Everlast welders?

[MitchL]

Like the title says, I wondering who ownes one, and what there experience has been? Does anyone have any long term review, or has put one through it's paces? How has customer service/ dealer support been?

I really just want the reviews from people who actually own one, not stories you heard about your grandma's friends cousin on the intraweb.

I also do not want to turn this into a "buy blue/red/yellow, their always the best" session. I would love to have an "American" welder (Assebled in Mexico/USA/Italy from chinese components) but it is not always in the budget.

Any honest reviews would be greatly appreciated.

 

[BD1]

Here is their sponsored forum. If you do a search on this welding website, there are members who have had problems and and said everlast deleted them.
http://weldingweb.com/forumdisplay.php?f=55

 

[MitchL]

Thanks BD1, I have seen some of the forums on weldingweb, and they seem to be a trainwreck of sponsored forums, corporate misinformation B.S, and folks who follow welder brand X like it's the one true messiah. I am finding it really hard to find unbiased reviews.
I have also seen Jody from welding tipsandtricks give decent reviews, but have heard that the accessories are junk.

 

[compman25]

Don't have an Everlast but I do have a Longevity plasma/stick/tig welder. Same price point and some say the owners of the 2 companies were partners at 1 time. I've only used it for the plasma cutter to cut up 2 complete pickups into 3' sections to haul to the recycler. Bought it in 2009 and it still works today.

 

[ishiboo]

The Chinese welder and welder/plasma cutter/dog cooker combos generally get favorable reviews by their owners.

I think the #1 thing is going with a company that provides parts and support for them. They are all the same basic welder branded 50 different names, some companies like Longevity are great about providing parts and service, others you'll never be able to contact.

IMO they're a good deal if you want good welding capability for an excellent price point, but don't mind some downtime while you wait on parts... but in terms of reliability, they're no Mlller/Lincoln/etc.

 

[WILD-BILL]

I own the Everlast 225LX. So far, it's been a great machine. I bought it about a year and a half ago and the only issue I had was the HF start points gaps needed adjusted. At the time I wasn't sure if it was a problem with the welder or my inexperience as I bought this machine to teach myself on.

Customer support/tech was great in working through my ignorance and help me resolve the problem. That was the only issue I had with them.

I will say that I did hate the torch they supplied with it and I put together my own WP 20 and also built my own water cooler for it.

The other item you'll hear people not liking much is the foot pedal. And, I have to agree I don't care for it much my self.

There is/was a member of Everlast' forum who on his own, had a replacement pedal made by a company here in Ohio and he posted the reviews and all on that site.

It turned out so great that Everlast contracted (I think that's right anyway) to build upgrade pedals for their machines. I have yet to get one but it's high on my wish list.

Now that I've had it for a while and gotten used to all the bells and whistles I kinda regret not ponying up for the 250 EX. Not that I think I'll be doing much that thick but the extra AC balance control and the wider pulse frequency control are both something I'm kinda wishing I had.

You can see it pretty clearly in this pic sitting on top of a HF welding cart. It barely fits the top shelf but aside form upgrading the casters (probably from slamming it against cracks in the floor) it's served my well also.

 

[Trey T]

Welder competition is fierce and "blue" and "red" guys always step over people without understanding the whole situation.

The problem with these "blue" and "red" guys are their lack of professionalism and not really mechanically inclined. That's why weldingweb is a train-wreck!

I have heard of great review from their previous generation welders. Welder machine is not a complicated machine to build by today's standard.

 

[vintagefan]

Welder competition is fierce and "blue" and "red" guys always step over people without understanding the whole situation.

The problem with these "blue" and "red" guys are their lack of professionalism and not really mechanically inclined. That's why weldingweb is a train-wreck!

I have heard of great review from their previous generation welders. Welder machine is not a complicated machine to build by today's standard.

The reason I'm a "blue" guy, is that I've been using the same two Miller welders for my entire career (15yrs), and neither have had anything worse happen than the gas solenoid going out on one.

I've watched several friends and colleagues "save money" by buying one of these import paperweights, only to end up spending twice as much money and ten times as much time screwing around, than if they had just bought a decent used name brand welder like I told them in the first place.

Even if you manage to get one that works out of the box, and doesn't have a bunch of loose/untightened screws inside the unit upon arrival(HUGE electrical hazard), getting parts when they do break, can be a serious pain.

