Which Tig Machine?

[Rodzilla]

Hey folks, looking to get a new Tig machine. A few years ago I had a 250EX, but then moved and had to sell it. I'm looking to replace it and need a unit that is reliable enough to do project work like cromo roll cages, or aluminum fuel tanks, etc. So I'm thinking either another 250EX, or maybe 210EXT or 250EXT. What are your thoughts? Anyone here ran all 3, are they all up to the task of full days of welding from time to time. I have a shop with a plasma table and I mostly do signs and firepits, minor mig welding etc., looking to expand into offroad fab as well, like building trusses and rollcages etc.
Feel free to share any info or thoughts.
Thanks

[Rodzilla]

I already know the 210 is out, duty cycle not there for what I may need from time to time.

[christian]

What?

The 210EXT has a 60% duty-cycle at max amperage, which is outstanding!

I mean, here's a duty-cycle shootout video that demonstrates that Everlast's 60% duty-cycle rating for the 210EXT is actually quite conservative, too.

I've owned my 210EXT for over five years now. Love the price and value, the digital interface, memory function, added Triangle waveform for lighter aluminum, etc.

[Rodzilla]

I'd say your likely right. But the other 2 machines have 100% at 200 amps. For 95% of the time the 210 would be more then I needed. But on days where your running constant welds on large aluminum fuel tanks etc it might not be enough. I'd hate to come up short on those days.

[christian]

Well,

You're not going to find any brand of inverter 200 amp TIG machine with 100% duty-cycle at max amps.

The Everlast 315LX is 100% duty-cycle at 250 amps, which represents a duty-cycle value that even some higher amp Miller Dynasty's can't match, on single-phase, unless you step up to around five times the price, e.g., the Dynasty 280 is only 25% duty-cycle at 280 amps, so maybe a Dynasty 400 or 700 could match the 100% duty-cycle of the Everlast 315LX at 250 amps.

But, of course, the 315LX is only $1999.

So, I'll recommend looking at higher amperage TIG units, in order to get 100% duty-cycle at 200 or more amps. You'll undoubtedly want a water cooler too.



https://www.everlastgenerators.com/s...aeafceb31d.pdf

[performance]

I challenge the person to weld at 210 amps continuously for 10 minutes without what seems like a need for a fire suit. You will self combust at that level of heat imho without some serious protection. I can tell you that most people waaaayyy overestimate their need for duty cycle. Next on the list would be the 255EXT. If you are welding at less than that, duty cycle increases.

[Rodzilla]

Well,

You're not going to find any brand of inverter 200 amp TIG machine with 100% duty-cycle at max amps.

The Everlast 315LX is 100% duty-cycle at 250 amps, which represents a duty-cycle value that even some higher amp Miller Dynasty's can't match, on single-phase, unless you step up to around five times the price, e.g., the Dynasty 280 is only 25% duty-cycle at 280 amps, so maybe a Dynasty 400 or 700 could match the 100% duty-cycle of the Everlast 315LX at 250 amps.

But, of course, the 315LX is only $1999.

So, I'll recommend looking at higher amperage TIG units, in order to get 100% duty-cycle at 200 or more amps. You'll undoubtedly want a water cooler too.



https://www.everlastgenerators.com/s...aeafceb31d.pdf

I challenge the person to weld at 210 amps continuously for 10 minutes without what seems like a need for a fire suit. You will self combust at that level of heat imho without some serious protection. I can tell you that most people waaaayyy overestimate their need for duty cycle. Next on the list would be the 255EXT. If you are welding at less than that, duty cycle increases.

Thanks for the input, much appreciated.

[christian]

Yeah,

The 255EXT may be ideal for you. I mean, more amps over the 210EXT, but also that "spot-timer" (auto body panels?) and 6010 Stick function, that the 210EXT doesn't have.

So, if you want more amps with the upward scale of duty-cycle that goes with it, and a few other trace features that the 210EXT doesn't have, then the added price of the 255EXT seems quite slight, to me.

The 210EXT has been perfect for me over the past five years. I like the added Triangle waveform for thinner aluminum, which initially made learning light aluminum a little easier. I still often tend to use that waveform for thinner stuff.

The 255EXT seems to be the best-value in its class for an advanced-featured AC/DC TIG unit in the North American marketplace. And it's had no serious competition in it's class (price-wise) for several years, ever since it it was first released, that I can tell, while it's reportedly had some subtle under-the-hood refinements over the years, too.

[performance]

And now we've refined the hood itself.

[christian]

Oh,

And now the hood itself, too!

Ha, ha, ha...

ROCK ON, Everlast!

And now we've refined the hood itself.

[christian]

Yeah,

It's pretty cool how Everlast is a nimble enough company that they're accessible enough to average users here on their forum, and that happily shares previews of new products or upcoming updates to existing ones.

It's a good time to be in the TIG welding unit marketplace.

[christian]

Oh, gee,

There's now an end of year clearance on units like the 255EXT.

[christian]

Oh, wow,

Now there are custom Everlast machine covers.

I mean, I usually just throw a light welding jacket over my unit. But, these covers look pretty good.

[Rodzilla]

Oh, wow,

Now there are custom Everlast machine covers.

I mean, I usually just throw a light welding jacket over my unit. But, these covers look pretty good.

Thanks for the input, much appreciated. Sadly for me I'm Canadian and our prices are about 30% higher, and the Canadian dealer didn't offer any special pricing for black friday. I made a query with US dealer about buying from them, but was told they wouldn't ship to Canada.

[christian]

Well,

Even 30% more CAD isn't a bad value.

Go ahead and treat yourself!

[Rodzilla]

No, for the machine you get its a very good value. I did own a 250EX 5 years ago, regret selling it now. I'm not a fan of the Canadian dealer out east. I bought a 82i Plasma Cutter, that I run on my plasma table and it had an issue with the machine torch head. The dealer kinda acted like he was doing me a favour replacing it under warranty. A bit annoying. Also they are 3500 miles away from me out west. Not very handy, we could use a dealer out west.

[performance]

He's not a dealer, rather they serve as the Canadian distributor. If you know of someone (like yourself?) with some money to invest, contact them and inquire about a possible dealership where you are.

[Rodzilla]

He's not a dealer, rather they serve as the Canadian distributor. If you know of someone (like yourself?) with some money to invest, contact them and inquire about a possible dealership where you are.

OK thanks. I'd be interested if I didn't live out in the boonies.


Thanks for input on machines. I did end up buying the 255ext, the canadian ditributor did put on a bit of a sale over christmas, although still not near as good as the US sales. Cheers

[christian]

Hey,

Good move on the 255EXT!

Please let us all know back here, within this thread, how you like it and find it as a market value...