Beginner welder recs

[Mark @ Everlast]

Is Everlast a US company at least...?with these other companies, even if their units aren't 100% made in US with 100% US parts, I believe the companies are still US so at least the money is staying in the States. Anyway, just trying to be a good citizen. could you PM me a quote for the PowerArc 200? and also, can you explain 1 & 3 phase power and how I would know if I have it or not. I asked for welder compatible outlets to be put in my shop when it was built and I am pretty sure they are 3 plug 220/230V outlets, but don't know about the phase.

A unit capable of operating on both 1 and 3 phase power is simply that. As SA said, if you don't know what three phase is, you don't have it. But it wills still operate on 1 phase. Some units operate on 1 phase only, Some three phase only, and some 1 and 3 phase.

Everlast is based in San Francisco, and is privately owned in the US.

As far as our proverbial ostrich with his head stuck in the sand... We do not sell our machines under the name LOTOS. There are all levels of quality welders coming from China, with over 1000 welder companies manufacturing in China...That's right. 1000. All operating and manufacturing differently. Some companies simply order off the shelf product and resell here. By and large, though some companies do try to copy things, such as looks, features and appearance, we do not. Occasionally we will use a basic product from off the factory shelf, but we evaluate it, test it and then have changes made to our demands, usually with some significant internal revamping.

We have several completely new products from the ground up that we have brought out recently such as the PowerTig 185.
A lot of people will try to say we copy name brand companies by ripping them off and cloning them. I had to deal with some Hobart guys the other day peddling that around. I told them IF we were going to copy someone, it wouldn't be them. We don't deal with transformer welders...They do. Find one welder that is copied. We do just as Miller and Lincoln do to each other....We evaluate their products, and see how we can stay competitive. Miller reps have told me the day Lincoln releases their "new" product on the market, by the end of the day it is stripped down in the HQ of big blue.

We have active input and design into the welders. We are there during the manufacturing process and we maintain our own US based tech support staff. You cannot pigeon hole the product. We have product at our disposal more advanced than anything the US has...but because of the price we do not sell it here...It costs as much as the name brands if we were to.

If it says Everlast it is from us...If not, from someone else. We have a growing world wide distribution system. Canada, Australia, S. America, Costa Rica, Brazil, Columbia, Finland, Russia...seems like I forgot something...and we are working on at least a half dozen other countries right now.

Also, as "he" is fond of trying to mislead...we do not have control over this forum.

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

Just like my John Deere tractor is made in the USA. In reality it was made in Yanmar's factory in Japan, the tires were installed in the USA!:laughing:

Yes, and they tried that same thing with their 5x03 series too...Made almost entirely in India by Larson and Toubro...yet they put the made/assembled in America on them as long as they could...I can't remember how its worded now, as it has changed something that really doesn't say made in India....Yet its one of their most popular and lucrative lines.

 

[Scooby074]

Just like my John Deere tractor is made in the USA. In reality it was made in Yanmar's factory in Japan, the tires were installed in the USA!:laughing:

Not so much...

Thats not a really apt comparison when it comes to the Everlast vs Miller discussion.

 

[Chilly807]

Remember when I said this was going to get interesting? Not that I'm clairvoyant, but I do understand some of the emotions and semantics involved in this discussion.

I'd like to have a lightweight, highly portable welder that has more capability than my old AC/DC transformer that weighs close to a hundred pounds, but the fact remains that after at least 25 or more years of work and probable neglect (I'm not the original owner, neither was the guy I bought it from) it still welds as good as it did when it was new.

If it does pack in, it owes nobody anything, but the kicker is that it'll probably be easily and cheaply repairable.

Light weight, sophistication, and low price comes at a cost, since the old rule of "you don't get something for nothing" applies as usual. Light weight and sophistication is achieved through modern electronics that are somewhat more susceptible to damage from moisture, excess heat, and neglect. Low price comes from offshore parts supply and labour. How much that affects reliability and the domestic economy is obviously a hot topic.

To me it comes down to whether I actually need what the new breed of inverter "suitcase" welders can offer me. I really don't, since I can weld just fine with the gear I already have, portability isn't much of an issue, and I like the fact that at least some of my gear was made in the US or Canada a long time ago.

My Miller 180 was actually free to me (long story), and I got the AC/DC stick well used for $140 a couple years ago. The Miller might have Chinese components, I really don't have the interest to look, neither would I know what I was looking at.

Both work well, and they do all the welding I need done around the farm. If I were to get an Everlast DC inverter or a Miller Maxstar for free I'd certainly give either one a try, but I can't see that happening anytime soon. I have no bones to pick with Mark, in fact I think he's one of the more level-headed advertisers we have.

Sean

 

[Shield Arc]

Thats not a really apt comparison when it comes to the Everlast vs Miller discussion.

It most certainly does, think about it........................ John Deere just like Miller, Hobart, and Lincoln wants you to think their product is made here.
Geez the only thing I'm sure of that was 100% made here is me, but that's only because my momma says so! :laughing:

 

[Scooby074]

It most certainly does, think about it........................ John Deere just like Miller, Hobart, and Lincoln wants you to think there product is made here.
Geez the only thing I'm sure of that was 100% made here is me, but that's only because my momma says so! :laughing:

Not really, Deere publishes the info pretty obviously on their Nameplate tags. Just like my Kubota. Ive seen lots on nameplates on Deeres, Masseys etc. that indicate COO as something other than USA. No biggie.

As i said, show me the money. The tag on my welding machines say "Made in the USA" . They meet the standards to proclaim that. Until that changes and the tag says something different ill stand by that statement.

The Op asked for a Made In the US option and i gave him the only legitimate choice.

 

[Shield Arc]

Not really, Deere publishes the info pretty obviously on their Nameplate tags. Just like my Kubota. Ive seen lots on nameplates on Deeres, Masseys etc. that indicate COO as something other than USA. No biggie.

As i said, show me the money. The tag on my welding machines say "Made in the USA" . They meet the standards to proclaim that. Until that changes and the tag says something different ill stand by that statement.

The Op asked for a Made In the US option and i gave him the only legitimate choice.

Soundguy, is this you?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:laughing:

 

[k0ua]

Remember when I said this was going to get interesting? Not that I'm clairvoyant,


I don't know Sean, you have done a pretty good job of predicting the future so far:laughing:

If my old tombstone had DC too, I would have never bought the inverter welder. I wanted DC because everyone said it was quite a bit better, and in my opinion they were right. The reason I did not buy the AC/DC unit to begin with, was back when we bought it the wife and I had to scrimp and save just to afford the AC only unit. But I love my inverter welder, the versatility, portability and so far the reliability. (time will tell on that one, only been a little over a year a year). good luck on whatever you choose.

James K0UA

 

[Scooby074]

Soundguy, is this you?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:laughing:

Mark is that you? :laughing:

I cant be Soundguy, i dont like Hobart.

 

[Shield Arc]

i dont like Hobart.

Now you're talking, I knew I liked you, just took me a little while to figure out why! :thumbsup: