First weld with the Everlast 221STI

[metalcaster]

Received the 221 STI a week ago and just got around to getting some wire and gas. Ran a few practice beads on some flat stock and decided to use the syn setting to weld a couple of hooks on my bucket. Tacked into place and ran one side, adjusted a little, another bead, another tweak of the gas and by the fourth run I was pretty happy with it. I have three Lincolns (140, 175, 300) and this unit lays down a bead better than the red ones. Cant wait to get the argon and try my hand at tig. The red boxes are in my business' maintenance shop, the Everlast will be the welder in my home shop due to it's versatility. That and I don't want my guys messing this beauty up. Just wish that the owners manual was done with a better translation.

FWIW, before I did much of anything on this tractor I had one of my guys weld 1/4" strip to the top of the bucket to stiffen it up some and then added the hitch ball. Use it to move our GN trailers around the yard. Much easier to back them in a neat row with the tractor than with the truck, or to back a load of hay into the barn that has 6 inches of sand on the floor.

 

[Shield Arc]

WOW! That is a very nice looking weld! :thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[dragoneggs]

WOW! That is a very nice looking weld! :thumbsup::thumbsup:

Mine almost always look like that... I don't post them not wanting to brag.

 

[Evan03]

Looking good

 

[Oldpath05]

What size wire was that? For the real sweat spot with solid wire, 95/5 shielding gas will run smoother and less spatter, but is hard to find and might be a little more $$$. Nice weld.

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

What size wire was that? For the real sweat spot with solid wire, 95/5 shielding gas will run smoother and less spatter, but is hard to find and might be a little more $$$. Nice weld.

Yes, but it will have less penetration, unless spraying.

 

[metalcaster]

What size wire was that? For the real sweat spot with solid wire, 95/5 shielding gas will run smoother and less spatter, but is hard to find and might be a little more $$$. Nice weld.

.030" with an 80/20.

 

[Oldpath05]

.030 is the size I use, a good all around size for light duty welding. I never tried 80/20 mixture, that might also work better than 75/25 for stainless welding if it ever comes up.

 

[Oldpath05]

Yes, but it will have less penetration, unless spraying.

With 75/25 the heat has to be turned up and that's where penetration is increased, but not by much. On bigger welding machines with .045 solid wire with 95/5, the welding gas produces a hotter and smoother arc, it greatly helps reduce the spatter on the work and on the barrel. That's what is used at the shipyard, 75/25 is used with dual shield flux core welding.

 

[Shield Arc]

Oldpath05 to get good penetration, all it takes is power.