YesWelder TIG-250P AC/DC TIG Welder Review

High end TIG welders offer fancy features like square wave technology, adjustable front/back airflow times and pulse width/frequency control. Unfortunately, they cost thousands of dollars. But for those raw welds that TIG machines are known for, these features really make a difference.

So when the Yeswelder 250P AC/DC came out with a low to mid-range price tag loaded with many of these premium features, it commanded attention. Not surprisingly, interested customers asked the obvious question. Is it worth buying? Will it do the job?

Well, good questions like this one are worth answering. So, we took the time to do the necessary research. Then, for your convenience, we’ve gathered what we’ve found here into one place. Spoiler alert, if you’re interested in a new TIG welder, it’s worth your time to read the findings below.

TIG-250P Quick Overview

What is included

• TIG-250P AC and DC welding machine
• WP-26 TIG Welding Torch 13 Feet
• Electrode Holder 10ft
• Ground Clamp 10ft
• welding brush
• Gas Hose 6ft
• 5 pin pedal
• Other TIG accessories:
  • 3 collets
  • 1 collet body
  • 3 alumina ceramic mug
  • 1 long back cover
  • 1 short back cover

technical specifications

made	China
process	AC square wave TIG, AC pulse TIG, DC TIG, DC pulse TIG, DC coated electrode MMA, argon arc spot welding
exhibit	Single clamshell display, multiple indicator lights
button/dial	Multiple blister buttons, 1 dial
Input voltage	220v/240v
duty cycle	60% @ 250A
Amperage	Argon arc welding: 5-250 A Rod: 10-200A
current control	Unlimited between minimum and maximum settings
Weldable material	Aluminum, nickel alloys, stainless steel, titanium, mild steel and copper
material thickness	24 plus. – 3/8″ (up to 7/8″ with multiple passes)
Welder Dimensions (H x W x L)	14″ x 8″ x 16″
weight	35 lbs.
Warranty	3 years
price	Check YesWelder Now (10% off. Code: WELDGURU10 )

Things to Know Before Buying the TIG-250P

You need a 220V outlet

While this is a compact, lightweight TIG welder, portability depends on a 220V power outlet. This unit does not operate on 110V.

However, it can run on “dirty” electricity from a generator, which not every TIG welder with high-end features can do.

Items not included

The price of the TIG-250P AC/DC is much more budget than most equipment with this welder’s advanced features. But as a budget product, it doesn’t have many extras.

You will need to supply your own gas regulator (YesWelder sells their own regulator here). Also, consumables such as filler rods and electrodes (also sold here by YesWelder) are not included. So if you buy this Yeswelder product, you should add these to your purchase.

Metric units

This unit uses metric units. This can be a pain because things like the tungsten electrode diameter have to be set.

If your electrode diameter is in inches, you must convert inches to millimeters.

trigger is stiff

Trigger performance varies from user to user and is subjective. But the unanimous comment is that both the foot and finger triggers are too stiff. Some have even replaced them.

pedal nitpicking

Nothing in this world is perfect, including the Yeswelder TIG-250P AC/DC. One of the more unusual quirks you’ll find on this machine are the footpegs.

To turn on the function, you must depress the foot pedal until the light on the control panel comes on. It’s not hard, but it’s a bit unusual for some people, and it’s a waste of gas. It would be nice if you could select the foot pedal mode on the control panel.

Key features of the TIG-250P

welding process

Yes, this unit qualifies as a TIG welder. But that’s an understatement that ignores how many different things you can do with this welder.

First, it can perform TIG using AC and DC current. This means you can TIG weld aluminum. Plus, you can spot weld if you want, or you can stick weld.

With the ability to perform AC and DC TIG pulse welding as well as direct AC and DC TIG, you can choose from a variety of TIG welding methods.

square wave technique

The sine wave traditionally used by TIG welders limits the time for the cleaning and heating phases of the weld.

Square wave technology removes the top and bottom of the sine wave, allowing you to spend more time cleaning and heating cycles on the solder. This provides better performance, especially when welding materials such as aluminum are easier to work with, and results in better weld beads.

control

The unit uses a single dial and multiple blister buttons to set the weld. Given the number of parameters you can tweak, the layout is very easy to use once you go through a small learning curve.

Speaking of the learning curve, we were glad to see that the manual for this welder was helpful. Some other welders from Yeswelder come with useless manuals. But not this.

Once you become familiar with the control panel, you can control almost every detail of welding. Pulse width and frequency, pre/post gas flow time, start and end amplifiers, ramp up/down as required, 2T or 4T method, tungsten electrode diameter, etc. can all be set.

