Power I Mig 205 P qs ? (Size, aluminum, wire speed, flux wire, roll size, new model )

[performance]

I talked to Oleg about this unit. Here are his answers.

We skipped this question.

Oleg said the 205P would weld 1/4" to 3/8" in a single pass. I assume that means 3/8" aluminum would take full amps which would mean a 35% duty cycle.

The 205P sets wire speed automatically as you adjust the amps. I want to be able to adjust wire speed manually.

I didn't get a direct answer to this. The pulse function on a MIG works like the pulse function on a TIG. Its most suited to welding thin material where you need amps and volts to make an arc, yet you need to shut it down for a bit every cycle so that you don't burn through. I kind of doubt that would play a roll in burning flux core wire, but I've never tried it.

Thin stuff, yes.

From the factory, no. But people have made adapters to do so. One other thing to note is that the 250P has a 4 roller wire feed system, whereas the 205P has a 2 roller system.

Not at this time.

To summarize, this is what you get for the $300 extra between the 250P and the 205P.

- 250A versus 200A at 35%
- 200A versus 155A at 60%
- 160A versus 110A at 100%
- adjustable wire feed speed on the 250P versus auto on the 205P
- 4 roller feed on the 260P versus 2 roller on the 205P
- 105 pounds versus 50 pounds. Even if the cart componentry (4 wheels and shelf on the back) weigh 20 pounds, its still 85 pounds versus 50 pounds.
- wheels and tank ready cart for the 250P versus needs a cart for the 205P.

I am sensitive to duty cycle when I am stick welding, which means stopping to change rods and chip slag. I am buying a MIG welder so that I don't have to make those stops. And I want to run my amps on the high side to ensure good penetration when I am stick welding. Therefore I think I better pay attention to duty cycle more on a MIG than I would on a stick box.

I think I am going to go with the 250P

Someguy,

A few comments to clarify:

The 205P isn't enough power for welding steel with pulse correctly, at least not in spray mode as it should be. Aluminum, however takes less power to spray.
The amp control is simply the wire speed control. It isn't "automatic". Amp/Wire feed are the same thing. Wire speed controls amps. They are directly tied together. Either term and way of looking at it is correct. Other welders on the market in the past and today use amps as the setting. It is just another way of looking at it. In other words: THERE IS NOT ANY DIFFERENCE>

Pulse on a MIG does NOT work like Pulse on a TIG. In fact, there are two types of pulse on a MIG, single and double. Our migs are single pulse. That means a faster pulse speed. IF you are looking for a stack of dimes this is not that kind of pulse. The minimum pulse frequency is 20 hz, and that is enough to make a nice, close ripple, but not what some people are thinking. The pulse actually pulses voltage, and not amps(wire speed). Pulse on a MIG is SUPPOSED to be used for spray transfer process, and the pulse dip in volts, brings it back down into the globular transfer long enough to cool the weld, but not actually transfer any metal while in the globular voltage range. Some people try to use single pulse for short circuit mode , but it simply isn't designed for this, and cold fusion will likely result. Use of special blend gas of 90/10, or pure argon (for aluminum) is required.

Duty cycle at 35% is rarely achieved especially welding at 200 amps (max wire speed).

MIG pulse is NOT for the beginner, especially for a manually set pulse MIG. It is an advanced process that takes every resource of a trained, and skilled MIG welder to understand and recognize a properly set pulse MIG. It is not like setting a tig, to suit your taste. There are a number of variables that have to be set just right to achieve a proper pulse weld. That is why most, if not all pulse migs on the market these days are synergic, and pre programmed. These units are NOT! Pulse time on, and pulse differential (pulse voltages) and frequency each must be in correct sync or you will have a hard time setting it. IT is something that is not easy to do. And unfortunately, no graph can be given because it is relatively complex...and you are using analog controls. So, sight and sound have to be your guide. If you have never pulse sprayed before, and are not familiar with it, it is not going to be easy. My recommendation is if you are going to buy it, study up on pulse MIG welding. Very little public information is out there on it, though. If you are looking for information, go back to some older texts books. If I remember right, the AWS doesn't recognize pulse mig as a process to be used in production. These machines though operate very similar to the pulse MIGs of the 70's and 80's, before synergic, processor controlled MIG came around that could manage all these parameters for you.

Finally, the thickness of metal it will weld will vary on joint prep. Don't expect to achieve great results if you are trying to butt weld 3/8" metal...Not unless you have 500 amps to play with.