bought the powermaster 256 maybe screwed up

[1bad05gto]

i just purchased a powermaster 256 and after speaking to i think mark then i might have should boght the 250ex. I read somewhere the unit was basically a 250 ex and a 60 amp cutter in 1 unit. When i spoke to the other guy he explained there are alot of features that the 256 does not have from the 250 ex. Did i screw up?

Were is my primary welding stuff. 1/16 to 5/8 aluminum, chromoly steel for roll cages, and sheetmetal. Can this great machine tune down for sheetmetal alminum and steel? Parameters look like it can but i would like to see if it can.

[performance]

Hi,
Yes, I talked to you this morning... But what I was trying to get across is that the ONLY feature differences with the 256 are as follows:

1)

The 256 does not have lift arc. It has HF start only, which is fine for 99% of the time for all types of welding, whether aluminum or not, a HF start is generally preferred because it prevents tungsten contamination, keeps a sharp point and is superior in nearly every way. Lift arc however, is generally used only in sensitive electronic areas. Some people want lift arc, because they tie the meaning of a HF start to a foot pedal. With our machines, we have switch on the torch that start the arc, and cycle the welding parameters like up slope, pre flow, start current etc. A simple toggle of the switch start the arc in HF. Even with lift start, the torch switch must be cycled or the foot pedal must be pressed. Until this new generation PowerTig, the 250 EX did not have lift start either.

2) The 256 does not have a spot weld timer. But proper with proper use of the torch switch, you can make a nice spot weld anyway, just you become the timer instead of the machine.

3) The 256 has a plasma cutter...60 amp at that. The 250EX does not. It is not a multi type machine, where the PM 256 is. The 256 will handle up to 1 inch comfortably and higher than that at severance when cutting. This also means it has a low pressure warning.


What the 250 EX and 256 DO have in common:

1) Pulse and pulse parameter control, with lo and hi pulse ranges, pulse current, frequency and time on controls

2) AC balance control: same range percent

3) AC Frequency control: same range going to max 250 hz for both

4) Digital read out

5) 2T 4T function

6) Up Slope

7) Down Slope

8) Start Current

9) End Current

10) Pre Flow

11) Post Flow

12) AC current out put

13) DC current out put

14) Water Cooled torch

15) Quick connects, and Dinse connectors

16) Arc force control

17) 250 amps at 60% duty cycle

18) 200 amp stick weld function @ 35% duty cycle.




My understanding is that you are mainly concerned about not having lift start? If you need lift start, can you tell me why exactly? The stuff you told me you are doing absolutely shouldn't require lift start unless you have a pacemaker.

Now, the PM 205 has many less features than the 256, and cannot be compared to anything else really, except the DX, and there are some more differences as well, but the 256 and 250 EX are roughly equivalent in nearly all areas except the one I mentioned.

[1bad05gto]

Dont get up set dude. I was testing a company that has welders for a percentage Of other competitors. Yes i am scared and $1600 is alot to give for something that is garbage. The econoomy is getting better though. and hope it gets there soon. My name is mike gibson and own the muscle car shop in ashland ky and if anyone has questions just ask.

Just for disclaimer purpoes, i did not call everlast welders junk. What i meant was if they were not what they claim then they were junk. The guy Mark is very knowledgable. if you need any body advice ask away. Cant wait to get new welder.

[WAYNESWORLD]

The machine you purchased will work very well in the custom auto shop.
Wayne

[everlastsupport]

I can not imagine someone with a PowerMaster 256 being unhappy? As Wayne said it will fit all your needs for what you are doing.

The 250EX is a great choice too if you want to have the plasma as a separate unit. You will spend more money to do that.

If you do occasional cutting, or are on a budget, or have space issues in your shop, the PM256 would be my pick. One welder on a cart and does all but MIG.

[dwdw]

"i just purchased a powermaster 256 and after speaking to i think mark then i might have should boght the 250ex. I read somewhere the unit was basically a 250 ex and a 60 amp cutter in 1 unit. When i spoke to the other guy he explained there are alot of features that the 256 does not have from the 250 ex. Did i screw up?

Were is my primary welding stuff. 1/16 to 5/8 aluminum, chromoly steel for roll cages, and sheetmetal. Can this great machine tune down for sheetmetal alminum and steel? Parameters look like it can but i would like to see if it can."

Looks like he wants to weld aluminum that goes to 5/8" 250 amps isn't near enough!! I hope he means 5/16" 1/4 will be 250 amps.
Just reading maybe a help, I own a PM-256 and its Great since its cold in the midwest don't use it much but what I have done it works better than expected, You'll love it and didn't spend the BIG bucks to get it the Plasma is an A_S kicker!
dwdw