Beta-Mig 250

[mrbill57]

Oops - I left out the full name - the welder I found is a Beta-Mig 250. Looking for a manual or information if anyone has used one of these?

Looks like a good deal. Or should I get a HH180?

Thanks!

[ventureline]

I think I've written off maybe 20 of these over the last couple of years. Parts are lacking, besides the machines were not all that good to begin with.

If you have the funds by a more up to date or proven machine.

[mrbill57]

For example: 150 to 170 Amps, what is the upper limit on material thinkness? I would like to join up to 1/4" material (steel) for example. Looking at the instructions for the Lincoln 175+ it said "Caution" - 'using this machine to weld thicker than suggested material may result in cold or insufficient welds' - more or less. I would think that 2 or 3 passes would help alleviate that but there does have to be enough heat to penetrate the base metal sufficiently.

Bill

[ventureline]

Sure the 250 will run quarter inch easy, and the 175 or 180 will do it too with the right gas like a helium or O2 cmix, usually a tri mix of argon, CO2, and either Helium or Oxygen

Need the Heat, gotta get the right gas.

[mrbill57]

I get that necessity for the current, and would like to stick with 75/25 Ar/CO2, since that is the "standard" around here. If I do other metals than I'll have to change gas...

I am also not certain about the various modes of welding - Spray or Globular or Short Circuit, and what conditions are required for each.

The $400 - $450 range is what I am comfortable with. The smaller units are more portable but that is moot unless the power is available.

I'd opt to build my own welder but I have too many other projects (like the laundry room, bath downstairs, etc.) .

I was even thinking that I might find a 150 - 200 AMP power supply, maybe even C and build a rectifier and filter and feed that to my existing gun. Maybe I'm a lunatic!

So - it looks like the Lincoln at Lowes, Clarke or the Used Hobart 250 might be the list. I have been looking at Pawn shops here lately but none are available.

Bill

[ventureline]

Changing the gas merely increases the theshhold of the machine being welded with, ie, it drops the amount of power required to perform the same task with a lesser gas like C-25 or straight argon, kind of adding Nitrous to your old car, still goes from a-b but somewhat faster and does't hurt anything along the way.

Building you own is a little crazy, I've been at this for 20 years, I would'nt even bother attempting that one....

[Mike W]

Mr Bill, I have used a Beta Mig 200 for 20 years with no problems. I have heard that the 250 version was not that great. Speaking of building your own, I also use a 24 volt battery charger to power some wire feeders. I have a couple of 200 amp transformers in the junk box. I may build another power supply. The name Mr Bill brings back memories from Saturday Night Live.

[mrbill57]

I mean - if the 200 is great, then what would be the reasons the 250 is ""not as good" or otherwise not liked as well? I would like to know these things up front.

THanks!

Ohhh Noooo!

;-)