One of my best friends just finished building a CNC plasma table, and is currently on his THIRD Everlast plasma in the last six months or so. They barely stay running a few weeks, and this guy KNOWS what he's doing. I told him over and over just to buy an old Miller, but he wouldn't listen.


You're correct, welders are not very complicated machines. The technology is well established. That said, "blue" and "red" have been around for DECADES, and they know damn well how to build machines that don't break, or at least don't do it very often.


I'm actually in the market for a low cost TIG right now, for use at home, and I am considering the Everlast, even though every bit of personal experience I've had with these import welders tells me to steer well clear of them.


Even though I'm instinctually shying away, I must say that I really hope/wish that they do have a good product available, because I may very well consider being a customer.

 

[fflintstone]

The reason I'm a "blue" guy, is that I've been using the same two Miller welders for my entire career (15yrs), and neither have had anything worse happen than the gas solenoid going out on one.

I've watched several friends and colleagues "save money" by buying one of these import paperweights, only to end up spending twice as much money and ten times as much time screwing around, than if they had just bought a decent used name brand welder like I told them in the first place.

Even if you manage to get one that works out of the box, and doesn't have a bunch of loose/untightened screws inside the unit upon arrival(HUGE electrical hazard), getting parts when they do break, can be a serious pain.

One of my best friends just finished building a CNC plasma table, and is currently on his THIRD Everlast plasma in the last six months or so. They barely stay running a few weeks, and this guy KNOWS what he's doing. I told him over and over just to buy an old Miller, but he wouldn't listen.


You're correct, welders are not very complicated machines. The technology is well established. That said, "blue" and "red" have been around for DECADES, and they know damn well how to build machines that don't break, or at least don't do it very often.


I'm actually in the market for a low cost TIG right now, for use at home, and I am considering the Everlast, even though every bit of personal experience I've had with these import welders tells me to steer well clear of them.


Even though I'm instinctually shying away, I must say that I really hope/wish that they do have a good product available, because I may very well consider being a customer.

I am a “RED” guy for much the same reasons although I have never had a repair.
As a former Lincoln electric student I can get any Lincoln welder at dealer cost. Yet I am still considering everlast as well. I can buy a 250A everlast TIG for far less than a 205 amp Lincoln even with my discount.
The consensus on non welding sites is if you receive an everlast that functions right out of the box it will serve you well. If it is DOA then you have problems.
Good luck on trying to find non biased opinions.

 

[Murphy4570]

I own both "blue" and "red" brand welders myself. They are worth the premium price, and you can get used ones for less than the cost of new commie chinese ones. That's a no-brainer to me.

You really don't want to cheap out when it comes to welding equipment. A cheapo machine makes it real hard to lay a good weld bead.

 

[padronanniversary]

How do you become an Lincoln electric student ?

 

[vssjim]

You go to one of their classes they hold in Cleveland at the welding school. just visit Lincoln electric's web site and they explain schools and also sell lots of learning materials about welding.

 

[805gregg]

I own both Blue and Red, but I would be leary of a new company with the name like Everlast or Longevity, pure Chinese BS, I don't trust them to build something that could elecrocute me.

 

[Journaler]

Yep, this has devolved the same way other threads have when simple questions are asked about a new player on the market.

2nd grade name calling and fear.

Pretty sure this is the same type of attitude we had towards Japanese electronics, or Korean cars.

History repeating itself.

All the OP wants is opinions from actual owners, not sheep. Dammit, got lured into name-calling too.

 

[MitchL]

Thanks for the review wild-bill! That was what is was looking for. Still looking for reviews from other owners. Journaler is correct, still not looking for the derailment of zealots, there are already tonnes of forums about that, The question I asked was not "tell me what colour your welder is" so please reserve that topic for another forum. (FWIW i have Blue, red and maroon)
Really looking for reviews about square and modified wave pulse capable machines.

 

[ZRX61]

The reason I'm a "blue" guy, is that I've been using the same two Miller welders for my entire career (15yrs),

Ditto: MM210, SyncroWave 200 & a Spectrum 375

 

[BD1]

Hey, buy it and paint half BLUE and half RED !

 

[Professur]

Hey, buy it and paint half BLUE and half RED !

I think that voids the warranty

 

[WILD-BILL]

No problem Mitch.

