PrimeWeld TIG225X – Complete FAQ Guide
This page answers the most common questions about the PrimeWeld TIG225X AC/DC TIG welder, based on real discussions from TIG225X owners and welders.
Whether you you’re thinking of buying this machine or already own one, this FAQ guide should help you get the most out of it
How to TIG weld Stainless Steel
Setup & Basic Operation of the PrimeWeld TIG225x
1. What comes with the PrimeWeld TIG225X?
Typically included:
- CK Worldwide flex-head air cooled 17 style TIG torch with super flex cable and CK dinse adapter installed and ready to plug and play
- Pigtail adapter for 120v 240v ( sometimes referred to as 115v and 230v)
- Foot pedal
- Ground clamp
- Stick electrode holder aka Stinger
- Flowmeter/regulator
- Standard Consumables kit
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2. Does the TIG225X run on 120 volts?
Yes. and a pigtaill 240v to 120v adapter is included
But output power is limited compared to 240V.
120V works well for:
- thin steel up to around .120”
- stainless up to around .160”
- small aluminum projects up to around .100”
but with a slight preheat on aluminum, you might do more
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Primeweld TIG225x Review of Features
3. What plug comes on the TIG225X?
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TIG225x units ship with a 240V plug installed and an adapter for 120V operation.
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4. What breaker size is recommended?
Typical recommendations:
- 240V → 50 amp breaker ( I personally ran off a 30 amp breaker up to 1/4” aluminum with no issues )
- 120V → 20 amp breaker
5. Does the TIG225X need a special outlet?
No.
A standard NEMA 6-50 welding outlet works perfectly.
6. Can the TIG225X run on a generator?
Yes, but the generator should provide:
- at least 7000 watts
- clean power
7. How much does the TIG225X weigh?
About 41 pounds, making it fairly portable.
TIG Welding Operation
8. What metals can the TIG225X weld?
The TIG225X can weld all types of metals :
4130 Chromoly Tubing
Sanitary Stainless Tubing
Aluminum
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The TIG225X can weld all commonly welded metals like :
- Mild steel and high strength steels
- 4130 Chromoly
- Stainless steel
- Nickel alloys like inconel 625
- Aluminum
- Magnesium
-
Titanium
- Copper
- Bronze
Titanium Aerospace Test Welded with the PrimeWeld TIG225x
9. Does the TIG225X weld aluminum well?
Yes.
The TIG225x has the 2 main settings for aluminum welding:
- AC balance
-
AC frequency
These features allow excellent control when welding aluminum.
10. What tungsten should I use with the TIG225X?
Common choices:
- 2% lanthanated
- E3 purple tungsten
- CK LaYZr
- 2% ceriated
These work well for both AC and DC TIG but Ceriated does not carry as much amperage as the others on AC.
11. What tungsten size works best?
Typical sizes:
- 1/16" for thin metal under .050”
- 3/32" for most welding up to 200 amps
- 1/8" for higher amperage
12. What shielding gas should be used?
Most TIG welding uses 100% argon.
There are other options that can help if you weld a lot of aluminum
Stargon AL from prax air and argon helium mixes both can help on aluminum 1/8” and thicker
13. Does the TIG225X have high frequency start?
Yes.
High frequency start allows the arc to start without touching the tungsten to the metal.
For most bench work, high frequency start is the way to go.
14. Does the TIG225X have lift arc?
Technically NO, there is no high frequency on off switch and no switch for lift arc.
but you can use a tig torch with valve and do scratch start tig on stick mode if needed.
True lift arc usually means that the open circuit voltage is live but very low until the arc is initiated. Scratch start has much higher open circuit voltage.
15. What is the lowest amperage on the TIG225X?
The machine can start around 10 amps. Although sometimes that 10 amp start can seem pretty bold.
The PrimeWeld TIG325x has a lower start amperage so if low amp starts for super thin material is what you most need, the 325x is a better choice.
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16. Can the TIG225X weld thin sheet metal?
Yes.
With good technique it can weld:
- thin stainless
- sheet metal
- automotive panels
We have customers who use the TIG225x for auto body work and have developed a technique where they start the arc right on the tip of the filler rod where it impinges on the base metal and have had great success with this technique even with their new hire tig welders.
