My 200DX came in yesterday..

[undercut]

I replaced my snub nose, twist style with the old style clamp holder, and I think I paid a few dollars more at the LWS. I found that after a while the contacts on snub nose type would get sooty, and I would have problems striking an arc. You can't disassemble the snub nose to get at the main contact for cleaning, and it shouldn't be that much work anyways. With the clamp style, you can just squeeze the clamp and use a brush to clean it up real quick.

Cheers
Mike

I'm beginning to see why so many people don't like the twist style rod holder. There is definitely something to "Keep it simple". Anyone replace their stock ground clamp?

[posixPilot]

Anyone replace their stock ground clamp?

I actually like the stock clamp ... it works on pipe (split conductor on one side), fits inside 1" sq tube, and you can operate it with only one hand. I'm going to get a few more arc strikes on it before I think about swapping it out.

Cheers
Mike

[zoama]

There is definitely something to "Keep it simple". Anyone replace their stock ground clamp?

I made up a Strong Hand "ground hog" for my welders with 25' of #2 cable.. I'm happy with it so far.

[undercut]

I made up a Strong Hand "ground hog" for my welders with 25' of #2 cable.. I'm happy with it so far.

OK, now *that* is a cool idea! Notice any improvement in your grounding?

If the stock ground looks like the one in the picture ... it's nice that that there is a stranded copper strand going from one side of the clamp to the other.

[zoama]

OK, now *that* is a cool idea! Notice any improvement in your grounding?

If the stock ground looks like the one in the picture ... it's nice that that there is a stranded copper strand going from one side of the clamp to the other.

I haven't noticed a difference in grounding, but I never had a problem with the oem ground other than it being too short and wouldn't fit on larger square tube when I close the end for a screw in caster.
I'm not sure about the second part of your question but there's no strap going to the other side on the ground hog clamp. I stripped the #2 cable back far enough to double it over and pushed it into the ferrule.

[undercut]

I haven't noticed a difference in grounding, but I never had a problem with the oem ground other than it being too short and wouldn't fit on larger square tube when I close the end for a screw in caster.
I'm not sure about the second part of your question but there's no strap going to the other side on the ground hog clamp. I stripped the #2 cable back far enough to double it over and pushed it into the ferrule.

Sorry. Got lazy. Tried to comment on two people's messages without quoting both. I was talking about the braided strap on the picture of the original ground clamp - here:

[EchoSixMike]

I don't think there's anything wrong at all with the stock ground clamp. It's as good as any I've seen on a stock welder, and better than some.

A "ground hog" or magnetic flat panel ground is somewhat specialized and specific to the application. If I did that sort of work, I'd just put one together with whatever length of cable needed since it's a QD dinse connector, not a hard connection inside the welder case, as on some welders. S/F....Ken M

[zoama]

I don't think there's anything wrong at all with the stock ground clamp. It's as good as any I've seen on a stock welder, and better than some.

A "ground hog" or magnetic flat panel ground is somewhat specialized and specific to the application. If I did that sort of work, I'd just put one together with whatever length of cable needed since it's a QD dinse connector, not a hard connection inside the welder case, as on some welders. S/F....Ken M

I used the dinse off of one of the oem grounds since I have two, so I can use whichever one I need on the 256 or the I-Mig.

[Winky]

At this point I'm starting to think maybe I should consider a 225LX over the 200DX since the LX will weld thcker metal and has a little more control (up slope and pre flow) Is there anyone out there who has both that can give their opinion on why I sould go with which ... other than cost, which still may be my final determining factor after all.