SET UP YOUR MACHINE TO WELD ALUMINUM (Miller Syncrowave 250 Transformer Type)

[@outsidescrewball]

THANK YOU!!!, I have the same machine and had NO IDEA on how to set it up for aluminum and yes, a 50amp breaker, your map gas was the savior 1/4” material popped the breaker a few times….great video/instruction…

[@samturner4442]

Thank god for you man. I use this machine at work and they just threw some aluminum at me and I couldn’t figure out how to set it up for the life of me. Keep weldin and have a good one

[@TheCalvinSkinner]

I did not realize how inefficient those old machines are, maybe I won't buy. Thanks very helpful

[@lanegustafson929]

Thank you for this video. I've had a Miller Syncrowave 250 for a long time but never did aluminum with it till now. I had no idea how to set it up. I found out real fast that the way I had it for mild steel sure didn't work. Now I know why.

[@latenightkings7958]

Thanks for this video, we use this machine at work and I didn’t know how to set it for aluminum! Life saver!

[@southfloridagearheads]

glad it helped you out!

[@bearkawiboy6246]

I just got this welder but am needing a pedal to start tig welding. Just curious is it lift start or hf start? I didn’t think they used hf start when these earlier ones were made. But like his mine has a hf dial down at the bottom.

[@scotttipps8155]

High freq has been around a long long-time lol. This particular machine is a high freq start

[@scotttipps8155]

Lol. I guess I am the only human being on earth that has a 100 amp Hubbell service in my garage for my synchrowave 300 lol. Great video and very informative. Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge and help these guys getting started. Takes a lot of guesswork out of setup.

[@southfloridagearheads]

you must be the first I heard of with a 100amp setup. do all your neighbors lights dim? lol

[@scotttipps8155]

@@southfloridagearheads ha ha, a 200 amp service for homes here in my part of Texas is actually pretty common. Just about everyone I know has all electric heat pumps in their houses. but im sure nobody has a 100 amp service in their garage ha ha ha.

[@The_Brew_Dog]

I have 100 amp service in 4 different places on my property. First thing I did when I bought my house was get proper power service everywhere I might need it. I got daisy chained sup panels in every out building, best thing I ever did.

[@chrisquintana3877]

100amp service in my garage too..I'm also in texas . Pretty common here

[@timothym2241]

I have an orange one that Acklands here in Canada sold as an “Ackwave 250”. Same as the Synchrowave, just orange. Works great on steel or aluminum.

[@erniehenshaw4161]

Nice Vid .I have the same exact machine I ,Have welded quite a bit of alum tig.Picked up some good info from this.Ernie.

[@southfloridagearheads]

Thanks for the feedback Ernie!

[@tannerelectric]

Great video! I got the same machine. I wish this video was out there 7 years ago when I was trying to figure out how to weld aluminum. Not that I know how to weld, I’m still learning. Yes you are correct machines like this can be picked up cheap and will outlast the newer machines.

[@dustybrown2992]

Thank you!!! Just picked up an 84’ Syncrowave 300 and was having all of these questions.

[@southfloridagearheads]

Great, glad it helped out!

[@dereksimpson1284]

Man this helped me out. I have the same welder and have always struggled with the arc dancing around. Thank you

[@ricpitt1]

Looks good i have two of these older welders but couldn't even come close to a proper weld

[@A.R.C.E]

Just a heads up the post flow is to cool the tungsten down. When you pull the tungsten away from the weld material before the post flow cools it, the tungsten will become contaminated by the oxygen in the air. When you go to restart your weld there will be contamination in the weld that came off of the tungsten and into the weld.

[@southfloridagearheads]

Thanks for sharing! cool tip!

[@A.R.C.E]

No problem

[@lexcrob1]

How long does it need ?

[@A.R.C.E]

@@lexcrob1 8-10 seconds, you can adjust accordingly by watching the tip of your tungsten go from hot orange back to normal color.

[@drewt3210]

Stoked to find this video! I just bought this machine at auction, picking it up next week. Thank you for all you do to teach all of us! Best, Andrew @BranchAndFoundry

[@shannonbelcher4980]

Very, very helpful! It’s been a challenge. I appreciate you sharing the information.

[@FISHBREATHH]

Thanks, my machine is an 1956 miller AC 400 amp tig/stick. not much adjustment other then high freq and amperage. Thanks again for the Vid

[@A.R.C.E]

Great video, there is little to no info out there anymore on these machines. I personally own synchrowave 250 as well.

