Hello from Michigan - looking for TIG welder comments

[DennisK]

Hi all,
Dennis from Troy Michigan.
Retire and working on a long list of projects.

Before I commit to Everlast - anyone local want to talk about their TIG machine.
I'm looking at the 200A AC/DC unit.
I'm have a Millermatic 210 I'll be selling - to help pay for the TIG unit but-
I've read so much good and some bad comments would like to talk one on one.
Call me if you have the time to share.
Thanks,
Dennis Ph. 989 329 7231

[DaveO]

Welcome, Dennis! Not sure if anyone has called...? The 200DX has a lot of fans on this forum. What kind of info are you looking for?

[cbmkr]

You will like the 200DX it is a good quality machine at a very favorable price. I have been welding since late 1971 and used the red machines yellow and blue machines. You will not be unhappy with your purchase. I did a short video on stick welding with the 200DX at max amps if you care to watch it. I also left you a phone message if you wish to call me back. If you were close you are more than welcome to come buy and try the Everlast 200DX at my shop.

[Tritium]

Hi Dennis,

I have has a Power Ultra 205P combo Plasma, Tig, Stick for nearly 2 years now and it performs very well.

I just got a PowerTig 250EX 2013 Model and I think the arc on TIG is much nicer than the Power Ultra 205P.
I haven't got to play with the 250EX extensively yet but I will probably be using the PU 205P mainly for plasma cutting since I have
the PT250EX now. I have a water cooled torch that came with the PT250EX and I have a 200A gas cooled torch for it as well.

I have had minor issues with the 205P within the first week of ownership which were promptly resolved via phone with tech support
and by e-mail from the owner of the company himself (thanks Oleg).

The 250EX has performed flawlessly as soon as some initial "Operator" (me) issues were resolved concerning a few controls. (Thanks Ray)

There are good and bad reports from each brand of welders made. Many bad reports occur because of the users experiences and not the actual machine potential.

It boils down to three things IMHO:

1. My expectations for the machine and it's performance being met.
2. COST!
3. A readily available "REASONABLY" priced supply of parts for failures that do occur.

By Reasonably priced spare parts I mean something near MFG COST. It makes sense for
a manufacturer to supply parts at a very reasonable cost to "RETAIN" the customer brand loyalty.

Thurmond

[CGCINC]

I have the 250EX and love it. I've used it almost everyday for the last two years and no problems

[sportbike]

I have a 200DX that I use mostly to fabricate parts for my dragrace motorcycle. It is an older model that uses a different current control strategy with the foot pedal as opposed to the more standard control of the current units. I operate mine off of an ~110ft 10awg extension cord from my 30A dryer plug in my basement, strung out to my garage. Full power from the welder adn not once has it blown teh breaker or even warmed the cord.

I haven't had any issues with mine that weren't caused by the inexperienced guy operating it. I am currently looking at getting a 185 to put in my race traielr for those just in case moments at the track, just need to finalize the purchase.

The 200 has more then enough features for most people. I have recently started dabbling with pulse for aluminum welding to make my weld appearance look better and have had a few compliments on them. Not that they look great as compared to a professional operator, but quite a few folks have noted they were impressed with them. I've certainly seen worse.
There are a couple of projects that I posted on here while I was learning how to weld (never did finish learning :-) ).
John

[SeanMurphy265]

I owned a 200dx and currently own a 225lx and love them both! I am personally not a fan to the multi process machines with the plasma cutter (I never have owned one just my opinion). Everlast Tig machines are very impressive, and offers different adjustments and settings to dial it in the way you want it.

