Hi - I'm new and needing some info about the Everlast 230i MIG version which I find quite appealing.
I had an older 225 amp Lincoln MIG that got flooded out in a bad storm which ruined my garage roof.
I presently am waiting on insurance appraisals and expect they will tell me to replace it (Hopefully!) verses incurring the costs and time to repair mine..
I have been looking for a somewhat smaller and easier to move around comparable type to purchase to do home welding projects and came across the 230i which has many similar basic features to mine - but is smaller and more portable and dual voltage to boot - all of which would work well for me.
My questions for some who may hopefully wish to respond are:
Where are Everlast welders made and are they as durable and dependable as most other Lincoln and Millar alternatives and ditto for service and/or parts and service?
Is a 230i a good solid and dependable Everlast model or version considering it doesn't have too many new or fancy built-in bells and whistles and has been produced for a year of more now from what I can tell?
I want something I can lean on a bit when I need some good power - will it really do something like 3/8" steel plate or better in a single pass?
Does or can it do something like 5056 aluminum very well either with or without a spool gun?
If I buy a spool gun to go with it - what one would do a decent job, considering there are a few choices and I am relatively frugal and don't do tons of Al projects, but I would like to end up with some quality work when I do take some on?
Is the MIG gun that is included with this unit a decent version - there again are other Everlast options.. but does the standard one work well for normal usage over what appears to be fairly costly upgrades?
The specs say 0.030 - 0.045 wire.. does or can the 230i unit also do 0.023 if necessary and I assume flux core can be used if needed at 0.045..?
Overall - is the 230i a fairly basic and powerful, good reliable and sane choice considering there are Everlast 200 and 251 versions available as well as Miller 211 Autosets or Lincoln 210MPs as competitors out there all of which I figure would be either a bit too low or a lot too high power-wise and/or without features the 230i has that seem to me to fit for my usage?
I don't do stick but it would be a nice alternative outdoors choice - but mainly I just need a very reliable MIG to do solid steel work - with some aluminum and possibly some stick in the right conditions..
To any and all who choose to try here and respond from and area of usage and experience with the 230i model to these many question - Your feedback and assistance is very much appreciated!
THANKS VERY MUCH!!
Randy in Canada..