Video demonstrations

[everlastsupport]

I video of that might be coming, did you look at the online manual. I know we covered the knobs in the onlline manuals. That should help for now.

[jericho777]

I looked at the online manual but it is kind of vague. I can weld OK but feel like I'm not taking full advantage of all the features my machine has to offer.
I'm sure there are a lot of new and inexperienced welders who are owners of your products. Plus if someone is looking to purchase one of your units and they feel intimidated they may opt for another unit where they feel more comfortable. Especially if they feel they will not have any easily accessible welding knowledge support.
I would like to see someone demonstrate the relationship of the knobs and how they affect the weld process. I know in another post on this site there was a discussion about letting people figure out what the knobs do for themselves because they would be better welders for it. I disagree because I would like a solid foundation first then I could build upon that knowledge.
I don't have time to reinvent welding. I just would like to see someone who is an experienced welder show ie the proper way to pulse on steel and aluminum, proper material prep, what knobs are used and not used for a specific process Ac vs DC etc, etc.
You have exceptional products and it would be a shame if you don't help and educate your customers. They can be your best advertisement. I for one can't say enough about my welder.

[cabletech]

I would like to see a video also.

I ordered some tig supplies from HTP this past week, and I had a 'what the heck' moment and ordered their video as well. It did an OK, but not great job going over their Invertig 201 and all of the controls on it. I'll admit my eyes started glazing over when he was pressing a button for 5 seconds until this blinked and then you could change this parameter, push the button again to go back to this and then hold your arm over your head and make choo-choo train noises... Lots of button pressing, turn a knob, press another button, go back... going on. As I've discussed with Oleg, I'm a knob kind of guy, that's one of the appeals of the 250EX to me. Reach over, grab knob, turn, change parameter. No wandering through menus to find what you want.

Anyhow, the HTP video focused on the impact of AC frequency on tig welding pretty well, but it didn't demo some of the other parameters (can't remember them all right now, but there were some that they just brushed over and didn't really show "this is what happens when you change it"). It was a little over an hour long, but at least 10 minutes of it was just filler logo/music type stuff, it seemed.

Any word on when the 250EX will be back in stock? This week I got almost 30 lbs of various filler, several different sizes of lanthanated tungstens, a trip to the LWS for gas is planned soon (my mig is almost out of 75/25)... And I have no tig welder. Woe is me. And fortunately for you guys, no Dynasty 300DX has fallen from the sky in to my lap either.

[everlastsupport]

I am not sure what the ETA is on the next order. Oleg will have to give an update on that. I just filled my argon $38, last trip was $32.

Spent most of the day with a 250LX trying to use it all up.

[WAYNESWORLD]

I am also waiting for my 250EX. I have some AL projects ready to go. It's killing me, but I'm sure I will survive. I’m working on a cart using a Craftsman side cabinet. I need to put the tank holder and wheels on it then I’ll post some pictures. Mean while I still have the 25 year old BetaMig.
Wayne

[performance]

This is a good time to mention that there is a lot of "free" information out there on what the basic controls do...A video can show you how to turn the knob and some basic demonstration of technique, but no matter how good, someone will find fault for "lacking" the particular piece of information that they wanted to know...same as the manual.

What a lot of guys are expecting, I fear is a years worth of theory, condensed down into a 1,2,3 do this, do that scenario. Welding just isn't that way guys. It takes years of practice, skill, training and retraining to get good and stay good. Welding is a skill...Skills are learned by doing, skills are kept sharp by doing. No video can adequately teach skill. A lot of variables enter into "recommendations" that some mfgr's offer and in fact, are sometimes not even in the ballpark. For expample, I have talked to "welders in training" who were having trouble with running a bead. They come to me because they know I can weld. They ask me what they are doing wrong. I ask them their settings. They give me boiler plate,standard issue settings. I can tell many are welding too cold, and a few too hot for their talent and skills. They are usually rather frustrated when I explain that the "heat" isn't correct. They almost invariably reply: That's what the book says, or that's what the machine says, or that's where the instructor told me to weld. I'll go into a booth with them and "max" out the machine for the electrode and lay a perfect bead, then I'll go and lay a bead at the minimum range for the electrode and lay another perfect bead. But for a new guy who hasn't developed the skill to weld or doesn't understand what's going on in the machine he is welding with, its frustrating to have a "preset" notion of if I can't weld at that recommendation, then something is wrong with my welding, when all he needs to do is experiment with a more comfortable amperage that gets the job done. In the field, sure there are regulations specifying amperage range and preheat and post heat requirements...but not when one is learning. But the greatest handicap in welding can be the unquestioning reliance upon the " book" settings.

