where to shop for a welder

[daugen]

I've pretty much narrowed my search down to a new Everlast PowerARC 160 STH.
Website says 489 list, Amazon has it for 425 plus 40 shipping, but it looks like a direct factory ship deal.
Anyplace else I should check out? Do the welding supply shops sell welders competitively?
Amazon is now charging tax so since I need to make a supply run, if it's close I'd rather buy local.
thanks

Amazon.com: 2013 EVERLAST PowerARC 160STH 160amp HF TIG Stick IGBT Welder 110/220 Dual Voltage: Automotive

 

[k0ua]

I've pretty much narrowed my search down to a new Everlast PowerARC 160 STH.
Website says 489 list, Amazon has it for 425 plus 40 shipping, but it looks like a direct factory ship deal.
Anyplace else I should check out? Do the welding supply shops sell welders competitively?
Amazon is now charging tax so since I need to make a supply run, if it's close I'd rather buy local.
thanks

Amazon.com: 2013 EVERLAST PowerARC 160STH 160amp HF TIG Stick IGBT Welder 110/220 Dual Voltage: Automotive

Did you call Mark at Everlast? he usually gives a discount for TBN members.. I would call him

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

Give me a call. Amazon actually stocks the product usually...and at times is older stock. But we can certainly treat you fairly. One thing to consider, any issues at delivery such as damage or some other problem, will have to go back through Amazon, and not us. This is something a lot of people don't realize. Had a call the other day on a damaged product and it had to be handled back through Amazon.

 

[daugen]

Ok, I've decided to get the Everlast 160 and will call Mark.
Just curious about what stick rods should cost.
Here's TSC's page. Just for my education, is this competitive?
I'll be such a light user it's probably irrelevant, but I'm curious.
Popular Searches at Tractor Supply Co.

and not to be a real doofus, are they called "rods" or something else? Electrode

 

[daugen]

Give me a call. Amazon actually stocks the product usually...and at times is older stock. But we can certainly treat you fairly. One thing to consider, any issues at delivery such as damage or some other problem, will have to go back through Amazon, and not us. This is something a lot of people don't realize. Had a call the other day on a damaged product and it had to be handled back through Amazon.

Mark,
if I order directly from you and the unit is DOA, do I have to pay shipping to send it back?
thanks
Drew

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

There's no shipping cost incurred by you. We cover it under our direct, 30 day satisfaction guarantee. Any thing in the first 30 days is covered on shipping. But we haven't had a 16osth doa that I know of.

The price on the rods isn't bad. You'll usually pay about 2.00 to 3.50/lb depending upon the brand and type you get. I can buy them locally by the pound for 2.00 lb...or cheaper. Not that brand though. Hobart is middle of the road, and not sure if they are the same level of rod that you get ina welding supply store under the same name.

 

[daugen]

Mark,
thank you. That seals the deal for me.
But you did raise an interesting topic.
If Hobart is only mid range quality/performance, are there certain brands of rods that are consistently top quality?
Just curious to know what I'm looking at when I go into a welding supply place and see ten brands out there.
Higher price usually won't steer one wrong, but for my purposes, middle of the road is probably over my skill level anyway...

 

[k0ua]

Drew, unless you just go crazy burning up rods, I don't think the price of the rods are going to be a big deal to you. Getting steel to practice on will be a much larger concern. Congratulations, you are going to love your new machine.

James K0UA

 

[daugen]

Jim,
thanks. I wasn't so much worried about paying a couple bucks extra for box of rods, more like are there any better quality brands I should look for.
I'm sure Hobart rods are just fine for anything I might do, and I even wonder if they make their own rods, vs. some specialty company packaging them for Hobart.
Clearly I know nothing here...

I bet there are lots of us in the same position; lot of us office guys retired into farming, and no experience with welders.

 

[Shield Arc]

Are you talking about GTAW, or SMAW rods. :confused3: