The H & S Autoshot 3-in-1 Synergic Welder, No. HSM200, offers full synergic welding capability settings on a large LCD display. The welder has a dual 110-240V input capability, offers MIG and TIG welding and allows switch back operation with both torches connected at all times and no requirement to remove MIG wire. System features include an IGBT inverter power supply with 0.99 efficiency PFC dual voltage (115V and 230V) input with a compact air-cooled cabinet. Operating features include LCD control panel, full synergic operation, infinitely variable output power from 30-200 amps, auto over-temp and over-voltage protection. The welder has a lift-arc start and foot pedal control for MMA and TIG welding. An optional aluminum spool gun is available. The package includes PFC power supply, HSL15 MIG gun, HSM17 TIG torch with quick-connect welding cable 12.5’, 200A work clamp with quick-connect welding cable 10’, 200-amp electrode holder with 10' welding cable, foot pedal control with direct-connect cable, 115V jump-power cord, dual-gauge gas regulator, AK-2 torch kit and an operator manual.
The Review
When it comes to a skilled trade like welding, practiced technicians oftentimes have had years of experience perfecting their work. They’ve got it figured out. So, when it comes down to equipment, what they’re really looking for are tools that make their daily jobs easier and less stressful, at least that’s what Jared Schmidt, general manager of One Off Rod and Custom looks for.
And he found that in H & S Autoshot’s 3-in-1 Synergic Welder, No. HSM200, which he describes as “plug-and-play" right out of the box.
At One Off Rod and Custom, which specializes in classic vehicles and hot rods, Smidt has used the welder for replacing sheet metal, patch replacements and fabricating small parts and brackets inside vehicles for the past few months.
“Initially walking up to it, my first impression was that it was compact and lightweight,” Schmidt says. “Once I picked it up, I couldn’t believe how portable it is.’”
The welder has an automatic feature which detects and self-adjusts to the type of metal a technician is welding on. This can also be set manually.
"As long as you know what you’re looking at and you’ve got a little bit of welding experience, it’s pretty easy to figure out,” Schmidt says. “Really, right out of the box we were able to use it. The thing is self-explanatory. As long as you’ve got an outlet to plug it into and a gas bottle to hook it up to, everything was there. Throw a spool of wire in it and it runs like any other welder.”
Schmidt says the HMS200 came packaged tightly “as it should be,” and included a user manual.
The TIG function of the welder has a scratch-to-start, or resistance-based start. But Schmidt suggests that since the product already includes a pedal, it would be beneficial for H & S to add a pedal-start function on future models to allow technicians to start an arc. This would be especially helpful in his shop while working with delicate sheet metal.
“When we’re making something custom for under the hood of the car, or something like that, and we need very tiny, precise welds, scratch-start isn’t the best way for us,” Schmidt explains. His idea of a pedal-start feature is something he’d like to see more of in the industry.
“A pedal-start would be a very nice feature and would even give [H & S Autoshot] something that their competitors don’t have,” he says. “In the smaller packaged TIG welders, and MIG/TIG packages, nobody has a pedal-start set yet. They all sell the pedals, but they don’t perform that function when you hook them up, so, in my mind that’s all it needs."
