Welding Tips and Tricks

Liked the WTT reviews for the Everlast tig machines. I'm interested in how the three machines compared on the low end with thin steel and thin aluminum.

From the Everlast site:

PowerTig 250EX
- Stable and smooth starts with exclusive "Easy Start" 5 amp start for AC and DC low amp operation (+/- 2 A).

PowerTig 185 Micro
- Easy low amp 5 amp start DC, 20 amp AC.

PowerPro 256, I didn't see any info.

From the videos, it sounded like the low end on the 185 wasn't as good as the Diversion 180. How was the low end on the 250EX? The 256? How did the low end on the 250EX compare to the 256?

Thanks.

i bought a 250ex machine. when i bought it, i thought i was going to be hard to please, since at work i use a dyasty 700. i am very pleased with my 250ex. it has great low end. great start up. does everything they say. i have never used a power pro 256 or a power tig 185, but from the videos that jody did on those, they look very close to me on low end. my suggestion would be to base your decision on what type and thickness material you plan to be working on. if doing light work on thinner materials, and never plan thick stock go 185. if thick material only sometimes the power pro. if you do thick aluminum like 1/4" and bigger alot, the 250ex is a better choise. the 250ex has 60% duty at 250 amps, compared to the 256's 35% duty at 250 amps. hope this helps you out some. if you have any questions ask away.

Thanks for the reply. I think Jody covered low end on the 250EX in one of his videos and it did look good. I'm wondering if the 185 and 256 are as good.

The 185 says 5amp start on DC, 20amp start on AC...that's what worries me that the 185 might not be as good as the 250EX for thin aluminum.

I also like the PowerPro 256 for the plasma and could live without the duty cycle of the 250EX, but I haven't seen ANY info on the 256 when it comes to low end.

Anyone with experience on the 185 or 256?