I've always wanted to learn how to weld but the cost of buying a welder has always been a bit prohibitive. However, I recently found a company that sells really inexpensive welders that in my opinion will work great for home use.

The unit is made by a company called Longevity, and the unit I bought is the 200PI. The unit sells for $1600 which is literally less than 1/2 the price of a Miller/Lincoln/Hobart.

http://www.longevity-inc.com/product...dAll-200PI.php

Here's some pictures:






The unit came with literally everything we needed except the gas tank, one quick release barb fitting, and the power plug for our outlet. It came with a power cord & plug, but I couldn't use the plug they provided as the pins did not match my 220V outlet. It came with an air cleaner for the air line, and air regulator for the argon tank, TIG welding torch, plasma cutting torch, and stick welding torch. Also came with a foot pedal. We spent about $15 at home depot for the plug + quick release for the gas line, and then $220 or so for a full half size (about 4ft tall) argon tank.

My first welds. Keep in mind I've never done anything beyond spot welds with a MIG welder before. I was doing OK w/o filler rod. Mastering using the filler rod is going to take some practice.



Anyhow, the unit is working great. It is an AC welder, so I can do aluminum with it as well. Hopefully I'll practice on steel some more and then start with aluminum next week. Once I can do aluminum decently, then I have some projects I will be using my newfound welding skills on.

 

I'm sorry but how can you consider this unit awesome before you can even weld with it?

 

because it was cheap. hobby welders believe that cheap=awesome. To be fair in their situation cheap usually is awesome...to a point I guess.

Not everyone is going to beat the ever loving **** out of their machines and not is everyone going to be completely effed when a machine goes does and their isnt anyone to fix it within 2000 miles.

 

looks pretty good man

show some stuff with the pulser when you figure everything out

 

Fair enough. I can't rate the quality of the welder against professional welding equipment, but for someone like me, finding a product that actually works at this price point is pretty awesome. I use the word awesome because it came with pretty much everything I needed. We got the thing setup and running very quickly and easily and barely had to look at the manual. So it's awesome for HOME use because it's cheap, it works, and it was easy to figure out and get started with.

I guess I'm just pleased that I got a product that simply works at this price point when there are so many people that will tell you that using a welder that's not a Lincoln/Hobart/Miller will rip a hole in the space time continuum and turn your garage into a black hole. :p

oh, I can at least say the plasma cutter function is awesome. I have used that extensively already to modify a trailer.

That pretty much sums up why I feel it's awesome. I really wanted a TIG so I could do aluminum. It was cost prohibitive before, but at this price point, it was easy to jump in.

I'm not a professional. This welder will be living the easy life 90% of the time so it was much easier to justify this purchase at this price point.

Yep. I just bought some aluminum today and will be testing trying my hand on some stuff very soon.

 

Looks really good for the money! Keep us updated with some pics of work!

 

I've got the Everlast version of the welder, same internals, different box, and different importer. The accessories feel pretty cheap and bulky, but everything is pretty solid. I had a friend who welds for a living compare it to his thermal arc 185 and he thought it was just as good once you got over the feel of the torch.

 

For that price, I'd be looking at used Miller/Lincoln/Hobart.

But I'm just a hobbyist with a used Lincoln in his garage.... so what do I know.

 

longevityrep ^^ really ? of course you're going to agree it's a great product you sell them.

 

lol he thought he was slick

 

show how well it cuts 1/4 inch steel and practice more welding so we can see how good this machine is. Ive been looking for something like this for a while.

 

lol he deleted his post. oops.

 

Just an update on the unit. It's been working great for me so far. Had some fun with the plasma cutter tonight. Any guesses what I might do with a cut out section of stock sleeve?

 

thats so cool show some more pics of welds and cuts

 

Is used equipment that much cheaper there? When I was pricing out my syncrowave 200 it wasn't much more than used. They seem to hold their value quite well.

 

U can buy a miller diversion 180 for 1600$ its a great machine

 

does the miller diversion 180 also have a plasma cutter?

 

no, and it shouldnt, its not a multi process Unit

 

whats the word on the sleeve.

 

how much was that machine.....and the name/builder?wow im slow

 

i still would like to see more pictures... this machine SOUNDS like what im looking for but i need to make sure... can you please show more pics of welds and cuts

 

take a look at everlast welders

 

I'm looking to get a Everlast welder, but I cant find anyone that use it. You have a Everlast welder? If so, which do you have and how is it?

 

I've an Everlast multi-process unit. I first buy the SuperUltra205(an ultra basic tig welder with plasma) http://www.everlastwelders.ca/produc...ils.php?id=312. I've brought this one cause I'm not a welder so I didnt know if I would figure out how to tig weld. Then I got an issues with the pedal function. So I return then all the stuff(3year warranty) and I upgrade for the price difference to the PowerPro205(tig AC-dc-pulse / plasma cutter)http://www.everlastwelders.ca/produc...ils.php?id=371. I cant talk for the everlast USA, but Everlast.CA customer service was more then friendly.
The only thing I regret was to choose a too basic unit first instead of waiting and buy a more complete one.

 

Lol no its a high end inverter based machine and will produce welds far superior than the unit with the plasma cutter