the Diversion 165 now , that is how I got started with TIG, Great little welder to a point. Fixed torch and ground clamp , so not changeable ( wish I would have found the everlast first ) .It does not like 3/16" Aluminum that well.. Does OK but takes 5 seconds to get a puddle started on thick stuff without pre-heating.
So with the Diversion 165 is not that OK for 3/16" . Only doing a few pieces at a time is OK though.
Gary

Hey 1Bad05gto,
did you ever get your welder up and running? I have not seen you post about it here yet.
Post your opinions about the welder when you get a chance. Just want to see if it lived up to your expectations..
Gary