Howdy from Arizona!

[DaveO]

Welcome to the forums, Richard, and to you too, AKWeldShop!

Congrats and Merry Christmas with your new machine! Just a heads-up: it may be worth calling around to find out the details of cylinder ownership, rental, etc. Prices vary widely from supplier to supplier.

Post up some pics when you get a chance!

[RichardH]

Thanks, Dave.

I know what you mean. I didn't mention that I'm of the nerd variety with an OCD streak a mile long, so I've done a bit of homework over the years while waiting to pull the trigger here. (Not to mention getting a mask, gloves, tools, etc. long before getting a welder.)

I found a local gas bottler that will sell me a 300cf argon cylinder for $245 filled (and $50 refills). When it comes time for a refill, I have the choice of doing an exchange or waiting to have my bottle filled when the time comes. The corporate guys like Praxair and Airgas want up to $400 for the cylinder, plus $120 fill.

For anyone in the Phoenix area, the best deal is at Allied Gases, on Curry Rd (at the river bottom) just East of Scottsdale Rd. Phoenix Welding, Ramsey Welding, and Vern Lewis also had good prices, but Allied beat them all by $20-75 on the cylinder, and by $20 on refills.

Cheers,
Richard

[tom_tom]

I found a local gas bottler that will sell me a 300cf argon cylinder for $245 filled (and $50 refills). When it comes time for a refill, I have the choice of doing an exchange or waiting to have my bottle filled when the time comes. The corporate guys like Praxair and Airgas want up to $400 for the cylinder, plus $120 fill.

Congrats Richard. Both on the 210EXT and on the good deal for 300CF argon cylinder! I pay that much for a 125CF cylinder here but I have 3 of them now (bought flat-out, no rentals). Exchanges are $18 and the filled cylinders are light enough to easily load/unload from the truck without having to tip and roll. I have a background in electronics/communications as well but have been stick and gas welding for a while (hobby type). I recently bought a 250EX and LOVE IT. The 210EXT was my first choice for a while but went with my gut on the 250ex.

The pedal is where my learning curve steepens but I'm learning quickly. I even find myself pulsing with the pedal now (sometimes unaware when I'm doing it). Now put that OCD and 210 to good use!

Tom

[RichardH]

The 210EXT was my first choice for a while but went with my gut on the 250ex.

I don't remember now why I picked the 210 over the 250 - it's like me to go as heavy-duty as possible, but I seem to recall a couple new features in the 210 broke the tie.

I think most of my TIG work is going to be smaller, finer work. Photography jigs and the like, so I'll probably never use the limits of the 210's capacity or duty cycle. If I were to take on a larger-scale project like building a trailer, I don't imagine I'd TIG it. But I have much practical experience to gain, so who knows. I hadn't planned on ever buying a stick machine, but I'm very glad the 210 has stick so I can learn it.

My first "real" project is likely to be a simple welding table, so I have somewhere safe to work besides the concrete floor. Most of my shop is setup for woodworking, and wood benchtops don't get along with welding!

Slowly pulling it together. I picked up some cutoffs yesterday for practice, along with gas, rods, electrodes, and filler wire. Now I just need to sneak some time in the shop when the kids are otherwise occupied...

Cheers,
Richard