So I tried to call about the 250 EXT last week and have recieved no call back. This about sums up the latest updates:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8E_zMLCRNg
Printable View
So I tried to call about the 250 EXT last week and have recieved no call back. This about sums up the latest updates:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8E_zMLCRNg
Why is the main 250EXT thread locked?
That is a good question.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rambozo
Agreed.Quote:
Originally Posted by DVA
Even a "they're working on it but no progress since the last update" would be better than no information at all.
Is the 250EXT fix still being researched, or have they given up on it?Quote:
Originally Posted by 3m-11
I gave up and just had them refund my payment.
Factory is working on it .. once new update will be available main thread will be unlockedQuote:
Originally Posted by X83
Todd;
on a number of occasions during your experimentation it seems like you managed to get your 250EXT working well. Could you kindly tell us the state that your machine was in when it was working?
thanks,
3M-11
I am not sure what you are getting at here - we had an initial design that sort-of worked, and a series of fixes which did not solve all the problems, and each problem solved seems to unveil a new one. That went on for months, and then Oleg had to make the call to pull it out of circulation, and I am sure its going to be tested to death before it comes available again.Quote:
Originally Posted by 3m-11
I had an opportunity to get another welder that was a deal I could not resist, so I have also given up on this particular welder (for now) and did the refund route. It will be interesting to see how this all works out in the end though
Cheers,
Mike
Hi Oleg,
any updates on the 250 EXT fix? Can you assure us that the factory is continuing to work on it?
best,
3M-11
No update?
The factory needs to look into stick welding also. The 250 EXT does not have a good hot start at all, and it is hard to a stick fired up.
I would like an update also. It will be a year before we know it and the problems are not solved.
I do not think they are "problem solving" anymore but redesigning and testing the crap out of it (my guess). I gave up waiting, so cashed out my deposit and moved on, but am still interested to see how this all turns out. My prediction without any basis in fact? 250EXT production and general availability earliest mid 2013. This is not that much different than Miller, their 280DX has been in the works for years, was announced long time ago, and they are completely mum on its availability. Maybe we will hear an announcement at Fabtech 2013. I think Oleg is going to follow the same technique of Miller's, Everlast's rep took a kicking on the way this went, so it makes sense to remain quiet about it until is REALLY ready.
I hope all the guys who have 250EXT's have been taken care of, little word of this on the list.
Its too bad, that machine would have been a perfect blend of power and features, and a killer sales vehicle for Everlast. As long as the 280DX does not come out, they still have that window.
Cheers,
Mike
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike J
For now I am stuck with the 250 EXT. I do not want to go with the 210 EXT because I have not heard anything about it other than a few videos and it does have the power of the 250 EXT. Hope this issue works out. If not I will go for the 210 EXT if it proves to be a good welder.
One other issue I have found with the 250 EXT is the stick welding hot start is horrible. It works good once the stick is lit but the hot start is like a “stick start”. The machine takes a lot of finesse to get a stick lit up. I have tried to write Oleg about this but I have received no word back. This is another issue that needs to be added to the list with the 250 EXT. Just hope the issues are worked out, sooner than mid 2013.
DVA,
Can you elaborate... What were your settings, material, and electrode? I'd like to do the same test with mine.
Thanks,
Jim
I was welding on 1/4 inch carbon steel plate and 2" schedule 160 pipe. Rod wos Hobart 7018, 3/32 inch and Lincoln Xcaliber 7018, 1/8 inch.Quote:
Originally Posted by JimMinKent
Settings were 80-100 amps for the 3/32 and between 100-123 for the 1/8 inch rod.
I played with the dig between about 20-70 and found that a setting of about 30-35 worked best for the rod used.
Main issue was start up, did not have these many issues sticking electrodes with my dad’s old Lincoln 225 when I was about 12 years old.
I've got Xcaliber in 1/8, and a new sealed can in 3/32. Not sure I want to break the seal on those, but I can come up with some Radnor in 3/32. I'll run it against my son's 140ST, which works great with both sizes. This will be interesting, the 140 is a pretty surprising machine,... but so is the EXT :/
Thanks,
Jim
Let us know how it goes.Quote:
Originally Posted by JimMinKent
Okay, here's how it went...
It went without any surprises, my EXT works as expected on Lincoln Xcaliber 7018 - 1/8, Radnor 7018 - 3/32, and Lincoln Fleetweld 5P 6010 - 1/8. Range of amps was 70 to 140. Range of Arc Force was 001 to 200. Tried enough permutations to be satisfied with its performance. Did not run the 140ST on this test, but nothing jumps out as being much different, in these ranges, and running the 140 on 220v.
