The woodward bead roller I ordered shipped fast and was built well. The only issue was all the dies were larger then any of the pipes I wanted to roll. I probably would not hesitate at all buying woodward tool again if it is something I needed.

 

Anyone tried the TungstenMate Simplicity for grinding TIG electrodes?

TungstenMate $40 eBay

I'm ready to get a dedicated grinder, but can't get my head around $250+ for an HTP or similar when it's basically a dremel tool with a guide attachment. I have no problem paying good $ for quality tools, but don't see any reason why a TungstenMate or Scottsman shouldn't be able to produce similar results at less than 1/2 the cost.

 

Get the eastwood tungsten grinder. Incredible for $90 and worth every penny. Perfect grinds at various angles for 3/32 and 1/16, and the discs last a really long time.

https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-tu...der-57555.html

One of the best purchases I have made welding related.

Oh, and it has slots built into it for snapping off buggered tunsgten. Works really well and has saved me a ton of time.

 

I have considered the Eastwood, but it won't do 1/8" tungstens. I also don't really like that the tungsten isn't fully surrounded/supported by the tool, compared to the other choices.

Edit: just realized you said the Eastwood will do multiple angles... their site only lists 22.5*? Does it have other options?

 

For $40 can you go wrong. Even if it turns out to be junk, you are barely out a tank of gas.

 

It does 10 degree as well for both and is cake to use. I don't see a need for it to be surrounded after using it.

here is a better pic of the top.

 

I have the sealed grinder attachment I posted about in this thread earlier. After seeing how much dust comes out of it when I empty it, I would never, ever want to use an open one.

 

 

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/TungstenMat...-/183295893621 Here's the updated version of the tungstenmate which he really seams to like. Scroll down on the add and the is a video of the updated version. It's the one I am going to get. Wear a mask when grinding a new point.

 

just a heads up on Everlast welders..... if yo buy a 250 amp TIG machine/kit, it will not work when it arrives. you also have to buy a 500 dollar water cooler, or a low amperage air cooled torch.

The cooler is listed as optional; it is not. You need to have one to use the machine the way they send it to you.


The response I got when asked why i wasn't sold a water cooler in the first place was "well a car dealer doesn't tell you a car needs gas" The technical help treated me like a complete *******. Said they cant be responsible for every little thing.

 

So it comes with a WP18 instead of a WP17 torch. Not that I'm defending them - but yeah, at least that's fairly cheap to remedy. Still odd they wouldn't have a wp17 option.

 

right, it comes with an 18. Everlast says the 18 is okay to use air cooled, but wouldnt give me an amp max rating. the literature for the 18 says it needs to be water cooled. No mention on air cool use.

It is a fairly simple fix, but it pisses me off that I spent 2k, waited 3 weeks and now I need $500 additional stuff, to use it as advertised and sold.

 

Just for the education to the rest in the thread -

there are 3 basic size groups -
small -
9 - 125a air cooled shares consumables with 20 (cups, holders, collets)
20 - 250a water cooled
medium -
17 -150a air cooled shares consumables with 18 & 26. "150" isn't a hard limit - but you'll start melting cups and need to break out your mig welding gloves if you use it at 200a for awhile. This is your most common size.
18 - 350a water cooled
large
26 - 200a air cooled - I'm sure there's a water cooled equivalent that's probably 500a capable. Yes, it still gets warm at 200a, but not nearly as bad as a wp17.

and i'll throw out weldingcity as a source for cheap consumables and torches. At $10 for a no frills flex head wp17, it makes it affordable to melt.

 

Update on my Everlast 250 EX purchase

2 weeks later and I still do not have a water cooler. I also purchased a couple stubby kits to convert the larger torches to a smaller front end, every kit was sent with the incorrect insulator ring. customer service is understanding and quick to rectify but gawd damn. quit effing up my order please.

I am beginning to have $2700 worth of buyers remorse.

 

Does anyone have any experience with the Forney Easy Weld 299 125FC Flux Core Welder, 120-Volt, 125-Amp?

I own an AHP alphatig 200x and I love that, I want to pick up a MIG welder for tacking, seam welding, and simple stuff that is cheap or reasonable. I understand that the Forney is gasless flux core welding only and I think I am ok with that. Seems to have decent reviews. For any moderate to heavy work Ill use the AHP.

Am I crazy for looking at this or is there an APH equivalent MIG machine?

 

I used Weldmonger's kit to adapter 9/20 parts to the 17 torch that came with my Lincoln TIG and I highly recommend it. Normal #17 torches look really oddly big to me now.

 

To further illustrate Sav's comment, here are 2 #18 torches. One is equipped with the "stubby kit" and the other is a standard assembly. Big difference.

 

Well after doing some more research and thinking about my needs I went ahead and picked up the Harbor Freight Titanium MIG 170 Professional Welder with 120/240 Volt Input. It can do both solid core and flux. I set it up for flux to save my argon for the TIG and followed the recommended settings for the metal I was using. After not MIG'ing in years here is my first attempted:



Overall after welding with it for a while, I am really pleased with this 220 welder for 440 dollars on sale. Manual says 100% duty cycle @ 80 amps @ 220v. Hopefully, it holds up with use.

 

My Chinese made inverter TIG blew up it's main board for the 2nd time, not happy, so I impulse bought a fairly over-the-top replacement.



Came with a flex head torch, foot pedal, and has the optional pulse setup. Very keen to see how it goes! (After I somehow get a 100A circuit to the garage )