The "punch" button machines are no more difficult to understand or run than your typical microwave...the problem is that most people don't read the owners manual to find out what to punch to keep the popcorn from burning...same is true with our welders. The manuals are designed to give a "heads up" discussion and not a welding primer. Typical welding books are in excess of 500 pages, that just begin to scratch the surface. While yes, a video will give some more clarity, it won't answer every question or every situation or problem encountered. It will likely cover basic technique and functions of the machines in a visual/ audio form. So, this is where YOU come in...You must practice, practice, practice, if you aren't familiar with the units or its capabilities...In so doing, experimentation is necessary.

If you don't like to experiment, or read, I doubt a welding video will be much of a help either. Welding is not an exact science....though some would disagree, it is a descendant of the great ART of blacksmithing,a trade that now has many "videos" about how-to.. But because one watches a video about it doesn't qualify one as a blacksmith, nor does one gain intimate knowlege of the art. The only way is to begin to experiment, and find out what works for you.

Most of our welders are quite advanced in features. I expect that we will have a dumbed" down AC/DC machine in the near future, but even then, proficiency will not be infused by a welding video...

[roadymi]

Mark,
I agree with everything you just said about welding, however I think demonstration videos would be a great help. For example....I live in the boonies, at least an hour from any welding school that I know of. I have never even seen tig welding done. A video covering the basics with a machine with similiar controls to one that I own would be of great benefit to me to observe. I know that it is then up to me to practice and learn. At this point I havn't a clue how to begin.

[smackdaddy]

This is a good time to mention that there is a lot of "free" information out there on what the basic controls do...A video can show you how to turn the knob and some basic demonstration of technique, but no matter how good, someone will find fault for "lacking" the particular piece of information that they wanted to know...same as the manual.

What a lot of guys are expecting, I fear is a years worth of theory, condensed down into a 1,2,3 do this, do that scenario. Welding just isn't that way guys. It takes years of practice, skill, training and retraining to get good and stay good. Welding is a skill...Skills are learned by doing, skills are kept sharp by doing. No video can adequately teach skill. A lot of variables enter into "recommendations" that some mfgr's offer and in fact, are sometimes not even in the ballpark. For expample, I have talked to "welders in training" who were having trouble with running a bead. They come to me because they know I can weld. They ask me what they are doing wrong. I ask them their settings. They give me boiler plate,standard issue settings. I can tell many are welding too cold, and a few too hot for their talent and skills. They are usually rather frustrated when I explain that the "heat" isn't correct. They almost invariably reply: That's what the book says, or that's what the machine says, or that's where the instructor told me to weld. I'll go into a booth with them and "max" out the machine for the electrode and lay a perfect bead, then I'll go and lay a bead at the minimum range for the electrode and lay another perfect bead. But for a new guy who hasn't developed the skill to weld or doesn't understand what's going on in the machine he is welding with, its frustrating to have a "preset" notion of if I can't weld at that recommendation, then something is wrong with my welding, when all he needs to do is experiment with a more comfortable amperage that gets the job done. In the field, sure there are regulations specifying amperage range and preheat and post heat requirements...but not when one is learning. But the greatest handicap in welding can be the unquestioning reliance upon the " book" settings.

