So a local welder who also teaches lessons suggested that if I wanted to get into TIG welding for not too much money is check out EVERLAST welders. It's his opinion that they aren't as good as the miller he uses, but are a really inexpensive way of getting into welding.

So I am thinking about picking one up but there are a couple things that I find a little disconcerting. Why does the exact same machine cost less in the US and have a 5 year warranty? The Canadian and US dollars have been at par for some time now. If I could get that 5 year warranty in Canada I would have bought one the day before I decided I wanted a welder. I am just wondering if it's the exact same machine why does it cost more and have less warranty in Canada? The cost I can understand, let's say its more shipping or something. But the warranty should be the same accross the board.

Also I have read some great reviews in these machines ability to do aluminum. A Powertig 200dx can probably suit my needs as I rarely would need it to do anything more than 1/8"... at the absolute most I might need to weld is 1/4" in very rare instances.

Since the cost to move up toa 225LX isn't much more when it's on sale and the fact that it has a watercooled torch (is that right?) also intrigues me. Finally would there be any reason for me to step up to a 250EX, they are yet even more money, but the only real difference (Aside from power) I can see is the frequence adjustment 0-500hz vs 0-25hz on the other machines. Why is the difference so vast? And what does this effect?

I am actually only about 20 minutes drive from the everlast dealer in Burlington, Ontario.

Thanks guys!