Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I was given this welder by PrimeWeld to test so if you wish to blow off my review so be it. Also, I was never asked to compare it to other welders of write a review just a “tell us what you think” Externally the machine is well made. All parts like corner brackets fit properly, the pots/knobs are tight and have slight resistance for a positive feel when turning and the switches are held in place tightly. DINSE connectors fit properly and gas connections are firmly attached to the machine. Duty Cycle, look at the pic it will tell you what you need know. 220V VS 120V, other than reduced output on 120V it welded the same. DC TIG is DC TIG nothing unusual with the 225X to report. It functions as well as anything I have used and as you can see from the pics it welds utility knife blades just fine. AC, when I first got the machine I had just started Christmas break. I was shocked, no amazed at how smooth and quiet the AC arc was throughout the frequencies and balance. So at this point the real test was to take it to school and compare it to the Miller Dynasty 280 DX and Lincoln’s Aspect, V310 and 205T and I did. Get ready to throw rocks Red and Blue fan boys (BTW I’m a card carrying member of that club)… With all things as equal as I could make them, I saw and heard very little difference between the $6K machines and the 225X. Ok, Ok, OK I get it, those machines are far more capable with memories, multiple wave shapes and for the 280 DX and Aspect offsetting EP and EN. I love them they are great machines. I’m just saying that using basic settings a beginner or a skilled welder would have a difficult time telling them apart and would not see welding with the 225X on AC or DC an issue. Minimum amperage on the 225X on AC is not 10 amps, it varies with the frequency being used. From the readout I could see a minimum amperage of 17 at the lowest frequency and 25 for the highest. I welded a T joint with 0.050” aluminum with a frequency around 100 and never went down to the minimum amperage. Up slope and down slope. Setup is clearly marked by a name and graphic representation of what each knob is doing and is simple to understand and is handy when using the included torch switch for tacking or welding in situations where the foot pedal is difficult to use. Pulse, pulse to me was always like the old Cyber Tig with a 120 drawer a slow on and off. The new inverters pulsing at high speed just seemed like snake oil. Yeah I know I have read all the articles small HAZ, whatever…… All it ever was to me was a mushy pedal. Well after testing the Lincoln Aspect a few years back I was forced to use it. I must say I use it on crazy thin stuff these days and find it useful in teaching students new to TIG welding as small changes in movement of the foot pedal have a more forgiving effect on the bead. So for beginners it’s great. Pulse on the 225X functions just as it should and like any other machine I have used. Again, setup is clearly marked by a name and graphic representation of what each knob is doing and is simple to understand. 200 Hz max on DC not sure about AC. Pulsing faster than 200Hz may have an explanation but is just a little more scientific than I need to be. Pulse is also helpful in making sloppy welds Instagram friendly! The flow meter seems to be well made and functions as it should. Torch, what can I say it’s a CK with a flex head and a Superflex power cable, it’s great! I have been using stubby gas lens stuff but it does come with standard 17 cups, collet and collet body. Analog VS Digital. Both have merit and it really doesn’t matter to me but scrolling through menus can be a pain. In digital you’ll see for example what the frequency is on the readout, great…… But I’m going to have my puddle tell me if I need to adjust something like AC balance, frequency or pulse background and if I want to change, I just reach over and turn a knob rather than scrolling through menus, I like it. For someone who has used different foot pedals over the years from cast aluminum Hobart to Miller remotes using this foot pedal was definitely different but not an issue. At no time did I notice amperage jumping around or anything like that, it seemed to be quite smooth. In taking it apart and doing some research it appears to be the same as an AHP but I am not positive if the plugs are wired the same. Also if I’m not mistaken someone makes a typical foot pedal for the AHP that may work here but I think it’s like $150, this foot pedal does not need a $150 solution in my opinion. In the end I could have boxed this thing up and sent it back saying no thanks it’s a piece of junk but I didn’t because it’s definitely not. In welding there are nice to have and need to have options on a machine and if you want to spend $6K+ to get some nice to have options and are skilled enough to make use of them, go for it. This machine has all the need to have options you will ever need and is inexpensive and appears to be a quality machine with a 3 year warrantee just like Lincoln and Miller. It will weld as good as you can. Buy it, I sincerely doubt you will be disappointed. Pictures, okay there not “perfect” welds but hey I’m old and a little shaky but you get the jest, it welds just fine. Boring info about me if you need it, just so you know I have done GTAW for a while. I started TIG welding in 1978 while at Hobart and have taught welding for the last 34 years. I owned a Hobart TR 250 HF for many years for use at home welding mainly for local machine shops, welded in the aerospace industry for a while and for 15 years while teaching I subcontracted TIG welding in a metal spinning shop and did VT, PT, MT and UT NDT work. I have welded with many machines over the years, Linde, Hobart, Red Lincolns, Gray Lincolns, ESAB, transformer/rectifiers and inverters. I was lucky enough to be one of 7 people who beta tested the Lincoln Aspect. I have used a lot of TIG welders in the last 40 years but never one at this price point. Having said all of this I do not now or have I ever considered myself the Lords gift to TIG welding or any kind of Expert, just to letting you know I have done it for a while.