Maxstar 150 STL questions

[Gaslight]

- Does anyone know what kind of tungsten comes from the factory with the 150 STL. The package doesn't seem to be marked. I'm anxious to avoid the radioactive ones? Of for that mater does the machine come with tungsten? Mine has a bunch of cups, but what I was figuring is tungsten is actualy quite a lot like copper in appearance. Is it just some kind of spacer?

- Is there a particular electrode that must be used with this machine, as with the Dynasty series?

- The TIG kit does not come with a pedal or handle mounted control. Is something of the kind highly recomended? This machine is DC, and can't be used with aluminum, where I suppose the need to start real hot, then back off is part of the territory for such a conductive metal. Is the same true with mild steel, and maybe some SS? Other TIG machines kits like the accutig, or 180 SD come with the pedal, but they do aluminum.

[migmaniac70]

2% cerorated i belive is an acceptable substitute for the lathenated which i believe is the radio active one.
Not sure but if I am wrong i will be corrected

[Paul Seaman]

Lanthanated and ceriated are good, Thoriated is the radioactive one. I have used all of these and the lanthanated is the best overall. I think the kit comes with thoriated, atleast it has the warning on it for a carcinogen!
Hope this helps,

[Steved]

From experience; you can weld without a pedal with lots of headaches and suffering.

I would reccomend that you get a foot pedal, it makes the learning process quite a bit quicker.

As for what model, someone on this board should be able to suggest a couple worth getting.

Cheers,

Steve

[fun4now]

tung collor strip

but what I was figuring is tungsten is actualy quite a lot like copper in appearance. Is it just some kind of spacer?
it sounds to me you are looking at the colet not the tung.the tung should look like a long silver rod about 7" long with a colerd stripe around 1 end. that stripe will tel you what type of tung. you have.
orange = 2% cerium
gold = 1.5% lanthanum
red = 2% thorium

and so on, if you give us the coler of the stripe we can tell you what you have.

as for a pedle it will be helpfull

[aphexafx]

it sounds to me you are looking at the colet not the tung.the tung should look like a long silver rod

Looks like a big oversized pencil lead.

[fun4now]

aphexafx

Looks like a big oversized pencil lead
good anser
as for foot controle you need RFCS-6M remote foot controle #195 183

[aphexafx]

The TIG kit does not come with a pedal or handle mounted control. Is something of the kind highly recomended? This machine is DC, and can't be used with aluminum, where I suppose the need to start real hot, then back off is part of the territory for such a conductive metal. Is the same true with mild steel, and maybe some SS? Other TIG machines kits like the accutig, or 180 SD come with the pedal, but they do aluminum.

Since your'e starting out I would recomend that you get a pedal controller (if you get a controller) and not a finger controller because the foot controllers are much easier to use. However, this requires that you be sitting at a welding table or similar, so if you plan to do a lot of out of position welding, then the finger controller is the way to go.

Here are some controllers at Cyberweld: [go!]

P.S.> fun4now says you need the RFCS-6M and Cyberweld has then for $192.00. Look on eBay first, though, because you might find a good deal.

[Sundown]

I have the 150 STL tig kit that came with the finger controller. After trying to use it for about a week I purchased the foot controller from a local dealer for $175. It is well worth the money and I don't think I will ever use the hand remote, unless I am forced into it by positioning problems. I use 2% thoriated (red stripe) all the time with good results, I use a small 3" portable bench grinder and just do the grinding outside.

[Danny]

Since your'e starting out I would recomend that you get a pedal controller (if you get a controller) and not a finger controller because the foot controllers are much easier to use. However, this requires that you be sitting at a welding table or similar, so if you plan to do a lot of out of position welding, then the finger controller is the way to go.

Here are some controllers at Cyberweld: [go!]

P.S.> fun4now says you need the RFCS-6M and Cyberweld has then for $192.00. Look on eBay first, though, because you might find a good deal.

It might be called a foot pedal, but if you work in the industrial maintenance field like I do, you will learn very quickly that there are more ways then just using your foot to operate the "foot pedal". About the most amusing way, to the guys that I work with, that i ve operated the remote was the time that I had to lay down in some very tight quarters on a product transfer vibe pan to weld in a new cross member for mounting the motor and vibe assembly. Anyway in this situation I operated the remote by squeezing it between my thighs. Yes, I got razzed about that Suzanne Summers Thigh Master thing.

[aphexafx]

Yes, I got razzed about that Suzanne Summers Thigh Master thing.

LOL! Well, that's a very creative way to use the pedal.

Actually, I would laugh my *** off if someone conveted a Thigh Master into a welding remote. I could be done!

[Blown S-10]

Anyway in this situation I operated the remote by squeezing it between my thighs.

**** good idea ! thanx

[Sundown]

<snip>Anyway in this situation I operated the remote by squeezing it between my thighs. Yes, I got razzed about that Suzanne Summers Thigh Master thing.<snip>

Dan,

Next time you do that please have someone take movies I am still LOL

[dyn88]

I once saw a controller on a portable ac tig (thermal arc maybe). the guy running it had a, what looked like, tiny foot controller small enough to fit in his mouth. this seemed to work very well. He was repairing some aluminum boat tops where he needed to around a joint and the figer controller i think would be very difficult to work efficiently.

[aphexafx]

the guy running it had a, what looked like, tiny foot controller small enough to fit in his mouth. this seemed to work very well.

I think they make devices like these for disabled people to control their wheelchairs - not a breath controller, but a variable speed controller operated via your bite. But imagine this: when I get angry I tend to clench my teeth, so if someone pissed me off, I'd go flying out the door, across the lawn, and into traffic...or something!

Anyhow, if you could find a 1k ohm version you could rig it up as a amptrol for your Miller welder.