Finally welded with the new TIG...kinda

[youngnstudly]

Mark, it looks like you guys are on track with making the needed changes and updates for the manuals (the samples posted look great). I looked through the 160STH manual on the Everlast site in October (right before I purchased my 160), and the manual that arrived with the machine was nothing like what was posted on the website. While the manual included with my welder isn't "bad", I was expecting some information to be included in regards to what plug needed to be purchased, as well as some other misc. info (that is slipping my mind at the moment!). I was able to cross check my neighbor's welder plug so I knew what model plug to purchase, but others may not.

Another thing I didn't see mentioned anywhere was what size torch parts are supplied with the unit...I ended up bringing the needed parts with me to the LWS in order to get the correct size tungsten and match up (additional) gas cups for my torch, so it was no big deal. However, I could see an unknowing purchaser buying incorrect consumables. A quick and simple write up on sharpening the tungsten might help those new to TIG welding too as that is "bare basic" knowledge that is needed to use a TIG welder for the first time. I did notice that the online manual covers a few of my suggestions, but as previously mentioned, the online manual was not what I received with my welder, (just FYI).

I can see how looking at staring at these manual pages for long periods would make things blurry! It's also hard to come up with suggestions when (naturally) you take your already existent knowledge of welding for granted and assume that someone new to welding would already know to do "this or that". Sort of like teaching a beginner to drive a car equipped with a manual transmission!

I can't figure out how to post my PDF scans of the manual I received, so I will have to try again tomorrow. It's late and I'm tired!

Anyways, keep up the good work!

[performance]

Andy for future reference, there are only two basic classes of TIG consumables. And within each class any diameter tungsten will fit, if you have the correct collet and collet body. You should make your purchase based off your use, and not necessarily what comes as a small starter kit. We try to inform customers that they should rely upon the online manual and not the box manual, but it always seems someone misses the information.

[youngnstudly]

My only point was that it would be nice to know what size collet and collet bodies are included with the welder upon purchasing it so tungsten could be purchased online or before the welder arrives. It's not a big deal though. The online manual wasn't mentioned at all when my welder was purchased. Does the Everlast factory include collets for 3/32" tungsten with all TIG welders they sell (as a common "one size fits all")?

[performance]

You mean collet bodies? Our collets are designed with a 3 way split instead of a 2 way split. This allows them to be used in a 1/8" collet body with a special taper. But the threads fit other collet bodies as well, which are what you'll find mostly here in the US. And that is subject to change depending upon which/what the torch factory supplies the welder factory. When something is subject to change (because these really are freebies) it isn't something we can guarantee.

[Jason]

It would have been nice to know exactly what was in the package but I went ahead and got the tungsten and such that I wanted anyways. I figured its simple enough to just get the pieces I may need after the package arrives. I am sure if it was important that we need to know, we could simply ask when placing the order of the machine.

[performance]

The website lists the torch that comes with the current units. As far as the torch goes, consumables are consumables. And torch consumables are cheap. You can buy a handful for 10 bucks locally at almost any welding supply store. Ours are there just to get you up and running quickly. I guess what I mean is that you should go ahead and buy the consumables you need, because as soon as you start using the welder, you're going to need more. Especially cups when you hit them a little hard on something, or crack them by hitting too high of AC frequency (as I have done).

[Jason]

The website lists the torch that comes with the current units. As far as the torch goes, consumables are consumables. And torch consumables are cheap. You can buy a handful for 10 bucks locally at almost any welding supply store. Ours are there just to get you up and running quickly. I guess what I mean is that you should go ahead and buy the consumables you need, because as soon as you start using the welder, you're going to need more. Especially cups when you hit them a little hard on something, or crack them by hitting too high of AC frequency (as I have done).

I still have and use my supplied components but I can see your point. Like I said, it wasn't a problem and I agree that buying extras are cheap enough to just have them sitting around as I have done with some cups in case I crack one. I guess my point was it would have been nice to know something like the flex torch comes with 2 #4 cups only and the size of the collets but definitely not something that is required to know or a problem in anyway.