Opinions on a new Tig for a beginner?

admin

http://www.amazon.com/Everlast-Power...ref=pd_cp_hi_1I have done plenty of searching and aside from the fact that the die hard welders will say buy blue what do you guys think of this welder for primarily aluminum tubing and light gauge aluminum plate.This is for hobby work and not production. I cannot afford a miller equivalent, so please save your comments on how i should buy a miller or lincoln welder.I have already searched the local craigslist and have come up empty handed. And i do not have the space or amperage for an enormous old transformer welderThanks for your time.
Reply:I'd go eastwood before everlast for the price and warranty. Heard too many bad stories from everlast. Plus they just had a thread with someone bitching and they didn't even say their side of the story.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Miller, Lincoln, Thermal Arc, ESAB, or be ready to have issues. But I suspect this is a troll post. Last thing you want to deal with as a beginner is a faulty machine.
Reply:i just bought another everlast--210ext-- and its great. but,thats just my  opinion.also,if you call oleg and make a reasonable offer ,you can beat the price you see on amazon.miller thunderbolt 250vlincoln square wave tig 175 prolincoln idealarc mig sp250everlast tig 210EXTeverlast power plasma 50chicago electric (hf) 130 tig/90 arcchicago electric 90 amp flux wire3 sets oxy/acet
Reply:Im certainly not a troll, ive just been reading up for awhile and this forum kept coming up in searches so i figured id register and ask a few questions.I posted here because i wanted unbiased opinions.I own a mig welder but that does me no good when it comes to aluminum and I'm sick of paying people to weld for me.As far as thr eastwood, it seems very limited compared to the 200 everlast. I watched a bunch of videos from that welding tips and tricks and that guy obviously knows his **** when it comes to welding. He didn't have anything bad to say about it other than the cheesy torch and knobs iirc.The main use of this welder is aluminum tubing 14-16 gauge and some chromoly tubing.Id absolutely love to own a dynasty or somethings similar but i dont have that kind of cash to drop on it.Thanks for your timeKeep the replies coming
Reply:One thing you need to understand about Everlast. In the past any problems anyone had with a machine, the company had the threads moved to their paid section, where they promptly deleted or edited the threads so there is little to no poor feedback on their machines or customer service. This was done deliberately so a search won't bring up these issues. Those of us who have been around for a while have seen this over and over.Do these machines have a niche in the market? yes. Have some people had good results with them? yes. However, there have also been quite a few customers with major issues and have received little to no help with these issues. Honestly it's more an issue with how the company deals with problems and their poor customer service that has turned many long time members here against Everlast. Use due diligence and make your own decision if the low price is worth the risks..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:I'm a beginner welder too only been about 2 months give or take. I've had my eye on the Eastwood pro 200 amp tig for a while now and here's why I'm gonna buy it.First reason: I don't have the cash on hand or good enough credit to go all out and get my dream TIG/Stick welder (Lincoln Square wave 175).Second reason why I'm gonna get the Eastwood is I've actually done a ton of research and It's actually a pretty decent machine. Also it's only 800 doll hairs. My plan is to get this welder and practice my a$$ off! (I plan on making a career out of welding and I want to be the best around.) Then I can do some welding in my area for some $ and save up for my Lincoln.
Reply:The everlast and the eastwood looks damn near identical with the everlast having a better warranty and more knobs....
Reply:For $500 more, you can get the new TA186 delivered to your door.  TA machine are definitely good products with good customer service.  As DSW said, the Everlast people have deceptively moved, modified and deleted negative postings about their products and service.   if they would've left those alone, I'd have more trust in them.  Try a search on Everlast at Millerwelds.com.  They can't taint them there.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Originally Posted by drf255for $500 more, you can get the new ta186 delivered to your door.  Ta machine are definitely good products with good customer service.  As dsw said, the everlast people have deceptively moved, modified and deleted negative postings about their products and service.   If they would've left those alone, i'd have more trust in them.  Try a search on everlast at millerwelds.com.  They can't taint them there.