[@midosleem8216]

That's amazing, is there any big different between setup it and setup syncrowave 350 lx ? and please do you have a video about cleaning it from time to time? what should we clean?, what should we take care off it. I mean the precautions that we have to do to keep the machine in a good condition and without getting troubles. hope you can support me .

[@devinrobinson415]

Thanks for the vid, same exact problem with the arc bouncing around and no control whatsoever. Other alloys are fine but the ac aluminum on r tree he synchro was just fighting me super hard!

[@krammit1989]

Actually postflow isn't to cool the torch or tungsten. It's to cool the end of the puddle to keep it from cracking or sucking in atmosphere. That's why you have postflow on mig welders as well. It's to cool the puddle to keep contaminates out.

[@southfloridagearheads]

good info, thanks for sharing!

[@mydogsnameistablecloth1736]

Its to cool both the weld and the tungsten. Keeping that post flow on a stainless steel weld once you finish welding is a must.

[@stephensarkany3577]

My machine has gas preflow as well, why Miller made so many normal features as options IDK, they charge hundreds for a few piddly parts and a bit of wire.

[@chowtownpiper]

Mix in some helium will help if you can't turn it up enough, it makes the machine think it's 50 amps bigger, transfers more heat across the arc

[@southfloridagearheads]

wow cool tip! what would be the ratio like 90/10 or 70/30? im guessing my local airgas would know. I will have to try that out for sure!

[@chowtownpiper]

@@southfloridagearheads id go with 50/50

[@byronolson1221]

Great video, thanks for your navy service!

[@RC-Heli835]

The new inverter equipment is off the scale expensive but uses way less power. I have a Syncrowave 250 also. It used to be at our constructions shop ran strait to the power panel. I will soon be setup to use it at my house. I added a 50 amp welding plug in the garage 3 months ago. I put a welding plug on my Syncrowave 250 today and now just waiting to open my 50 amp extension cord Christmas day. If I had that to do again I would have tied the welder cord into an on/off box and run a dryer cord that I already had out the other side of it. It would have been easier than fooling with that #4 wire in a plug. How did you power yours?

[@southfloridagearheads]

it's off a 50a 220v breaker also. your going to loose 50% capacity. Machine needs 100amp breaker at 220v.

[@RC-Heli835]

@@southfloridagearheads Maybe? According to charts the #4 wire in the SOOW cord is only good for 70 amps. I actually do have 60 amp breaker . We ran it at the shop on 50 amps with no issue welding 1- 1/8 Stainless steel rods. They had to be fitted with special hardware. We did sometimes 200 a day I think with the machine set at 150 amps but seldom if ever mashing the foot pedal all the way down. I was thinking the only way you could run this machine at its max with cord limits is to run it at 480 which would reduce the amps by half. I need one of those carts you have built for yourself! 😃

[@southfloridagearheads]

@@RC-Heli835 yes my only struggle is with aluminum. trying to weld 1/4 plate. 1/8 stuff is fine at 160ish amps which is my limit with 220v 50amp input. 480 would deff allow you to get the full range. 100amps at 220v would be pretty crazy.

[@01zakman]

I have better results just past 6.5 AC balance. Number 6 cup Turn gas way down. Super clean ali

[@davis2music]

Do you have a setup video for "steel" TIG welding on this machine using gas, foot pedal and air cooled? I haven't quite figured out the settings.

[@southfloridagearheads]

send me an email I think I have the setup sheet. [e-mail]

[@blritw08809]

@@southfloridagearheads did you end up having the setup sheet?

[@josecarlosibarra9539]

Good video, and Nice garage.

[@tigwelding123]

South Florida gearheads I run my TIG and my mig off of a 30 amp breaker and both of my mig and Tig welders both consumed 50 amps at Max so I'm in the same boat you are with the power situation

[@southfloridagearheads]

I dumped this machine, looking at some inverter machines now that are more energy efficient

[@tigwelding123]

@@southfloridagearheads yeah I was planning on getting some inverter or more efficient welders and use my Mig and TIG as a backup and maybe upgrade the electrical system the next thing about the older machines they don't break that much and it's easy to fix most of the time but they sure do draw a lot of power though I guess that's the downside

[@southfloridagearheads]

@@tigwelding123 yeah it's a balance. I will be setting up a home shop so I would like the electrical savings haha

[@jaisonbadillo5139]

Great video very helpful! Thank you so much budd!