The "punch" button machines are no more difficult to understand or run than your typical microwave...the problem is that most people don't read the owners manual to find out what to punch to keep the popcorn from burning...same is true with our welders. The manuals are designed to give a "heads up" discussion and not a welding primer. Typical welding books are in excess of 500 pages, that just begin to scratch the surface. While yes, a video will give some more clarity, it won't answer every question or every situation or problem encountered. It will likely cover basic technique and functions of the machines in a visual/ audio form. So, this is where YOU come in...You must practice, practice, practice, if you aren't familiar with the units or its capabilities...In so doing, experimentation is necessary.

If you don't like to experiment, or read, I doubt a welding video will be much of a help either. Welding is not an exact science....though some would disagree, it is a descendant of the great ART of blacksmithing,a trade that now has many "videos" about how-to.. But because one watches a video about it doesn't qualify one as a blacksmith, nor does one gain intimate knowlege of the art. The only way is to begin to experiment, and find out what works for you.

Most of our welders are quite advanced in features. I expect that we will have a dumbed" down AC/DC machine in the near future, but even then, proficiency will not be infused by a welding video...

(dumbed down) thats funny sht right there

[smackdaddy]

This is a good time to mention that there is a lot of "free" information out there on what the basic controls do...A video can show you how to turn the knob and some basic demonstration of technique, but no matter how good, someone will find fault for "lacking" the particular piece of information that they wanted to know...same as the manual.

What a lot of guys are expecting, I fear is a years worth of theory, condensed down into a 1,2,3 do this, do that scenario. Welding just isn't that way guys. It takes years of practice, skill, training and retraining to get good and stay good. Welding is a skill...Skills are learned by doing, skills are kept sharp by doing. No video can adequately teach skill. A lot of variables enter into "recommendations" that some mfgr's offer and in fact, are sometimes not even in the ballpark. For expample, I have talked to "welders in training" who were having trouble with running a bead. They come to me because they know I can weld. They ask me what they are doing wrong. I ask them their settings. They give me boiler plate,standard issue settings. I can tell many are welding too cold, and a few too hot for their talent and skills. They are usually rather frustrated when I explain that the "heat" isn't correct. They almost invariably reply: That's what the book says, or that's what the machine says, or that's where the instructor told me to weld. I'll go into a booth with them and "max" out the machine for the electrode and lay a perfect bead, then I'll go and lay a bead at the minimum range for the electrode and lay another perfect bead. But for a new guy who hasn't developed the skill to weld or doesn't understand what's going on in the machine he is welding with, its frustrating to have a "preset" notion of if I can't weld at that recommendation, then something is wrong with my welding, when all he needs to do is experiment with a more comfortable amperage that gets the job done. In the field, sure there are regulations specifying amperage range and preheat and post heat requirements...but not when one is learning. But the greatest handicap in welding can be the unquestioning reliance upon the " book" settings.

The "punch" button machines are no more difficult to understand or run than your typical microwave...the problem is that most people don't read the owners manual to find out what to punch to keep the popcorn from burning...same is true with our welders. The manuals are designed to give a "heads up" discussion and not a welding primer. Typical welding books are in excess of 500 pages, that just begin to scratch the surface. While yes, a video will give some more clarity, it won't answer every question or every situation or problem encountered. It will likely cover basic technique and functions of the machines in a visual/ audio form. So, this is where YOU come in...You must practice, practice, practice, if you aren't familiar with the units or its capabilities...In so doing, experimentation is necessary.

If you don't like to experiment, or read, I doubt a welding video will be much of a help either. Welding is not an exact science....though some would disagree, it is a descendant of the great ART of blacksmithing,a trade that now has many "videos" about how-to.. But because one watches a video about it doesn't qualify one as a blacksmith, nor does one gain intimate knowlege of the art. The only way is to begin to experiment, and find out what works for you.

Most of our welders are quite advanced in features. I expect that we will have a dumbed" down AC/DC machine in the near future, but even then, proficiency will not be infused by a welding video...

I think some people are starting to take advantage of your guys knowlege and kindness, I dont see miller doing what people are asking of you guys. I think if you really want to learn then you need to pay and go to school for it just like most good welders do. A little info here and there is great but if you need a video then you might as well at least take a community college course for welding....at the bare minimum.