Reply:Keep in mind the cost for a bottle and welding gas as well as a decent hood, leathers etc...   Look at Longevity,  their machines are made in the same factory as Eastwood.   5 years of warranty will do you fine if you are planning on getting into welding as a career.  you will have your dream machine,  (though 175amps is underpowered) look at the 225 or a 250 amp machine.   Then u can sell the machine u buy now for probably more than half what u buy it for...    The TA is a great choice if you have the budget for it...Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Small correction,  Longevity is now being made in the same factory as Thermal Dynamics. As of a few months ago.....From the desk of Kevin CaronTrying to be the best me I can!www.kevincaron.comAHP Alpha Tig 200x MillerMatic 251Miller Syncrowave 200
Reply:Originally Posted by soutthpawKeep in mind the cost for a bottle and welding gas as well as a decent hood, leathers etc...   Look at Longevity,  their machines are made in the same factory as Eastwood.   5 years of warranty will do you fine if you are planning on getting into welding as a career.  you will have your dream machine,  (though 175amps is underpowered) look at the 225 or a 250 amp machine.   Then u can sell the machine u buy now for probably more than half what u buy it for...    The TA is a great choice if you have the budget for it...
Reply:Originally Posted by bluchevThe everlast and the eastwood looks damn near identical with the everlast having a better warranty and more knobs....
Reply:I have heard good things about the thermal arc but  have also heard that 185 is really barely enough to do aluminum. The last thing i want is a machine that will struggle at doing the one thing that i need it to do, which is weld aluminum.Honestly, watching Jody's video on welding tips and tricks was what made me take a second look at the everlast. He seems to be a very experienced welder, if the everlast was such a pile of ****, why would he waste his money on one?  As far as making a career out of welding, i cetainly dont plan on it, but there will be pieces that ill weld for others so i want as much control over the end product as possible, which again had me looking at a machine which seemed to have alot of control.
Reply:Originally Posted by bluchevHonestly, watching Jody's video on welding tips and tricks was what made me take a second look at the everlast. He seems to be a very experienced welder, if the everlast was such a pile of ****, why would he waste his money on one?
Reply:Originally Posted by bluchevI have heard good things about the thermal arc but  have also heard that 185 is really barely enough to do aluminum. The last thing i want is a machine that will struggle at doing the one thing that i need it to do, which is weld aluminum.
Reply:Again, DSW has hit the nail on the head as far as selecting a machine and the whole Everlast bit...  I am sure there is a non-disclosure agreement in there somewhere..  I am sure many have bought an everlast after watching Jody's videos and are satisfied with their purchase.  However I just saw a couple of compaints about poor service and repeat everlast machine failures over on Jody's forum today...  Being one of those people that had a new inverter and opted to go back to a Miller 330ABP, I can say I have no regrets and having the extra amps is always nice.   If you got the power to run it and don't need portability you won't go wrong with a old brand name Transformer TIGIf you do go with a Chicom, I would recommend getting the simple version like the 185 micro or 200dx/sx I think is the longevity model.  You just don't need the fancy controls and pulse for learning TIG.  It only becomes a crutch for learning to do it right... Originally Posted by DSWEverlast has had a history in the past of "buying off" problem customers or paying them in consumables and so on for favorable reviews. If I had to take a guess why Jody's doing it, I'd look for the money trail myself. I doubt from what I've seen of his stuff, this is all being done out of the goodness of his heart...What exactly do you need to do? The TA 185 will do 1/8" with no issues and 3/16" with proper prep. I wouldn't consider it "underpowered" at all. If you need to do material over 3/16", generally most would opt for mig rather than tig, though there certainly are exceptions to that rule. Most people who need a hobby tig are looking to do 1/8" and less on average. Generally they tend towards the thinner end of the spectrum for exhaust tube etc.  I usually find most newer welders spend way too much time "tinkering" with settings and advanced functions trying to find that magical setting that miraculously makes them a great welder. I haven't seen one yet who has found that setting though. Guys were doing all sorts of welds on alum years ago with very basic machines and still do today. Zap and several others here with old 330 AB/P's are good examples. The extra amps almost never come into play since on average most do 1/8" and less. Advanced functions can certainly help a welder, but you have to have the skill and experience to make use of those functions, and only a tiny portion have the experience and skills.
