Which type of welder would be best for my needs?

deereman75 · Sep 6, 2013

Thanks for the offer.
I actually have a local radio opperator I do a lot of work with. We are working on setting up a radio station at the museum I work at.
I am learning a ton from him, and he is setting me up with both the people to get my license, and all the radio and electronic gear I could ever want. He is the guy I got the scopes, and a rf signal generator from, qlong with a pile of other stuff.

Once I get my ticket, and we do some fine tuning on the big HF set at the museum, maybe we could try making a connection. We were talking to chicago a few weeks back, and that was before the rig was finished!
I know a guy on another forum who is a radio opperator in new hampshire. We are planning on making a connection this winter as well.
The guy I work with said our rig should be able to get all the way to england or possibly even france.

k0ua · Sep 6, 2013

deereman75 said:
Thanks for the offer.
I actually have a local radio opperator I do a lot of work with. We are working on setting up a radio station at the museum I work at.
I am learning a ton from him, and he is setting me up with both the people to get my license, and all the radio and electronic gear I could ever want. He is the guy I got the scopes, and a rf signal generator from, qlong with a pile of other stuff.

Once I get my ticket, and we do some fine tuning on the big HF set at the museum, maybe we could try making a connection. We were talking to chicago a few weeks back, and that was before the rig was finished!
I know a guy on another forum who is a radio opperator in new hampshire. We are planning on making a connection this winter as well.
The guy I work with said our rig should be able to get all the way to england or possibly even france.

You will be able to make contacts anywhere in the world. A SSB voice contact on 20 meters (14 Mhz) would be easy during the daytime between our two locations. Even with wire antennas and 100 watt or less radio's. I think you are in Ontario correct? If so. contacts to anywhere in Europe should be pretty easy. I don't know if you have any interest in the digital keyboard modes, like PSK31 for example, but 25 watts and a dipole on 20 meters can bring contacts to any part of the world. It is a very efficient mode for low power and small antennas. Good luck.

James K0UA

deereman75 · Sep 6, 2013

No, Im on the west coast. A few thousand more miles.... LOL

cattrack · Sep 18, 2013

Mark @ Everlast said:
Just checked on stock on PA 200. New PA 200ST's will be here in 10-12 days. This will be an improved model with stick/tig function. Supposed to have greater arc force control, hot start etc. However, it will be rated at a lesser duty cycle of 35%. Not bad, but not like the old ones. BUT with that said, these units have had a lot more rigorous testing than previous models. Unit weight and design has been streamlined. Still will be 6010 capable and though I haven't tried one, I've been told it is better than the older units with 6010.

Mark, could the reduced duty cycle be because the new models are dual voltage? Please PM me with the current price with shipping. Most of my farm buildings just have 110v & only two with 220v.

Mark @ Everlast · Sep 18, 2013

It's not because they are dual voltage, but rather, it's because our testing standards and the grouping of the PA 140ST, PA 160ST(ST not sold in US as of now), and 200 ST into one "family" of similar built/ performing/featured welders.

R W · Sep 19, 2013

Lou66 said:
Here what I use,, had it for about ten years,, 10k watts and welder,, tractor supply,, I fab the trailer myself,, hook it on the back of the gator and pull it anywhere I need it.. Lou

View attachment 334043

Yours is the one that would go for, providing it supplies DC welding current.

IslandTractor · Sep 19, 2013

cattrack said:
Mark, could the reduced duty cycle be because the new models are dual voltage? Please PM me with the current price with shipping. Most of my farm buildings just have 110v & only two with 220v.

I also needed dual voltage welders. I have no experience with the new Everlast but I have used several Miller dual voltage inverter welders. Keep your eyes on CL for a used Maxstar 150 series for stick. Very nice 15lb portable. The S version is stick only but the STL and STH have TIG as well. Probably about the same as the PA140/160 power range. They hold their value remarkably well. I bought one used and sold it for the same price three years later. Bought a better condition replacement "used" but really new and was able to sell it at a profit later when I upgraded. Cannot beat Miller for resale or service. I think the Maxstar is a near perfect utility welder for a small farm setting where you will benefit from a highly portable suitcase packaged welder that can literally be thrown into the back of a pickup and is capable of operating with either 110 or 220.

Shield Arc · Sep 19, 2013

Isn't it the Maxstar that has issues with 60xx series rod? :confused3:

IslandTractor · Sep 19, 2013

Shield Arc said:
Isn't it the Maxstar that has issues with 60xx series rod? :confused3:

Yes, not recommended for 6010 but runs 6011 and 6013 perfectly. Not sure why anyone would need 6010 unless a pipefitter doing pressure critical root welds to code. I've never used it but all I read is that 6011 is virtually identical in all characteristics when used with DC except for slightly less penetration.