>>> AUTO-DARKENING WELDING HELMET ??<<<

[mjncad]

The suggestion that Everlast get some sample units in the field to people who actually weld for a living, or do serious hobby work for some real world reviews is a good one. But for now, all I hear from Everlast is a lot of talk about how good the product is, and no examples of work to back it up. That is about the same as if Porsche blathered on endlessly about how good and fast their cars are; but without a proven racetrack record to back up the claims. Until Everlast does more than talk, I'll stick with a known commodity since I don't get paid to be Everlast's beta tester.

Regarding China, I don't have a problem with the Chinese improving their standard of living; but I do have heartburn with it when it comes at the expense of the USA, Canada, Europe, etc. And yes Americans are guilty for putting cost ahead of quality, and we've all done it from time to time, which compounds the problem. Also, America, Canada, Europe, et al have contributed to our respective demises via high taxation, business killing regulation, and union induced artificially high wages for a particular type of work.

Remember, China and for the most part all industrialized Asian nations are highly protectionist when it comes to their home markets. They'll claim that the American, etc product is inferior, yet they have no qualms exporting pure crap to us.

As for Milwaukee, HP, Lincoln, etc; I blast them via email when they bring in Chinese made crap and charge premium prices just because of the name and past glories from when they did make a quality product. HP recently got a snottygram from me over their crappy printers.

The other problem with trying to buy American made goods is that it's getting tougher to find them. I would like to have a choice as to whether I buy an American product or a Chinese one; but that choice is increasingly being taken away from each and every one of us.

I'm actually surprised the tree-huggers haven't jumped on the bandwagon that Chinese made crap is bad for the environment. After all, how much of that junk ends up in a landfill shortly after being purchased because its pure garbage?

Maybe the Chinese are improving their products; but until I see it, I will remain my skeptical self. I remember when Hyundai made pure unadulterated crap; but now the cars at the auto show I see look pretty good and I would consider one if I were in the market.

Remember, free trade is not the same thing as fair trade.

Working my way back to the original gist of this thread; I'd just like to see more from Everlast than talk. We get enough hot-air from Washington, D.C.

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

We have done plenty of this type of testing. Just because we haven't given away units for someone to test on this site here doesn't mean we haven't had any reviews done. There are plenty of reviews done. One of the most notable is on weldingtipsandtricks.com. There is no more serious pro that the owner of the site, a main welding instructor for a major Airline based in Atlanta who has seen and tried it all, and is a Miller man. We have even had a year long test done by a national print magazine in a comparison test, though when the unit passed with flying colors, they did not hold up their end of the bargain and gave it barely a mention and killed the main article. There are numerous videos on youtube as well dating back for some time even back to the old series by pro users and serious hobby guys and well a few... well, to be nice, less than experienced guys...but I'll let you figure out who is what as it is pretty evident. Overall most of them are by qualified people. There are guys like shield arc here as well that have posted the results of their use on this site. If my estimate is right, there may be as many as 15-18(or more) guys here using them...or at least guys who said they were members here or saw us here.

As for the "greeness" of our machines, our products DO fully meet ROHS... a standard that California has adopted from the UK.

As for fair trade, nothing is fair to the company loosing market share.

 

[mjncad]

As for fair trade, nothing is fair to the company loosing market share.

Fair trade is a win-win for the trading partners. Fair trade works both ways, unfair trade is unilateral in nature.

Unfair trade is when one country keeps its currency artificially low to choke off competition. Unfair trade is when one country uses protectionist tactics to keep out goods from its trading partners.

Stupid trade is when one country cheerfully gives up its manufacturing capabilities to another country that really dislikes its trading partner.

A country unable and/or unwilling to fend for itself is doomed to fail.

I heard a story on the radio the other day about the USA Defense Department wanting to increase spending on certain weapons systems as a response to China's increased military spending build-up. I wonder how much our military relies on Chinese made crap in its various systems.

 

[BlacknTan]

I use a SpeedGlas 9100 AD hood. I also have an old Huntsman that I still use from time to time...The guys who still are in the weld shop where I retired from all use the Jackson EQC. This is safety equipment that is provided to them by the employer, but the guys believe in the quality of their equipment.
They are professional welders, I am not... I was a Tool & Die Maker, but we shared shops and lunchrooms, so we were all pretty close.
The equipment in the weld shop has always been blue... Old Syncro's recently upgraded to Dynastys. They could purchase anything they want, but they continually choose Miller. It's not the only good brand... All the old names still produce a quality product if purchased in the appropriate place.
I don't post much here anymore since this forum was sold to a concern that imports ChiCom machines... There is too much reading involved to seperate the wheat from the chaff, and lately the chaff has faaaar outweighed the wheat!
I read other weld forums also, and watch as the hard sell is applied to those unaware that there decidely IS a difference between quality tools and, well frankly, Chinese copies and plain junk.
I try to keep my mouth shut so it does not look like I'm bashing these resellers for the Chinese, but over a period of time, the MISinformation and DISinformation builds to an intolerable level..

