Everlast Welding Machines

[Tinner]

I should just quit posting in these welder threads.

That's the decision I made a while back.

I have over 40 years of experience to share. I've earned my living doing fab work since 1975, taught countless apprentices, who became successful fabricators along the way. I've been taught by some of the best. But here I'm an idiot.

And then there's the "weldor" thing. **** me to tears.

 

[Tinner]

I know the difference. I just know what I like and why I like it.

But the farmer worked on a nuke. Have you ever worked on a nuke? Me either.

 

[scooby074]

The Everlast machines are out of China. Most of the Youtubers with Everlast machines in the background/in use were given them from el so you got to keep that in mind.

I like Bob Moffatts teaching, but Id take what machines he uses with a huge grain of salt. Weld.com has had deals with Everlast since way back in the Mr.Tig *shudder* days. Sponsorship deals are being made above Bobs head

Ive always bought blue. Most places Ive worked have had miller machines too, Lincoln was a second.

However I just got my first china welder I got it for a price I couldnt pass up, just couldnt

The quality of my machine is no miller. Fit and finish is crappy. Buttons and knobs are "cheap" feeling.

It welds decent but you can see where the chinese cheap out to get the price lower than the US or Euro competition.

I know this machine will be disposable. Repair parts will likely be non-existent. If you go into a china machine with this mindset you'll likely be Ok.

 

[pi_guy]

That's the decision I made a while back.

I have over 40 years of experience to share. I've earned my living doing fab work since 1975, taught countless apprentices, who became successful fabricators along the way. I've been taught by some of the best. But here I'm an idiot.

And then there's the "weldor" thing. **** me to tears.

This is becoming a recurring theme.

I like your tag line.

 

[850xpeps]

That's the decision I made a while back.



I have over 40 years of experience to share. I've earned my living doing fab work since 1975, taught countless apprentices, who became successful fabricators along the way. I've been taught by some of the best. But here I'm an idiot.



And then there's the "weldor" thing. **** me to tears.

You assume your an idiot because your advice isn’t the end all? People can disagree. There’s more than one way to do something and buying an expensive welder because a professional welder says “this is what I use” makes no sense.

If I pay 1/2 the price for my welder and it lasts me 15 - 20 years with the small amount I weld. I’m an idiot?

Exactly!!! This board has changed a lot over time. I find my self at times typing a reply and then just delete it. I miss the years past.

So you feel stupid is someone has a different point of view?


We all post stuff and erase it because we think it’s a waste of time. Not sure what the issue is here. All I see is someone who welds for a living telling everyone you must buy American quality machines.

So if you want to be close minded and ignore the users who are getting good results with offshore brands then so be it. But don’t pout about it.

 

[850xpeps]

The Everlast machines are out of China. Most of the Youtubers with Everlast machines in the background/in use were given them from el so you got to keep that in mind.

I like Bob Moffatts teaching, but Id take what machines he uses with a huge grain of salt. Weld.com has had deals with Everlast since way back in the Mr.Tig *shudder* days. Sponsorship deals are being made above Bobs head

Ive always bought blue. Most places Ive worked have had miller machines too, Lincoln was a second.

However I just got my first china welder I got it for a price I couldnt pass up, just couldnt

The quality of my machine is no miller. Fit and finish is crappy. Buttons and knobs are "cheap" feeling.

It welds decent but you can see where the chinese cheap out to get the price lower than the US or Euro competition.

I know this machine will be disposable. Repair parts will likely be non-existent. If you go into a china machine with this mindset you'll likely be Ok.

Well put. If I had more money to dump I would but like mentioned above about buying a guitar. I can weld decent but imo not good enough to get a major benefit from a machine twice the price of mine.

 

[bullnerd]

But the farmer worked on a nuke. Have you ever worked on a nuke? Me either.

What's the difference between a welder and a farmer?

A welder knows he's not a farmer.

 

[lis2323]

I’m a retired farmer and a hobby welder. Four or five years ago I purchased an Everlast tig at a pretty good price point. (around $1200 Cdn)

They were great to deal with, shipping was reasonable and quick. Machine worked well. However there were too many little things about it I didn’t like. Fit and finish for one. Crappy foot pedal, leads and connectors. Extra noisy fan...probably more things that I just don’t want to think about.

