CST280 Dinse or Tweco lead connectors?

[clint738]

Looks like the CST 280 is considered the best inverter stick welder, but now I have a few questions so I can pick the right machine.

I have 2 question topics, one on the connector types Dinse vs Tweco and the second regarding the different voltage CST 280 Stick welders.

1 - What is the difference in using the Dinse vs Tweco, is one a better (more robust) connection style?
- What is the advantage/disadvantages of each?

Looks like for my application I will be needing 35-50ft #2 welding/ground leads.

I measured with a Fluke meter and I have 242Vac here.

2 - There are two different voltage models in the CST 280

A - 220-230V / 460-575V Model
- Dinse
- Tweco
** Max open-circuit voltage (77Vdc)

B - 208-230V / 400-460V Model
- Dinse
- Tweco
** Max open-circuit voltage (67Vdc)

Why are there 2 different Models? Is one for European 50Hz and the other type for US 60Hz?

There is also a VRD model (Voltage reduction) which has a lower max open-circuit voltage of 30VDC, but I don't think I want that one since I have read on here about people having a hard time starting the arc with that feature.

Thanks!

[elvis]

Mine has dinse, but my leads are tweco. So I just some adapters. My understanding is that it just depends on what industry your in. Also, my receptacle has a measured 238v. If you want to run it on industrial power then the 400-500v part is important.

If I was in your shoes I would see what type of leads I could get for a good price, and then buy a machine that fits those leads. Also, you could get 25' leads then 25' extensions. Or whatever length extensions meet your needs. Just put your tweco/dinse twist connectors on the extensions and you'll be good to go.

[BD1]

When I got my CST 280 tweco connectors were all they had. I just took tweco
male and a short piece of cable and added jackson females on the end. All my cable connectors are jackson.

[clint738]

Why will miller include 2 Dines male connectors with the machine but not Tweco connectors?

Are Tweco connectors proprietary or more expensive? Why not provide for both?

[clint738]

I don't have any stick welding leads or tig welding leads of any sort, so I will be starting from scratch. Thats why I figured some of you might have some suggestions on what you would do if you could start from scratch and purchase it all to match.

It looks like the tig lead side is the part puzzling me.

Do air cooled (with valve) tig welding leads typically come in one or the other, or are they readily available in both dinse and tweco?

For the CST 280, does the tig gas go through the dinse or tweco connector or is some special adapter needed that may determine if I need one or the other type connectors?

[BD1]

Here's the manual site.
http://www.millerwelds.com/om/o217655e_mil.pdf page 17

This may help too , http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/TIGhandbook/

Field welding set up from another site.

http://weldingweb.com/showthread.php...eld+arc+welder

[elvis]

Clint. I'm out at king of the hammers, a miller sponsored event, I'll get back to your post when I get back home.

[clint738]

Clint. I'm out at king of the hammers, a miller sponsored event, I'll get back to your post when I get back home.

Never heard of that event, what is it?

[elvis]

A hardcore off road desert race. Very tough. We race on Friday.