Got Lincoln 255XT for my BD.

Redneck in training · Sep 14, 2010

I must have been good lately. My wife bought me Lincoln 255XT MIG today. It is first MIG I have ever owned.
So far I used Hobart AC stick I bought new about 22 years ago.
I have several small projects and one big one planned. The big one is a tornado shelter bolted to the slab in the corner of the garage. When finished it will also serve as sauna. I have already bought all the material that is laying in the garage. New MIG puts end to procrastination I suppose.

Hooked_on_HP · Sep 14, 2010

You will love the 255. I have had one at work for about 7yrs with no problems. The only complaint I have and they may have corrected this is the chart for setting the voltage and wire speed are way off.
Bill

Redneck in training · Sep 15, 2010

Hooked_on_HP said:
You will love the 255. I have had one at work for about 7yrs with no problems. The only complaint I have and they may have corrected this is the chart for setting the voltage and wire speed are way off.
Bill

Thanks for the report. My is a floor sample with all the bells and whistles add on. Didn't get a chance to try it yet. Hopefully I will make it home Thursday and give it a try this weekend.
I have a question:
They gave me two pressure regulators. One has port for a tubing that screws to the regulator and the other end to the MIG. The other has a "inpple" for a hose that should be secured by a clamp. Both have the same pressure range and say Argon/CO2 on the face. I think I got that one just by mistake. I will call them and return it.

_RaT_ · Sep 19, 2010

On my gas setup I have two pieces, a regulator to knock the tank pressure down and then a flow control gauge to indicate the flow of the CO2/Argon mix I use. I am considering upgrading my old semi portable MIG to a more powerful MIG. Let us know how the MIG works out. After years of stick welding, I found MIG exceptionally easy to use.

Redneck in training said:
Thanks for the report. My is a floor sample with all the bells and whistles add on. Didn't get a chance to try it yet. Hopefully I will make it home Thursday and give it a try this weekend.
I have a question:
They gave me two pressure regulators. One has port for a tubing that screws to the regulator and the other end to the MIG. The other has a "inpple" for a hose that should be secured by a clamp. Both have the same pressure range and say Argon/CO2 on the face. I think I got that one just by mistake. I will call them and return it.

Chilly807 · Sep 19, 2010

I'm thinking you'll like the new MIG welder. I've got a Miller and am pretty happy with it. About the only downside to MIG welding is the metal should be reasonably clean before you start, and set-up time takes longer unless you leave everything hooked up. (I don't).

Having said that, I'm re-learning stick welding, I got an older AC/DC welder last week. It really gives you an appreciation of how nice MIG is to use in comparison.

Enjoy!

Sean

crazyal · Sep 19, 2010

I've had my 255 for about 7 years now and like it. I don't remember anything about an XT model. Mine has the extra control panel that gives you things like not having to hold the trigger down to weld, timed welds, etc.

If you haven't done much mig welding the best advise I can give you is to make sure you have a real good ground. I replaced the standard ground clamp, I do it with all my welders, to a nice quallity all brass clamp.

Redneck in training · Sep 22, 2010

I tried my new MIG only for few minutes for one test weld. I welded perpendicularly two U profiles with wall about 3/16 and then tried to break the weld with a sledgehammer. It was hard to break but when it gave up I saw there was not penetration. MIG looks easy and makes good looking welds but the beauty is deceiving I suppose. I need to get some book and/or DVD and practice not only good looking but also strong welds.

Jeepnford · Sep 22, 2010

Did you see any discoloration of the steel along the weld bead? If not,probably too low of volt setting.

Redneck in training · Sep 22, 2010

Jeepnford said:
Did you see any discoloration of the steel along the weld bead? If not,probably too low of volt setting.

I am currently out of home so I can't check. Hopefully I will make it home this weekend and try few more test welds.
I used the setting from the chart inside one of the hinged covers. I am using Praxair 0.045 wire that came with the welder.
I also found that I need to get single power glasses just for the welding. The progressive lense glasses I am normally using have too small viewing angle.
I saw somwhere advertised a "fresnel lense" that is installed inside of the welding helmet.