Reply:Yep Steve some times I just enjoy beating my head on the concrete wall... At some point I'll burn out again and get a case of the "F'k it's" and let them sink or swim on their own . Guess because I was in that position at one time and got suckered in by the slick sales gimmick I tend to want to help the new guy out, even if they really don't want to hear the answer. I try to keep it honest and straight forward and not get into the "US vs THEM" battles. Just put the basic warning out there so they at least know to dig a bit to find the real answers rather than just buying the coolaid unknowingly like many have. I've seen way too many guys get sucked in by slick salesmen, in so many "hobby's", whether it's welding gear, diving equipment, woodworking tools etc... The promise of a machine that does everything at 1/2 the cost of a quality dedicated machine single purpose unit. A promise that almost always has an unhappy ending at some point when things go wrong and they can't get it serviced or find parts. I just get tired of looking like the bad guy later, telling guys that they wasted a few grand on useless stuff and that they need to go out and rebuy the right stuff, just because some slick salesman sold them a line. The sad thing is that often good stuff can cost less than they originally paid, as long as they know what to look for and shop smart..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:hello to all. i'm new to this forum and looking for some info. i've  been welding a long time but never had any experience with tig. i'm planning on taking a beginner heli-arc course at the local tech college but had the sudden brain storm of buying a used tig machine for about the same price as tuition (1,100 bucks) or against my better judgement going the chinese route. i see some great (american) machines on craigs list and e-bay.
Reply:I still think this is a troll post but, The other thing that should be considered with your purchase is resale if you decide to upgrade or that welding is not for you;Chicom resale next to nothing if you can actually sell it, seen them listed on CL at $50 to $75 dollars. Parts and service centers available locally?  NOMiller, Lincoln, ESAB, ThermalArc, resale  3/4's of original purchase give or take depending on the unit. Parts and service centers available locally?  YESEverything else is laid out buy the others here, buy the chicoms at your own risk blame yourself if it goes poorly if it doesn't consider yourself lucky. Both happen.One thing about the cost of the Miller units is that you have lifetime support/service you would hard pressed to find anywhere.PS: Local Welding Suppliers will often have used units for sale Demos/Returns/Rentals ready to move and love to get you hooked in with them rather than the competition. Mine in Buffalo gives me internet competitive prices when I go in to see them sometimes better.Last edited by nikodell; 11-25-2012 at 08:51 PM.
Reply:Troll post......Hmmmmmmmmmmm...Really not sure but it's under the microscope for awhile..Maybe I should just start the clock now......zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Well thanks for all the replies. The fact that you guys so strongly oppose these welders definitely shows you have a passion for your work and take it very seriously.I don't troll forums so you might as well just drop that non sense.I primarily work on cars and im currently building a twin turbo Chevelle which is part of the reason for me wanting to purchase a tig machine so i could weld up my piping and not have to pay someone.I have a mig welder but that does me no good for the aluminum.I work weekends otherwise my replies would be much quicker.I appreciate the input and i certainly do not have my mind made up.Have you guys heard of a Linde Air products 300 amp Tig machine? One just popped up locally and appears to be in flawless condition. Any idea what its worth? Common problems? Can you still get parts?
Reply:Originally Posted by bluchevWell thanks for all the replies. The fact that you guys so strongly oppose these welders definitely shows you have a passion for your work and take it very seriously.I don't troll forums so you might as well just drop that non sense.I primarily work on cars and im currently building a twin turbo Chevelle which is part of the reason for me wanting to purchase a tig machine so i could weld up my piping and not have to pay someone.I have a mig welder but that does me no good for the aluminum.I work weekends otherwise my replies would be much quicker.I appreciate the input and i certainly do not have my mind made up.Have you guys heard of a Linde Air products 300 amp Tig machine? One just popped up locally and appears to be in flawless condition. Any idea what its worth? Common problems? Can you still get parts?
Reply:Ill see if i can post the pics i have.http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z.../welder001.jpg
Reply:Originally Posted by bluchevhttp://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z.../welder001.jpg
Reply:http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z.../welder002.jpg
Reply:It says Linde air products on the front, but no i have no idea. I was gonna go look/ test it out tomorrow. Unless you guys say its garbage.
