New to welding

[Shield Arc]

You have to run less amps, than the charts suggest. All of these inverters like different brands of rod. My Lincoln SA-200s could care less what brand of rod you run on them. My PowerArc 200ST really likes ESAB's 10P-Plus 6010, And ESAB's Acclaim 7018.

 

[BMan2005]

You have to run less amps, than the charts suggest. All of these inverters like different brands of rod. My Lincoln SA-200s could care less what brand of rod you run on them. My PowerArc 200ST really likes ESAB's 10P-Plus 6010, And ESAB's Acclaim 7018.

I'll go ahead and order me some rods incase all that's in town is not great. What do you suggest to order since you run this welder? For clean and rusted metal 1/8"-1/2" steel. Of course I'll clean the rusted metal best possible, but some places I couldn't get to. Please remember I'm very new to this but I'll be practicing & I'm sure asking advice on why my welds look horrible, lol.

 

[Shield Arc]

Airgas, and Praxair welding supply general carry ESAB rods. I like 1/8-inch and 3/32-inch 7018. Also 1/8-inch 6010. I do have 5/32-inch 7018, but if I have to use much of it, I'll use my wire feed welder.
I use a sanding pad on a 4-inch grinder, or a wire wheel on a 4-inch grinder to do most of my cleaning before welding.

 

[4570Man]

I am not trying to be wise or the like but if you only tried it once what would you expect. It has been proven over the ages that you can weld just fine with AC. To me it seems worth knowing how if you need to weld with higher currant because most affordable (which means something different to each of us) DC machines I have seen have limited currant capability or restrictive duty cycles.

gg

Well that might be a fair assumption but I can DC stick weld pretty decent and I couldn't get the AC to hold an arc much less weld. I was trying to weld 3/16 steel. I could have done it with no issues in my DC machine.

 

[woodlandfarms]

I have one of the 200ST and love it. As Shield notes, it runs hot so don't freak out when you read charts and they say 75 amps and you are running at 40... the only PITA is that I have a tig rig that I bought for it (Learning to love TIG) but the darn 200ST is way too hot so now I am saving a bit for a dedicated TIG from mark.

OH, don't know if this is a wivest tale or not but I was told (after the fact) to turn my machine on and let it sit for a couple of hours. I did not, didn't notice any issues but somewhere along the line that is what I was told.

 

[yomax4]

I have one of the 200ST and love it. As Shield notes, it runs hot so don't freak out when you read charts and they say 75 amps and you are running at 40... the only PITA is that I have a tig rig that I bought for it (Learning to love TIG) but the darn 200ST is way too hot so now I am saving a bit for a dedicated TIG from mark.

OH, don't know if this is a wivest tale or not but I was told (after the fact) to turn my machine on and let it sit for a couple of hours. I did not, didn't notice any issues but somewhere along the line that is what I was told.

What was the reasoning behind turning the unit on and letting it sit for a couple hours? Do you mean when it's new for some kind of board burn in or ? Just curious.

 

[Shield Arc]

I've read several times when you buy an inverter welder, turn it on. And let it idle for a couple hours before welding with it. I've done that to all my inverter welders. Not one issue so far with any of them.
Something about letting the electronics level out. Way over my pay grade!

 

[MinnesotaDaveChalmers]

I've read several times when you buy an inverter welder, turn it on. And let it idle for a couple hours before welding with it. I've done that to all my inverter welders. Not one issue so far with any of them.
Something about letting the electronics level out. Way over my pay grade!

It's similar to when you buy a new truck.
Have to raise the hood and let it run while you and 3 friends stand around the engine compartment with a beer

 

[Gordon Gould]

Alright so after some recommendations from y'all I have done some more research & talked with Mark at Everlast a bit and decided to order the Everlast PA 200ST. I like the idea of being able to throw it & my inverter generator in the Polaris to be mobile for small repairs running 110v.

:thumbsup: That looks like a very nice unit. It should work out well for you. Make sure to keep us posted on what you are doing with it.

gg

 

[BMan2005]

Stopped at my local welding shop and pieced together my little starter kit from Strate Welding. I talked with Mark at Everlast a bit yesterday and he recommended 6011 & 7014 for what I'm doing and being a beginner. Real nice guy and come to find out he only lives 30 minutes from me & even offered to spend an evening with me to teach the basics. Pretty cool of him!