Longevity Arcmate 205P Mig/Stick welder

[dex3361]

I took advantage of the Longevity monthly special for the lucky TBN member who e-mailed after they post the special.

I decided on the ArcMate 205P | IGBT 200AMP PULSE MIG WELDER WITH SPOOL GUN CAPABILITY AND 160AMP STICK WELDER.

Does anybody have any experience with this particular unit?

This unit is a stick and mig welder.

 

[dex3361]

Does anybody have any advice on which size gas bottle to get for the Arcmate 205P?

 

[undercut]

Does anybody have any advice on which size gas bottle to get for the Arcmate 205P?

Have you used gas previously? I've had some very helpful and experienced folks recommend that I look at how much it will take to refill various bottles. Sometimes, the difference between bottles is relatively little. If that is the case, you should establish things like portability and initial bottle cost which plays more into how much you are going to use it and how you are going to use it (lugging it around, completely stationary, etc).

 

[Shield Arc]

I like 250-cf bottles, those 330-cf bottles are getting heavier ever year.

 

[TRCA51]

I put the Arkmate 205 through it paces and it worked very well. I like the small size for it power output it gives. I would go with a medium size bottle like a 135. Just my opinion. The size bottle depends on how much welding you do, the room for the package and how often you want to go and fill it. For myself my first project with it would to build a small cart to house it all. Hope this helps!:thumbsup:

 

[dex3361]

Have you used gas previously? I've had some very helpful and experienced folks recommend that I look at how much it will take to refill various bottles. Sometimes, the difference between bottles is relatively little. If that is the case, you should establish things like portability and initial bottle cost which plays more into how much you are going to use it and how you are going to use it (lugging it around, completely stationary, etc).

I stopped yesterday and looked at bottles and you are correct, there was not much difference in the cost to refill a larger bottle over a small bottle. I got a 240V machine so I didn't get it so much for the portability as most of my welding will be in my garage. If the need arises I can load the welder and my small generator up and use flux core to weld in the field or take the tank if I need to. Thanks I appreciate the heads up.:thumbsup:

I like 250-cf bottles, those 330-cf bottles are getting heavier ever year.

Yes I have to agree. I cant believe how much heavier 100# is compared to 20 years ago. Those old pounds were lighter.

I put the Arkmate 205 through it paces and it worked very well. I like the small size for it power output it gives. I would go with a medium size bottle like a 135. Just my opinion. The size bottle depends on how much welding you do, the room for the package and how often you want to go and fill it. For myself my first project with it would to build a small cart to house it all. Hope this helps!:thumbsup:

I started to get the Arcmate 205 but thought I should get the 205P that has the pulse feature. Why I am not positive but when I was reading up on it it seemed like the right thing to do at the time. Sure as I didnt get the feature 2 weeks into MIG welding I would be thinking man I needed the pulse feature for this.:laughing::laughing::laughing: Just the way things go for me. My likely never need it. So if the more experienced welders can explain what it does for you that would be nice.:thumbsup:

 

[dex3361]

I checked on the shipment of the MIG and it should be here Monday the 21st.

 

[IslandTractor]

I started to get the Arcmate 205 but thought I should get the 205P that has the pulse feature. Why I am not positive but when I was reading up on it it seemed like the right thing to do at the time. Sure as I didnt get the feature 2 weeks into MIG welding I would be thinking man I needed the pulse feature for this.:laughing::laughing::laughing: Just the way things go for me. My likely never need it. So if the more experienced welders can explain what it does for you that would be nice.:thumbsup:

My MIG welder doesn't have pulse but I did use one with pulse transfer in a welding class. It takes a lot of power and the best way I can describe using it is that it feels like you are using a water hose to spray on the weld. Very pretty smooth welds as I recall and very fast. I don't recall the welding parameters but don't think you can use it on sheet metal or stuff below 1/4 inch but I could be wrong. (it has happened before)

 

[dex3361]

My MIG welder doesn't have pulse but I did use one with pulse transfer in a welding class. It takes a lot of power and the best way I can describe using it is that it feels like you are using a water hose to spray on the weld. Very pretty smooth welds as I recall and very fast. I don't recall the welding parameters but don't think you can use it on sheet metal or stuff below 1/4 inch but I could be wrong. (it has happened before)

That sounds interesting. Most of my welding is on heavier stuff but I bought the MIG for the ability to weld thin metal. Besides that I wanted to learn MIG as I have always stick welded and MIG and TIG have been on my to learn list for some time. So I guess I will give it a try in the next week or so. It arrived yesterday so I will pick up a cord plug and give it a whirl.

