I find that my lens shade is governed by the amount of light where I am welding. If it is a darker shop, I use a darker #11 lens. If it is a well lit shop a drop to a #10. The amount of light coming in from the back of the helmet sets the mood for my ability to see clearly. I keep both shades for ju...

I have tested the syncorwave 250 and it was ok, but it kept shutting down for overheat due to duty cycle. (I had a LOT of long aluminum welding with long beads to do) I could weld for about 40 minutes on the first bead then about 10 minutes at a time between thermal shut downs after that. So then I ...

Buy a Red one??? Is your cooling fan running when it kicks off?

AC for aluminum, obviously, yes. I would have to look back on my notes from earlier about DC but I want to say yes. I was using pulse MIG with the robots at Arctic Cat. I also use pulse MIG with the Linc MP350 also on aluminum. The Cobra push pull gun makes for a weld rivaling the TIG process, and g...

Not at all Jim. My reference was to the earlier post by the gurew saying that he welds production, not just a hobbyist. I used to be the night shift weld shop super for Arctic Cat, who oddly enough use pulse too...lol ;) But I now do about 98% aluminum where I work as the fab mgr. But I too, am obvi...

I guess that I "don't" weld production....hmmm. :?: Maybe I should take another look at the website I posted and see what it is that I "Really" do? Maybe the units that we build here are done by hobbyists? Maybe the Lincoln Rep. that gives us our training is full of whoey? Or may...

Pulse IS good for aluminum. It does require some adapting to the technique. I do a little aluminum. See www.sunspringwater.com And we use pulse all the time.

Great safety tip!!! I am so glad that safety is a prominent concern on this site. You guys are great!

Tig Alum. is addressed by Jody. He recommends 2% Lan. or 2% Thor. The Thor works very well, and maybe even a smidge better than the Lan. for aluminum. Both have a cleaner arc than the 100%. We use them all the time and weld about 98% alum. here at the plant. www.innovativeh2o.com

The Cobra leads are the stuff!! They are perfect for aluminum! They are rather large but very functional. I have two on the MP350 Lincolns that we run just for aluminum. Both have the Cobra leads. I have had zero problems and am going on 3 years of use in manufacture setting.

A carbon block functions well too...

For long continuous welds I still prefer the fixed Gold lens. I have used the speed glass, and they are ok if you are not in a hot environment or never perspire but but I have a bucket head and in humid hot environments tend to steam them up because they are a little narrow. My PERSONAL preference f...

I agree with Admin on this one. If this guy is involved with passing you on the inspection, he will not want to make himself look stupid later, and pick at what he passed.

I disagree there Welder57. Sorry. I think that if it were me, I may have walked away if I had started with flux core. I hate the way it looks and takes too much cleaning. If I had started with a low end welder, I would have been disgusted with the performance and not enjoyed myself. It would be(for ...

Welder57- If you DO want a Lincoln machine, you could contact a Lincoln rep. They usually have used Nascar machines with few hours in Cleveland. I tested The large 375 Tig Last year from there. Wished it had been in the budget at the time. :( Maybe this year? :D We have never tried the Everlast. The...

On aluminum, cleaning is king. Te coating on the face of your sheet takes almost 3 times the heat to burn through as the molten aluminum. You can see these facts on the demonstration on tig alum. welding on this site. You get the coating off and I believe your problems will decrease significantly. T...

Welcome. Are you a welder? Just checkin, with your signature and all.

Thanks Kerm! This will be valuable to me as well. I printed it and posted it by my desk...lol.

I love the Red ones! I tested the PT 375. WOW! Nice machine. Have not been able to justify the upgrade yet, but hope to have one in the next couple years!

Is that Binford blue? LOL... Grunt Grunt!!

Are you gonna build a guard to cover the slotted hole that the idler arm travels up and down to keep the complete morons safe? You could use the bolts so it would travel with the arm. As nice a job as you have done, OSHA would still pick on that because they can....lol. Looks great, I wish I had one...

I am guessing that you really mean "vertical" welding? What type of welding are you doing? Mig? Tig? Stick? Would love to help with more info...

I have done it with Mig.

What you need (in my opinion) is Lincoln "wearwhield ABR" . It is a great hard surface rod. Goes on great and is easy to use. Just make sure you have great ventilation! Outside is best and stay upwind. It wears great. I have used it while welding at a farm repair weld shop for furrow bars....

And......lol.... use both hands. Just sayin...