I just got my Thermal Arc 185 up and running, and even after reading the manual, we couldnt seem to get the settings right because there are so many parameters that need to be set, and I was wondering if for the people who have this welder if you could post your settings from the the start of the weld to the end (pulse,amps, etc) that would be awesome, then I can adjust from there, I just need a "basemap" lol. I will be welding 1/16" aluminum, stainless, and mild steel. Thanks alot.

 

Im still a newb but use my friend's TA 185stw.

AC mode, for aluminum on 1/16" angle bar I used 60 amps, the video I watched the guy sets it at 90 amps for the same thickness, and of course control with the footpedal. It is set at 70hz, The first square wave type, plateau shaped. % at 50. Still messing with the settings though, my arc is still somewhat unstable, but it might be the metal or my tungsten, gonna try using ceriated tungsten, rather than pure.

For mild steel, DC mode, I was doing 100amps, but I still control it with the footpedal, don't know if it's ideal. As for settings I am not too keen on them as I am still trying to get my rhythm down, and overall comfort level with tig welding.

I have used the machine about 4 times now so don't take my word, but I have been improving with aluminum, laying some decent beads. When I first did aluminum, the tungsten was melting instantly and couldn't weld aluminum at all.

 

1/16" aluminum I use about 70 amps, 1/16 tung, 1/16 filler, 110 hz, 30%-50% balance no pulser. 1/16 ss I just leave the machine on 70 amps ,but I am not using full pedal still using 1/16" tung, .035" filler

 

thanks guys, this should at least give me a starting point to mess with the settings.