Inverter arc welder

[Sublifer]

I've decided my next welder will be an inverter arc welder. I'm up in the air about what model to get though it will probably be an Everlast or Longevity.

I like the idea of the convenience of a 110/220 dual voltage machine but I'm not sure 140 amps would be enough as I've got some 1/2" and some a little thicker to weld. I've kind of had my eye on the PowerArc200 but I do like the idea of 50 more amps and the adjustable arc force of the longevity StickWeld250.

Right now I don't have 220 at home except from my 5500watt generator but I can always get that installed.

What does everyone think?
- 110/220 convenience at the cost of power for the 140 models
- Powerarc200 at a good price for the power but may need to install 220 at home
- Stickweld250 at a higher cost but has the manual arc force control

Does anyone have any other suggestions as well?

I am not going to buy a maxstar or whatever for 150 inverter amps at $1000 just for the name brand. I'm just not made of money.

 

[IslandTractor]

I went with the convenience of 110/220 rather than maximizing 220v output. If I were building bridges or running a production shop I'd have gone the other way. Don't discount the convenience of welding with 110v even if limited to 90amps or so.

1/2 steel is typically going to be prepped and can be welded in multiple passes with 140amps.

You clearly need more than a 5500w generator to take advantage of a bigger welder.

 

[deereman75]

I have got a stickweld 250, and love it. I highly recomend it, the arc force adjustment is really nice.

 

[Shield Arc]

Having a welder that runs on 120-volts doesn't interest me one bit. I have enough engine drives to solve the portable issue.
On the other hand I wouldn't have a problem welding 1/2 or 3/4 inch material with a 140-amps with the proper joint prep! My Lincoln Invertec 350-pro has adjustable arc force and adjustable hot start, I think that is the best thing since chocolate ice cream.:laughing:
If you have your mind set on those two options, the PowerArc 300, and StickWeld 250 are a cheap way to get them.

 

[Sublifer]

one vote for convenience and two for the stickweld.

I think I may get one of the bigger units then.

Trying to compare them, the everlast200 has adaptive arc force while the longevity250 offers manual adjustment. Any pro's or con's to either?

 

[IslandTractor]

one vote for convenience and two for the stickweld.

I think I may get one of the bigger units then.

Trying to compare them, the everlast200 has adaptive arc force while the longevity250 offers manual adjustment. Any pro's or con's to either?

Except the guy who has a couple of truck mounted engine welders is a pro and you are not. He does repair bridges. You don't. A 110v unit is very handy.

 

[Shield Arc]

I have a PowerArc 200, great little machine, best arc you'll find for the money. But, there is always a but isn't there!:laughing: You really have to be paying attention to notice the arc force. The hot start is a little more noticeable. Before buying the PowerArc 200 I had never run a machine with hot start or arc force. The PowerArc 200 wet my appetite, but didn't quite fill my needs. I found a used V350-Pro with adjustable arc force, and hot start, I fell in love with it, hands down the best machine I had run to date. Loved it enough I ordered a new one with pulse, and sold the first one. Now if I would have bought the StickWeld 250 or the PowerArc 300 with a adjustable arc force, and hot start first, I just might have saved my self a lot of money.

 

[Sublifer]

Except the guy who has a couple of truck mounted engine welders is a pro and you are not. He does repair bridges. You don't. A 110v unit is very handy.

I actually have a little 110 FC unit. Yes, a cheapy from harborfreight. I hate it but it's gotten the job done on everything up to 1/8" if with a good bit of spatter and a lot of waiting for it to cool down between runs.

So I do have a 110 for small stuff when needed, though it doesn't work good on 18ga and thinner cuz it likes to blow right through it.

But I really need a unit that can handle some thick stuff.

Looking at the front of the panel on the stickweld pics there are knobs for amps, "surge current" and "arc force". I assume the surge current is the hot start to keep the electrode from sticking when you strike it and arc force is what it says it is. Could someone explain what exactly arc force is?

Also thinking about getting a plasma cutter. Probably one of the cheaper "D" models. Any particular reason I should be looking at the "I" models and not the "D" models? I'm sure the Infineon Inverters are better, but would it be worth it to a non-commercial user? - EDIT: Forget I asked this. I will put it in a new thread where it belongs.

 

[k0ua]

I actually have a little 110 FC unit. Yes, a cheapy from harborfreight. I hate it but it's gotten the job done on everything up to 1/8" if with a good bit of spatter and a lot of waiting for it to cool down between runs.

So I do have a 110 for small stuff when needed, though it doesn't work good on 18ga and thinner cuz it likes to blow right through it.

But I really need a unit that can handle some thick stuff.

Looking at the front of the panel on the stickweld pics there are knobs for amps, "surge current" and "arc force". I assume the surge current is the hot start to keep the electrode from sticking when you strike it and arc force is what it says it is. Could someone explain what exactly arc force is?

Also thinking about getting a plasma cutter. Probably one of the cheaper "D" models. Any particular reason I should be looking at the "I" models and not the "D" models? I'm sure the Infineon Inverters are better, but would it be worth it to a non-commercial user?

Well like a lot of things in life it is complicated. Here is a good link from Miller that explains it and a few other things.

Miller - Selecting a Constant Current (CC) DC Welder for Training Purposes

Happy reading

James K0UA

 

[Sublifer]

Well like a lot of things in life it is complicated. Here is a good link from Miller that explains it and a few other things.

Miller - Selecting a Constant Current (CC) DC Welder for Training Purposes

Happy reading

James K0UA

Thanks James. Yea, its complicated. I will probably forget but at least I have a reference to it :thumbsup:

 

[cowski]

i have an everlast 140 .i use it on a 5500 watt generator.it runs it full power but i can not see a 5500 watt generator running anything any bigger.i have a 220 plug on mine.so far i like the welder.i think i have had it at least 6 months.1/8 6011 will weld 1 inch steel with multipasses.if you get the everlast 140 plan on getting some longer cables.good luck

 

[Sublifer]

i have an everlast 140 .i use it on a 5500 watt generator.it runs it full power but i can not see a 5500 watt generator running anything any bigger.i have a 220 plug on mine.so far i like the welder.i think i have had it at least 6 months.1/8 6011 will weld 1 inch steel with multipasses.if you get the everlast 140 plan on getting some longer cables.good luck

Thanks cowski!

I would be planning on installing 220 with a 50 amp breaker in the garage to run a bigger machine. But I could always use the generator when using the equipment at lower power.

 

[GrizzyDan]

After completing all the welding courses at the local college I find myself a diehard Miller fan--I fell in love with the Dynasty 200 SMAW/GTAW, yet I sadly still have to make due with a pitiful income due to the lack of welding jobs locally and cannot afford 4k for the stick welder of my dreams. Like you mentioned, the Maxstar and Thunderbolt series welders are still far beyond my current reach and I have resigned myself to living with a Lincoln AC buzzbox which I managed to pick up for $60. AC welding leaves much to be desired when it comes to stick; you don't end up creating welds you'd want to take pictures of and post here..

Having owned a harbor freight 110 mig box.. I can now say I've tried some of the best and worst welders out there, yet HF left me with the idea that one has to buy the best to get a product that is worth anything more than a paperweight. Yet after the comments here, and looking over both everlast and longevity websites I have high hopes.

I would agree with previous comments that 140 amps is more than sufficient for most at home in the stick process. If you aren't currently competent in welding (and it's always best to be honest with ones self in this regard, our lives are on the line at times with the things we build) An introductory welding class at a local college should make you confident in laying multi pass welds and give you an eye for creating equal legs, welding thinner material to thicker, etc.

The only downside for me is the duty cycle; (3.5 minutes in 10 of weld time gives you a lot of cigarette breaks) yet unless you're running a business from your garage it's best not to be in a hurry anyway--gives the metal time to cool, and your chances for heat related defects become less.

And last but not least, if TBN promotes everlast and longevity then I'd imagine they are pretty decent tools indeed. Just the fact that one could buy the 140 smaw welder and a 40 amp plasma cutter for much less than the 150 maxstar alone.. well.. I'm sold! 'nuff said.

 

[Sublifer]

Thanks for your additions Dan. While I'm not an experienced welder yet, I do my homework, and luckily there is lots of available resources here on the net. I probably have some insight on endothermic bonds that many welders might not. But either way I learn fast and have some pretty good intuition. Being a tool junky doesn't hurt either. I have already done a few welding projects and am ready to graduate from my 110 flux core mig to something that is going to last me the rest of my life. I am not up for buying a small unit that I'll have to replace in a year with a bigger more capable unit. Besides, I've got some steel and plans for a tractor implement already lined up waiting for the equipment to work it.

I already bought a PowerArc 300 and am waiting on it to arrive. I liked the features of the Stickweld with the adjustable arc force and hot start but have decided on an Everlast and the 300 has the features I want. I have a few things to do before it gets here and probably won't really be ready by the time it arrives. Anyway, I'll be sure to post some pics when I unbox it and then after I get some welds in.

 

[Haywire]

I have an Everlast PA200 and like it a lot. I've gotten the hankering to add mig to the stable, so after a bit of looking around, have decided on the MTS 200 when money allows. Can't argue with 200A of synergic mig, 200A lift start tig, and 160A stick in one unit for $800 (20% TBN discount figured into that number) I haven't used the PA200 over about 135A for welding, so losing 40A from the PA200 won't affect me much, except duty cycle and even that reduced number will be over 50% in the range I generally weld in.

Ian