I was all set to buy a new Everlast 200DX TIG and a PowerPlasma 50, when I ran across a deal on a 6 month old PowerPro 256. The plasma didn't work right when I showed up to test it and buy it, it appeared to have a melted swirl ring, but it turned out the whole torch head was damaged, Customer Service could only offer me a brand new torch, ($289), or wait on a price on just a torch head. I might still be waiting if I hadn't found one myself, and apparently it was cheaper than Everlast would have had to pay for one. I'm not too upset about that, (previous owner probably caused that problem, so I ate it). But it STILL doesn't work....
I welded about 15 minutes with the TIG, and the high frequency board went out. Ray tells me the warranty doesn't transfer, so I just have to buy the board, or convince Alex to transfer the warranty. Waiting for a call back from him now....
I own a MAC 225 amp MIG welder, (made by Silver Beauty AFAIK), and it's about 28 years old, I've only had problem with it twice in all that time. And I've been using a Miller 251 owned by my old boss for a few years as well, built several race cars with it, no problems AT ALL. I just hope this isn't a sign of things to come.....