17. Does the TIG225X have pulse settings?
Yes.
Pulse range is approximately 0.5 – 200 Hz.
The current model of the TIG225x does not read out pulse settings digitally but using the knob increments along with running a few beads on scrap metal can get the pulse dialed in just fine.
If you need digital readout for pulse and all other settings, the TIG325x is a better option
18. What is pulse TIG used for?
Pulse can help:
- control heat
- improve timing for filler rod
- Limit heat buildup on thin metal welds
- Focussing the arc for edge welding when high speed pulse rates are used.
19. Can pulse TIG make a weld look smoother?
Yes.
Pulse can help create a more uniform bead appearance.
Occasionally pulse tig can be used to smooth out a ropey bead.
20. What AC frequency should I use for aluminum?
Common ranges:
- 40-60 Hz for thick aluminum when you are pushing the amp limitations of a machine
- 80–120 Hz → general welding
- 120–200 Hz → tighter arc near edges
21. What AC balance should I use?
Typical starting point:
The 225X AC balance uses % cleaning as the setting so 25% -35% cleaning
This provides good penetration with enough cleaning action.
Argon flow rate and cup size can impact the AC balance setting too so flow rate, cup size, and AC balance need to be dialed in to achieve a clean puddle with just a little cleaning etch zone outside the bead.
22. What filler rod should be used for aluminum?
The most Common rods by far for aluminum are :
- 4043
- 5356
4943 is a good alternative to 4043
4047 is great for castings
23. Can the TIG225X TIG braze?
Yes.
Silicon bronze TIG brazing works well on this machine.
Especially when using the pulser at 1 to 2 pulses per second along with a jazzy 10 ceramic cup.
24. What torch type comes with the TIG225X?
The PrimeWeld TIG225x comes with a CK Worldwide 17-style air cooled torch with super flex cable.
25. Can the TIG225X use a gas lens?
Yes and I highly recommend our weldmonger stubby gas lens kit for better results.
Weldmonger.com offers primeweld tig225x deals that include gas lens kits so that you can get better results with the machine.
Many welders upgrade to gas lens kits for better shielding and visibility
The first Upgrade I recommend for the PrimeWeld TIG225x is our Weldmonger Stubby Gas lens kit version 2.0 that comes with Furick hardware that makes it easy and affordable to expand into clear cups and larger cups for stainless, chromoly, and other alloys.
Once you have this Stubby gas lens kit, you can easily add other Furick cups like the clear #7 or a Jazzy10
Stick Welding Questions
26. Can the TIG225X stick weld?
Yes.
It includes a stick welding mode. But is not designed to run 6010 rods ( although several users report they have done it with decent results)
27. What stick electrodes work well with the TIG225x?
Common rods:
- 6013
- 7018
- 6011
- 309 ss
- 312 ss
28. Does the TIG225X run 6010 rods?
Like many inverter machines, 6010 performance can be limited.
there are several users that report running 6010 rods but the machine is not rated for 5010
29. What is the maximum stick amperage?
Approximately 180 amps on 240V.
And about 88 amps on 120v
Machine Controls
30. What does the 2T and 4T setting do?
The 2t setting is used when using a foot pedal and also when using the torch trigger making it an on/off switch on 2t
Torch switch operation goes like this…
2T:
Press and hold to weld…let off to stop
4T:
Press once to start, let off to initiate upslope to main amp setting, press again to initiate downslope to end current, let off to stop.
31. What does pre-flow do?
Pre-flow starts the flow of shielding gas before the arc starts in order to make for sure starts especially on aluminum or when using a long electrode extension. 1.5 seconds is usually plenty but depends on cup size and electrode extension.
32. What does post-flow do?
Post-flow keeps gas flowing after the arc stops to protect the tungsten as well as the not area of the bead termination. Aluminum only requires enough post flow to keep the tungsten silver and that depends on tungsten diameter.(usually 7-10 seconds is enough when welding aluminum). Chromoly and Stainless usually need about 10 seconds of post flow gas to ensure a good restart…Titanium might need the maximum post flow setting due to its special characteristics.
