PA-300, my opinion.

[Mark @ Everlast]

All the AC tombstone lovers who keep saying how good they are probably are ready to hold the ground in one hand, and clamp the stinger to their tongue and throw the switch and fall into their grave by now over this thread. Someone is got to still be saying, oh, there's not that much difference, but testimony here, seems to be there's a lot of difference not only in AC versus DC output but inverter vs. transformer here too. Not saying that a buzzbox is not a legitimate place to start a welding career, as mine started there, but I know the difference and now do so many other people.

I have no idea how many bought. I got a request for 17 manuals. A couple after the link was uploaded. Taking an educated guess, it could have been upwards to 30 or 40. A lot of guys pm'd me that did not post here but are members who saw the thread that bought a welder.

 

[k0ua]

I haven't struck an arc in over 3 years with my tombstone.. I look at it once in a while, but after I got the little PA160, I never wanted to play with the Lincoln again. I used it plenty when it was all I had, but the difference is staggering.

 

[Raspy]

All the AC tombstone lovers who keep saying how good they are probably are ready to hold the ground in one hand, and clamp the stinger to their tongue and throw the switch and fall into their grave by now over this thread. Someone is got to still be saying, oh, there's not that much difference, but testimony here, seems to be there's a lot of difference not only in AC versus DC output but inverter vs. transformer here too. Not saying that a buzzbox is not a legitimate place to start a welding career, as mine started there, but I know the difference and now do so many other people.

I have no idea how many bought. I got a request for 17 manuals. A couple after the link was uploaded. Taking an educated guess, it could have been upwards to 30 or 40. A lot of guys pm'd me that did not post here but are members who saw the thread that bought a welder.

I've had a Miller Thunderbolt, AC only, for many years. Built trailers and did a fair amount or repairs and fabricating. The difference with the PA300 is dramatic. Precise amp control, hot start, arc force, DC. It's also a big factor to practice, learn techniques and learn specific applications for various rods, but there is no denying that these 300s weld much better and offer so many adjustments to make it easier. After 35 years with the Thunderbolt, I'm doing better in a week with the PA 300. Just being able to dial up the amps by 10, for an inside corner or doubler plate, and then back by 10, to the previous setting, or adjust the hot start up a bit, or switch to the 6010 port for tack welds, makes the whole process easier. These 300s were a real find!

My garage, in my steel frame house, turned into a welding shop and I've been spending full days fabricating. Practicing on lots of scrap, welding box tubing into a frame, welding a large door header, with brackets, into position. Welding hinge and latch posts into place, making notes on amps and settings for various situations and rods. And having a lot of fun doing it.

 

[newbury]

<snip> there's a lot of difference not only in AC versus DC output but inverter vs. transformer here too.<snip>

I bet there were a lot us that found a bigger difference between a $250 welder and a $500 welder for $250 and I for one will probably not be able to discern the more subtle differences for a long time.

 

[Shield Arc]

Got all my mowing done before the rains come back this afternoon, maybe it wasn't such a good idea to get rid of the horses after all!:laughing:
Anyway played with the new PA-300 a little this morning.
1/8-inch 7018 vertical up. 126-amps, 1 on the arc force. Really starting to like this machine!:cool2:

 

[dragoneggs]

Got all my mowing done before the rains come back this afternoon, maybe it wasn't such a good idea to get rid of the horses after all!:laughing:
Anyway played with the new PA-300 a little this morning.
1/8-inch 7018 vertical up. 126-amps, 1 on the arc force. Really starting to like this machine!:cool2:

I hope my welds look that good someday! I see a couple of tape measurers in the background. They are either Lufkin or HF... since there are two, I am guessing freebee HF.

 

[Underdog57]

Got all my mowing done before the rains come back this afternoon, maybe it wasn't such a good idea to get rid of the horses after all!:laughing:
Anyway played with the new PA-300 a little this morning.
1/8-inch 7018 vertical up. 126-amps, 1 on the arc force. Really starting to like this machine!:cool2:

Wow! Very nice, and thanks for posting the settings :thumbsup: I know where to start with my practice sessions this weekend. :thumbsup: When I get comfortable with verticle up I'll be ready to build something!
Is that 1/4" plate?

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

I noticed we received 3 or so reviews over on Amazon. I appreciate every single one. Would also appreciate it if some more people would put in their $.02 worth about them over there. Like I said, honest, real opinions only please.

 

[dragoneggs]

I noticed we received 3 or so reviews over on Amazon. I appreciate every single one. Would also appreciate it if some more people would put in their $.02 worth about them over there. Like I said, honest, real opinions only please.

Ditto that. Real and honest opinions are valued. For those of you that 'scored', take the time to try out/test the unit before you post a review. It does nobody good when someone opens up a box and then posts a review while they are still giddy about their xmas gift. Problem is most people after using a tool for awhile don't bother to go back and comment/review. Mark, although I don't own an Everlast tool (yet), I appreciate your seemingly unbiased comments on TBN. You are an asset. :thumbsup:

 

[Shield Arc]

I hope my welds look that good someday! I see a couple of tape measurers in the background. They are either Lufkin or HF... since there are two, I am guessing freebee HF.

Here is a good video for welding vertical up with Mig. I've tried it, it does work well.
No they're Lufkin 25-feet tapes.
http://youtu.be/mxAHPJL_crU

Wow! Very nice, and thanks for posting the settings :thumbsup: I know where to start with my practice sessions this weekend. :thumbsup: When I get comfortable with verticle up I'll be ready to build something!
Is that 1/4" plate?

No that was 3/8-inch flatbar. Also keep in mind that 7018 came right out of the oven. So you may need to go up a few amps if your rods aren't hot.