Advice on what to buy & availability / shipping times

[ncsugrad2006]

Hello,

I've been reading a lot about Everlast welders over the last few weeks and have found a lot of good and bad to be honest. It seems most of the bad is from several years ago and/or diehard Miller/Lincoln fans that want to spend that kind of money for the names. The weldingtipsandtricks reviews helped give me a bit of confidence in this brand.

Anyways. I am looking for some advice on what welder would be best for me--Basically I'm looking for a TIG machine primarily. Any of the other abilities (i.e. plasma/stick) would be cool and all, but I already have a stick machine and really don't need plasma, so I'm not sure it would be worth anything additional to me. I want a machine that can weld aluminum and I do want a foot controller (I've read good and bad about the Everlast foot pedals--would I be better off with a different brand pedal there or is that even an option? cost?). I would never TIG anything over 1/4", and anything that thick wouldn't be happening often at all, just to give you an idea of the size I'm looking at. Hmm, what else. Don't want a water cooler at this point, so I'm looking for an air cooled torch. I've done a small amount of TIG welding before and always hated big torches--Can you get a relatively small torch with the Everlast welders or do you get what you get?

K, hopefully that is enough for someone to help me out. As far as money--I'm probably going to split this with my dad as he's always wanted a TIG welder. I'd like to keep it around $1,000 total, but if I could spend more like 1200-1400 total to get a lot more for my money, then that's something I'm open to too.

Also, if anyone from Everlast is reading--what's in inventory? The last thing I want to do is order something and wait 3 months, no offense.

Thanks for any advice!

[Rodsmachineshop]

I always think if 1/4 is the thickest you will weld i would go for a welder just over the max 1/4 rating since wont over tack welder I use a 250EX it is a very well made welder and have had it over 2 years now' with know problems and it gets use almost every day at almost full output on amps since i own a automotive machine shop and weld a lot of aluminum mostly aluminum heads . i wont use a tig with out being water cooled nice having the torch stay cool in your hand when welding , had 160 tig air cooled the torch would get really hot in your hand when welding .

[ncsugrad2006]

I always think if 1/4 is the thickest you will weld i would go for a welder just over the max 1/4 rating since wont over tack welder I use a 250EX it is a very well made welder and have had it over 2 years now' with know problems and it gets use almost every day at almost full output on amps since i own a automotive machine shop and weld a lot of aluminum mostly aluminum heads . i wont use a tig with out being water cooled nice having the torch stay cool in your hand when welding , had 160 tig air cooled the torch would get really hot in your hand when welding .

I very well may end up with a water cooled setup one day--but was going to start out without it in the interest of cost. The everlast water coolers are still $500. Definitely worth it for someone using them day in and day out, but difficult for me to justify at this point.

250EX looks like a real nice machine. Looks like they are listed at $1,599 though--a bit more than I would like to spend. Still thinking about it though Thanks for the information.

[sportbike]

Buy a 200DX. If you order, tell them you want the new version as it now functions as most "conventional" machines do with the panel controlling the max amps and the pedal being variable from 0-max panel setting. (previous versions used a separate knob on the pedal to adjust max amps)

It may be a little hard pressed to weld cjp welds in 1/4" material but will still handle most actual/ practical welds that you will encounter as a hobbyist.

The 200DX is the most bang for the buck and will operate on a 30 amp circuit to full power with no problems. I use mine on a 100+ ft 10awg SOW cord plugged into a dryer outlet.

John

[Rodsmachineshop]

I made my cooler for under 150 bucks . just a pump . a 5 gallon container and a transmission cooler works great , its wired to turn on when i turn my tig welder on

[ncsugrad2006]

Buy a 200DX. If you order, tell them you want the new version as it now functions as most "conventional" machines do with the panel controlling the max amps and the pedal being variable from 0-max panel setting. (previous versions used a separate knob on the pedal to adjust max amps)

It may be a little hard pressed to weld cjp welds in 1/4" material but will still handle most actual/ practical welds that you will encounter as a hobbyist.

The 200DX is the most bang for the buck and will operate on a 30 amp circuit to full power with no problems. I use mine on a 100+ ft 10awg SOW cord plugged into a dryer outlet.

John

200DX sounds good to me. And the price is good at $1100 basically. Now to find out if they have them in stock.

I made my cooler for under 150 bucks . just a pump . a 5 gallon container and a transmission cooler works great , its wired to turn on when i turn my tig welder on

Cool--how much water do you need to move for something like that, and is there any kind of fan on the transmission cooler or does it transfer enough heat without?

[Rodsmachineshop]

the trans cooler just by itself never get hot . the pump is a procon pump what they use for espresso machines . you can get the pumps on ebay for as low as 75 bucks to 130 bucks , there the same pumps miller uses in the tig cooler units

[Rodsmachineshop]

not sure on flow but pulled the cover off my buddy miller cooler and was the same pump with same part numbers i know with hose off it shoot all away across my shop lol so it has good flow , being line so small on a torch for cooling it need a good flow pump that why miller use them most the cooler units i look at use this pump

[ncsugrad2006]

lol, cool.. Well maybe I'll end up with water cooler sooner then.

[Rodsmachineshop]

this is what mine looks like but i use 5 gallons of distilled water instead of a small washer bottle ,what cool my 5 gallon containers i get from goodson tool that grinding fluid is clear like a washer bottle and thick plastic the pump runs about 30 psi just checked the specks

[ncsugrad2006]

Looks good.. Just sent an email over to sales about the 200DX, so we will see.

Seems there are a lot of good reviews on that welder (and the usual China bashing) but that looks to be my best option in this price range!