I noticed the Xcaliber caps-over with molten flux so completely, that it really restarts best if quickly dressed with a coarse file, if it still had a little color from the previous weld then it would start without a lot of banging. I actually start used rods most often by dragging them slowly toward the point I'm going to tie in, it may take up to 3 or 4 inches of scratching to light up but by then they are burning good. OR just dress the end and get a like-new start every time.
I also noticed that when setting the Arc Force, which the owner's manual states is a Percentage, the value (1 to 200) is displayed as Amps. Not sure what it is telling us, maybe Mark knows.
But my EXT worked very well, better than any other stick welder I've used in my lifetime, and on par with the 140ST in these ranges. The other machines were a Lincoln AC/DC tombstone, a Miller DialArc HF, Miller Econotig, Miller Syncrowave 250 (still have), Miller Maxstar 150STH (still have, and as an inverter my be equal to my green machines).
Your Dad's setup might have been AC, and rods meant for AC, which should light pretty hot and fast no matter what.
I don't use the EXT in stick mode much, it's 99.75% TIG, but I do grab the 140ST every few weeks to deploy out of the shop. That 140ST is an amazing machine, someday I'll hook up my ReadyWelder to it and run some aluminum in mig mode .
That's it for now,
Jim
Quote:
Originally Posted by JimMinKent
I have tried some more stick and have some better success but not where it should be on start up. Seems like the Hobart 3/32 rod likes to run hot around 90-100 amps but this may just be the machine. My brother stick welds a lot and he had a hard time getting my machine to lite. Like other 250 EXT issues seems like each welder has its own issues.
I think your brother may be right, even with the pretty good results that I had. Perhaps the factory left out a feature that makes for Great stick starts. Can you have him describe what a well-working machine behaves like, and what the EXT seems to lack. Stick IS where they said they tested this machine in depth.
Jim
Not sure where you heard that, but why would they test stick more than TIG, given this machine would be used primarily for TIG? That does not make sense.Quote:
Originally Posted by JimMinKent
The test machine was used in a welding school setting, granted, they could have possibly used it with a tig torch & switch, but when I was shopping, I was told it was getting a real workout in stick use and performing exceptionally. Recall that the problems all started when they added the foot pedal on the first order. No pedal during the first year-long test means a lot of stick.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike J
Since I wrote my last post, I've seen videos of the PA200 working, and other Everlast machines in stick mode, and mine works quite like all of them, so not sure I have any issues other than the extreme tig starts.
BTW, I do look forward to this machine working correctly soon, I need it.
Jim
No, it was used with the torch switch. The school uses primarily non foot pedal operated TIGs like the XMT series so the switch was a bonus.
Our welders at work scratch start or use lift ark, I have never seen anyone use a torch switch or foot petal in the field. Most of our welders also scratch start or lift start in the shop for TIG welding also. I could understand if a school was testing a machine that they would never use a foot petal.Quote:
Originally Posted by performance
On the other hand, using a welding school that was pipe welding and not using a foot petal is a pore decision. The welder should have been used in all modes to verify everything was working.
Per discussions with other owners of the 250 EXT the machines are slightly different. Each machine should have received equal testing to make sure the product is functioning correctly.
It wasn't just for Pipe.It is a comprehensive welding program. They also had AC/DC units for advanced TIG welding aluminum, but still prefer to use torch switch, though they use foot pedal too. The concern was (at the time) was for longevity and durability of the machines components. A lot of discussion has already gone on about it, and I won't dredge up any more except this: The unit tested hit every mark. The unit tested also only had a low amp start on AC of 20 amps (which was already brought up). The factory had assured us it would be modified without issue for a lower amp start. Again, this is spilled milk and shouldn't be rehashed. We can only do our best from this point on.
So I found out my problem with stick welding on my 250 EXT. I had the machine set to HF start. I switched the setting to lift start and the machine fires right up. I just ran some 3/32, 1/8 and 5/32 rod 7018 rod. So looks like the stick mode is working better now. I will have my brother try out the machine again and get his feedback.
Hi Oleg,
any news on the 250EXT update - is the factory still working on a fix?
best,
3M-11
http://www.everlastgenerators.com/fo...ners-must-read!Quote:
Originally Posted by 3m-11
Exactly - NO fix for the current 250EXT's - just replacement. So you either return it and hope for the replacement, or you grandfather the 250EXT you have. The value of that welder will drop like a stone.
The hope is the new 255EXT has all the bell and whistles of the 250EXT, but non of the issues.
Cheers,
Mike
I guess it is a moot point now, but I really wouldn't have expected the HF to have any effect in stick mode. Attachment 8616Quote:
Originally Posted by DVA