I hung onto it for six months and sold it. Fortunately for me there was a price increase for that model and I didn’t lose much money.

I am by no means bashing the product. Just saying it just wasn’t up to the quality I wanted.


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[u3b3rg33k]

I picked up a SuperUltra 206Si. asked around and everyone told me to buy 2 separate AC capable machines and a Hypertherm.

I was trying to spend as little as possible and get something worth my time, so spending 10x as much on equipment wasn't going to happen, nor was the advice worth my time.

So far I've basically only used the plasma cutter, and I've cut up a coal chute door and some metal shelving to manageable sizes. The 35% duty cycle is a non-issue. I run out of stuff to cut before I hit that.

fit and finish leaves a little to be desired but it gets the job done. the knobs turn just fine, even with welding gloves on.

 

[sberry]

Got the buckle.

 

[sberry]

If I pay 1/2 the price for my welder and it lasts me 15 - 20 years with the small amount I weld.


.

Here is my argument or point. At one time I would have been part of the buy good or go home. My view has changed to some extent and so has the equipment especially with improvements and economy of the inverter.
Not too long ago the knockoff was 60% the cost of brand and terribly sketchy. It's still not as reliable but in some cases we are now seeing them at smaller,, way smaller fractions of the cost, they work better than they did and have been getting better in quality.
If they cost 2x what they do then they wouldn't look as good.
I would like to try a green 160 and run it against my Max, mainly to see if it produces it as effeciently.

 

[zkling]

The reality is that for many a home user, a used transformer machine such as a syncrowave 250 is just too intimidating. Size, power, cost (so mamy shady auction resellers trying to get top dollar) "I don't have 220 at the house, sorry you can't try it out"

Furthermore, for the average home user, most lws couldn't care less and won't go out of their way to support a guy (or gal) that gets a bottle filled once a year and maybe a roll of wire or two.

Finally the convinence of buying a "kit" on amazon or the like for a complete AC DC tig welder shipped to your door for sub 1k. Not having to chase down time wasting craigslist sellers and the like, taking a day off to go to an auction for a dirty machine.

Do I agree with the purchase of the off brand machines? not really, but I certainly understand it. Tis why the big names really pushed hard on their small machine market the past few years.

Just my 2 cents....coming from a guy that has a syncrowave, dynasty and 2 millermatics in the garage.

 

[sberry]

I don't expect the same finish on a hf wrench as a snap which cost 20x. I have been impressed with how brutally tuff they are though. If I only listened to the critic and never tried them then I wouldn't have had the experience,, of using and testing them in a brutal environment. It's a wonderful thing that a 30$ wrench is good,, it should be but what is even more impressive is that a dollar one does the job and still works, still don't know the limit of this yet, we expected limited use when we got it 20 years ago, has went way beyond that.

 

[sberry]

The reality is that for many a home user, a used transformer machine such as a syncrowave 250 is just too intimidating. Size, power, cost (so mamy shady auction resellers trying to get top dollar) "I don't have 220 at the house, sorry you can't try it out"

Furthermore, for the average home user, most lws couldn't care less and won't go out of their way to support a guy (or gal) that gets a bottle filled once a year and maybe a roll of wire or two.

Finally the convinence of buying a "kit" on amazon or the like for a complete AC DC tig welder shipped to your door for sub 1k. Not having to chase down time wasting craigslist sellers and the like, taking a day off to go to an auction for a dirty machine.

Do I agree with the purchase of the off brand machines? not really, but I certainly understand it. Tis why the big names really pushed hard on their small machine market the past few years.

Just my 2 cents....coming from a guy that has a syncrowave, dynasty and 2 millermatics in the garage.

I agree that the brands have done well with their small machine market. They have held cost and the only reason the price has raised any has been new features and the base models still cost about the same as they did 25 years ago.
The 1k import TIG now has features of a Dynasty which cost 5x as much.
My point of view comes from someone who also has a synch, a Max, Spectrum, Hobart, 7 more Lincolns. Not counting a 180 s and a broke Procut which is no better than a broke import would be cept it cost a lot more.

