Looking for a high-quality TIG welder that won’t break the bank? Then you need to check out this YesWelder TIG-250P AC/DC review!
I am a professional welder of 23 years and I have owned a Yeswelder 250P AC/DC welder for over 2 years.
From auto body repair to stainless steel fabrication, the Yeswelder 250P has been my go-to for all sorts of projects, making aluminum repairs and fabrication a breeze.
In this YesWelder TIG 250P review, we’ll take a closer look at the advanced features, benefits, and drawbacks of this fantastic welder. So, let’s dive in!
I have a 10% off coupon code WELDINGEMPIRE to use if you decide to purchase.
Can The Yeswelder TIG 250P AC/DC Weld Aluminum
I put this part of the review at the top of the article because that’s why you will be looking at this machine.
Check out my YouTube video below to see how the TIG-250P can weld aluminum cans together, with a detailed explanation of the settings. My video below goes into a lot of detail on this feature.
To weld aluminum you want to have an AC/DC machine. The Yeswelder has a few more features than just that.
What Is Included With The YesWelder TIG-250P
The welder arrives in a very sturdy box and it is well-protected. I brought my machine when they first came out and it arrived from China to my home in Western Australia undamaged.
For the United States buyers, they have distribution centers all around the states. So you will be welding in no time!
- TIG-250P AC/DC Welder
- WP-26 TIG torch 13ft
- Electrode Holder 10 ft
- Earth Clamp 10 ft
- Gas hose and some hose clamps
- Additional TIG accessories:
- 3 Collets : 1/8 – 3.2mm, 3/32 – 2.4mm, 1/16 – 1.6mm
- 1 Collet Body: 3/32 – 2.4mm
- 3 Alumina Ceramic Cups: #4, #5, #6
- 1 Long Back Cap
- 1 Short Back Cap
YesWelder has recently removed the foot pedal from the package but has dropped the price by the cost of the foot pedal to account for it. So If you are looking for a welder with 250 amps and don’t need the pedal, it’s an affordable price.
Better yet they have changed the model of the 5-pin foot pedal to a more ergonomic design.
You will also need an argon flow regulator. Not a big deal if you have one already and this is your replacement welder.
These are also sold on their website. I would also suggest getting the 2% Lanthanted tungsten. Remember to use the discount code WELDINGEMPIRE, the code will discount all items at purchase.
AC Square Wave Technology
The YesWelder 250P is an AC square wave TIG machine. However, you will need a 220V outlet to run this machine. Aluminum welding requires some serious power to weld.
What is AC Square Wave?
The square Wave technology trims off the top and bottom of the sine wave, this allows for more cleaning and heating time for each cycle. This technology is especially effective when welding materials like aluminum, significantly improving performance.
I would only buy an AC square wave machine as it has a wider range of cleaning or penetration options improving the welding capabilities of the machine.
AC Balance Control
The AC Balance feature has a range of 15-85% needed for welding aluminum or other non-ferrous metals. YesWelder recommends 28-32 for a good place to start. I crank the AC balance up to 40-45% if I am using it for some cast aluminum repairs for a cleaning pass, then dial it back to 30% to do the weld repair.
When welding with alternating current (AC), the electrode alternates between a positive and negative polarity.
The negative polarity generates more heat and allows for deeper penetration, while the positive polarity produces a wider arc and a cleaning effect. Practically a must for welding aluminum.
By adjusting the AC Balance feature, you can control the amount of time that the electrode spends in the positive and negative polarity. This can help you achieve the desired weld bead profile, while also controlling the amount of cleaning input into the material.
AC Balance Frequency
The 250p welding parameters for AC balance frequency range from 20 Hz to 250 Hz
The AC balance frequency is typically measured in Hertz (Hz), with a common welding range falling around 60 Hz to 100 Hz. The frequency impacts how quickly the current switches from EP to EN, with higher frequencies switching more rapidly and lower frequencies switching more slowly.
What does AC frequency do?
The AC balance frequency has an impact on weld quality. A higher frequency offers smoother welds and better heat control for thin materials. A lower frequency offers better penetration and arc stability for thicker materials.
Pulse Feature
The pulse function is a powerful feature that is found in many expensive TIG welders.
YesWelder TIG-250P included this feature allows you to control the heat input while welding, making it particularly useful when welding thin materials or when you need to reduce distortion.
The Yeswelder TIG-250P AC/DC has a pulse range of 0.5 Hz to 200 Hz
How does the Pulse Feature work?
When using the pulse function, the welder alternates between a high and low amperage output set from the control panel, creating a pulsing effect. This pulsing effect helps to reduce the overall heat input into the material, which can help to prevent distortion and warping. It also allows you to control the size and shape of the weld puddle, making it easier to produce clean and consistent welds.
High-Frequency Start
The YesWelder TIG250P AC/DC TIG welder has a High-Frequency Start feature which allows for quick and precise initiation of the welding arc without physical contact with the workpiece. Usually only found on more expensive AC/DC machines or high-end DC TIG welders.
When you use the High-Frequency Start function on your TIG welder, it generates a high-voltage electric arc from the electrode to the workpiece.
The High-Frequency Start feature has several advantages over traditional scratch-starting or lift-start methods.
- Eliminates the need to physically touch the electrode to the workpiece, which can help prevent contamination and damage to the electrode.
- This allows you to quickly and effortlessly initiate the arc, without having to consider the proper angle of the torch or your posture at the beginning or the end of the weld.
High-Frequency Control 2T-4T
The euro-style TIG torch has a button to start the arc using the high-frequency function. YesWelder has added the 4T function. When tacking something together with this machine I use the 2T.
This starts the arc and ramps up to the set amperage (upslope). When you remove your thumb from the button the welder then downslopes to the end amperage set and stops the arc.
