Mark @ Everlast
Advertiser
I've been testing out the new unit this afternoon side by side with the older 3 port units. I know many of you were concerned, and possibly holding off buying one until we get a handle on what kind of performance to expect.
I plowed into it today pretty good. I ran 7018, and 6010 5P. All I had was some older rods to start with...they were not fresh to say the least. And I had to knock the rust off. Been sitting more that welding lately, working for the company.
But here are some observations:
1) The new style unit is STRONG. I burned 3/32 6010 5P rods at 50 amps, no problem. 60 amps ran well. 65 amps could get warm. Running the older 3 port, the unit needed about 5-7 amps more to get the equivalent result, (my feelings anyway, but I had a guy with me who had welded with the old one before and was welding with me, and he felt too) A VERY INTERESTING THING HAPPENED....THE FLUX ON THE 6010 ALMOST PEELED OFF BY ITSELF. a SLIGHT knock with the chipping hammer and thing, but sizable chunks flaked right off.
2) The arc on 6010 on the 2port is more crisp than the older unit, with a slight bit more spatter, but NOT bad at all. The older PA200 style had almost none to begin with, so it is still better than some of the other brands out there.
3) The use of 7018 was not a problem. It did well, so much so, it is unbelievable how smooth it welded. Again, it is a little stronger. On 7018, I noticed that the heat was a little different. Not sure how to describe it, but it did take a 1/8" rod at 135 amps and got the puddle quite hot. We found 105 amps a very smooth and pleasing arc and would make a beautiful weld, though the flux kept a little brown color instead of becoming fully black. 115 amps seemed the magic range to fully blacken the flux and the flux would start to peel up. A light tap with a chipping hammer removed all the flux without effort at all the amp settings. We also ran the rod as low as 87 amps with a stable arc.
5) Over all the unit performed flawlessly. I had many, many successful "tap one time" starts. Lighting up is not a problem, in fact I'd say its fairly fierce. The older unit did not have a problem either from my perspective, but it may be the way I start the arc, and have "learned' the trick.
6) The units were the same physical size. The weight was slightly lighter on the new unit, though I did not put a scale on it. I'd say maybe 3-5 lbs difference.
I welded long enough and hot enough to get my cables pretty warm. This unit has good arc force control, similar to the older PA200, but it does seem to respond faster, but in a more measured fashion. I think that we will probably keep this new design. Its a winner. Unless customers tell me otherwise. Its a very quiet welder and a very capable one too.
Thought I'd update you. If I can get the pics out of my video cam, I will post them up. They may not be the best but should suffice.
I plowed into it today pretty good. I ran 7018, and 6010 5P. All I had was some older rods to start with...they were not fresh to say the least. And I had to knock the rust off. Been sitting more that welding lately, working for the company.
But here are some observations:
1) The new style unit is STRONG. I burned 3/32 6010 5P rods at 50 amps, no problem. 60 amps ran well. 65 amps could get warm. Running the older 3 port, the unit needed about 5-7 amps more to get the equivalent result, (my feelings anyway, but I had a guy with me who had welded with the old one before and was welding with me, and he felt too) A VERY INTERESTING THING HAPPENED....THE FLUX ON THE 6010 ALMOST PEELED OFF BY ITSELF. a SLIGHT knock with the chipping hammer and thing, but sizable chunks flaked right off.
2) The arc on 6010 on the 2port is more crisp than the older unit, with a slight bit more spatter, but NOT bad at all. The older PA200 style had almost none to begin with, so it is still better than some of the other brands out there.
3) The use of 7018 was not a problem. It did well, so much so, it is unbelievable how smooth it welded. Again, it is a little stronger. On 7018, I noticed that the heat was a little different. Not sure how to describe it, but it did take a 1/8" rod at 135 amps and got the puddle quite hot. We found 105 amps a very smooth and pleasing arc and would make a beautiful weld, though the flux kept a little brown color instead of becoming fully black. 115 amps seemed the magic range to fully blacken the flux and the flux would start to peel up. A light tap with a chipping hammer removed all the flux without effort at all the amp settings. We also ran the rod as low as 87 amps with a stable arc.
5) Over all the unit performed flawlessly. I had many, many successful "tap one time" starts. Lighting up is not a problem, in fact I'd say its fairly fierce. The older unit did not have a problem either from my perspective, but it may be the way I start the arc, and have "learned' the trick.
6) The units were the same physical size. The weight was slightly lighter on the new unit, though I did not put a scale on it. I'd say maybe 3-5 lbs difference.
I welded long enough and hot enough to get my cables pretty warm. This unit has good arc force control, similar to the older PA200, but it does seem to respond faster, but in a more measured fashion. I think that we will probably keep this new design. Its a winner. Unless customers tell me otherwise. Its a very quiet welder and a very capable one too.
Thought I'd update you. If I can get the pics out of my video cam, I will post them up. They may not be the best but should suffice.
