The Mother Lode has arrived!!! 3 EVERLAST Machines, plus a cooler!! Pics to follow.

On Thursday, January 26th, a big brown truck backed over the snowbank in my front yard, and dropped off four large boxes, and a small package. All in good external condition, except the one marked "WATER COOLER", which had a 6-inch square hole ripped in the side of it. I proceeded to open the boxes, in no particular order, except the water-cooler box, which I opted to open last, in case there was mood-wrecking news inside. With my Sony HandyCam running, I gingerly cut the tape open on the first box, and pulled up on the HEAVY handle inside. There was my new PowerPlasma 70, and in the accessory box, was the requested Trafimet torch upgrade, the manual, and the rest of the accessory-pak. all immaculate. Next box, a new PowerTig 185 Micro, complete. Then the BIGGIE, I opened the box with baited-breath, and pulled out, In all it's glory, my new PowerTig 250EX, and absolute work of beauty. That is the one out of the three that I've had my eye on since I discovered Everlast, a little under a year ago. Thanks to some creativity from the finance company that Everlast uses, I was able to make a dream come true quicker than I would have otherwise by many months. Even though I will end up paying a premium for the next two years, the tax advantage will offset that premium during the term of my lease. Next, the water-cooler. I opened the box, expecting the worst, and to my surprise, all was in order, nothing was missing or damaged, and the permanent grin returned to my face. Last, I opened the small package, and inside was Everlast's WP-20 style torch. Unlike what I was expecting, after hearing about denim cable covers, my torch came equipped with a rubber-like, seamless cover, which looks like it will withstand being dragged over corners, edges and the like without snagging. It came pre-configured for the large DINSE connector on the 250EX, and pre-installed plumbing for the PowerCool W300 water cooler, and 250EX gas output port. With this setup, it takes literally a few seconds to hook up, or unhook the torch. The torch switch is the paddle-style, and is installed with zip-ties, which I actually PREFER, as it allows for east re-positioning per operator preference. It came with a consumables-pak, which included no only the full length back cap, but also a stubby cap for getting into the really tight spots. I opted to leave the supplied consumables in the package, and install some out of my existing stash of genuine heliarc parts. The 3/32" collet body, collet, back cap, and No. 5 cup screwed into the Everlast torch smoothly, and tightened up perfectly. This torch is nice and slim, and truly compatible with WP-20 consumables. Nice unit that can't be beat for the price, especially compared to the eminent headaches and extra expense involved with hooking up an aftermerket torch. For the last 2 days, I've been so busy with other matters that all I've had a chance to do is install the plug un the 250 ex, fill and hook up the W300 to the 250 EX, and run some test beads for maybe 10 minutes. So Far, So Good!! I will post more within the next day or two, including pictures!!

Very glad for you .We wait a photo:)

Congrats Life is good somtimes look foward to pics .

Congrats, Hooda! You went "all out". :)

PS - that torch lead cover is I believe, PVC. Try to keep it away from any "just welded" parts, as hot metal can melt it. That is really neat to hear that everything hooked up without a hitch. Keep us posted how it all works!

Glad to hear the hole in the watercooler box was superficial. Cool! Hooda Inc is starting to form up!

Howdy Folks, I've been feeling under the weather since, Ironically, Wednesday night. Started as a little bit of a "weak" feeling. and the last four days, it's just gotten worse. The fact that I've been running my tail off trying to prepare for the big arrival last Thursday has only aggravated the condition. At about 2:00 AM, lacking a proper thermometer, I hit my forehead and temples with my IR thermometer, ande it read 102.4!! I texted a local buddy to stop by after he got done working to check on me (at about 5:00 AM). He called, and I had just woke up from a 2 hour snooze, and I felt MINIMALLY better. I've been measuring my urine output, and drinking massive amounts of water, along with a little salty food, a banana, and a couple multi-vitamins. I DO NOT want to relive my kidneys shutting down, ever. Plus, I need to be healthy in case someone calls for a job interview. (I'm still looking). Anyway, When I woke up at 9:30, My back was killing me like, BAD. I'm actually thinking posibly a kidney-stone, if not, a virus. So I've been taking lots of breaks and little naps, staying in the shop area, and going back to work to make progress when I wake up. Here's some pics. First, the hole in the Water-Cooler box. NO damage whatsoever.

http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/a...P/DSCF2536.jpg

Big ole pile O' boxes.

http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/a...P/DSCF2527.jpg

Here's all 3 machines awaiting setup.

http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/a...P/DSCF2579.jpg

Here they are, all set up, and ready to go. Ain't it a beautiful site!!!! At this point, thanks to whatever it is that ails me, I have yet to even plug in the PP70, or the 185 micro. But I will say this, The 250 EX fired up right off the bat, NO complications whatsoever. No leaks, No HF trouble, No Arc-starting problems, all systems GO. The ONLY trouble was me not having any seat time, save for the welding test I did a few weeks back, since early last summer.

http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/a...P/DSCF2582.jpg

Below are the first beads with the 250EX. I burnt 2 tungstens into the cup trying to figure out that you want the AC balance to the LEFT for LESS cleaning. Once I was comfortable with 30%, I moved the AC freq from 100Hz, to 120, the last is 250Hz.

http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/a...P/DSCF2557.jpg

I will be posting MANY, MANY more photos, as I'm also in the middle of a ADF welding helmet review. And I have some pointers and tips that I feel are important to ensure safe, trouble-free setup, and operation. Thanks for lookin, and feel free to comment, and also request ANYTHING that you would like to see these machines do. Hey, the only thing I could do is turn you down, or we'll all learn at the same time

Good Luck, Chris Hooda

Congrat Hooda, glad you like your setup, looks pretty awsome. I too melted the crap out of my tungsten--6 times! I had the leads backwards, made me really understand what EN (electrode negative) means.

