Everlast PowerPlasma Complete Unbiased Review

[shawn]

the only problem with that would be the cord. like on my unit the cord is only rated for 20 amps(25 amps max since it's stranded) and if you consistently pull 30 amps it will eventually melt either then insulation or the copper both of which are bad. i've been meaning to upgrade the power cord but since i need to send it in for service anyways i'll wait till i get it back

[performance]

Shawn,
We've discussed this several times here. Do NOT change out your cord. It is properly rated according to the duty cycle of the welder. Doing so will be putting the warranty at risk.

[shawn]

ok guess i won't be changing the cord then

[tctop911]

Greetings all, I've had my PP50 for about four months now and thought I should give you an update. ALL IS WELL!

The cutter is still functioning great and my skills are improving. I set out on a new project that I built solely with my MIG and my plasma cutter, to show the versatility of the pair. I hope you like it.
__________________

[tctop911]

Attachment 1984Attachment 1985Attachment 1986For my 2nd project, I realized quickly my need for a versatile welding and cutting table. For anyone that knows me, I'm all about portability and functionality, always trying to maximize portability in my shop as I constantly vary between wood and metal projects, tool and toy storage, etc. That was the thought behind my new welding/cutting table project.

My other goal for this project was to completely fabricate it with my plasma cutter and MIG. No cutting wheels lost their life to this project! (other than a little final polishing...) All steel was cut with the PC, to include bolt holes.

Though I still need to fab a removable catch basin for my cutting dross, here are some pics of my winning combination. Hope you like it.

[everlastsupport]

toptc911,

Yea, a plasma cutter and MIG are probably to two main welding tools for any large fabrication. The table looks really nice. The portability is probably key for most here on the forum as well.

Keep up the projects and thanks for posting.

[performance]

Toptc911,
I think you will wish later that you made those slats removeable so you can replace them easily when they get cut up. I know I wish I had made mine that way.

[tctop911]

That's a good point Mark. The slats are only tacked on one side, so I think I can replace them without too much heartburn. That gives me a design idea... When I get to that point, I'll likely create drop-in slots so both edges of the slat can be used and easily individually replaced.

[trekkerpaul]

I am adding to this thread rather than starting another. The writer of this thread was helpful in my decision to purchase an Everlast powerplasma 50 plasma cutter. After checking local welding shops and Craigslist for plasma cutters I decided to see if there were any decent reviews on the internet, ending up here. I was quoted prices from other suppliers that ranged from 1250 to 1600. Well this is completely out of my price range for what I would like to do with the machine which ranges from art, hobby, cutting and light fabrication. The machine I purchased will work well beyond all of my needs and am told that it will be able to be plugged into my dryer outlet. I have a 10 GA crd that I currently use with my mig welder that is 50ft long without issues.

I checked out the website, called technical support (very helpful and knowledgeable) and then called back to contact sales. As fate would have it, I ended up talking with Alex whom was mentioned as the customer support tech that the thread started had talked to. Alex knew exactly who I was talking about when I mention the back cover issue he had resolved. I additionally asked Alex about the issue that had come up regarding the rear water trap fitting. Alex said that this was a problem that had been associated with one batch of the plasma cutters and HAS been resolved. Alex was extremely helpful, courteous and knowledgeable. He recommended the cutter I bought based on my needs rather than price, which is higher than the other 40 and 50 series units. I was able to complete the transaction over the phone and pay by paypal immediately. Shipping is expected to be 2-4 days based on the fact that I am west coast and it is a weekend.

I look forward to adding info and/or video here, if that is OK, regarding my machine. Again this review was the reason that I looked into the Everlast product line. None of the local dealers even brought up the name. I hope to have the same positive experience with my new plasma cutter as the thread starter has.

[Rodsmachineshop]

DEAL with OLEG when buying i just bought another powerplasma 50 today and a spool gun for my new i mig 205

[Oleg]

DEAL with OLEG when buying i just bought another powerplasma 50 today and a spool gun for my new i mig 205

Rod , thank you again.

Alex , mark , Richard ,or me will always give best price we can !

[Rodsmachineshop]

i know that why i buy from you guys thanks Oleg

[225]

What about me??? LOL. I can't wait to buy a MIG and a plasma. I am saving up as we speak!