 

[zkling]

Like I said, deaf ears.

My needs and wants seem to always be different than what this board is interested in.

I should just quit posting in these welder threads.

You are a professional on a board with primarily weekend warriors. Know your audience and it will greatly reduce your frustration.

 

[trackwelder]

So you feel stupid is someone has a different point of view?


We all post stuff and erase it because we think it’s a waste of time. Not sure what the issue is here. All I see is someone who welds for a living telling everyone you must buy American quality machines.

So if you want to be close minded and ignore the users who are getting good results with offshore brands then so be it. But don’t pout about it.

You can buy,use, or rub whatever you want I could care less. I’m not the one who feels the need to justify their machine by calling people stupid or close minded.

 

[850xpeps]

You can buy,use, or rub whatever you want I could care less. I’m not the one who feels the need to justify their machine by calling people stupid or close minded.

Not justifying anything more did I call anyone stupid.

 

[zmotorsports]

That's the decision I made a while back.

I have over 40 years of experience to share. I've earned my living doing fab work since 1975, taught countless apprentices, who became successful fabricators along the way. I've been taught by some of the best. But here I'm an idiot.

And then there's the "weldor" thing. **** me to tears.

Sorry to have offended you there. To me a "welder" is the machine doing the work and a "weldor" is the person using the welder doing the work.

But then again I'm obviously not as well trained as you. I just let my work do the talking.

 

[dr_clyde]

I should clarify, just so there isn't any confusion.

I'm not putting anybody down, nor do I think less of someone's abilities based on their equipment or tool choices.

I've seen some pretty amazing mechanics using cheap tools, and some outstanding welding using some pretty low end welders. Roy Crumrine of Crummy Welding uses an Everlast to make some of the best TIG welds out there.

You don't need nice tools to do good work.

My position has always been to buy the highest quality things I can afford. I don't like cheap. I buy nice welders and tools because I like them. I like supporting companies that make nice things, so they continue to make nice things. I try to do this in as many parts of my life as is practical.

Yes, I am in a different world than a hobby shop welder. A weekend warrior has different needs than me. I get that. I still like what I like, and will recommend what I have experience with and works well for me. I won't be offended if you don't take my advice. Its free advice from a stranger on a forum!

To me, even in my hobbies, shopping purely based on price has never been a thing. I get joy and satisfaction out of nice things, so if I can't afford to get what I want, then I don't usually settle. That's me. You may be different. That's ok. I'm not going to put you down or make fun because you chose a different path.

To me, nice tools and equipment are part of the overall experience. I get more joy and satisfaction out of using a really nice welder vs a cheap one, even if the overall weld is the same. I just like the experience more. I get immense satisfaction from having a well equipped shop filled with nice tools. Things I've worked my *** off to get. Tons of overtime, side jobs, deal hunting and attending auctions. When I was employed by someone else, I took PTO days to go to auctions and flea markets. That's fun for me. A vacation day well spent. I earned those nice things. I get that most folks aren't interested in that. They just want to click buy on Amazon and be welding the next day.

I won't apologize for not liking things. I don't like Everlast welders. I think they're cheap and cheesy and not for me. You can have one and love it, give it rave reviews, and say its the best welder out there. And that's fine. I won't think any less of you. Especially if you're using your Everlast to build cool stuff. No one talks **** to Roy Crumrine about his TIG welding. He's one of the best.

At the end of the day its really not worth arguing about. Its just stuff.

 

[u3b3rg33k]

Sorry to have offended you there. To me a "welder" is the machine doing the work and a "weldor" is the person using the welder doing the work.

But then again I'm obviously not as well trained as you. I just let my work do the talking.

Maybe, but I've never met a Journeyman Weldor.

 

[bullnerd]

Wamsutta, aren't you glad you asked? lol!

 

[dr_clyde]

Wamsutta, aren't you glad you asked? lol!

Yeah haha. Wonder if he'll post in this thread again.

 

[Oregonredford]

You get what you pay for. I have a Miller Multimatic 200 that’s Doran mig, tig, stick and can run a spool gun.
They aren’t cheap but I’ve had mine 5 years and never had any issues. I use it a lot.


