decieding what to get now.

ok , i was planning on getting a Plasma cutter from Everlast. but now im considering the PowerUltra 205 combo unit.. at first i wanted a separate units for my shop.. but for the price maybe i can just get the combo unit and get the single plasma later, due to this one has a plasma ...
right now im try'n to keep my budget low on the item , but i dont want something that i will regret later.
heres my need ...
i run a small automotive restoration/customizing shop..
so basicly , i will be DC tig welding cr metal from 20gauge to 1/8"(11gauge?) sometimes 1/4" thick..
plasma cutting same type of metals..
i wont be doing anytype of aluminum welding, if i do, i have an Airco 320amp tig machine, which is old, but suited for thicker metal and etc.. its just a pain to move around the shop (500pounds possibly ) .
so having a smaller unit and putting it on wheels would be great..

would the PowerUltra 205 be suited for my needs on what i mentioned? or any other recommendations?
Alex (everlast) sales , was telling me about the new plasma machines with the new technology in it ... does the PowerUltra 205 have this as well?
is this in stock or on the waiting list like the plasma cutters?
any pics of the welds, cuts and etc?

thanks for any info .... ive tried to read some on the forums , but have not found the answers im looking for...

My opinion only...of course,

Get the separate units. I know there are considerations...But with the type setup you have, you will appreciate the separate units. The Pultra's are fine, but I don't think this would suit your situation...maybe it would...but again its my opinion.

IF you really want a DC only machine, then the I-tig is the choice, because it includes a pulse feature, something the Pultra doesn't have and it is great in controlling heat input on crmo with the pulse.

There may be a 250 I tig still in stock..plenty of power...I believe they are dual 110/220 as well.

It also has a higher stick welding capacity as well.

thanks Mark for the reply,

that was my first choice was the PowerITig 250 and getting the plasma separate... Alex was giving me a deal on the Plasma once it comes in...
but speaking with Alex, he suggested the Power altra 205 and giving it to me at a discount. in which i though, maybe just get that , then later get another plasma alone ...
it seems i would just prefer to have the PowerITIG 250 , and separate plasma ..
i dont want to step on any toes... should i contact him about this? or can i speak to you? i dunno if you guys or on commission sales. i would like to see what kind of deal i could receive and if that unit is in stock or will be in stock...
im really shooting to have a plasma cutter in a few weeks for a project coming up ..

thanks
mat

Quote:

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Originally Posted by McClary

thanks Mark for the reply,

that was my first choice was the PowerITig 250 and getting the plasma separate... Alex was giving me a deal on the Plasma once it comes in...
but speaking with Alex, he suggested the Power altra 205 and giving it to me at a discount. in which i though, maybe just get that , then later get another plasma alone ...
it seems i would just prefer to have the PowerITIG 250 , and separate plasma ..
i dont want to step on any toes... should i contact him about this? or can i speak to you? i dunno if you guys or on commission sales. i would like to see what kind of deal i could receive and if that unit is in stock or will be in stock...
im really shooting to have a plasma cutter in a few weeks for a project coming up ..

thanks
mat

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Mat,

If you get the Power ULTRA and Power IMIG, you have MIG, plasma separate and a DC TIG/Stick extra. Only thing missing is AC.

That is a pretty good combo. And like you said, you can get a separate dedicated plasma later.

We do not work on commission, and Alex is the guy to talk to for a good deal.

thanks Mike!
mainthing i was wondering about is the Pulse control... i have never used a tig with Pulse control.. so i dont know what im missing , if its something that would help on thicker metal welds or not for me...
i like the Ultra, but no pulse control....
but the stand alone dc tig has the pulse control...
so im up in the air with this... i hate to get a unit and down the road wish i got the other unit.. lol

The reason you cite about not wanting to buy more later down the road is why every welder ends up with at least a half dozen welding machines.lol.

It is a difficult descision. If you need a high quality weld on chrome moly, I believe the the pulse is a mandatory feature. I am not endorsing this guys site, but since I don't have time this week to write a long and drawn out article on the benefits of pulse on CrMo, here it is: http://www.thefabricator.com/arcweld...le.cfm?ID=1679
This is about pulse mig, but pulse is pulse when it comes to reducing overall heat input.

The issues with cracking and overheating in CrMo are real...Pulse will help prevent that issue. Remember that alloying elements is steel are other metals usually(though sulphur, carbon, silicone are used) and with other metals in the mix, the melting point of steel changes. Once the steel melts, the elements can segregate and then vaporize, leaving the welded joint weak or brittle.

I will suggest that you consider the AC/DC machine anyway, since you will occasionally find the need to weld Al. Even if you get the new PowerMaster 256, it will include nearly all the capabilities of the New 250 EX plus a 60 amp plasma cutter. I know money is an issue, but it should kill all your birds with one stone. lol

But if you insist on pure dc, then the I tig is the way to go, if we still have units in stock.

Since you asked for opinions and I usually seem to have one (so my wife says) here’s mine.
If you can swing it buy the separate units. I would certainly try to get the AC unit with the pulse or at least get the DC one with the pulse. You will love the results a pulse welder gives you. I do a lot of custom car work as well and you will be surprised at what a tig with pulse will give you on things like detailed sheet metal work. The center consol you made would have been a great candidate for pulse. Nice work by the way. It Reduces distortion and requires minimal filler so the amount of grinding is reduced. Any aluminum welding that will be displayed you will want to pulse. Judging from the pictures of your work I’m sure you are a critical as I am in regards to the quality of your welds but you also want attractive welds and the pulse affords both.
Best of luck with the decision.
Wayne

thanks... yeah, i think i would want the separate units anyways...
and yeah, im very uptight about some of my welds..
may not be the best welder in the world, but i want them consistent .. and i strive to improve everytime ...
Sounds like you and me have few things in common , wayne..
thanks for you input!

heres some kid rear frame i welded up for him... not the greatest welds, but consistent..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...y/100_1725.jpg

McClary,

You are one modest person.
Nothing wrong with those welds at all...In fact, you may just make me jealous.

I concur with Mark. Nice job.

Goat

This is my first post on these boards. I figured this is as good a spot to start as any. I am in a similar situation, and am seriously considering an Everlast unit. ......and the decision between a 200LX (or the new 225LX) and one of the all-in-one units is a tough one.

the idea of getting an AC/CD tig and a plasma cutter is enticing. The rational part of me says to just go with the Tig alone and get a plasma cutter at a later date.

Still stuck deciding. :confused:

BurningMetal.......We each have our own needs in the equipment we buy. I personally had no need to weld aluminum, so for me I felt the 205 combo unit was a good fit. I have no regrets. I still havn't tried the tig function but the plasma and stick welding work great!!! And for my small work area, it is nice not having 3 machines taking up space.

I had a all in one (blue in color) that went up in smoke. 3 to 4 weeks without a welder or cutter. Replacement went up in smoke also. Got most of my money back and decided to go GREEN.

Now I own a Power Tig 250 EX and a Power Plasma 50. Love them both! I too have little space and they both are on the same cart so space is not a issue.

I use the PowerTIG 250 LX and a PowerPasma. My son uses it for TIG about everyday now.

When the PowerMASTER 256 arrives, I will try one and maybe go with a single unit. But my son and I are very happy with the LX units. Maybe I will give him the LX.

I am also on the fense of which way to go and feel that this thread has made me realized that getting two units one for tig and then a plasma would be the way to go. TIG is my main puprose here and it is what brought me to Everlast.

This is a very old post. Like the last one you did as well. Please check the dates on the last post before you reply to them. Man, I have been using an LX for a long time.