Hello from Maine

[Gtig]

Just wanted to stop in and say HI! I have been lurking for over a month now, planning on buying a TIG welder and plasma cutter soon. I pretty much know what I want for a plasma cutter but the TIG welder I can't decide on. It just boils down to do I want/need pulse feature or not? The specs on the 185 Micro, 200DX and 225LX are very impressive. So anyway, like the website, good tech tips and articles. I'll be keeping in touch from time to time.

Thanks!
GTig

[everlastsupport]

Welcome GTig.

If the budget allows, the 225LX would be my pick. The 200DX next. But all are good products, just the 225LX is loaded with the features.
The 185 you have no pulse, but will do AC and DC and very compact. Really depends on your needs.

[yotarover]

it always boils down to money and it sux.

[Gtig]

it always boils down to money and it sux.

Yep! But at least I can pickup a decent TIG welder & plasma cutter at a reasonable price without breaking the bank! I like the ease and portability of the 185 MIG because there are times I need to bring it to a job site and do some stainless sheet metal work. The only problem is finding 220V in the building. I also like the power and flexibility of the 225LX from working on truck frames to wood boiler fabrication. Maybe I should just meet in the middle and get the 200DX.

GTig

[everlastsupport]

The 200DX is a good middle ground. The extra amps are not that much and you might never need them. I have not personally used the 185, but everyone I talk to likes it. Mark is a fan too, far as bang for the bucks and dead simple to work. I tend to be non-mobile on TIG and like the extra amps, I really do not use the pulse a lot. Rare I touch a pedal, but that is me.

You can always upgrade down the road as well.

Are the buildings you work at all 3 phase?

[SeanMurphy265]

One reason I purchased a 200DX is for portability, but I'm sure the 185 is much more portable. I originally purchased my 200DX so I could run it off a generator, and I also wanted to be able to stick weld. The 225lx was a little out of my budget, and I was given a good deal on a 200DX. I actually was going to purchase a 185, because the price is excellent and at the time I was looking at the miller diversion series. I felt the 185 was a much better deal than a miller diversion. I have been happy with my 200DX it suites my needs.

2 weeks ago I made my second Everlast purchase and picked up a Power Arc 200, and I plan to add a tig torch at some point.

[Gtig]

The 200DX is a good middle ground. The extra amps are not that much and you might never need them. I have not personally used the 185, but everyone I talk to likes it. Mark is a fan too, far as bang for the bucks and dead simple to work. I tend to be non-mobile on TIG and like the extra amps, I really do not use the pulse a lot. Rare I touch a pedal, but that is me.

You can always upgrade down the road as well.

Are the buildings you work at all 3 phase?

I work on steam sterilizers and washer decontamination units in the hospitals, travel through out Maine. There times I may need to spot weld broken racks or hinges, most are 316L stainless, carbon steel and Monel (alloy 400). There are some areas that have 3 phase 208 that feed into the washers others are 220V-240V single phase. A few years ago I borrowed a DC TIG welder just to do a tack job. The hospital didn't have 220V in the area where I was welding so I made up a connection that split the 220V into two separate 120V circuit, it was crud but effective.

GTig

[everlastsupport]

The 220vac issue is still there, but you can make all of them work either way if you have 220vac. We have a 3 phase TIG (PT 315), but the price goes up.

All of your picks will do SS, carbon and aluminum.

For your type work the 185 "should" do the job as this is normally not real thick stainless steel from my knowledge of kitchens and guessing it is about the same as the medical field, or close. I could be wrong. What is the max thickness of the SS?

The 185 is a good pick far as weight. The 225 allows you to dial things in and thicker metals.

[Gtig]

For your type work the 185 "should" do the job as this is normally not real thick stainless steel from my knowledge of kitchens and guessing it is about the same as the medical field, or close. I could be wrong. What is the max thickness of the SS?

Your probably right on the thickness of a stainless steel counter top or cabinets. 28 AWG is the norm but the thickest I had to deal with is 3/16". Hopefully in a week or two I'll make my decision, thanks for taking the time and chatting with me

GTig

[everlastsupport]

GTig,

You are quite welcome and it looks like "all" your picks are the right answer for you. You just have to make the final choice. But I think you did all the research right.

Also, there's a contest. http://www.everlastgenerators.com/fo...JUNE-1-JULY-31

If you have projects and time you can jump in and get a chance to win.