Welding Tips and Tricks

I am wanting input/comparison of the arc quality of the Pro Pulse220, HTP 2400 & Ironman 230. I know the Pro Pulse is a different animal compared to the other two, but I would love to hear from those who have experienced two or more of them so I could know more about the comparison.

I spoke to HTP today and asked to be added to the waiting list for the Pro Pulse 220, so it is more excitement on my part than anything.

Thank you,
Bart

I've not used the 2400 nor 230, but I would put my Pro Pulse 200 and 220MTS up against any transformer MIG in terms of arc quality & arc dynamics. Don't get me wrong, it is not A.I. so it won't set itself up for you, contrary to what some people think; on the other hand it takes good knowledge to set it all up perfectly, but that's the "advantage" IMO. All the extra adjustability is what set's it apart when you as the weldor take the time to dial it in. A lot of people think, "oh it has programs for this wire for different thicknesses, so all I have to do is set it there, and it will weld all by itself". Nope. Just like any newer inverter MIG that has "autoset" type of programming, those are just base-line settings to get you started. But let me tell you: once you get a feel for how to set the start-speed/start time/burn-back/pinch/slope-down, it is freakin sweet how easy it starts and terminates the weld. Neither of the other two machines can come close because none of that are available on them. You just have to live with how they start/end the arc. Just FYI, HTP had posted on their Facebook that they had a used/demo Pro Pulse 200 for $1500 shipped w/ 6mo warranty.

I appreciate your input. The PP220's features are really the driving force for the questions. I have read about the excellent arc characteristics of the Ironman 230 and would like to know how they compare with the PP220 with all the bells and whistles factored in. I also was having a hard time making up my mind between the dependability of the HTP2400 and the unknown long term of the inverter style machine. Just a lot of second-guessing on my part. Ultimately, I want finesse with reliability without spending 3k on a mig.

Side note, care to share your thoughts on the tig function?


Thank you,
Bart

Haven't used the TIG function on the Pro Pulse MIGs, but it's just a basic DC lift-arc TIG where you'd need a valve'd TIG torch. But you can use a pedal or a hand amptrol so you're not tied to one amperage the entire way thru.