Don't believe the hype that everything is made in China anyway for the big manufacturers... It just 'taint so. The SpeedGlas is a quality unit that does NOT come from China! My eyes are very important to me, so I put my faith in quality equipment, and I haven't been let down.. The Jacksons do not come from China either, and they perform well enough for true professional welders, not just folks trying to push a product to make a living..

If something sounds too good to be true... Step back and think for a minute, because it probably is! Quality sells itself, it doesn't need to be jammed down people's throats..
Read some of the other weld forums and read about the problems and warranty issues with the Chinese machines. Read about how a machine needs to be shipped back at the owner's expense for minor repairs, and how a machine that might be needed on a job can be lost in shipping for weeks with no recompense...Go to your local weld supply and ask questions, and more importantly, see what equipment they stock. Look it all over, and read the "Made in XXX" tags. Talk to folks that make their living with the products you're buying..

Be an "educated consumer!"

 

[Haywire]

It would be interesting if the gov't mandated that a certain percentage of the machine had to be sourced in the US to be labeled as such. If it didn't meet that percentage, the label had to read "Assembled in the US". I suspect that a lot of labels would be changing.

It would also be interesting if those that bash imports were required to use them before posting. If they've never used the product, they really have no idea what they're talking about in relation to that specific product. They're just repeating what they've read in a forum. Be an "educated basher".

Ian

 

[California]

It would also be interesting ..... Be an "educated basher".

Well said.

 

[BlacknTan]

It would be interesting if the gov't mandated that a certain percentage of the machine had to be sourced in the US to be labeled as such. If it didn't meet that percentage, the label had to read "Assembled in the US". I suspect that a lot of labels would be changing.

It would also be interesting if those that bash imports were required to use them before posting. If they've never used the product, they really have no idea what they're talking about in relation to that specific product. They're just repeating what they've read in a forum. Be an "educated basher".

Ian

I'll concede that you make some valid points.. Even about being an "educated basher."

Not being a professional welder, I rely on recommendations of people who are, and history and past performance of items I'm interested in. I would try an Everlast, or any of the other ChiCom imports, but no one I know has one, has used one or even WOULD use one. When I ask, I just get chuckles and sneers.
I'm sure the machine can weld two pieces of steel together.. Thats really not high technology. My concerns are how long the components will weld over the long haul, and how well will the company back up their product. And, this appears to be the area that is most troublesome..
If my Miller breaks down, I can put in in the truck, take it for a twenty minute ride and have it repaired within hours, or at most a few days by professionals with factory backing.
If I'm down a few days, it's no big deal, but for guys that put bread on the table with their machines, this makes a HUGE difference!

Try that with your ChiCom!

 

[Haywire]

And you make good points also. I suppose if I were making my living with my machine, I would want one that I could get serviced locally. There aren't any 30 year old Everlasts out there either to prove longevity. That doesn't prove short life either though if you think about it. A product, no matter how good or bad, can't start out with a 30 year history. That comes (or doesn't) with time. They have to convince enough people to try them to get that history, and product loyalty comes with time behind the hood. They'll either make the grade or those that try them will go back to the old standard. There are many that cut their teeth on Miller or Lincoln and won't stray from them. That's fine. They'll never know if one of the imports would have given them good service.

Of course in 10 or 15 years, providing the equipment is still around and has given good service, nobody will remember the $800 they saved or spent depending on which direction they went. That money just hurts at the moment of purchase.

Ian

 

[Pete6114]

AUTO-DARKENING WELDING HELMET
YES...get one.You'll love it. Just get a decent one. Do your research first.

I, for one do NOT buy imported stuff whenever possible. I have in the past and will forever be willing to pay more for domestically manufactured products which generally are of better quality.
My welders are blue. My new air compressor is blue (quincy).
I refuse to buy junk or inferior foreign junk. If i cant afford the good stuff, i either dont buy or i wait till i can.

My wife opened a can of mushrooms the other day and noticed "Made in China" on the can. I almost had a stroke......WTF.....we don't even grow our mushrooms anymore?

But that's what happens when we flock to places like HF/Walmart. We are our own worst enemy's and are loosing our jobs hand over fist. It is never to late to change the tide. We as consumers must insist on made in Canada/USA products. ( Yes, i am canadian but have no issue with USA made Labels, because if the US economy has a cold, Canada develops a cough.

My2 Cents

 

[Haywire]

Yes, back on topic. My AD helmet is a HF import. Cost me $59 on sale. I like it so far, but have not compared it to a higher end wide glass model. It hasn't flashed me yet, but I've only had it a couple weeks.

Ian