 

[Shield Arc]

I've played with pulse a little bit with my Lincoln Invertec V350-Pro, but only on aluminum with my spool gun. I found the travel speed to be slower than without pulse. My understanding of pulse, be it Mig or Tig is to keep the heat down, if you adjust the background pulse accordingly.

How to Use MIG Pulse Controls to Fill Gaps - Kevin Caron

 

[dex3361]

I've played with pulse a little bit with my Lincoln Invertec V350-Pro, but only on aluminum with my spool gun. I found the travel speed to be slower than without pulse. My understanding of pulse, be it Mig or Tig is to keep the heat down, if you adjust the background pulse accordingly.

How to Use MIG Pulse Controls to Fill Gaps - Kevin Caron

Thanks for the video. It does a great job of explaining what is going on. I imagine that I will need a lot of sage advice from the TBN Welding Brain Trust (TBN WBT), as I consider myself a utility welder at best. I certified vertical, horizontal and overhead, about 30 years ago. I have never worked on a daily basis as a welder though. Just fixing whats broke and making projects and such. Always willing to learn something new though. Welding has always fascinated me using electricity to melt metal together.

 

[IslandTractor]

I just realized in reading Shield Arc's comment that I was thinking about spray arc transfer rather than pulse.

 

[Shield Arc]

I just realized in reading Shield Arc's comment that I was thinking about spray arc transfer rather than pulse.

Now that makes sense!:thumbsup:
Spray is very fast! Here is one I did with .035 L-56 wire, and C10 gas.

 

[undercut]

Now that makes sense!:thumbsup:
Spray is very fast! Here is one I did with .035 L-56 wire, and C10 gas.

Just looked up the definition of spray arc transfer. Wow that is so cool and weld looks so smooth. Had to do a double take to ensure I knew what I was looking at! But is there much penetration with spray arc transfer?

 

[IslandTractor]

Just looked up the definition of spray arc transfer. Wow that is so cool and weld looks so smooth. Had to do a double take to ensure I knew what I was looking at! But is there much penetration with spray arc transfer?

Yes, it is a very high energy process. Instead of little globules of welding filler entering the weld there is literally a spray that gives you the sort of finish seen in Shield Arc's photo. I'd love to do it but it requires Big Boy welding equipment. If I recall correctly you can do it with something like a Miller 252 and up but not the smaller machines.

 

[Shield Arc]

But is there much penetration with spray arc transfer

Boy I would sure think so! That weld was done at 207-amps and 29-volts on 1/4-inch flatbar. If I remember correctly the plates were glowing red when the weld was completed!

I'd love to do it but it requires Big Boy welding equipment. If I recall correctly you can do it with something like a Miller 252 and up but not the smaller machines.

It takes a machine capable of a lot of volts.
I don't think spray is worth it for the average guy. The metal has to be almost spotlessly clean, and you have to run 3/4 to 1-inch stick out or you fry the contact tip.
In a high production shop yes!

 

[IslandTractor]

It takes a machine capable of a lot of volts.
I don't think spray is worth it for the average guy. The metal has to be almost spotlessly clean, and you have to run 3/4 to 1-inch stick out or you fry the contact tip.
In a high production shop yes!

Oh but it is sooooo pretty. Exactly what we all dream our welds will look like (I'm not a big fan of stack of dimes).

 

[Shield Arc]

Anybody can pull a trigger. I like the stack of dimes look, takes more skill to stack them little things in a row. :laughing:

 

[IslandTractor]

Anybody can pull a trigger. I like the stack of dimes look, takes more skill to stack them little things in a row. :laughing:

It surely does take skill and practice it just doesn't mean squat to the weld quality!

 

[dex3361]

Now that makes sense!:thumbsup:
Spray is very fast! Here is one I did with .035 L-56 wire, and C10 gas.

Nice looking weld from that process. Do they use that process in applying hard surfacing? I bought some tiller tines some years back and the edges were welded with an abrasion resistant weld and it looked like it had been applied like that. From appearances like that.