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[LG63]

I've bought a lot of high end stuff (not just tools) over the years under the buy once, cry once theory. In hindsight some of those purchases made good sense, others not so much.

Not all hobbies I've taken up have turned out to be long term propositions and some it turns out I just didn't have the talent/aptitude to enjoy them. For those situations i kind of wish I would have bought in with entry level equipment rather than high end.

I've always had an interest in learning TIG but I'm realistic enough to know that there's a chance I might tool up and then realize I'm just frustrated by it. When/if I decide to take on TIG, I'll go with an Everlast class machine. I'm at a point in life where not every purchase has to fully guaranteed and risk free. If I drop $700 on an Everlast and it turns out to be a door stop, it won't be the end of the world. If it does work out and I really enjoy TIG and it looks like a long term interest for me, then I would consider moving up to better equipment.

Every situation is different, it's seldom one size fits all.

 

[Full Throttle]

I am kinda disappointed this thread has turned like it did.

I feel Everlast could be a good low cost machine, if it breaks just buy a new one.

Remember guys it's not what hammer your swinging it's knowing how to swing it.

 

[bullnerd]

I feel Everlast could be a good low cost machine, if it breaks just buy a new one.

They are.

 

[zjf2288]

I have an Everlast 161STL stick/Tig. It works great and it's durable, I've had it for 2 years

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[sberry]

I would like to try one. How does it run 3/33 lo hy on 120v?

 

[zjf2288]

I only use 3/32 really. 7018 is my favorite. It burns really well. The machine runs pretty well on 120 but to get great results you should run on 230. If you have an unfinished basement it's super easy to run the wire yourself

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[sberry]

I was wondering if it tripped the breaker running it nice and toasty. I have a Max star and it will run 90A front 20/120v. The new Hobart Stickmate is dvi and only rated at 80 on 120,, the Hobart engineer said it's capped at that which is really the point anyway and limits it's usefulness.

 

[joeswamp]

Interesting thread. I will say that the prices of some of the brand name inverter machines bother me because these machines don’t cost that much to build and they’re not exactly the hardest thing to engineer either. I mean, the old transformer machines contain hundreds of pounds of pure copper but the new inverters just contain some parts from the digikey catalog.

They are nice and all but it’s interesting to me that the market has that much inertia that they can maintain their price levels. It’s far worse than “the Apple tax”.

 

[tdkkart]

A friend's big blue 350A tig that he uses in his home welding business quit working so he loads it in his truck and takes to the LWS(Big Blue dealer).

Their solution? Ship it out, minimum 3 weeks before it'd get looked at.

Takes the machine home, does some online research, figures out which board is the problem. Calls LWS asks about the board, they come back with a price for a "reman" board that would pay for almost 4 new inverter welders, 1 month lead time.

Does some more research, found the company that does Big Blue's remans, goes direct to them, still costs 2X the price of a new inverter and only takes 2 weeks(1 week to ship his core to them, 1 week for them to ship reman'd board) to get it.

Not sure how well that Big Blue machine treated him?

I bought a $379 off shore 110V MIG in the late 80's, beat the hell out of it, still works just fine for me. The only repair I've done was from me burning up the gun. Owes me nothing.

I own a Big Blue 200A Synchrowave, my next purchase will likely be a 220V offshore MIG machine.

 

[850xpeps]

A friend's big blue 350A tig that he uses in his home welding business quit working so he loads it in his truck and takes to the LWS(Big Blue dealer).

Their solution? Ship it out, minimum 3 weeks before it'd get looked at.

Takes the machine home, does some online research, figures out which board is the problem. Calls LWS asks about the board, they come back with a price for a "reman" board that would pay for almost 4 new inverter welders, 1 month lead time.

Does some more research, found the company that does Big Blue's remans, goes direct to them, still costs 2X the price of a new inverter and only takes 2 weeks(1 week to ship his core to them, 1 week for them to ship reman'd board) to get it.

Not sure how well that Big Blue machine treated him?

I bought a $379 off shore 110V MIG in the late 80's, beat the hell out of it, still works just fine for me. The only repair I've done was from me burning up the gun. Owes me nothing.

I own a Big Blue 200A Synchrowave, my next purchase will likely be a 220V offshore MIG machine.

I’ve got a princess auto 110 welder that I drag around and it gets stepped on and beat up. Cost me like $130 and works great.

 

[lis2323]

I’ve got a princess auto 110 welder that I drag around and it gets stepped on and beat up. Cost me like $130 and works great.

That’s awesome. It’s stories like this that show you don’t have to pay a huge amount of dollars for a well branded machine depending on your needs.

HOWEVER, “works great” for some, may not be be suitable for others in different circumstances.


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[850xpeps]

That’s awesome. It’s stories like this that show you don’t have to pay a huge amount of dollars for a well branded machine depending on your needs.

HOWEVER, “works great” for some, may not be be suitable for others in different circumstances.


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Ya by works great I mean for what I bought it for. Basically just a welder to weld little **** that I can lug around when needed. Wouldn’t tackle anything big with it but exhaust and other kinda small jobs.

 

[bullnerd]

"the new inverters just contain some parts from the digikey catalog."

Good point.

My first mig was the Uno-mig from harbor frieght back in the 80's

Built a bunch of stuff with that thing when I was in high school.

The best feature was that the wire was always live! lol, even without the trigger pulled.

Arc flash was inevitable. lol!

 

[gearhead1]

I’ve been welding for 31 years, started with a Miller AC buzz box, still have it. MIG was a Lincoln Weldpak 100 with flux core, then upgraded to use gas. I bought a cheap 110v inverter to take to the track. I now have a Miller AC/DC arc and a Miller 180 MIG. I’ve used other welders at friends houses. It’s been my experience that the brand name stuff is better for sure.

Now I want to get into TIG and I just can’t afford a Miller for occasional use. Are Miller welders better? I personally think they’re the best. But unless I can get a good reasonably priced used one, Everlast is a good option. If I was to get a side business doing a lot of TIG, I would probably upgrade to a ‘name brand’, but I can’t justify the cost right now.

I spent a lot of time researching, and I think Everlast machines are pretty good. Do a google search and see what owners have to say.

 

[Brand X]

HOWEVER, “works great” for some, may not be be suitable for others in different circumstances.


Yep,
well said.. I will also say, I probably have owned more machines from Miller, Esab, Thermal-arc, Hobart,Lincoln Thermal Dynamics, and Hypertherm,MK Products then most people here. I also think if you are open to trying some of the better China made machines, they are really nice stuff.. Esab Rebel, etc...There is no doubt that some of their machines have excellent build quality, great value, and great arc qualities. To say you will regret every machine made in China is a totally inaccurate statement.Shoot the ittle 240 volt Stickmate from Hobart welds as nice as any USA made smaller Maxstar. .

One other thing as far as arc quality.. I prefer a China made Klutch machine in the short-arc over my Powerwave 300C I had. Just because it's low cost or high cost does not always make it a nicer machine to use. I am not saying the $360 klutch is a better machine then the $6000.00 plus Powerwave, Just that in the short-arc it hits more buttons for me.. It's arc starts are some of the best there is, Low spatter, sharp driving arc,Weld bead wetout, something that is about impossible to find in the 8000 programs on the Lincoln machine..

The klutch is way similar to my Miller Shopmate 300dx/S74DX feeder, and Esab Multimaster 300.. Both which I liked better then the Lincoln Powerwave 300C

 

[sberry]

I will agree that a guy can weld with a 150$ feeder but he will notice a huge leap between it and a brand 140. I suspect way less night and day with the stick/tig units.

 

[sberry]

Scott,, have you ran the Stickmate on 120v,, does it trip up the breaker with a 3/32 lo hy?
One thing about the larger new Stickmate is its now got the poop to run a 5/32 lo hy. The old ones and the Lincoln DC didnt. It was 125A,, but I burn it on 115 as fast as a guy can chuck a rod in for hour at a time.
I have run the Lincoln back to back with the small Max. Only difference I can tell is on starts and a bit more on restart and I actually give the edge to the little red one. I tested them a little when I was a bit more tuned up and had been welding regular for a month or so.