FNG with first use of my 250EX
Received my 250EX during late 01-10 and tried it out during early 02-10 when I purchased an Argon bottle. Fooled around with it just enough to make sure it worked with stick and TIG on a piece of scrap.
Yesterday came the first real test. I actually had something to repair. Keep in mind that I'm 67 and although I've used a Thunderbolt XL a couple of times the results were far from acceptable due to zero experience and a thin metal pasture gate. Because of that experience I picked up a Handler 135 and use flux core wire with it. Results have been better but nothing to talk about.
Now comes yesterday. My 25 year old CH air compressor went TU. I figured that, since they only rate the compressor for 5000 hours, it was in need of rings as I've run the crap out of it. Because CH wants much $ for rings, gaskets and valves I opted to pick up a replacement pump. Since this would require a different pulley on the motor and re-plumbing the pump to tank tube I decided to take a look at the old pump before making too much work out of actually doing the swap.
Pulled the CH valve cover and discovered that one of the valve restrictors had fatigued and broken. Looked at the restrictor and decided to see if my new 250EX would save the day. It did and my first TIG project was a success. Put it together and the pump runs like it did on day one.
This 250EX makes a clown like me look good. All I did was dial down the amps and go for it. The valve restrictor is about as big as the end of an index finger and 0.048" thick.
The 250EX is amazing.
Rolynn
Clatskanie, OR
