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I've been using my powertig 225lx off and on since I bought it on last years black friday sale. I've had no issues at all with it and have been teaching myself to tig weld with it. I've welded everything from sheetmetal patches on my 32 ford to driveshafts to aluminum practice pieces. my only regret is that I didn't have the money at the time to buy the 250ex!
thanks guys been a great machine so far!
Curious, what do you think you're missing on the lx that you'd get an advantage with the 250EX?
to be honest, nothing that I've actually had a need for yet. The only real reason I wished I was able to get the 250ex is the value. the wider range of functions, and the slight increase in amperage for only a moderate cost increase I feel I would have gotten even more for my money. the wider range of ac balance and pulse frequency seemed like a useful feature in certain circumstances.Quote:
Originally Posted by performance
my actual use of the machine at this point has been very limited in range of requirements, so there has been no need for me to even use those features anyway. (100% steel so far besides practice)
The most popular machines should have a higher resale value as well.
I would say the 225LX is the best value that we have when you consider price and function. In terms of regular function, you gain nothing. Those panel features don't mean a thing unless you are using the torch switch...but even then most of the control functions are there, just missing a programmable start/end amps. The AC balance issue does give marginal improvement, but its to the point of being impractical. Can't do much at 90% EP. The pulse frequency is sufficient to work the puddle manually. The benefit of having 500 hz pulse frequency is mostly maximized only with automatic welding equipment. As for the spot timer, I rarely have found anyone who uses it...though I have used it myself. I know its human nature to always want the next nicest thing available...but objectively, from a price/feature/performance standpoint the 225 lx is probably the best deal we have.
which given the money I had available (even that was a stretch for me) is why I got the 225lx. to be honest, I don't even need a tig but my father and brother both have decent mig welders if I needed to use one. I figured spending a little extra on a tig would benefit all of us. After getting the machine though, I have found the ability to control the heat so finitely to be the best part of having the machine. I've been able to weld up some pinholes in sheetmetal that I would NEVER consider doing with a mig. My biggest problem has been that I tend to rush through my projects. I don't take the time to prep, I try run the bead to fast, I don't wait to cool etc.Quote:
Originally Posted by performance
as for the frequency and pulse width, I watched the videos from weldingtipsandtricks.com and saw the benefits that could be had by changing them in certain situations. How much would you use those features in real life?? probably not often at all but I'm sure if I knew that certain feature I didn't spend a little extra for would make my life easier ...... well that always sucks lol
I've used the LX line (as far back as when we had an 250LX). A few years. I use the 250EX now, have for about 6 months. Either unit will get the job done for me. But the 250EX is the most popular for sure.
If you want to use 4T and get that little extra, the EX is good. But the LX is the best unit, for me, for the price as well. The extra 25 amps (helps on aluminum/duty cycle), but it is $200 more I believe. It does have a few extra features, but nothing most can not live without for the price.
I do agree with you guys on the value of the 225lx, I did buy one didn't I lol. I'm just saying if I had the extra couple hundred I definitely would have gone for the 250ex!
I've had my 225lx for almost a year now and absolutely love it! I use it to build my Starduster Too (experimental biplane). The current control on thin wall 4130 is very impressive. I've had certified welders and welding instructors use this machine and all claim it's better than the higher priced blue and red machines.
The 225LX is a fantastic product (probably used one for 4 years total). It gets over looked with all the video of the 250EX. I still have a 225LX myself.
I know when we run out of 250EX unit, I mention the 225LX, a couple guy bite and call back to talk about how happy they are with them. Same electronics inside as well, just a couple feature not enabled and a little less power.
I'm getting a bit tired of people blowing off the spot welding feature on the 250EX as though it was some kind of useless appendage, if they have ever worked in a body shop of a small sheet metal outfit fabricating they would soon learn that all the cars and trucks and many many other items are spot welded not continuous welded, sure you can spot weld with a 225lx but who wants to count one thousand and one one thousand and two, for eight hours a day , with the 250EX you set the machine up and pull the triigger and go. Jody overlooked the spot weld feature on the 250 EX when he did his video's, too bad. The 225 lx is a good machine at a good price but the 250EX is the top of the line with all the features, that's why I have one.
This thread has helped firm up my decision to get the 250EX. Why? Well, when I re-did the tailgate in my F250, The spot timer would have come in handy, plus having the xtra balance range, and pulse range will, in my humble opinion, serve me well as learning tools more than anything. Plus the extra amps/duty cycle. Hey, some people say a couple hundred dollars MORE than..... I say even at that, it's 1/3 the price of....
Hooda,
Honestly...The extra cleaning range for aluminum is NOT necessary. It is of no real benefit to 99.9% of the welds. In fact, the range is virtually useless over 60% due to the balling. 10% isn't going to cut it very much unless the aluminum is perfectly clean. 25 amps aren't going to help you that much either. Not that I am trying to talk you out of the 250EX. If things go as planned the new 225 lx's will have an increased pulse setting...But again, plenty of high end welds are made every day without the benefit of ANY of these features.
I would say that a spot weld timer is very helpful. I have this on my Miller 252 welder and it is nice to make consistent tacks with out thinking. Best of all with a tig welder you can make these tacks with out filler material.Quote:
Originally Posted by geezer
I was at a sheet metal shop and saw some computer boxes they were welding together that had about 20" seam welds of around 20 inches on six of the edges. The 16 Gage box was tack welded with a tig welder with no filler material. This allows to ensure that the project is square before seam welding and no grinding required on the tack welds. I would half to agree with geezer that a spot welder timer is a great benefit.
The spot timer for a mockup and tacking is nice and works well.
However, if you are on a budget or do not really need the feature, you press the trigger, watch, let go. Works just as well with little extra effort. Note, the 250EX also has other features. The buyer really just needs to research the features and ask some questions. They will get lots of answers for sure.
I do have to agree with this statement!Quote:
Originally Posted by everlastsupport
as for the guys who do 8 hours a day of sheetmetal spot welding, you want a spot welding machine not a tig welder. My uncle just bought one (no idea on make/model) for his automotive resto shop. He got tired of drilling, welding and grinding the 90% panel replacement he had to do on a 65 mustang.
I am completely satisfied with my 225lx! just that case of "want" vs "need" ;)
my "want" usually beats out my "need". but then who doesent that happen too?Quote:
Originally Posted by revkev6
We always want the latest and the greatest its human nature.
My wallet usually keeps me from getting what I want! I usually get what I need! I purchased a 200DX and I was debating between the 225lx and 185micro. I can't even say I have come close to using all the capabilities of my 200dx.
True we typically purchase due to the amount of money we want to spend. Most of these features are not needed.Quote:
Originally Posted by SeanMurphy265
I just finished watching a group of welders weld up a tool for a critical path job at a power plant. The welders were scratch starting with a Miller Maxstar 280 DC TIG unit. The welds are as good as they come, no foot pedal and no pulse needed but these welders do perform welds that must pass radiographs from time to time.
I hear you there. just getting the tig itself was a stretch on my "need" list. 99% of the time a mig would work for my needs. I do have to say that my quality of work is much better with the tig though. I do alot of thin sheetmetal and the tig works great with that!Quote:
Originally Posted by SeanMurphy265
Best thing about TIG is you are not constantly feeding in filler material to keep the weld going, this is a huge advantage over MIG welding for aesthetics.Quote:
Originally Posted by revkev6