AC/DC TIG, MIG, STICK Everlast MTS 252 STi

[HotRodBoater]

AC/DC TIG, MIG, STICK Everlast MTS 252 STi

They finally came out with a TRUE multi process welder last year with the 221sti. This is the first multi process machine with AC tig for welding aluminum.
I figured I'd wait for the more powerful 252 to hit the market. It's out now, but I'm very surprised that I haven't heard more about either. Anyone here have one of these Everlast machines?

 

[Balor]

I'm following this one HotRod.

rngr1

 

[dnschmidt]

I think Bob at Weld.com has some videos out on this new machine.

 

[DerekV]

Make no mistake, I applaud them for doing it, but the 221 seemed rushed to market just to be "the first" IMHO.

There are two big hacks that stand out to me. One is that it has an extra output Dinse connector for AC TIG. That's because it's literally two machines in one box. Now I suppose there's nothing wrong with shoving two in there, but having that 3rd Dinse connector is so damn tacky and it clutters up their already ridiculous front panel. They should've spent the time to figure out how to do it right, like every other welder on the planet, but they didn't. Rushed to market. The other hack is the wire spool cabinet. It's insanely goofy looking having this relatively large machine with this tiny door on the side. It's also unfortunate because all of their 200+ amp MIGs have room for 12 inch spools. There's almost no sacrifices made in terms of functionality and capability except for the spool size limitation, disappointing. I guess they needed to shrink that area down in order to keep the duty cycle where they wanted it for fans and heatsinks. But again with a little more R&D and I bet they could've made a bigger door happen. And they didn't. Rushed to market.

Haven't looked much into the 252 but I'm pretty sure it also has the 3 Dinse connectors. It does however have the larger wire cabinet (I think). I don't know. I like how disruptive Everlast is but these haven't convinced me that having one do-all welder is better than having two dedicated ones.

 

[danscobra6]

Everlast MTS 252 STi looks pretty dang good to me. The only snag I see is the AC balance range. My Everlast 255EXT has a range of 5%-90% and this is 30-70. With nice clean aluminum I'm usually around 26-28% with the 255 but 30-32 with the AHP tig 200.
The goodies are pulse
3 AC wave forms
Spool gun capable
12" spool capacity
Pedal
Cooler outlet
High duty cycle
On and on with adjustment capabilities.

 

[225]

Some people talk down on Everlast machines. I've had great luck with them.

 

[HotRodBoater]

Derek those are some good points you made. I don't do enough welding to justify spending the coin on 2 machines. If I were to buy a dedicated machine it would be a mig and I'd never get around to buying a tig and probably just take whatever I needed tig welded to a buddy that is really good at it. The MTS 252 STI lists for $2,575.oo that's a pretty damn good deal IF it's a good machine

 

[anndel]

I think Peter has one as well on his You Tube Channel ZILA.