New member here from Dana Point California
Hello, this is my first post here and as such felt it should be my introduction.
I'm a 61 year old physician who decided on a medical career late in life after having various jobs from machine shop to construction, and as such, I've always been fond of tools and machines. It's taken many years but I'm now very comfortable in my home shop surrounded by motorcycles, metal, and woodworking tools and machines, refrigerator, and flat-screen TV on which the speed and velocity channels predominate.
Currently I'm on my third MIG welder having moved from a Lincoln from the HD, to a Miller XP130, then on to a Millermatic 211, it's a fantastic welder. My first plasma cutter was a Hypertherm 380 (which I still have) and has served me well for about 7 years. My wife calls me a grinder whore since I have amassed about 7 of them, she said the same about routers as I believe one can never have enough.
About 3 months ago I started to "jones" for a TIG welder, I always wanted to TIG, just something about the process that fascinated me, probably it reminded me of the old OA days and motorcycle customization. At any rate I purchased my first "international" machine an HTP Invertig 221 with water cooler. It wasn't an easy decision since I've always purchased "name brands" in the past, and the Miller Dynasty 200DX really seemed like the hot setup. I sprung for the HTP and couldn't be happier, it's really a great machine, and Jeff Noland offers great customer support.
This bring us to the present. I recently completed my most recent metal project and felt that my Hypertherm 380, although still a nice machine, was underpowered, and therefore started to look for something with more testosterone. HTP has a nice unit but at about $1800 for a 50A. That's when I came across Everlast and started to research, and finally pulled the trigger on a Power Plasma 50 for just under $800! Could it be true? 50A for < 1K? Having such a favorable prior experience with my Italian TIG unit I decided to give Everlast a try after reading about their exceptional customer service. Every manufacturer has issues, but it's the customer service that stands out.
My unit arrived 3 days ago and after checking it over, tested it on 14G, 11G, and 3/8 plate all of which it sliced like a hot knife through warm butter. There is no doubt that it will cut thicker plate.
I apologize for the lengthy introduction, I got carried away.
Don
