This one looks like a decent value too, especially considering that it can probably be bought a bit cheaper than the $1,100 list price with a foot pedal and everything.

http://www.everlastgenerators.com/Po...DX-351-pd.html

I do like the ability to plug into 110V with the new PowerTig 185 though.

So it seems like these weld okay. Has anyone had to deal with support issues on them? Like are they stood behind as well as the American brands? Or better?

 

Look up Jody's review on it on weldingtipsandtricks.com

It welds well. And, according to Jody it's really hard to tell the difference between his powertig 250ex and his Miller Dynasty 200dx...

However, you will find that the "Made In America" fanboys are really hard one companies like Everlast. Many will never give them the time of day because they aren't painted red or blue.

I, myself just ordered a 250ex. Even though I'm blue in the heart I am curious to see how well this machine performs.

 

bump id like to know as well, though im looking into the new power tig 185...

 

I was really interested in the PowerTig 185 also, but then I found out that they aren't setup for 110V yet. So for not too much more money maybe it would be a good idea to get a little more power for welding aluminum exhausts and intercooler tubes that steal the heat away from the weld.

After reading around the web last night about how much power is needed to properly weld aluminum without pre-heating, I'm even thinking about getting one of the 250s too.

Atutt, please report back on your experience with it! When do you expect it?

 

If you can afford something with more power. I say do it. Personally, I'd rather have more than I need than not enough when I need it.

It should be here in about 2-3 weeks. I intend on doing a first impression review with some weld tests. Then possibly another review several months down the road.
Should these be reliable and durable I may buy other products from them.

 

I hear you... The price is about twice as much it seems between the 185 and the 250. I have the money, but there are a LOT of other things to spend it on, or it's also nice to keep a little in the bank!

However, I like to weld aluminum tube stuff, and it does require a lot of heat from what I've experienced and read....... Hrmmm.

With the prospect of running off of 110V out the window, I guess maybe it makes it a little easier to spend the money on a more powerful welder.

 

These look to be great hobby welders but I don't know about them making the cut in a demanding production environment. I could be wrong though.

 

You know I bought for about 190 bucks a Harbor freight tig that did a max of 165 amps and it works surprisingly well. If you were the hardware hacker type like me it wouldn't be a bad investment to buy one and start ripping into it. It does not have the ability to change torches that's first on the list.

There is no option for pedal control, no option for water cooled, not a whole lot of features although after about 4 hours total I was able to make these beads

It lacks AC.... But seriously its compact. You need to figure out the *** end of the thing and deal with the nonstandard thread pitch/size/type for gas and have a custom hose made, but other then that BFD really.. Its good enough to get your hands busy with tig welding.

 

I'm embarrassed to say that if HF had a tig like that but that had AC, I'd probably try it out!

 

I have the 250 Ex and it's a good machine. Steel welding is a breeze and aluminum is good. I am not a pro or anything like that, and I was welding 1/8" aluminum in no time with nice clean beads.
I also had a Miller synchrowave 180 SD but I found it hard to set up. The Everlast is easy as pie, all the controls are right there in front of you, no hidden menus.

 

That's a heck of a solid endorsement right there.

How many indicated amps did you need to weld the aluminum?

Thanks!

 

ninja edit: if i get a 250 ex will i get full functionability by using the 220v phase 1 power at my house?

 

there are a bunch of reviews of the everlasts already on youtube. Even one that comes with a plasma cutter (great deal).

The harborfreight one can't be fun unless you can wire in a pedal and replace things, and it's not AC. But like someone said it can do some things.

 

I have been putting down tons of ALu with my PT185. its so easy to use, I havent fired up my dynasty since I got it.

it will do 3/16 no problem. this is seriously one of the best welders I have ever used. if it lasts i am never buying blue again.

i think maybe they under rated its power. or it could be that my shop sees a clean 242 volts and so its just running real good. I dont know but I made a gamble on this new machine and its paying off.

 

Thanks for this comment. I have been talking to Oleg over at Everlast. I am very interested in their PT185. I was also looking at their 200DX just like Tjabo. This would be my first TIG GTAW. I have had experience with the Syncowave 200, a few of my friends use this unit. I wanted the same one but it's a bit out of my price range. Any more input would be great!

Thanks, Shane

 

If you plan on buying an everlast unit make sure you set aside some money for an upgraded torch. The massive european torches they use are way too big and heavy. Also the foot pedal is a piece of junk in comparison to most miller machines. The design is just flat our terrible and is cheaply made.

I can say that my 250ex performs well for now, I am a bit skeptical as to how it will hold up, but only time will tell.

 

How much is a good torch? And for that matter, are the connectors for torches and maybe foot pedals universal so you could use good ones with an everlast welder?

 

You can pickup some deals on ebay. Go with a wp20 if you plan on gettting a water cooler. They use a dinse style connection.

 

Came in Monday.


Gonna get to use it on an over flow tank for a friends S14...

 

let us know how it goes, I'm interested in picking one up for home shop/hobby use

 

I have one coming from the next shipment as well.

 

Are you guys referring to a 250ex, or the 200dx?

atutt, did that thing take a LONG time to come in for you? When are you going to give it a test drive???

 

fire that bad boy up and report back!

 

damn^^^^^ thats a 250ex right? i have been trying to get one for like a month now. they say they wont have any in for like another 2-3 weeks. how did you get one?

 

I just fired it up and welded with it for the first time... Did some aluminum beads...

First aluminum in a few years. And from a Transformer to an Inverter it's a little weird.

It'll take me some time to get a hang of everything.

My initial thoughts:
Arc starts seem.... Strong? SEems there is a stronger burst of gas. Could seem that way because I'm welding in my basement and it's as quiet as a coffin.....
The arc itself is great. No real problems. Everything works the way it should.
Once I get back into the aluminum groove I anticipate things will get even better.

So other than having to learn to weld aluminum again. And understand all the settings again. My ONLY gripe SO FAR.... The gas fitting on the back of the machine is a barbed fitting. And I can't change it without taking the machine apart. Which I'm not going to do.... So I can't use my old gas lines and regulator AT THE MOMENT....

Once my welds are up to my standards I'll post some up.