[tctop911]

**UPDATE - OCTOBER 2012**

First of all, I sincerely apologize it has been so long since I have updated my thread. Seems like with smartphones any more, I'm rarely typing on the regular computer aside from work... Either way, I promised to keep you posted on my machine so here goes...

It's still working great!! I'm proud to report that with multiple projects under my belt, my PP50 is still performing like a champ. Other than the initial shipping damage to the rear cover that was quickly remedied by Everlast, there have been no other mechanical failures or warranty issues to contend with. I couldn't be happier with my purchase thus far and hope to keep reporting the same to you for years to come. Either way, I'll let you know the good or the bad to maintain an impartial track record for the company and product.

Take care and be safe!
TC

[undercut]

Great to hear everything is going well with you and your Everlast plasma cutter. Are you still using your welding / cutting table? Did you make any modifications since the last time you posted? Cheers!

[tctop911]

Thanks Undercut, and yes I am. The pair are inseperable. The only mod I can think of that wasn't in the original pics, is a stainless drawer that fits under the cutting slats to catch the slag. It works great, keeps my shop floor much cleaner, and is easy to quickly dump when the table is retracted. I originally thought it would need to hold water, which it could, but it works just fine dry and has less mess.

TC

[Ed the noob]

First off Thank you tctop911 for your reviews and videos, they were invaluable in my decision making process. I just received my powerplasma 50 and cannot wait to play!
My only hurdle at this point is wiring, i want what is best for my equipment and not burning my house down from an electrical failure would be nice to . What kind of set
up do you guys have in terms of breakers and panels? i can wire up the stuff my self i would just like some input from anyone who has similar equipment and some experience.
i slapped together a diagram of more or less what i had in mind. Please by all means tear it apart.

[Rambozo]

First off Thank you tctop911 for your reviews and videos, they were invaluable in my decision making process. I just received my powerplasma 50 and cannot wait to play!
My only hurdle at this point is wiring, i want what is best for my equipment and not burning my house down from an electrical failure would be nice to . What kind of set
up do you guys have in terms of breakers and panels? i can wire up the stuff my self i would just like some input from anyone who has similar equipment and some experience.
i slapped together a diagram of more or less what i had in mind. Please by all means tear it apart.

Looks like you have a good overall plan. The specifics will depend on your local laws. Some places you can do the work yourself, then have it inspected and signed off, while other places you can't. For that type of job with a sub panel you will no doubt need a permit. You can check with your local building dept., as to what they require. What size will depend on the service you have. Right off I would say that if you have 200A service, I would go with a 100A sub panel. The sub panel will not typically have a main breaker, the main breaker for the sub panel will be installed in the main panel. The circuits for the plasma and welders should be 50 amp. Unless you are using them all at the same time, they might be able to share a circuit. A lot depends on the size of the building and where everything is going to go. Wire size is set by current and distance so what you need depends on your actual setup and your local codes. A local electrician can give you a quote for your various options.

[tctop911]

Congrats on your new cutter Ed!! You are going to absolutely love the abilities this new tool will add to your arsenal. Like your first cordless drill/driver, once you get accustomed to it, you won't know how you did without it. Matched with a good welder and grinder, your creative opportunities are limitless.

Your electrical plan looks fine to me as well. When I built my house, I had a 100 amp panel installed into my shop. I then finished wiring my shop myself, and as Rambozo suggested to you, I put in a 50 amp receptacle that I alternate between my cutter and welder with. I also made up about a 50 foot heavy duty extension cord to give me a little more flexibility in my shop and outside if I need to roll everything into the driveway for a repair.

I just put the finishing touches on my latest project that I couldn't have done without my plasma cutter. After 8 years of heavy smoking, my trailer smoker had finally rusted out at the end where the firebox attached. Since the smoke chamber my brother in law had originally built for me worked so well, I opted to completely rebuild the smoker to the way I wanted it. Tell me what you think! (Yeah, I know my Chiefs are sucking right now, but a true fan doesn't turn their back on their team when they're down...)
With the exception of the preformed fenders and wheels, I fabricated everything else from stock steel. Hope you like it.

TC

[undercut]

Mighty fine project! I like the sign on the top, too! Did you put the fire on for the benefit of the picture or were you cookin' something up?

I'm looking forward to getting a plasma cutter soon. After seeing your project, I'm even more stoked. Cheers!