For longer welds where I don’t want to be holding the button down, I use the 4T function.
1 press will start the arc, and then upslope to the welding amperage. Once I have finished the weld I press the button again and the welding downslopes to the end current and kills the arc.
This feature saves your thumb a lot of cramps.
Spot Weld Function
This is for the TIG welding process, simply set the time you want to have each weld time amperage, and the YesWelder will do the rest. Admittedly I am stuck in my ways and just use the 2T function.
Duty Cycle
An important consideration if you are going to be pushing the limits of your next welder is the power output also known as the duty cycle.
This is an industry-standard measurement of weld time over a 10-minute period.
TIG welding it will weld 250 amps @ 60%
MMA welding it will weld 200 amps @ 60%
I would rate the duty cycle of this machine as extremely good. I would be wanting a 4-minute rest from welding at that amperage before the welder does 🤣.
One of the best features of the YesWelder TIG 250P is that it has a temprature controlled fan. So you don’t have the anoying fan going all the time. One of my frustrations with a lot of welders.
If you do push the welder past its limits it has built-in thermal overload protection. So if this kicks in, take a little break. You deserve a well-earned rest.
Inverter technology
The YesWelder TIG-250P AC/DC Welder uses an IGBT Inverter. Also known as Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors, the older type inverter welders used Mosfet-type inverters.
This is the reason it has a massive duty cycle and as a bonus, it can run on a generator.
Older MOSFET and transformer-type welders don’t like the dirty power (voltage fluctuations) inherent to the generators.
The welder also has protection from voltage spikes, so if the generator throws a wobbly and sends a huge spike the machine will shut down and it will be indicated on the digital interface by a code E – 4.
Control Panel and Ease Of Use
The control panel is easy to navigate once you have familiarized yourself with the controls. It has two mode selection blister buttons and one adjustment dial.
The dial has two functions simply press it to cycle through the welding parameters. When selected the dial will adjust to what setting you need by turning the adjustment knob.
The first of the blister buttons will choose the welding process.
AC TIG
AC pulse TIG
DC TIG
DC pulse TIG
MMA / Stick
The second of the blister buttons will set.
2T TIG also the selection for remote setting
4T TIG
Spot
Negative Points About The Digital Display
I find the display is set back a little too far so the surrounding facia obstructs the top of the control panel unless you crouch down.
The font size is too small for people with “older eyes” like me 😞
The welder also uses metric measurements for the settings as well. But this is only limited to the tungsten selection. So a conversion chart won’t be needed like the YesWelder MIG 205DS.
Timed Welding Parameters
As with any high-end TIG welder the TIG-250P has these essential features included.
Pre-flow Of Argon
The first of which is pre-flow this starts the gas flow before the arc is started.
It has an adjustment range of 0.1 of a second all the way up to 10 seconds.
10 seconds is a bit extreme. I have the welder set to 0.5 of a second in the video and explain why.
Upslope From Start to Welding Current
The next setting directly after start amps is upslope time. If you are welding carbon steel or stainless steel without a foot pedal this is a very handy setting.
Upslope range from 0 – 10 seconds
I have the upslope time set to 1 second. This gives me time for my eyes to adjust and get comfortable before I start stacking dimes.
Downslope Time
Range from 0 – 15 seconds
A very important setting that always needs to be set is the downslope time when using the TIG welding function without the foot pedal. This will drop the welding amperage down to the end amps. If the time is set too quickly or not set at all the risk of a pinhole or crater crack is greatly increased.
Post Gas Flow Times
For welding of stainless steel shielding gas is vital to protect the molten weld puddle to cool down in an argon environment. Mild steel and aluminum it is not as important but the tungsten still needs to be shielded from the atmosphere while cooling.
Post-flow time can be set between 0 -15 seconds
Spot Weld Time
Below the 2T and 4T functions YesWelder upped the game and added the spot weld function for the TIG process. If selected the dial is used to cycle from 0.5 – 10 seconds.
Build Quality
I have been on many construction sites over the past 20 years of being a professional welder. I can tell you right now if you plan to buy this machine to equip your staff, it will not handle the rough treatment since some workers lack care.
The case is made of thin panel steel and the clear plastic cover for the digital display will be snapped off in the first month. The plastic at the front of the welder seems like it won’t take a strong knock.
I am being very critical though. If you are buying this as a hobby welding machine it will last for many years.
I have had my 250-P for over 2 years and it looks brand new. I have burnt boxes of 1/8th stick electrodes and pounds of TIG wire through it and it has never let me down. It has paid for itself many times over.
YesWelder spend the majority of the budget of the machine on its quality internals. You will be buying an excellent welder, with advanced features.
So Do I Recommend The Welder?
I rate this machine so much that I have suggested it to other boilermakers/welders in my different jobs and they also think it is an awesome welding machine.
I tested out their customer support aswell before I purchased the welder. They respond very quickly and are super helpful. A lot of people rate the after sales servive very highly. Not to mention the TIG comes with a 3 year warranty 🤯.
I don’t see the welder not coming with a foot pedal or gas regulator as a disadvantage, due to the awesome price of the machine. The machine also has the ability to have the TIG torch has an amperage adjustment built into it. If you are doing a lot of thicker aluminum YesWelder also sells a water-cooled torch.
I featured heavily in the article on the AC welding abilities due to the fact that is why you the reader are looking at the machine. I can say that the DC TIG welding and stick welding is just as good as the AC mode.
The stick welding feature also has an arc force setting which I always set because it can be the difference between a nice weld to a stunning weld.
Let me know in the comment section below or drop a question in the comments section of the video in this article if you would like to know anything else. Thanks for checking out my website.