33. What is upslope?
Upslope is a 4t setting when using the torch switch that slowly increases amperage when starting the weld. Usually only 2-3 seconds of upslope is used.
34. What is downslope?
Downslope is another 4t torch switch setting that gradually reduces amperage before stopping. 2-4 seconds usually is enough but it depends on metal type and thickness and other factors.
Both upslope and downslope mimic what you would do with the foot pedal.
35. What is peak current?
Peak current is the maximum welding amperage set on the machine panel.
36. What is base current in pulse mode?
Base current is the lower amperage during the pulse cycle.
37. What does pulse frequency control?
Pulse frequency determines pulses per second
Performance Questions
38. How thick can the TIG225X weld?
Typical ranges:
Steel → up to 3/8 inch ( thicker steel can be welded using multiple passes)
Aluminum → about 1/4 inch using pure argon and without a preheat ( a preheat along with an argon/helium mix can be used to weld thicker aluminum up to around 1/2")
39. Can the TIG225X weld titanium?
Yes.
With proper cup, gas shielding and purge setups.
40. Can the TIG225X weld stainless tubing?
Yes.
It works well for sanitary stainless welding.
41. Is the TIG225X good for beginners?
Yes.
Many hobby welders start with this machine.
42. Is the TIG225X good for professional work?
Some professional welders use it for:
- home shops
- race car fabrication
- repair work
43. Does the machine run hot?
The cooling fan runs continuously to keep electronics cool.
44. Why does the fan run all the time?
The machine uses constant fan cooling instead of fan-on-demand.
45. What is the duty cycle?
Typical duty cycle is around:
40% at 225 amps
Accessories & Upgrades
46. Can the TIG225X use a water cooled torch?
Yes.
With an external water cooler. It is recommend to use a primeweld water cooler because the power cord plugs directly into the back of the TIG225x and is powered by the machine with no forgetting to turn it on
47. Can the foot pedal be upgraded?
Yes.
The included foot pedal is very good. but Some users upgrade to primeweld wireless pedals or SSC pedals.
48. Can the machine use a fingertip amperage control?
Yes.
Optional torch switches can be added.
49. What TIG cups work best?
The best choice for TIG cups depends on metal type and application.
Popular choices for aluminum include:
- #5 or 6 standard collet body
- #7 or 8 clear cup
Popular choices for chromoly and stainless include
Popular cups for Aerospace tig welding on DC include
50. What size tungsten is best for aluminum?
Most welders use 3/32" tungsten up to around 200 amps
1/8” tungsten for over 200 and up to around 325 amps
Troubleshooting TIG Issues
51. Why won’t my arc start?
Possible causes:
- HF turned off
- bad ground connection
- contaminated tungsten
52. Why does my tungsten keep contaminating?
Common causes:
- touching the puddle
- too much amperage
- poor gas shielding
53. Why is aluminum turning black?
Usually caused by:
- poor shielding gas coverage
- dirty base metal
54. Why is my weld porous?
Possible causes:
- dirty metal or mill scale
- moisture in gas lines
- oil contamination
- low gas flow
- electrode extension too long
55. Why does my aluminum weld look dull?
Likely caused by:
- insufficient cleaning action
- poor AC balance settings
- gas flow not tuned to cup
56. Why is my arc wandering?
Usually caused by:
- dull tungsten
- split tungsten
- contaminated tungsten
- poor gas coverage
- too large a tungsten
57. Why is my tungsten balling up?
Possible causes:
- incorrect polarity
- too much cleaning action on AC balance setting
- too much amperage
- pure tungsten
58. Why does my arc keep stopping?
Check:
- torch switch
- pedal connection
- ground clamp
59. Why does my machine trip breakers?
Possible reasons:
- undersized circuit
- extension cord too small
- welding for long duration
60. Why does the foot pedal seem unresponsive?
Possible causes:
- wrong pedal setting ( set 2t 4t switch to 2t when using foot pedal or torch amperage control
- loose plug connector, make sure plug is fully inserted and tight
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