[@peterchichitano9667]

Their is a dial under the door for Hi frequency intensity, what do you set that at?

[@southfloridagearheads]

I know the dial your talking about.. but this machine doesn't have that one. I think the one I have is a very base, stripped down model. no thrills for features.

[@Luke3420]

if you got some thick aluminum try a argon helium mix

[@southfloridagearheads]

I do need to try that out!

[@combsjboyvirgo]

Good video

[@erniehenshaw4161]

Love to see more,!!

[@southfloridagearheads]

what would you like to see ill work on another welding video

[@erniehenshaw4161]

@@southfloridagearheads More welding please.

[@seanchoquette3388]

How did you use the foot pedal I noticed you had on the floor?

[@southfloridagearheads]

plug it and and switch the panel to remote Amp control.

[@roystanford982]

What about for a thumb control no water cool any suggestions there ?

[@southfloridagearheads]

I personally don't like the gas cooled torches. They normally always have a much bigger profile and I don't feel I have as good of control with the torch. I like the water cooled torch since it has a lower profile. They can also handle much more amperage and duty. Especially when your welding aluminum and are running the high amps. I've never used a thumb control. I have mostly seen them used in the field where you can't run a foot pedal due to your welding position or access. They seem very handy but I would image take some practice.

[@selvamathiem]

Boss, in our machine organ coming continues before pressing button. What would be the problem

[@southfloridagearheads]

you have current flow without hitting the foot pedal?

[@selvamathiem]

@@southfloridagearheads can you send me your mail I'd. I can send you video. [e-mail]

[@selvamathiem]

@@southfloridagearheads start button is in gun. Organ gas coming without pressing button, this is the issue now

[@selvamathiem]

@@southfloridagearheads model : Miller syncrowave 250

[@southfloridagearheads]

@@selvamathiem output contactor switch should be in remote, to control with the foot pedal. The gas solenoid might be stuck. I will email you.

[@jlowenstein1]

I keep having my tungsten split. More importantly getting huge oxide layer. ANY THOUGHTS?

[@southfloridagearheads]

what kind of tungsten are you using? and maybe your shielding gas coverage isnt enough or getting blown away.

[@jlowenstein1]

@@southfloridagearheads pure . 3/32. 20-25cfh.

[@krammit1989]

Get rid of the pure tungsten. They are prone to breaking and cracking. Also step up tungsten size. The higher the frequency the thicker the tungsten.

[@jrttrades8454]

what about the high frequency intensity knob behind that bottom cover? i have the same welder

[@southfloridagearheads]

No HF knob on the welder I have. Maybe yours have different options?

[@willcountypowersports6338]

Set at 80

[@scottlyon5661]

I was wondering about the HF setting also.. My HF knob is down under the cover where you pos/neg hooks up

[@edwardcruz5187]

hey , you have a 50amp breaker and can only draw so many amps at a time before tripping the breaker ? hmm..

[@southfloridagearheads]

yes, that is all the power available in the shop. It would be great to run the full 100 amps but there is not enough power in the shop. feeder breaker is only 60 amps.

[@drewt3210]

@@southfloridagearheads Good to know! Looks like I'll be adding a 100amp breaker for mine.

[@erniehenshaw4066]

More Videos please!!

[@kawataufik5098]

Minimum thickness welding this machine

[@lexcrob1]

I just wired up my syncro250 to a 50 amp with 3 prong. Had some tungsten balling issues and yep had it on 50/50 balance. A note on the wiring. I called miller and they recommend it wired with 6 gauge directly to a disconnect on a 125 amp fuse. I ran than by an electrician and still not sure that is ok or not. (6 guage wire is rated for 55 amps) (3 prong plugs are rated at 50 amps) (this machine is rated at 72 amps max power”) I looked inside the machine and it also is 6 gauge wiring* anyways 😋🤙

[@Scott-l5r]

I ran #3 to 100 amp disconnect then # 4 SO cord to unit , Have not had any problems .(I do have 200 amps in shop)

[@cubegears]

video starts at 3:55 almost 4 minutes of bleating

[@stevemorgan5638]

The camera jerking all over about gave me a damn seizure!