Got a little upgrade today.

[STx]

I build wild hog traps so my welder is critical to my income. I've got a Lincoln 180C that I've been using for about 3 years. It worked great for a couple of years but in the last year something has happened and it's been overheating on me before it should due to duty cycle. Sometimes from a cold start, I could only weld with it for 10 minutes before it would shut off, even with the cover removed and a large fan blowing directly on it. Since I need to take it in and I can't really afford to be without a machine, I decided it was time to upgrade. I've got a 175 as well that I've used as a backup but, I don't really like using it and have it setup to run fluxcore wire off a generator for repairs and stuff around the property. Seemed like a good enough excuse to buy another machine so this showed up on the truck today.



I've set it up and tested it and my initial impression is very positive. I'm looking forward to having a machine that will be a 100% duty cycle at the voltage I'll be running it at and it's going to be nice to have the capacity to weld 1/2" in a single pass if I need it.

 

[oliver1555]

You will love that machine. I bought one in December and have used one 11# spool of .035 and am well into the second spool.

 

[STx]

I loaded a 44# spool into it, during the busiest part of the year, I'll burn through 2 x 12# spools a week. I'll probably finish the 44# spool before the month is out so it'll get a workout, especially with daily highs around 100 to 103. I rhink.I might see about trading my 125cf bottles for something larger, I get about 24# of wire per bottle, with the bigger spools I'll be changing bottles more than wire. It'd be nice to have a bottle that would lastill through a full 44# spool so I don't have to mess with it as much.

I think this machine is going to save a lot of time with reduced consumables changes and not overheating. It'll probably pay for itself.

 

[dstig1]

Either get 330cf bottles, or get extras of the 125's to have on hand. I blew through oxygen with my propane cutting torch when i was using it heavily, but I am still on my first C25 bottle (also a 125cf) after several years. But I have not killed a full spool of wire yet either. Even my heavy use is not THAT heavy...hobbyist...

Now go hit it! :thumbsup:

 

[STx]

I have 2 of the 125cf bottles. I think a couple of 330cf bottles will be the ticket. Mine are owner bottles though, not sure if they'll let me trade up or what the cost will be.

 

[STx]

5 hours on the machine today and it didn't miss a beat. It's hit 100 outside so it's break time for me until it cools off some.

I have a 250A Profax gun on my 180C that I got for the 15' cable. The gun on the 256 is definitely lighter but, I'm not sure I like it. The nozzle and tip being flush vs the tip sticking out past the nozzle a little on the Profax makes it a little tough to get into corners a hurts visibility of the weld pool in some situations. I'm going to give a few days but, I might put the Profax gun on thev256.

I will say that this arc is a whole lot cleaner than the 180, I'm amazed at how much less spatter there is, especially with the galvanized material.

If you've got a smaller welder and get an opportunity to try the 256, don't do it unless you're looking for a reason to upgrade. Going to this from the 180 is like going from the AC225 stick welder to a wire feed or going from flux core to gas shielded, it's a big improvement.

 

[crystallake]

On the nozzle, just grind off about 1/8 inch, smooth up and march on. Or you can get a new nozzle the length you need at the LWS store or maybe ebay. $10-12. Would like to see a "wild hog trap" we are starting to have a problem here in Arkansas.

 

[STx]

On the nozzle, just grind off about 1/8 inch, smooth up and march on. Or you can get a new nozzle the length you need at the LWS store or maybe ebay. $10-12. Would like to see a "wild hog trap" we are starting to have a problem here in Arkansas.

Lincoln has a nozzle that's recessed some, I should probably order one of these - Nozzle 35A, Thread-on, 1/8 in (3.2 mm) Recess 1/2 inner diameter.

I can handle the seeing a trap request - Traps for Feral Hogs | Texas Wild Hog Traps. I've shipped some of the corral traps and wireless doors to Arkansas.

 

[crystallake]

Not sure that is what you want, I think those mean that the tip is recessed. Better call someone.

 

[STx]

I'll see what they've got next time I'm at Airgas, I'm sure I can come up with something. If not, I like the Profax gun also, even if it is a little heavier.