Reply:make sure its single phase and includes a pedal.  Finding pedals for the older machines is tough...figure $150+ for a pedal if you can find one...  I would not pay more that a few hundred bucks for that if you can verify it works and has a pedal...  You do bettter looking for a more common machine like the Miller/Airco 330 A/BP...   you will need a 100 amp supply to run any of the old 300+ amp transformer machines at full throttle..It is definitely going to cost you lots more to make the piping yourself than pay someone to do it.  lots of hours in practice before you will be ready to weld on your project.. plus a few tanks of Argon... If you are doing it cuz you want to learn to TIG all fine and dandy but don't expect to save money by TIGing this project yourself.Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Originally Posted by bluchevIt says Linde air products on the front, but no i have no idea. I was gonna go look/ test it out tomorrow. Unless you guys say its garbage.
Reply:http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z.../welder002.jpg
Reply:Its single phase and has a functional pedal.
Reply:Where are you located at? If you take a minute and add your location to your User CP in the upper left corner, we will always know where you are.Lots of guys here browse CL regularly. If they know where you are and know you are looking for a machine, they may bring one to your attention. I brought a really sweet Syncro 250 to BrendonV's attention here that someone else had posted a link to, because I knew he was looking and the machine wasn't that far from him. Also if you aren't already using some sort of CL aggregator, like Searchtempest, Crazedlist etc, I'd strongly suggest it. I usually use "welder" as my search topic and sort the listings manually to look for hidden "deals". Many times posters won't put up good descriptions, or full model numbers, but you can spot deals if you look at the picts.No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Saint paul mn
Reply:There are a lot of suggestions on the first page and you are still trying to cheap out.Take it from me, I've been here before. There is NO cheap way to tig aluminum. Your best best for an ac/dc machine is used. Maybe you can score one there. If you want new and budget, it's everlast, longevity or eastwood.If you want quality, it's Miller, esab, htp, lincoln.If you want cheap and quality it's used miller, lincoln, htp or esab. You don't get new and quality for cheap.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Ok, its obvious that i came off like a complete fool by your standards here, but that is not the case.I understand that most times you cant have your cake and eat it too. But after seeing the everlast perform i figured itd be worth asking about here where there seems to be some welding experts. After your overwhelming response i get the picture and since i dont have a +$1000 to gamble with i am looking for a used name brand machine.And YES i am trying to get by cheaply, and why not?  I dont plan on doing production work with the damn thing, just weld some odds and ends.I have seen a few of the miller 330abp's out there as well but unfortunately i dont have the room for a giant welder such as the 330.
Reply:Originally Posted by bluchevOk, its obvious that i came off like a complete fool by your standards here, but that is not the case.I understand that most times you cant have your cake and eat it too. But after seeing the everlast perform i figured itd be worth asking about here where there seems to be some welding experts. After your overwhelming response i get the picture and since i dont have a +$1000 to gamble with i am looking for a used name brand machine.And YES i am trying to get by cheaply, and why not?  I dont plan on doing production work with the damn thing, just weld some odds and ends.I have seen a few of the miller 330abp's out there as well but unfortunately i dont have the room for a giant welder such as the 330.
Reply:I think its easy to slip into that mindset "we all want the good stuff cheep",  how else do con men make a living. Problem with the chicoms is that they will put whatever cheapest parts in them they can source.  There was an electrical engineer on hobart forums that has a few he bought broken and was using braking and re-repairing with upgrades. Problem is that was the hobby not the welding.  Just be patient for the right unit to come up, I have seen some good deals on syncrowave 250s in the last year. Problem is when you are shopping it seems like they are never there.  You can probably get what you want if you are not in too much of a hurry, put up a WTB add on craigslist with what you are looking for its worked for me.Last edited by nikodell; 11-26-2012 at 10:51 AM.
Reply:Miller DialArc HF  with cooler $700http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/an...360311953.html
Reply:Originally Posted by nikodellMiller DialArc HF  with cooler $700http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/an...360311953.html
Reply:Hat the CL guys that don't delete their posts.
Reply:Yea its very annoying. Im gonna go look at the Linde welder tomorrow.Any good reason I shouldnt buy it if i try it and everything works?
