New mig welder / plasma cutter advice.

[Scooby074]

All I suggest is poke around on WW. Particularly the sponsor forums. Threads are killed with alarming frequency there. Anything negative, even by the ones they hire to demo gear on the net get closed down.

If I bought a new chicom unit (yeah right) and it was defective out of the box, you better believe Im complaining online. Those are the threads that people SHOULD be seeing. When you close that stuff down and/or delete it.. well I guess it sure helps maintain your image now doesnt it?

What about longevety shipping out defective units under warranty? Or welders with poor/missing instructions? Or no CSA approval?

 

[ericher69]

KiotiKarl;

http://www.weldersupply.com/

(No affiliation to above website or company only sharing the best prices I have found)

Best price right now on the 252 and Hypertherm powermax 45 1/2inch rated but WILL cut much more...

 

[Scooby074]

KiotiKarl;

Welders Equipment | Welding Supplies | Welding Machines | Plasma Cutting Machines | Used Plasma Cutters | Welding Helmets | MIG TIG Welders | Welders Supply Company Beloit-Big Bend-Burlington Wisconsin

(No affiliation to above website or company only sharing the best prices I have found)

Best price right now on the 252 and Hypertherm powermax 45 1/2inch rated but WILL cut much more...

Do they ship to Canada?

And you can get a better cash price here than what they have on the 252, and that is before shipping costs are added.

I was at Prax the other day and inquired what they could sell a 252 for today, $2135. Thats less than I paid at AL.

 

[Agent Blue]

Sold my Lincoln 255 and bought a Miller 252. Maybe it is just me but the Miller increased my welding ability. Good penetration, better looking welds, more conducive to my style. Made in my home state and service will be no problem.
It is actually my third Miller machine, and they just get better.

 

[joshuabardwell]

All I suggest is poke around on WW. Particularly the sponsor forums. Threads are killed with alarming frequency there. Anything negative, even by the ones they hire to demo gear on the net get closed down.

You mean like this one? The Great "Longevity VS ChuckE2009" Showdown of 2013, What Really Happened - WeldingWeb - Welding forum for pros and enthusiasts Oh wait. That's still alive. Seems like it should have been squashed by now, don't you think?

If I bought a new chicom unit (yeah right) and it was defective out of the box, you better believe Im complaining online. Those are the threads that people SHOULD be seeing. When you close that stuff down and/or delete it.. well I guess it sure helps maintain your image now doesnt it?

What I think helps maintain these companies' image is when there are problems, and they solve them, and the satisfied customer posts a followup. Even better when the problem resolution happens live on the forum. That's why I pointed to my thread r.e. my PA160STH and Furu's thread about his Stickweld 250. You keep referencing threads that are getting deleted, but I check "new posts" on both WW and TBN multiple times a day (I have a desk job and use TBN and WW as "stretch breaks" every few hours) and I don't know what you're talking about. I guarantee you any post about an Everlast or Longevity gets my interest. I'm not saying I'm infallible, but if complaint threads were getting deleted left and right, it seems like I would have noticed.

Look, bottom line, buy a welder you like and be happy with it. I just hate seeing Everlast and Longevity getting dragged through the mud for things that, as near as I can tell, they're just not doing. All I have gotten from Mark has been great customer service, incredible responsiveness (including calling me on a Saturday in response to an email I sent, not expecting to get a response until Monday), and an awesome product at a great price.

 

[Shield Arc]

Another thing about Mark, he is an extremely valuable asset to this welding forum:thumbsup:! Very knowledgeable weldor. Mark and Arc weld maybe the two most knowledgeable weldors on this site.

 

[Furu]

I have been around long enough to see some examples of this, and I have to say, I think it's mostly smoke and no flame. When I complained about my unit not going over 125 amps, that thread stayed alive. Furu's thread about his StickWeld 250 is still alive here, even though he bad-mouthed Longevity pretty hard before his issue was resolved.
.............
Mistakes are going to happen with any company. It's how you respond to them that matters.

I will have to go back and reread my comments. Never thought I "bad mouthed Longevity pretty hard." In my initial review I did bad mouth the helmet pretty bad ( loved the electronics but not the helmet width and top cutout)
In a later review after the machine malfunctioned, I pointed out what it was not doing very well at and it's deficiencies but I don't remember saying anything that bad about Longevity. Others certainly did but I will go back and check my comments to see if I am wrong. I did have this problem after almost a year that was identified with Shield Arc's able assistance that Longevity ( Simon ) took care of and I really like the replacement new machine I got back.
I would say that Mark's responses to things would make me look at his brand in the future as his customer support is quite remarkable.

 

[Scooby074]

You mean like this one? The Great "Longevity VS ChuckE2009" Showdown of 2013, What Really Happened - WeldingWeb - Welding forum for pros and enthusiasts Oh wait. That's still alive. Seems like it should have been squashed by now, don't you think?



What I think helps maintain these companies' image is when there are problems, and they solve them, and the satisfied customer posts a followup. Even better when the problem resolution happens live on the forum. That's why I pointed to my thread r.e. my PA160STH and Furu's thread about his Stickweld 250. You keep referencing threads that are getting deleted, but I check "new posts" on both WW and TBN multiple times a day (I have a desk job and use TBN and WW as "stretch breaks" every few hours) and I don't know what you're talking about. I guarantee you any post about an Everlast or Longevity gets my interest. I'm not saying I'm infallible, but if complaint threads were getting deleted left and right, it seems like I would have noticed.

Look, bottom line, buy a welder you like and be happy with it. I just hate seeing Everlast and Longevity getting dragged through the mud for things that, as near as I can tell, they're just not doing. All I have gotten from Mark has been great customer service, incredible responsiveness (including calling me on a Saturday in response to an email I sent, not expecting to get a response until Monday), and an awesome product at a great price.

It has been squashed. Simon (from Longeviety) locked it.

Now back to a recent TBN thread, what about Deerman who has had more than his share of issues? Those dont count?

 

[Kiotikarl]

Well so far, i've only had come-back from Mark at Everlast, he needed more info in order to properly advise me:thumbsup: Haven't had a call from my local supplier, till waiting fot their rep to call back....it's been like 3 days. Lincoln , Longivity and Miller have not yet responded to my emails.
I'm tempted by the Everlast products, since i could buy both the bigger welder and plasma right now, where as for a Lincoln 256, i would have to wait to purchase the plasma cutter. I check a few online sites that were suggested thanks to you guys, some are good deals, but some not. Guess i'm still shopping around.

 

[Scooby074]

Did you try your local dealer? Praxair or Air Liquide? In my experience they beat the online guys for pricing!