First Arc
Here is my initial review of the PowerArc 140ST. The box was in good condition and didn't suffer too much at the hands of UPS. Being inside a plastic case and having about a 3/4" layer of styrofoam around it was enough to keep it safe and sound. It really is small and light. I could see hanging this on my shoulder and welding up on a ladder or something. There are a few differences since the Everlast video was made. The date on this was May 2012, so I think this is the current production version. It came with much longer leads, about 10 feet, compared to the 1.5 meter listed and shown on the other video. The work clamp is way better, too. I was planning on changing that, but this one is fine. It's much heavier duty than most of these type of sheet metal clamps, and it has a copper strap between the jaws. I think this is the same clamp used on the higher output machines. The stinger is the screw type and is pretty heavy. I would have liked the clamp type, but that's an easy fix. The TIG torch is also a bit different. This one came with a straight handle WP-17V type instead of the Euro type. I think I'll prefer this one, but I had a modification plan for the Euro style that I will have to re-engineer. With the stubby collet kit, I might just stay with this instead of switching to a WP-9. I'll have to try it and see how I like it. I didn't measure the cable on the TIG torch, but it looks plenty long, and is the single cable/hose style with no covering. I bet it will do fine for me. Another thing different is that it came with one of those welding masks with a handle. Since it fits in the case it might come in handy if I forget a helmet, or would be fine for an observer.
I put on the special plug I made up, and fired it up on 120V in the office. It's a lot quieter than I expected, just a little fan noise. The display is now calibrated to read correctly on 120 as it maxed out at 86 amps. I really like that you don't have to convert now when running on 120. Later I took it out to the shop and plugged it into 240. It took a few seconds for the display to settle down but then the adjustment was smooth and consistant. On 120 the range was 4 to 86 amps, on 240 it was 11 to 142. There was a slight squeal from the switching frequency, but barely noticeable above the fan noise.
I setup with some inch and a half 3/32 wall square tube scraps, for a 3/32 open butt joint with 3/32 7018AC rod. Seeing a pattern here? 
I dialed in 80 amps and lit up on the first side. Arc start was great and very smooth. But just a little too much power for this. Started to keyhole and I had to stop and back the power down. My old stick welder only has a pointer that gets you in the ballpark of what your output is, so I can't even say what I usually burn these at. I backed down to 65 amps and that was about perfect. I got full penitration with good coverage inside and out and no undercut. I stuck a clamp on meter on the cable and measured around 63 amps, so the display is just about perfectly calibrated. Way better than any other welder I've ever had. This is my first experience with an inverter and I am sold. Such a night and day difference from a transformer or even an engine driven. Stick welding is not something I do a lot of, but even being a little rusty, this thing laid down a great weld with ease. It was more like a TIG arc than stick. Smooth, quiet, and very easy to control. Restarts were a piece of cake, without even tapping off the flux on the tip. I can also see this box has plenty of power. There was no sounds like it was laboring at all. I couldn't be more happy with my decision to get this.
Long arc, short arc, heliarc and in-the-dark!
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Originally Posted by redbeard
