Thermal Arc 186 vs Everlast PowerTig Ex 250

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Standing on the fence ready to pull the trigger on one of these two...which would be the better machine and why?Thanks in advance!ThermalArc 181i | Lotos WS200
Reply:I'd compare the power and duty cycle if you want to see probably the most important figures representing the general capabilities of those machines.  And it wouldn't be a fair fight between those two, as the Everlast (250 amps @ 60% duty) is in an entirely different league than the TA186 (200 amps @ 20% duty cycle).However, to get the most out of the Everlast 250EX, you'll need a watercooled setup, which would make little sense with a TA186.  The watercooler and related torch and leads will be extra cost and complexity vs. an aircooled setup.  However, if portability is more important, I'd consider a smaller unit like the TA186, or other smaller machine.  Everlast 200DX may be a good "in between" option, and is about the biggest that can still use a reasonable nimble/dexterous aircooled setup (and I'm referring specifically for use with the CK Trimline 210 aircooled torch here).The extra power and duty cycle would be most important if you were welding much aluminum, or generally wanting to do thicker metals with pure argon shielding gas (without needing a Helium mix).FWIW, I've had a good run with my Everlast 200 amp (@60% duty cycle) TIG outfit, and I've tried an older version of their 250EX as well, and it was very capable machine as well.  I've used a Thermal Arc 185 recently as well, and although I didn't really push it (just welding some 1/8" wall steel tubing), it seemed to perform nicely, and it sure was a portable setup (240V still being required).Hope this helps give you food for thought.Last edited by jakeru; 06-19-2013 at 01:21 AM.
Reply:A small water cooler (1.3 gal.) was a great upgrade to the 186, so I think it makes a lot of sense..  If you want to weld anything longer then a few inches of weld bead in aluminum, then the #20 series torch is the very best way to go. Tungstens hold it's point way longer, and the torch stays totally cool also. I personally would buy the Thermal, from the worldwide support, and use of the fixed SSC control ft pedal. The duty-cycle seems very good at a normal shop temps.If you understand inverter settings at all, you can push it on way thicker aluminum,then you would think possible.Esab/Lorch ET-220iEsab 160i caddyThermal LM-200 Lincoln feedersThermal Pee-Wee 85sThermal 60i- 3phase /RPC powered (Beast)Thermal Drag-gun 35CINE 1500 Klutch 140i
Reply:I'm a TA fan.  Better track record and definitely better resale value at present.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:I can't say anything bad about Everlast as I don't have any experience with them, but when I had problems with my new TA201 ( and every mfgr is gonna have problems), I took it to a local authorized repair facility and they handled it for me.Lincoln SA 200Esab Caddy 160Thermal Arc 201TSMiller Dialarc HFI don't like making plans for the day because then the word "premeditated" gets thrown around the courtroom....
Reply:Out of those 2 I'd say anything that isn't everlast.Out of everything else in the price range the longevity 200ex is damn near the same but has a higher duty cycle and does 100 more hz than the 186. And appears to be built better. Only downside is it's not an scc pedal.But it's also a LOT quieter than the 186.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:Is the Everlast less money?Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:Originally Posted by jakeru you'll need a watercooled setup, which would make little sense with a TA186.
Reply:Brand X and Oxford, you guys probably haven't tried CK's superior aircooled offerings with the superflex cable, like the trimline 210 with flex neck, rated 200 amps @ 100% duty cycle.  With stubby front-end components, is takes the same cup as your like WP-20 does, and is about the same maneuverability because it only has one lead rather than three.  With such a setup, you'd have about the same maneuverability as a WP-20 setup, less money into it, get more portability out of it (a cart may no longer be necessary to move the setup around, making it much more convenient to move to another shop or take to the field), and it would probably be more reliable as well (no need to remember to turn the pump on).Watercooled setups are really only desirable for higher power-output machines, IMO.But even the trimline 210 is WAAY overkill for a 200amp@20% duty cycle machine.  A far lesser aircooled torch should be adequate.Last edited by jakeru; 06-19-2013 at 09:58 PM.
Reply:I have a 17 series setup with the CK short front end. Ribbed handle, and a #9 prefer the water cooled setup for welding in every application, Not doing portable, because it's not what I need. The torch was a huge improvement and still has a smaller head then the upgraded #17. Does it take the #20 series gas lens? Don't think so? I will keep the water cooled setup for longer tungsten profile life hands down.(night and day as far as arc quality) Huge improvement with quality German tungstens. I am keeping the water cooled CK #20, and have the option for the # 9 if needed. The Torch cooler gets turned on first, and off last. Just like my Argon bottle does before the machine is turned on. I had a 185, and a 2 different Thermal-arc 300 inverters, and two standard 300 amp transformer machines all with water coolers, and it's a must for me..Last edited by Brand X; 06-20-2013 at 12:29 AM.Esab/Lorch ET-220iEsab 160i caddyThermal LM-200 Lincoln feedersThermal Pee-Wee 85sThermal 60i- 3phase /RPC powered (Beast)Thermal Drag-gun 35CINE 1500 Klutch 140i
Reply:Originally Posted by Brand XDoes it take the #20 series gas lens? Don't think so?
Reply:I had both type machines, and understand the inverter just fine. My first AC tig was a Prowave 300 GTSW, in 2000. The tungsten life if way better with a water cooled setup. even with the cleaning set to wave balance set to 10 to 15. (Thermal settings) Never had a a water cooled torch fail from use, only transporting to a different shop.(transformer machine) Replaced the power cable, and good to go. I always have air cooled torches for back up, but still prefer the CK/Weldcraft water cooled setup. Not going to change my mind, or setup because it does work for me best.. had the water cooled on the 185 machine too, for all the same reasons.Last edited by Brand X; 06-21-2013 at 12:22 AM.Esab/Lorch ET-220iEsab 160i caddyThermal LM-200 Lincoln feedersThermal Pee-Wee 85sThermal 60i- 3phase /RPC powered (Beast)Thermal Drag-gun 35CINE 1500 Klutch 140i