TIG Welder Shopping

wswartzwel · 05:23 AM

Looking at the Everlast PowerTIG 250EX.

I occasionally need the ability to repair aluminum castings for my business,(Powersports/motorcycle repair shop) also welding O2 sensor bungs into stainless headers. l also do various fabricating of special tools, and some automotive repair. I have used ESAB and Miller machines that some of my friends own that are in the welding business, but I am not doing production work, so looking at more economical options, but don't want a piece of junk. Online reviews of the Everlast products seem to be fairly positive, if you upgrade the accessories.

I already Have a Miller Blue Charger engine powered DC Stick welder, and a Lincoln MIG welder, so this won't be my only welder. But there are many instances that I need a TIG.

Anyone here have personal experiences, good or bad, with this product?

einreb · 07-20-2019, 07:02 AM

I have that machine, bought a few years ago for just hobby work (tig bike frames, misc stuff).

I had a pretty nice talk with the local welding supply/miller shop guy. My original intention was to buy a Miller, but I mentioned to the sales-guy that I was looking at the Everlast. He lowered his voice a bit and told me he thought it was a great bang for the buck in non-production work where the odd event something did go wrong you don't need instant service/turn around.

All that being said, I've been very happy with it but I'm by no means a pro. I have messed around with Aluminum on it without the cooler and it was fine for me, but again.. small bike tubes, not big production work.

-Bernie

asphaltgambler · 07-20-2019, 08:03 AM

I'm a blue box guy thru & thru. MO - if it's blue on the outside, there's quality on the inside + great warranty and support. If I bought anything else - the price point would have to be significantly less to offset what I'm giving up.

I always see tools like that as an investment. Not that you always buy the most expensive, but rather proven shelf life. Lastly if you ever decide to sell it, the blue box retains the value and is easy to move on the secondary market.

asphaltgambler · 07-20-2019, 08:10 AM

I'm a blue box guy thru & thru. MO - if it's blue on the outside, there's quality on the inside + great warranty and support. If I bought anything else - the price point would have to be significantly less to offset what I'm giving up.

I always see tools like that as an investment. Not that you always buy the most expensive, but rather proven shelf life. Lastly if you ever decide to sell it, the blue box retains the value and is easy to move on the secondary market.

Zeke · 07-20-2019, 08:45 AM

AHP here which is a rebranded Everlast. Yes, they are that big now. Not all the features of a more expensive machine but does do DC and AC for about $750 shipped. Hobart for the MIG side of things.

wswartzwel · 07-21-2019, 05:36 AM

Thanks so much for the reply, exactly what I was looking for. . I don't do a lot of TIG welding but do need it occasionally, and I hate borrowing my friends welders.

Quote:

Originally Posted by einreb

I have that machine, bought a few years ago for just hobby work (tig bike frames, misc stuff).

I had a pretty nice talk with the local welding supply/miller shop guy. My original intention was to buy a Miller, but I mentioned to the sales-guy that I was looking at the Everlast. He lowered his voice a bit and told me he thought it was a great bang for the buck in non-production work where the odd event something did go wrong you don't need instant service/turn around.

All that being said, I've been very happy with it but I'm by no means a pro. I have messed around with Aluminum on it without the cooler and it was fine for me, but again.. small bike tubes, not big production work.

-Bernie

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeke

AHP here which is a rebranded Everlast. Yes, they are that big now. Not all the features of a more expensive machine but does do DC and AC for about $750 shipped. Hobart for the MIG side of things.

Thanks for the review of the AHP Zeke... It is also one I had looked at, but was unsure of how long it would last after reading online reviews.

rfuerst911sc · 07-21-2019, 06:24 AM

To the OP : Do you have any welding shops near you that sell and service welders ? I would start there to see what they have for tig welders both new and used . I would not pass on a used/trade in name brand welder vs. a lesser known new welder . Plus if you can buy locally that helps the local economy , builds a relationship with a company that can help you in the future if you get in a jamb . Assuming they are a parts stocking dealer it sure is nice to take a quick drive , shoot the bull with the guys for a few minutes and pick up your parts . I'm as guilty as any one else ordering online and having stuff delivered to my door . But oil filters and the like are a LOT different than a welder or a tool you may use for the next 20 years or so . Good luck with your choice .

Schumi · 07-21-2019, 10:03 AM

I have an older Everlast machine, a model that I think they do not make anymore called the 200DX - it had analog knobs for controlling everything: gas pre and post, AC bias, pulsefreq, pulse widths, everything. I really liked the 'knob-factor' over other machines that are the dome-button digital type.

I should preface this by saying I spent years using a Lincoln TIG doing things like 4130 sheet weldment fab and tube frame construction and also have had a fair bit of experience with the most modern, high end Miller machines more recently.

I bought the Everlast when I started on a 914 racecar build and used it for lots of varying jobs- from thing steel weldments to welding cage tubes to welding custom aluminum catch cans and think end tanks. I would say that overall I haven't put tons of hours on it, but for a time the hours that I did put on it were heavy.

I had zero complaints. For the money (I remember I paid something like $1200 for my model) I was more than happy. It blew the ~12-year-old basic Lincoln square wave TIG I had previously been using out of the water in terms of features, arc-start repeatability, tune-ability, everything.

Now I bought this welder almost 7 years ago, so I do not know if the company's quality has changed since then. I also have not put tons of hours on it since moving a few years ago, but actually this week I fired it up and did some passes on some steel shelf frames and no issues. It took being shipping 6000 miles across an ocean in a pelican case and sitting in storage for 2 years just fine.

I also have a friend who has a 250 and uses it for hobby work and also has zero complaints.

From my comparisons to the Red and Blue machines which I saw used extensively in industry.... those machines are under-featured and over-built for most hobbyists. They are meant (or at least were, my welding world knowledge is getting a few years past current now) for heavy duty work in environments where time = money, and they are expected to work in high temp, high duty use cases for long, long periods at high output. They carry a price tag to suit. For a hobbyist, with normal demands (fabbing car parts here and there) the Everlast was a no-brainer to me.

beepbeep · 07-21-2019, 10:22 AM

I have been using Chinese inverter which is combined AC DC TIG Inverter / Pulse / ARC / Plasma Cutter for last 4 years and it works fine.

It works perfectly well

Zeke · 07-21-2019, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schumi

I have an older Everlast machine, a model that I think they do not make anymore called the 200DX - it had analog knobs for controlling everything: gas pre and post, AC bias, pulsefreq, pulse widths, everything. I really liked the 'knob-factor' over other machines that are the dome-button digital type.

I should preface this by saying I spent years using a Lincoln TIG doing things like 4130 sheet weldment fab and tube frame construction and also have had a fair bit of experience with the most modern, high end Miller machines more recently.

I bought the Everlast when I started on a 914 racecar build and used it for lots of varying jobs- from thing steel weldments to welding cage tubes to welding custom aluminum catch cans and think end tanks. I would say that overall I haven't put tons of hours on it, but for a time the hours that I did put on it were heavy.

I had zero complaints. For the money (I remember I paid something like $1200 for my model) I was more than happy. It blew the ~12-year-old basic Lincoln square wave TIG I had previously been using out of the water in terms of features, arc-start repeatability, tune-ability, everything.

Now I bought this welder almost 7 years ago, so I do not know if the company's quality has changed since then. I also have not put tons of hours on it since moving a few years ago, but actually this week I fired it up and did some passes on some steel shelf frames and no issues. It took being shipping 6000 miles across an ocean in a pelican case and sitting in storage for 2 years just fine.

I also have a friend who has a 250 and uses it for hobby work and also has zero complaints.

From my comparisons to the Red and Blue machines which I saw used extensively in industry.... those machines are under-featured and over-built for most hobbyists. They are meant (or at least were, my welding world knowledge is getting a few years past current now) for heavy duty work in environments where time = money, and they are expected to work in high temp, high duty use cases for long, long periods at high output. They carry a price tag to suit. For a hobbyist, with normal demands (fabbing car parts here and there) the Everlast was a no-brainer to me.