Reply:Yes, please do your research, but particularly, find out *directly* from people who have actually used, owned, purchased, and/or received support regarding the machine or company in question you are considering buying.  You will receive much more accurate information than from people who have *no* actual experiences with the machine or company in question, as is often the case on WeldingWeb when mud is being slung at certain products manufactured overseas.Regarding Everlast machines having allegedly poor resale value, from what I can tell it's actually pretty much the opposite.  (I know I wouldn't sell mine for anything less than what I paid for it!)  While it's hard to find people selling used Everlasts, here is a rare case of one I found going on auction on Ebay recently, and it was bid up to close to the new street price (even despite the warranty not being transferrable)  http://www.ebay.com/itm/Everlast-200...p2047675.l2557As best as I can tell (and I've been actively participating on this forum for many years), there is *none* of the alleged deleting of threads involving unhappy Everlast customers. The threads that start with unhappy Everlast customers at the beginning almost always change into being happy Everlast customers sometime before the thread ends, often times with Everlast having bent over backwards to satisfy them, and if you do a search, that is what I believe you'll almost always find.The reason those threads have often gotten *locked* (which is very different from being deleted, it just means no new posts can be added) is because WeldingWeb management and moderation has traditionally not been able to control recurring personal attacking behavior that has historically occurred on this board.  For whatever reason (call it patriotism, racism, blaming other people for your problems, whatever) threads involving chinese-based products on WeldingWeb have traditionally often devolved into personal attacks.After the personal attacks have gotten ramped up and played out a bit, the usual course of action by WeldingWeb moderation is to lock the thread, which is what has often ultimately happened in these cases of the unhappy-turned-into-happy Everlast customers.  This repetitive pattern of threads on these subjects involving personal attacks to become locked, again and again, only "proves" that locking threads is an ineffective moderation technique, and that more aggressive action is necessary to deal with members who conduct such personal attacks.  It has nothing to do with a conspiracy theory.For what it's worth, I've owned an Everlast AC/DC tig machine since 2007, which I've found to be very capable and reliable.  Everlast has also provided excellent support.  I would recommend them.  I have no relationship with Everlast besides just being a happy customer.
Reply:If you really have the itch to start, why not buy an argon tank, reg and tig torch along with a cheap used name brand DC welder and start scratch start tigging steel.  You can practice on steel for a few months, which is always a good idea, then sell the DC welder when you find that dream machine.  That way you don't have to pull the trigger on something less than optimal.  You will likely need the tank, torch and reg regardless of the ACDC machine you eventually find.  You can find a used TA 95 -161 for less than $400 set up for tig on eBay and get nearly every penny back.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Jakeru, Lets not start another Everlast thread.  if one wants to know about it they can google everlast problems and find stuff to read on their own.  It does not even need to be discussed here.   yes the personal attacks ruin a lot of threads here on WW due to a small percentage of members who seem to get off on belittling others.  Just sheds light on what kind of person they are.Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Well I'm gonna go look at the Linde unit today and see what its all about. Id love to pick up a nice used synchrowave but so far i havent been able to find any locally. Stopped at the welding supply and they didnt have anything used except for a dynasty 200dx for $3600 LOLThanks for the replies everyone keep em coming
Reply:I only started Tig welding early this month so far I have around 9 hours of tig time. I was looking at Craigslist for a used name brand and the only thing affordable was a giant old machine that would eat up space and a truck to haul it home. I also contemplated how much it would cost me to repair a machine that is out of warranty, I have no idea. So I took the risk on a Everlast 200DX machine and so far I have been enjoying tig welding, I don't see myself making money welding for people I only do it as a hobby. If it was my day job I would buy the best name brand possible. If Miller or Lincoln was more competitive with their hobby/garage welders then maybe I would have purchase those instead. Its like this, I buy Dell computers that I support at work and would not even consider buying clone computers, however will buy a clone computer to tinker with at home.I am not trying to recommend Everlast, if you can afford the name brands go for it, its your money.Last edited by vicrc; 11-27-2012 at 01:07 PM.
Reply:Well i went and checked out the linde welder and it worked flawless but it was enormous i had no idea it was that damn big! I dont have the room for something so big in the garage, i guess ill start looking harder at the more expensive inverter machines.this thing was about 4 ft tall x 3 ft x 2 ft. he welded up some 1/4 aluminum for me no problem.its a shame it didnt work out because it worked so nicely and there wasnt a scratch on this thing either
Reply:Time to clean out the garage!Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer