Welding Tips and Tricks

Hello all, I am looking for some honest feedback on these two machines. Feedback from OWNERS/EXTENSIVE USERS of either of these machines. I have already explored all of the technical specs on my own, so what I am looking for is pros and cons. The duty cycle and extra amperage of the everlast is appealing, but I feel like the quality and service for the htp may be better. I am really interested in a more long term perspective. I have read plenty of comments from people that have had a machine for a month or 2, and use it once a month. How do these compare after a couple years of use. I would probably average 10 to 20 hours of arc time a month on whatever I decide to go with. What are the quirks of either machine? Is the asymmetric ac on the htp useful, or is it a gimmick? Please offer any relevant commentary.

Mine is out of warranty, and I don't regret the purchase. Independent Amplitude can be useful if you do a lot of aluminum. I'm not saying it is something that every aluminum welder needs/wants, but it might be useful to you. It does everything it claims to, so no complaints in the spec's department. There are no quirks, at least not in my opinion. Although I will say the amperage display may be a bit off. Mine was off by a few amps, but I'm pretty sure it's just the display. At peak output, it shows 217A or something like that. Am I pissed about it? Nah, 3A or so wouldn't make a difference in the real world. Everything is still up-forth and honest about what it can do. It even runs E6010 stick electrodes. Granted I don't weld very often, but I have put it through it's paces.

I have had the Everlast 250ex for about 3 years trouble free. When I purchased it I took it to my local welding supplier and paid him $100 to load test it and check it all out. I was new to tig so I had no reference. It checked out good except he was not impressed with the "better" pedal. I am used to it now and it's held up with plenty of abuse. I did upgrade to a ck230 super flex 25' torch. Worth every Penney. Can't comment on the other unit.

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I have been considering buying an Invertig 221 and happen to live close to the company. So I took a 1/2 day tig class they offer so I could spend some time using the machine. I really like it, it has several features I miss on my Lincoln SW 200, such as higher pulse frequency, adjustable %on and background for pulse, control over pre and post flow, control over starting current, and higher range of frequency for AC. The folks there are all nice and it seems like a well run operation. I would not hesitate to buy one. I've bought a lot of small stuff from them over the years, like gas lenses and such.
It also runs on either 110 or 220, which is a must have for me.

I've never used an Everlast, but you might go over on the tractorbynet.com welding forum because everlast is a sponsor there and a lot of guys have experience with them.

For a true comparison, shouldn't you really be comparing the 255EXT to the 221? Looks like you want feedback comparing an analog machine to a digital machine. Don't get me wrong, they both look like nice machines, but just on the digital vs analog I picked the 210EXT vs the 250EX for the digital, and the additional wave forms. It would be nice to have the extra power with a 250 amp machine, but I didn't have the money to jump to the 255EXT. The one thing that is a nice feature on the 221 is the ability to set EN amps and EP amps independently when using AC. The 210EXT and 255EXT don't have that feature. On the other side, the digital Everlast machines offer multiple wave forms that don't appear to be on the 221.

The search for the "perfect" machine can be maddening. Decide on the features you "need", and what your budget is. Then pick the machine that fills the most "needs" and still stays within your budget. Neither machine is a made in America machine, and neither will have the support of blue or red. Both have received some good reviews, both have gotten some bad reviews. Something to consider when buying is weight. Much of the weight on the inverter machines are heat sinks. While a heavier machine may be less portable, it may indicate more cooling capability.

Sticking with a 200 amp machine (the 221 or the 210EXT) will save on the need for a water cooler. Going with the 250EX or 255EXT or another 250 amp machine will require a cooler to take advantage of that extra 50 amps. Add another $400+ to your investment. With a 200 amp machine the cooler would be nice, but not a necessity.


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Dgapilot,


How long have you had your machine? I run a syncrowave 200 on a daily basis, so that is really my reference point, but I want something a little more weight and power consumption friendly at home. Regardless of the model, have you had any problems with the everlast, and how did the resolution process go if so?

I've only had it 2 weeks now, so not a fair trial period. I only use it on weekends, so I'm guessing maybe about 5 hours of run time. So far no problems but have only run D.C. When I was teaching at a college we had 350 syncrowavee, and at one shop I ran we had a 350 syncrowave there too. Another shop I ran had a lincoln 185 that got stolen, so I replaced that with a syncrowave 200. These were aircraft repair shops so they never really saw much use. When I was looking for something for home, I started looking at syncrowaves.


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Continued from above- I ended up with the 210EXT because I liked the availability of the other wave forms and the pulse options. Nothing wrong with the Synchrowaves but for what 10 + year old machines are going for, I could get a new inverter machine and have the advanced features. The Everlast uses less energy, takes up less space, and is more portable. I only use it part time and I'm not really looking to make a career of welding (I'm 64 and looking at this as more something to keep me occupied after I retire (if I ever do).


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I get it. I would love to own a Miller, syncrowave or dynasty, but the price tag is way too high. I am not overly impressed with the duty cycle on the syncrowave, and it needs a 90 amp breaker to run at 200 amps for any real amount of time. I work 2 jobs, one is a lot of welding (mainly stainless) with other general maintenance, the other is at a fab'/machine shop- pretty much all I do there is weld. My question, I guess, is more related to real life reliability and service for these machines.

Understand. I'm not a good source for that data. I'm hopeful it will last for me.


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I own A 250ex and i love it, its capable of way more than i am

Dan,


how long have you had it? How hard do you push it? Any problems?

both have gotten some bad reviews

I would seriously challenge this statement. I have looked and have not ever been able to find even one negative comment about the HTP welder. If you have links I would really like to see them. I have never even been able to find a report of someone sending one back for warranty repair.

That being said, to the OP, how much aluminum welding are you doing? I think both machines have features that 90% of most welders really don't need.

Louie1961,


I agree that both machines have features that are probably not necessities. I run a syncrowave 200 at work, so that is my basis of comparison. My main concern in my initial post is which machine is more reliable. I want to be above 200 amps because I mess with 1/4 aluminum on occasion. I would love to have an older strictly transformer based machine, but the size and power consumption on these machines are not appealing. The syncrowave at work requires an 80 amp breaker if I want to run anything over 180 amps for more than minute. I really want to believe that everlast is making a good product, but I get this nagging feeling, from hints on different forums, that any complaints about these machines are somehow buried. I can't find an honest review of an everlast product after a period of a few years anywhere. There are plenty of "unboxings" and feature overviews. I don't get the same feeling with the htp reviews.

If reliability is your concern (and that's valid), just do some searches, here, at weldingweb.com and on google. I have tried and have never, ever been able to find even one bad review of the HTP machine. If you find one I would love to see it. I keep toying with the idea of letting my syncrowave go and getting an HTP, if for no other reason than the space savings in my work area.

nailbanger138 wrote:Louie1961,


I agree that both machines have features that are probably not necessities. I run a syncrowave 200 at work, so that is my basis of comparison. My main concern in my initial post is which machine is more reliable. I want to be above 200 amps because I mess with 1/4 aluminum on occasion. I would love to have an older strictly transformer based machine, but the size and power consumption on these machines are not appealing. The syncrowave at work requires an 80 amp breaker if I want to run anything over 180 amps for more than minute. I really want to believe that everlast is making a good product, but I get this nagging feeling, from hints on different forums, that any complaints about these machines are somehow buried. I can't find an honest review of an everlast product after a period of a few years anywhere. There are plenty of "unboxings" and feature overviews. I don't get the same feeling with the htp reviews.

nailbanger138 wrote:Louie1961,


I can't find an honest review of an everlast product after a period of a few years anywhere. There are plenty of "unboxings" and feature overviews. I don't get the same feeling with the htp reviews.

I have had the Everlast 250ex for about 3 years trouble free

I use most of the features. I don't use automatic pulse settings. Anyway.....I plan on purchasing the dynasty 280dx because I want to support Miller and they make great stuff, but the Everlast is a solid power source for me. I will not get rid of it because of " reliability". It's because I don't know how they treat employees that make the products.

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nailbanger138 wrote:Louie1961,


I can't find an honest review of an everlast product after a period of a few years anywhere. There are plenty of "unboxings" and feature overviews. I don't get the same feeling with the htp reviews.

I have had the Everlast 250ex for about 3 years trouble free

I use most of the features. I don't use automatic pulse settings. Anyway.....I plan on purchasing the dynasty 280dx because I want to support Miller and they make great stuff, but the Everlast is a solid power source for me. I will not get rid of it because of " reliability". It's because I don't know how they treat employees that make the products.

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Sim,


What are you using it for? How hard are you pushing it? How often? Any dislikes?

Louie1961 wrote:

both have gotten some bad reviews

I would seriously challenge this statement. I have looked and have not ever been able to find even one negative comment about the HTP welder. If you have links I would really like to see them. I have never even been able to find a report of someone sending one back for warranty repair.

Exactly. I think my post is about as negative as it gets, but only with regards to the display being off, or maybe the machine is off by a couple of amps. Hardly anything to complain about. Nearly all welders are "off" from each other anyways.

After a little more research, and actually trying to deal with each company, I have decided the HTP is the way to go. I appreciate all the response. I will explain what finalized my decision. I was looking at both products, and talke to representatives from both companies. Talking with the HTP folks left no unanswered questions. My dealing with everlast were no where near as useful. One of the questions I asked was answered with something like, hang on let me watch one of Jody's videos and I'll tell you. Also, I asked numerous times to have a complete quote of what I was interested emailed to me. Still haven's seen that form everlast, but I had an immediate response from HTP. This all leads me to believe that in the event of any issue, HTP will be miles ahead to deal with.

If you happen to call HTP an hour before they open or on a Sunday, the owner Jeff Noland will likely answer the phone and do whatever he can to help you out.