IDK exactly when Everlast and other imports left the MOSFET and entered the IGTB world but it was pretty much a universal move for all manufactures from what I learned following along. Apparently the IGTB units are much more reliable.

But, if you can change out MOSFET transistors you might be able to get a 'smokin' deal for an older welder.

john walker's workshop · 07-21-2019, 01:05 PM

My Miller Diversion tig works well, but I might upgrade to one with pulse in the future. Kinda like a few more knobs to dial it in better, rather than just digital amp and wire speed settings.

Schumi · 07-21-2019, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeke

IDK exactly when Everlast and other imports left the MOSFET and entered the IGTB world but it was pretty much a universal move for all manufactures from what I learned following along. Apparently the IGTB units are much more reliable.

But, if you can change out MOSFET transistors you might be able to get a 'smokin' deal for an older welder.

Mine is an IGBT unit, and yeah any modern TIG is now an IGBT inverter. The technology used to be expensive but now has become commonplace and super reliable in so that even very, very cheap Chinese TIGs can put out a load of current with cheap IGBT arrays and do it somewhat reliably with a moderate duty cycle.

It's actually those exact same cheap, mass produce IGBT packages that allows any modern electric car motor inverter to pump out ridiculous horsepower in the size of a milk carton.

wswartzwel · 06:16 AM

Update

Thanks for the intel, I really appreciate it.

With time on my hands and uncertainty of supply/availability of overseas goods, I decided to go ahead and pull the trigger. I bought the Everlast 210 EXT Got the upgraded Torches and pedal. Man, is this thing sweet to use. I prefer the torch button over the pedal. Welded a broken cast bronze weather vane for a neighbor using copper wire for filler, also had a customer from Dallas ship me a rear hub from a YZF R-1 that had a twisted off sprocket stud. was able to weld a nut to the stub without splatter or heating the part for removal.

Next order of projects will be to make a weld cart, weld table, and fume extractor. I have a central dust system for my wood working equipment but not sure if it would work for toxic welding fumes. Also lots of practice practice practice.... Lots of settings for ac balance and frequency adjustments as well as pulse to play with and see what works best for me. Fun way to spend some of this free time.

Steve Carlton · 04-19-2020, 01:25 PM

With a name like Swartzwelder, you've gotta be good!

herr_oberst · 04-19-2020, 08:30 PM

Nice welder, tell us about that lathe!

Embraer · Embraer's Garage

Curious about your thoughts. I'm a Miller and ESAB guy, and have been looking at Everlast, but their customer service seems to be all over the place. I do like being able to go to the LWS and get parts and such.

wswartzwel · 04-20-2020, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

Nice welder, tell us about that lathe!

15x60 Traytop Cincinnati. I have used a Southbend model A 9"x 4 1/2' with quickchange gears at my shop for years. When my dad passed away, I inherited his Cincinnati. I keep it at the house. I am not a "Machinist" but know my way around it pretty well, and use it to make special tools, and pressing fixtures for my powersports repair shop.

Steve F · 04-20-2020, 06:18 AM

LOVE that lathe!!!!!

wswartzwel · 04-20-2020, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Embraer

Curious about your thoughts. I'm a Miller and ESAB guy, and have been looking at Everlast, but their customer service seems to be all over the place. I do like being able to go to the LWS and get parts and such.

I have used, and like ESAB, and Miller as well. I am not doing production TIG welding.

So far I really like the Everlast, build quality and user interface seems on par with any name brand machines I have used in the past. I wouldn't buy it to weld 8 hours a day though. I bought it for the occasional motorcycle casting that needs repaired, or O2 bung welded into a stainless steel header for aftermarket fuel injection. Also for piddling repairs at home.
I have a Miller engine driven DC stick welder at my shop for heavy work, and a Lincoln MIG for light duty quick fixes. I spent a year looking at review after review, and the Everlast seems to pass most everyones tests. One caveat though is all the adjustments. The Miller TIG I used before was simple. I am having to learn which setting work best for me on Aluminum. Will take some experimenting before I am laying down dimes.