[Big Paulie]

I just got the PowerPro 256s combo, Tig Stick Plasma and love it. I needed a pilot arc plasma, and the added cost of the 256 over the 250EX was a no brainer. A lot of guys prefer separate units, but I have run out of space, and am just a hobbyist also. I will rarely need the 256amps of power, so the 35% duty cycle means nothing, as it has 100% at 160amps, and 60% at 200amps. Also, the Plasma is 100% at 50amps. So for the normal usage, I see no limitations. Also, it is quieter than the 250EX, as a lot of the duy cycle comes from the bigger airflow of the 250EX. Lastly, for outdoor HD welding, the 200amp stick is a big differnce over the 160 amp capacity. I have another smaller Stick Tig for 115v AC, that is adequate for remote work, and smaller repairs, so the 240v only machine is also ok. If you need dual voltage, the 25x series is not for you.

[Winky]

I purchased a 200 DX about a year ago and I am thrilled it … it works flawlessly every time. Ease of operation and the ability to see what your settings are at a g are a big plus … it is an AC DC unit with a lot of bells and whistles … I know you will be happy with this one … I am not an employee of Everlast but I am so happy with the company and my 200DX that I posted a review … http://youtu.be/Fvv4T0mhOqk

[Winky]

OH gee I had a typo and the system wouldn't let me edit my post I was trying to say "the ability to see what your settings are at a glance are a big plus"

[Trip59]

Dennis, sorry about whatever happened to the call, I'll blame the carrier (AT&T can be a pain). Was good chatting with you. One thing I forgot to mention when I was talking about the torches, the 9 series I had ordered from Everlast was the regular one, they've started selling some CK torches since then like the one I ultimately bought.

[DennisK]

I will be saving up to purchase a 200DX - looks like all the features a TIG newbie could learn to use.
Will likely be back on the forum to get help when I do.
Dennis

Hi all,
Dennis from Troy Michigan.
Retire and working on a long list of projects.

Before I commit to Everlast - anyone local want to talk about their TIG machine.
I'm looking at the 200A AC/DC unit.
I'm have a Millermatic 210 I'll be selling - to help pay for the TIG unit but-
I've read so much good and some bad comments would like to talk one on one.
Call me if you have the time to share.
Thanks,
Dennis Ph. 989 329 7231

[Trip59]

I will be saving up to purchase a 200DX - looks like all the features a TIG newbie could learn to use.
Will likely be back on the forum to get help when I do.
Dennis

Don't just wait till you buy, hang out on the forum, tons to pick up before you ever pick up a torch. Check out Jody's sites weldingtipsandtricks.com and welding-tv.com Can't say enough about the TIG Fingers, got a few. T-Shirts are nice, going to buy another and a long sleeve, but I don't weld in them anymore, one got a spatter hole and started unraveling a bit.

The Lincoln foundation has tons of books and pamphlets at obscenely low prices, I'd pick up Metals and How to Weld Them as well as New Lessons in Arc Welding and possibly the TIG book (can't recall the name, it's a couple dozen pages and covers the basics REALLY well).

[everlastsupport]

The Lincoln foundation has tons of books and pamphlets at obscenely low prices, I'd pick up Metals and How to Weld Them as well as New Lessons in Arc Welding and possibly the TIG book (can't recall the name, it's a couple dozen pages and covers the basics REALLY well).

ESAB University as well. And weld.com and not sure if weldguru.com is still around. But bar non, Jody's are very very good..

[zoama]

If Jody Collier had a 2 hour show every day, I'd never miss an episode.

[Big Paulie]

For what it's worth, you should consider if you will be frequently welding thick Aluminum (> 1/4"). I originally thought a 200amp unit would be ok, and per Jody's videos, I would plan on getting a small bottle of helium or 75/25 he/ar mix for thos times that I had to push it. (Then I priced the Helium!!!) While waiting for the 256PPro, I had to borrow a friends Lincoln 205Versatec, and found it lacking for a couple of jobs, like a 1" thick spacer for intake manifold, with 1/4 top and bottom flange. Resorted to baking it in a bbq to get it to abou 400degrees, then hitting it with the TIG. If you need to do thicker aluminum, the 225 may be a bit better, and it gives you a little more control of slope and flow.

[m j mauer]

Welcome to the forum.