Gotta new barn, getting ready to learn some welding, which welder should I pop for?!?

[PhysAssist]

You didn't give enough information. What model is the Lincoln AC/DC? your BIL has? If it's an Idealarc 250, it's an awesome welder and you don't need anything else. Westinghouse has made some great welders(40 years ago) but finding any parts would be almost impossible.

Hi all,

I forgot to say that while initially my B-I-L was talking about giving me his welder, he has since decided that he is going to start using it, and while he will be happy to teach me on it, and let me use it at his house, I will only have limited access to it, which is why I am looking it the first place. If he was still willing to part with it, regardless of what model it is (which I'm not sure of) I wouldn't be looking for another one (yet).

Thanks to all of you for the opinions and comments, I really appreciate it from all of you!

I had considered most of the same reservations about buying the Westinghouse, including the fact of having to run the gennie to weld, its age and ? likelihood of breakdown of one of the components, the low AC power output, another gas engine to maintain, and possible difficulty in finding parts, so I appreciate the feedback confirming my thought process about that.

As regards the recommendations toward buying a used welder, I have read the same suggestions on other posts here and on the welding webs I have been lurking on, and I will continue to watch CL and EBay for a used DC or AC/DC welder, whether Lincoln or other mfg.

Unfortunately, the prices I have been seeing within the couple of hundred miles I wouldn't mind driving were significantly higher than the estimates given here, hence my thoughts about getting a new one.

Plus, then I for sure wouldn't be buying someone else's problems. I have had a very wide range of luck buying used mechanical/electrical things, a lot of it bad, and the last thing I want it is a (to me) complicated high-powered machine to have to troubleshoot and fix.

I was also hoping that the reps for Everlast and Longevity might have something to add that could sway my thoughts one way or another.

My fondest hope would be to be able to ask each of them to tell us what flaws exist in their own brand, and what advantages their rival's machine possesses, because I usually find that really becomes enlightening.

Thanks again,
Thomas

PS: I just heard from my ortho that my new knee is getting implanted on 9/11/13!

 

[joshuabardwell]

I was also hoping that the reps for Everlast and Longevity might have something to add that could sway my thoughts one way or another.

Mark from Everlast is usually pretty active on TBN, but if you for-sure want to get a rep's attention post on the sponsored sub-forums here or PM the rep with any questions. Mark's username is "Mark @ Everlast". I'm not sure which Longevity rep is active on TBN.

 

[medic0648]

Simon is when he is in the US, and most of the sales team will get on at times. if you post a direct question to them on their section they're usually pretty quick to answer durring business hours.

 

[PhysAssist]

Thanks again for the advice,
Thomas

 

[newbury]

Unfortunately, the prices I have been seeing within the couple of hundred miles I wouldn't mind driving were significantly higher than the estimates given here, hence my thoughts about getting a new one.

With the cost of the Everlast 300 at around $500, a Lincoln about $350, and gas about $3.50/gallon it would have to be a great bargain to be worth driving a "couple of hundred miles".

Sometimes it's just best to "bite the bullet" and order the darn thing and be done with it

 

[PhysAssist]

Good point, I may have to, meanwhile, back to CL and EBay once more...
Thomas

 

[muddstopper]

Why? What makes a Longevity better than the Everlast? Do you own or have you used a Everlast? I really want to know what makes one brand better than the other. I have never seen or used either brand.

I asked this question because I am thinking about upsizing my current Mig. Its a Miller 175. For most of the welding I do, it is more than adequate, and I have the idealarch and my lincoln ac/dc tombstone for the heavy stuff. I just like using the mig and find the miller 175 just a little small at times. I am considering a 250 size mig and might consider something besides blue or red.

 

[Shield Arc]

I just like using the mig and find the miller 175 just a little small at times. I am considering a 250 size mig and might consider something besides blue or red.

Have you given any thought to using flux core wire? .045" dual shield with 100% CO2 with give you some more bang. Self shielded flux core can really give you some bang per amp.

 

[aczlan]

I was also hoping that the reps for Everlast and Longevity might have something to add that could sway my thoughts one way or another.
My fondest hope would be to be able to ask each of them to tell us what flaws exist in their own brand, and what advantages their rival's machine possesses, because I usually find that really becomes enlightening.

PM or email them. I had a similar discussion with Mark @ Everlast via PM and various folks at Longevity vie email earlier this year. Still haven't gotten around to buying one yet, but I will be going with Everlast over Longevity.

Aaron Z

 

[muddstopper]

I have never tried flux core, Never. I dont change wire until I run out. I mostly run .035 and use 75/25 argon mix. I recently ran out of 75/25gas and had to hook up the 100%argon bottle just to finish a job. Right off the bat I noticed a difference in the way it welded. It seemed the 100%argon makes for better penetration and runs a hotter weld.