hatzie
Full Access Member
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2011
- Posts
- 567
- Reaction score
- 459
- Location
- NH
- First Name
- David
- Truck Year
- 1976
- Truck Model
- k20
- Engine Size
- 6.5
The bigger Eastwood MIG welder is Asian made and still runs near the price of a new Lincoln. Never having used one I can't speak to the quality but Eastwood tends to sell decent tools.
If you're looking at Asian machines you might want to take a look at Everlast. Their MIG units have a pretty decent wire drive design, in some of the latest units, and you can take your choice of torches including some US torch models.
Unlike transformer SMAW and TIG welders like my ancient Forney C-5 and Miller 330 A/BP. You have to be very careful of used MIG equipment. They have moving parts that wear out and controllers that may or may not be able to be repaired. I had to buy Tungsten contacts and capacitors for the High Frequency start circuit in the Miller but I knew what I was getting.
I have one of the larger Everlast Inverter TIGs with a home built water cooler. Nowhere near as smooth welding as 800lb of copper and iron from the 1960's inside the Miller 330A/BP or 200lbs of 1940's copper and iron in my Forney C-5 but it doesn't suck up the juice like that old Miller and Forney either. Everlast is not on par with a Miller Dynasty Inverter but it cost less than 1/5 the price. It does the job and it's hanging together alright for my hobby shop use. Not everything they've built is the highest quality but there are some pretty well thought of machines that do the job for the cash challenged masses that can't justify $6,000 for a used or $10,000 for a new Miller Dynasty.
If you go with Asian welders do your homework. There is information out there but you need to carefully filter it. Read the various welding forums and ignore the "everything is crap unless it's Lincoln RED or Miller Blue" posts... Everlast has their own well traveled support forums where you can get help and information but be aware that some glowing reviews could be shills. The truth is usually somewhere in the middle. You can find out what machines work well and those that don't just be patient and dilligent... or Buy a RED or Blue machine LOL. I'd steer clear of the all-in-one machines TIG & SMAW can use the same power source. MIG and Plasma cutters power supplies are quite different from TIG & SMAW and from each other.
If you're looking at Asian machines you might want to take a look at Everlast. Their MIG units have a pretty decent wire drive design, in some of the latest units, and you can take your choice of torches including some US torch models.
Unlike transformer SMAW and TIG welders like my ancient Forney C-5 and Miller 330 A/BP. You have to be very careful of used MIG equipment. They have moving parts that wear out and controllers that may or may not be able to be repaired. I had to buy Tungsten contacts and capacitors for the High Frequency start circuit in the Miller but I knew what I was getting.
I have one of the larger Everlast Inverter TIGs with a home built water cooler. Nowhere near as smooth welding as 800lb of copper and iron from the 1960's inside the Miller 330A/BP or 200lbs of 1940's copper and iron in my Forney C-5 but it doesn't suck up the juice like that old Miller and Forney either. Everlast is not on par with a Miller Dynasty Inverter but it cost less than 1/5 the price. It does the job and it's hanging together alright for my hobby shop use. Not everything they've built is the highest quality but there are some pretty well thought of machines that do the job for the cash challenged masses that can't justify $6,000 for a used or $10,000 for a new Miller Dynasty.
If you go with Asian welders do your homework. There is information out there but you need to carefully filter it. Read the various welding forums and ignore the "everything is crap unless it's Lincoln RED or Miller Blue" posts... Everlast has their own well traveled support forums where you can get help and information but be aware that some glowing reviews could be shills. The truth is usually somewhere in the middle. You can find out what machines work well and those that don't just be patient and dilligent... or Buy a RED or Blue machine LOL. I'd steer clear of the all-in-one machines TIG & SMAW can use the same power source. MIG and Plasma cutters power supplies are quite different from TIG & SMAW and from each other.
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