[KSmith]

I have been looking at the specs, comparing to my needs, and the 200DX seems right for me. I have just finished a welding cart, all ready with a tray for a 200DX. I also like the consistently good reviews on the unit. When I read your first post, I immediately thought the 200DX would be the right one for you.

[jakeru]

For 200 amps @ 60% duty cycle inverter TIG machine, there is no reason to get a water cooled torch setup. Good for larger machines, but it's a misfit, IMO, on a 200 amp @ 60% duty cycle inverter TIG machine.

Instead, you can get a real nice aircooled torch setup that is reasonably "nimble" and won't overheat. It's not even that expensive. A CK Worldwide Trimline 210 torch, with the flex neck and the "superflex" cable is the ticket. It's rated 200 amps AC or DC @ 100% duty cycle, which is more than enough for a 200 amp @ 60% duty cycle machine, even welding heavy aluminum continuously. (Which is pretty much how I've used mine.) The watercooled setup is just extra cost, extra hassle (changing / maintaining the coolant), makes your welding setup less portable, and can cause expensive damage if you run the machine without turning on the cooler. (Easy to do.) For a machine 200 amps and less, aircooled is the way to go, IMO. If you want to use the small consumables, you can with "stubby" collets and collet body setup.

But you could always just try out the factory aircooled torch that comes with the 200DX first, and see how you like it. Then, you can always upgrade the torch later. You may need to special order the Trimline 210, and you'll need to adapter to make it fit as well. Combined, they might run you around $150.

I think the 200DX is a really good fit for your needs. To weld the thicker end of the material range you are interested in doing, (depending how large the pieces are), you may need to pre-heat them (with a big propane "weed burner") or get some Helium gas to mix in with your argon. (Either of those can be later add-ons / upgrades for your overall welding setup as well.)

[redbeard]

If you have a a water tap and a place to run a drain, you can use a water cooled torch for a few bucks worth of fittings and hose. Just crack the faucet so you don't over pressure it and most importantly, don't forget to turn it on.

[Rodsmachineshop]

I have a friend that just use his shop water but has 2 filters before it go through the torch , back in the old days that's what we had for are helio arc welders to cool the torch talk about dinosaur welders . here is what i am using for a cooler works good. some day i will put all the cooling stuff in a case and maby add a fan since have 2 or 3 blower fans at the shop

[ncsugrad2006]

For 200 amps @ 60% duty cycle inverter TIG machine, there is no reason to get a water cooled torch setup. Good for larger machines, but it's a misfit, IMO, on a 200 amp @ 60% duty cycle inverter TIG machine.

Instead, you can get a real nice aircooled torch setup that is reasonably "nimble" and won't overheat. It's not even that expensive. A CK Worldwide Trimline 210 torch, with the flex neck and the "superflex" cable is the ticket. It's rated 200 amps AC or DC @ 100% duty cycle, which is more than enough for a 200 amp @ 60% duty cycle machine, even welding heavy aluminum continuously. (Which is pretty much how I've used mine.) The watercooled setup is just extra cost, extra hassle (changing / maintaining the coolant), makes your welding setup less portable, and can cause expensive damage if you run the machine without turning on the cooler. (Easy to do.) For a machine 200 amps and less, aircooled is the way to go, IMO. If you want to use the small consumables, you can with "stubby" collets and collet body setup.

But you could always just try out the factory aircooled torch that comes with the 200DX first, and see how you like it. Then, you can always upgrade the torch later. You may need to special order the Trimline 210, and you'll need to adapter to make it fit as well. Combined, they might run you around $150.

I think the 200DX is a really good fit for your needs. To weld the thicker end of the material range you are interested in doing, (depending how large the pieces are), you may need to pre-heat them (with a big propane "weed burner") or get some Helium gas to mix in with your argon. (Either of those can be later add-ons / upgrades for your overall welding setup as well.)

I believe that is what I will do--start with the included torch and change from there if needed. I sent an email to their sales people/person last night so we will see what they say.

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. Keep them coming if you have them!

[ncsugrad2006]

Buy a 200DX. If you order, tell them you want the new version as it now functions as most "conventional" machines do with the panel controlling the max amps and the pedal being variable from 0-max panel setting. (previous versions used a separate knob on the pedal to adjust max amps)

It may be a little hard pressed to weld cjp welds in 1/4" material but will still handle most actual/ practical welds that you will encounter as a hobbyist.

The 200DX is the most bang for the buck and will operate on a 30 amp circuit to full power with no problems. I use mine on a 100+ ft 10awg SOW cord plugged into a dryer outlet.

John

Hate to drag up an old thread--but I had a question about the "new version" of the 200DX.

It seems like I saw a thread on the new version at some point, but I can't seem to find it now. Can someone point me in the right direction on that?

[225]

The dealership in Canada has the new one. I just bought one from Oleg. Very happy with it.

[225]

I have a friend that just use his shop water but has 2 filters before it go through the torch , back in the old days that's what we had for are helio arc welders to cool the torch talk about dinosaur welders . here is what i am using for a cooler works good. some day i will put all the cooling stuff in a case and maby add a fan since have 2 or 3 blower fans at the shop

Where is that radiator from?

[ncsugrad2006]

The dealership in Canada has the new one. I just bought one from Oleg. Very happy with it.

When I emailed the Canada sales email I was told they are out of the new models and the next shipment coming into the US would be of the new ones so that may be a better option.. so hopefully that happens soon. Also I'm trying to use the 25% discount for the contest, and the Canada store doesn't give the discount