I almost didn't post anything knowing it would turn into a Red/Blue ******* match.

But, like I said, I've been very pleased with it and the service and support I've needed from the company.

I did a fair amount of research prior and came to the understanding that this is not a new company. They have been around for a while.

Also, I must say the Jody from http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/ influenced a lot of my decision. He strikes me as a real down to earth guy that had no other agenda then to give an unbiased opinion of the product he was given.

If you haven't seen his vids here's his you tube channel.

 

[JohnGalt]

Bill,
I have looked at them as well and seriously contemplated getting one. There are no quality reviews on them. This is no slight to Jody. He seems like a great guy and I have no doubt he was honest. But all he did was plug them in and run them for a week or two. Sure they might work out of the box but unless somebody gets down to the component level we will not know for sure. Half the parts in there could be running out of spec. Plugging it in and using it for a week is not a test. To be fair I dont expect this same level of proof from Lincoln or Miller because they have been around for a long time and have a very good reputation. Plus every welding shop in the country can fix them.

This has nothing to do with the fact that they are made overseas. 99% of the electronics in our houses are made of parts from and assembled in Asia. I would bet that the majority of the components used in a miller dynasty are made in Asia. I also don't care that everlast uses contract manufacturers. But if you have ever been involved with making products overseas you know that you need strict oversight and quality done by your in house engineering at all phases of development and production. Everlast seems like a small operation and their customer facing interaction can be very unprofessional. You can read for yourself on weldingweb. This leads me to believe they have the same quality of "engineering" going on inside the company.

Another example is their instruction manuals. There are typos, incorrect grammar and the tone seems unprofessional.

Another example there isnt a clear focus on quality is the frequency which they rev their products. This can be passed off as a relentless pursuit of perfection but I dont buy that. It shows lack of forethought and sub-par qualification during conceptualization and development.

Personally I am at the point where I don't feel like gambling with my money. I am in the market for a tig welder and I can get a used syncowave with low hours for the same price as a new everlast. If the sycnowave breaks I can most likely fix it myself with the resources available on the web or take it to my local welding store. Everlast happens to be about a hour away from me but who knows where they will be in 3-4 years when my $2000 machine breaks. I could be wrong about all my observations though. Like I said in the beginning of my post we don't know because nobody has done an in depth review and by that I mean more than plug it in and make sure it works.

 

[Kielbasavw]

Bringing this back from the depths of hell. Any new experiences so far? Been looking at the new dual voltage 200dx recently

 

[RV8guy]

I have an Everlast 225LX. As a welder it works great. I like how it welds a little better than the Syncrowave 250 that I had. I'm very limited on space and power so the big Miller needed a new home. The biggest downside to Everlast is their warranty support. I sent my unit in for a non working display and it took 9 months to get it back. If was to do it again I would pick up a HTP 221. My friend has one and I'm impressed.

 

[sberry]

I don't own any but am likeing the price point now on the economy models, The 140 stick is 220$ and I paid 800 for my Max several years ago. The price has finally tanked to make it worth some risk, screw parts, replace.
It wasn't long ago knockoffs were still 50% or more than brand, now 25, some case a little less and they work.
In small Mig not so much yet, the Eastwood types are there (work ok) but still 60% of a Miller and not all that much below a Hobart.

 

[RedRabbit]

Their boxing gloves are ok. Cleto Reyes are my personal favorites. Sorry I had to lol. In regards to the question. I would stay away from them. A shop near mine bought one and had nothing but problems with it. They just threw it away because it wasn't worth shipping it back they said. That's my experience, good luck.

 

[Warrenator]

I have a Everlast powerpro 205s, that's the tig, stick, and plasma cutter machine. I think I must have had it 3 years now. All functions work fine, I have never had any trouble with it. It does AC tig on aluminum, DC, etc. I did replace the tig torch that came with it with a lighter one, a CK torch with the super flexible lead. My only complaint with it is the fan is kinda loud.

I went to the Lincoln school in Cleveland, and came away very impressed by the school, company and their products. I would have bought a combo machine from Lincoln if they sold one because I wanted to tig and plasma cut, but at the time the Everlast or Longevity were the only semi-mainstream companies to offer the plasma cutter and tig/stick on one unit.

Good luck on your decision, I know I agonized for months before buying mine. I did buy mine direct from Everlast, call and they will work with you, seemed like nice folks.