Welding Tips and Tricks

I would like to learn to weld thin stainless steel, the journey will be long and hard. One day hopefully I will be able to weld a stainless steel ferrule onto my beer brew kettle. Like these pictures. The brew kettle is made from 20 gauge SS200.




I have been looking at the PowerTIG 250EX and PowerTIG 210EXT. Will these machines weld thin stainless steel with about the same quality?
Thanks for your help.
Kimball

Look for low starting amps. And pulse features. Those will both be your friend on thin SS. If those features are identical then buy the cheaper one and spend the extra money on purging equipment. IE an extra regulator and maybe even a tester for ensuring a good purge.

Welcome! Make sure you practise before you attempt any welds on that kettle, I have a 15 gal Spike, their kettles and in house welders do nice work.

So here are the specs on the 2 welders that I have been looking at.

PowerTIG 250EX.
Start Amp Range: 5A-250A
End Amp Range: 5A-250A
Minimum Amp DC TIG Start: 5A (+/-2A), so this machine can go down to 3amps?
TIG Weld to a minimum of .007" Steel, Weld to a minimum of .008" Aluminum.


PowerTIG 210 EXT
Start Amp Range: 120V: DC: 5-120A, AC: 5-120A, 240V: DC: 5-210A, AC: 5-210A.
End Amp Range: 120V: DC: 3-120A, AC: 5-120A, 240V: DC: 3-210A, AC: 5-210A.
TIG:Weld to a minimum of .004" Steel, Weld to a minimum of .005" Aluminum.

Everything seem really close on the specs. I like the idea of 250amps more than 210amps.
Do you think that these two machines would show a noticeable difference in welding thin metals?

Thanks again to all who have posted in this thread.

Looks like the 210 may have better control on the low end. But having more amps at your disposal would be nice for other projects. I think there are some here who have experiences with these machines. But it bay be a little while before they check in.

Both of those machines will weld thin metal almost identically. It’s the thicker material that one will shine over the other as far as amps go. I just purchased the 325 EXT and I am very pleased with it. The 210EXT is obviously not going to be able to handle much over 1/4” but it offers a lot more control options than the 250EX, both will be good machines for you. If you plan on doing a lot of thin material I would lean towards the 210EXT because of those extra features. Either way you’ll be happy with whatever you get.

I own a 210EXT and have welded 18g SS and aluminum with it. I upgraded from a 200DV that was not ideal due to the low end of the range being 20a(If memory serves).

I've even welded some 1/2" thick aluminum(intake manifolds) with it without a cooler. Torch got a little warm but I don't mess with much 'thick' material so I don't see a cooler being necessary