Plus, the unit keeps your current settings in memory, even in the absence of power. So if you unplug the unit, move to a new job location, and want to use the settings you last used for welding, the machine will save those settings for you.

5 to 250 Amps and 60% Duty Cycle at 250A

Less expensive devices usually save power. But not the YesWelder TIG-250P AC/DC. You can get power as high as 250A or as low as 5A. That’s impressive for such an affordable device, and it lets you do both thin and thick stock.

250A of power with a 60% duty cycle makes this unit suitable for smaller professional welding shops, as well as DIY, hobby welding, auto restoration and other light to medium duty shops.

But you can also go all the way down to 5A. This range gives you the versatility to handle a wide variety of jobs/stock thicknesses. One of the other real advantages of this power range on thin materials is that you can start as low as 5A and gradually increase to prevent popping at the beginning/end of the weld.

2T and 4T control

The TIG-250P AC/DC offers 4T control, which is great if you often do long welds.

You still have the 2T controls where you pull the trigger to start welding and release it to stop. But 4T means you can pull the trigger to start the arc, release the trigger while welding, then pull and release the trigger again to stop the weld.

The 4T sounds complicated on paper. But for long welds, it doesn’t need to hold the trigger for the entire weld. Just when you start and stop. You can read more details about the 2T and 4T features here.

high frequency arcing

HF is usually found on high end DC TIG machines. But it’s included in this affordable TIG-250P AC/DC welder. This allows you to place the electrode tip close to the workpiece and simply pull the trigger to start the arc. No need for fussy scratches.

portability

For those of you who are used to lugging around a TIG welder as big and heavy as you, the TIG 250P AC/DC can change the way you move your TIG welder.

The unit is lightweight at 35 lbs and won’t take up much space. It can of course be used as a portable, but keep in mind it only runs on 220V.

generator compatible

The unit can also run on generator power to follow the portability feature. Other TIG welders may struggle with the dirty electricity generated by generators, but this one won’t.

So if you can’t find a 220V outlet, you can choose to work with a generator.

what are others saying

The most common things to find in discussions, threads, and reviews about this machine are: 1) I like the machine, and 2) it has great value for money.

Many users note the light weight and small size. Moving this unit is easy compared to some older TIG welders still in use. One user said of the welder: “I’m used to moving around small electric cars for TIG welding, but not anymore.”

One user said, “This welder is probably the best TIG welder for the money and certainly worth a look.” That sums up many of the comments about the low price of a machine with so many high-end features.

Smaller welding businesses have also found this welder. Someone said, “In the first 30 days I owned it, it took back its own [sic].” Comments like this are fairly common. Another said, “Worth every dollar.” Highly rated by people who weld for a living.

The most common “negative” mentioned is the need to “turn on” the foot pedal by holding it down. One user mentioned that he hated wasting gas, so he turned off the gas, set the welder to foot pedal mode, and finally turned on the gas.

Apply for 10% discount on your TIG-250P AC/DC

YesWelder is offering Weld Guru readers a generous 10% off sitewide with the purchase of any of their products. That means you can get about $75 off the TIG-250P!

To claim this offer, go to the product page here and enter promo code: WELDGURU10 at checkout.

in conclusion

The YesWelder TIG-250P AC/DC has too many features to repeat here. But features such as high frequency start and pulse width and frequency control are high-end features that most low- and mid-priced TIG welders don’t have. Those on a budget will appreciate the features of this welder.

You can set start/end amperage for better weld start/stop. You can control pulse characteristics and airflow pre/post timing. When you find the perfect settings, the welder remembers them for your next job. Did we mention it has a lot of features?

But to be fair, the Yeswelder TIG-250P AC/DC does have a few hiccups, like it not running on 110V, which might prevent some people from using it. However, it can run on “dirty” power from the generator, something that many similarly capable and pricier TIG welders cannot.

Overall, this welder is a well built, powerful and fully featured AC/DC TIG welder at a great price. Plus, it comes with a 3-year warranty. Without a doubt, it will be rated as the “Best Choice” for many who are looking for a new TIG welder.

The TIG-250P AC/DC will not be considered industrial equipment. But this 60% duty cycle TIG welder at 250A can benefit small professional welding shops.

Plus, many DIYers, welding enthusiasts, artists, and auto restoration shops will be able to afford and use this proficient unit. For those who think a TIG welder with high-end features is out of reach, check out the Yeswelder TIG-250P AC/DC.

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