May I ask why you opted for the 185 micro and the 250EX?

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Originally Posted by Jason

May I ask why you opted for the 185 micro and the 250EX?

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Hey Jason, there are several reasons. First, I had a budget, and due to my opting for an EX instead of an EXT, I was able to kick in a little extra and afford a Micro. Second, my current, primary interest is TIG machines, otherwise, I would have opted for a MIG in whatever configuration with the extra money, but still probably wouldn't have had enough to get anywhere near the MigMaster 250 that I currently have the use of. Third, I really wanted to be "the regular guy" who just happens to have the opportunity to, at least on a temporary basis, have the use of BOTH machines side by side, and post my results of a direct comparison, from the low end, all the way to the max of the 185. I personally know 2 Dynasty 200 owners, one of which says that "all them fancy schmancy features are useless to me". This guy does a lot of portable dock repair up in the lakes region of Minnesota ("Up North"). I'm almost positive that if I were to demo the Micro to him, He'd want one, but I want to have intimate, personal knowledge of the machine before I try to pitch anyone on the thought of making that switch. I'm not an Everlast dealer, but who knows, maybe that would prove to be a nice little sideline to the business that I intend to be in, once I actually launch and put that OPEN sign in my window, and get the primary focus established. I was in a LWS a few weeks ago and witnessed a guy, who was there after work, who was talking to a salesman about medium sized MIG welders, blue in color. As I recall, he was telling the salesman that they used the same model at work, and a few minutes later, he said "set me up, I'll take that one". Now, had I had the chance to talk some sense into this guy, I could have easily saved him $600-800, AND given him the options of TIG and stick at the same time. While it's true that TIG and MIG machines are apples and oranges, generally speaking, the point I'm making is that I'm a true Everlast believer, and the more I know about their products, the better. Once I've done my testing and gotten thoroughly familiar with the 185 Micro and gotten some video clips to post, I'll do one of 2 things: Keep it around as a portable machine and offer repairs on-site as part of my business, or offer it up for sale locally, to get another Everlast family member, and put that money toward an Everlast MIG machine.

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Originally Posted by hooda

Hey Jason, there are several reasons. First, I had a budget, and due to my opting for an EX instead of an EXT, I was able to kick in a little extra and afford a Micro. Second, my current, primary interest is TIG machines, otherwise, I would have opted for a MIG in whatever configuration with the extra money, but still probably wouldn't have had enough to get anywhere near the MigMaster 250 that I currently have the use of. Third, I really wanted to be "the regular guy" who just happens to have the opportunity to, at least on a temporary basis, have the use of BOTH machines side by side, and post my results of a direct comparison, from the low end, all the way to the max of the 185. I personally know 2 Dynasty 200 owners, one of which says that "all them fancy schmancy features are useless to me". This guy does a lot of portable dock repair up in the lakes region of Minnesota ("Up North"). I'm almost positive that if I were to demo the Micro to him, He'd want one, but I want to have intimate, personal knowledge of the machine before I try to pitch anyone on the thought of making that switch. I'm not an Everlast dealer, but who knows, maybe that would prove to be a nice little sideline to the business that I intend to be in, once I actually launch and put that OPEN sign in my window, and get the primary focus established. I was in a LWS a few weeks ago and witnessed a guy, who was there after work, who was talking to a salesman about medium sized MIG welders, blue in color. As I recall, he was telling the salesman that they used the same model at work, and a few minutes later, he said "set me up, I'll take that one". Now, had I had the chance to talk some sense into this guy, I could have easily saved him $600-800, AND given him the options of TIG and stick at the same time. While it's true that TIG and MIG machines are apples and oranges, generally speaking, the point I'm making is that I'm a true Everlast believer, and the more I know about their products, the better. Once I've done my testing and gotten thoroughly familiar with the 185 Micro and gotten some video clips to post, I'll do one of 2 things: Keep it around as a portable machine and offer repairs on-site as part of my business, or offer it up for sale locally, to get another Everlast family member, and put that money toward an Everlast MIG machine.

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That makes perfect sense. If I insulted you in anyway then I am sorry as that was not my intent. I was curious since the 250EX could do that of of the 185 but you made some very valid points. I plan to have more Everlast products in my garage but I need to get somethings straight first.

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Originally Posted by Jason

That makes perfect sense. If I insulted you in anyway then I am sorry as that was not my intent. I was curious since the 250EX could do that of of the 185 but you made some very valid points. I plan to have more Everlast products in my garage but I need to get somethings straight first.

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No Insult taken whatsoever here. I'm itching to see the two in a side-by-side comparison myself. As soon as I even START to feel better, I'll be devoting an entire day to getting things fired up and welding. Maybe even a video clip or two.

I have about the same deal, just I lean to the MIGs. 250EX, PP60, IMIG 200 (portable) and IMIG 250P (not so portable). I bet the 185 would make a great little portable unit. Good picks.

Isn't the 185 supposed to go dual voltage soon?

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Originally Posted by Buzz

Isn't the 185 supposed to go dual voltage soon?

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Yes, In fact, there were some of the new duak voltage units inbound when this unit shipped, but I didn't have the time to wait. I don't know if that will be standard or an option, but by now they SHOULD be in stock, call to check.

This is a heads up, I'm moving these to Individual threads to better document the actual use of each machine. Look under TIG and Plasma Cutting Threads, Respectively, Thanks for all the great feedback So far!!! Chris Hooda.