An open invitation (challenge) to Everlast or Longevity.

[EVERLAST]

Hello MicroZone

please PM your addres

new units will be in stock shortly

alex

[Scott Young]

why is it every time either of the china made distributors mention a model they give the price?? it gets old reading a constant sales pitch!!

[SonyMobile]

One thing I am always concerned with when shopping for new equipment is the units duty cycle. Maybe you could include some sort of test to see if the units can really run what the manufacturers claim.?

[Capnbondo]

Originally Posted by Scott Young

why is it every time either of the china made distributors mention a model they give the price?? it gets old reading a constant sales pitch!!

I actually preferr this, usually with sales guys you have to beat them to get a real price on anything.

[gaustin]

I have a Longevity 140 Amp welder. I received it last week and opened it, wired it up, and it welded.

I have burned a few rods with it and overall I like it for the price. In my opinion this is a machine along the lines of the Miller Maxstar 150. This one is rated at 60% duty cycle at 140 amps.

If someone has a maxstar 150 or similar small inverter, maybe we could set up some standardized tests to compare what results we get.

We could start out just runing rod after rod on a pad weld to see if the machines match the duty cycle listed.

I made a few welds and was impressed with the machine as far as what it would do for what iot would cost. The only "Name Brand" inverter close to this I had was a Thermal Arc Dragster 80. I replaced that with a Harbor Freight, made $300.00 on the deal and haven't looked back.

I think all of the imported machines are from similar manufaturers. The overall quality may be hit and miss.

Below are a couple of pics of the welds with 6011. The machine doesn't care much for whipping and cust out more if the arc gets a little long. It may be something on my power supply. Using the 50 AMP range outlet so I should have enough power. The range at full load draws around 30 I think and we have had all burners and the range going.


Vertical



You can see actual welding at http://weldingdata.com/WelderReviews...gE6011vid.html but the quality is poor. It does show the cutting out. The rig I had for my camera was poor (Don't use hot glue as an adhesive)

Any of you think Miller will loan me a machine to compare them side by side. I would be glad to swap machines on a temp basis with someone that has a maxstar 150 or similar. I have a tig rig here. Just a swap temporarily to try them out. I am not sure how much shipping would cost us but it is something to think about.

I'd be willing to do an unbiased review of both machines, side by side, rod per rod, SMAW, GTAW, Carbon, SS, Inconel, Monel, Aluminum etc. Carbon steel is the cheapest way to go.


If I had one of the other machines, I would do the same. I got the one I have on a good deal from Longevity based on my providing feedback on the machine. So far I have burned about 20 1/8" 6011's with no problem other than the arc goes out for a fraction of a second. Longevity has offered to replace the machine without cost to me for shipping but I want to rule out everything on my end 1st. I also want to burn a few LowHy's 1st.

Anyway, I'm willing to review a Miller machine too if someone wants to swap and swap back.

[longevity-inc.com]

Thanks Gaustin for the pics. Glad the unit is working out good for you. If i had that miller, i would send you one for side by side.

And Microzone, i just saw your post, please PM me for tests. I will have Andy and You test these out.

Thanks

[MicroZone]

I apologize, I only have time to test one machine at a time. I will PM the other MP seller and see when it is being sent. If it cannot be sent in a decent time frame, I will be glad to have you send me a unit. Thanks.

[Bikespot]

Originally Posted by MicroZone

I apologize, I only have time to test one machine at a time. I will PM the other MP seller and see when it is being sent. If it cannot be sent in a decent time frame, I will be glad to have you send me a unit. Thanks.

Any updates? I haven't heard anything.

[MicroZone]

Nope...nothing. Nada, zilch, nil, nought. I see you found the thread.

[silvrjeepr]

I've been watching this thread on the lurk for quite some time now. Microzone, what do you say about contacting some of the other chinese vendors here if the EverLongevitylast guys don't pony up? I'd like to see how the overseas stuff stacks up against the big names in the hands of pros. Heck even if they come up short, I'd like to know their strong/weak points.

[Bikespot]

Originally Posted by MicroZone

Nope...nothing. Nada, zilch, nil, nought. I see you found the thread.

Yes i did , i did a little searching under your name.

They are probably very busy though , can't blame them.

[gaustin]

I made a few welds with the Longevity 140 amp inverter. I'd really like to talk with someone who has used a similar inverter CC machine. (Not a 300 amp inverter weighing in at 50+ lbs)

The machine I have seems to perform fine. It MAY not be as sturdy, or it may. But I would be interested in talking to someone about how the other machines perform. Maybe setup some tests to see how they perform.

The machine I have seems a little colder than 140 but I Ihaven't used an ammeter since I was in the Navy years ago. I just turn the knob till it burns as hot as I like. The MM140 seems a little colder than I like to run for a 1/8" 7018.

I'm not a salesman for Longevity. I wanted a machine to try out and got an excellent deal for writing a review. I explained up front that the review would be how I saw it. I would be glad to do it with any other machine when I am done with this one. I have burnt about 5 LBS of rods with this so the jury is still out.

I am not sure what a PRO is but I can weld ok. Anyone interested in burning a few 1/8" 7018s with a comparable machine ? This machine is a HOBBY welder. However the rated output and actual output seem to be pretty close. (Haven't checked it with meters) though.

Here are a few beads with 1/8" 7018 vertical Up. The joint is a tee joint with a 8 pass fillet weld. The 1st bead was a 6011 to see if the machine was still cutting out after replacing the ground.

I cascaded each layer to allow the bead placement to be a bit more visible. The tie-ins came out decent but could have been helped by a little more heat or a "hot start" feature.

The pics are in a flash video format showing each bead. It may be too tall for some screens. Its about a 1.3MB video.
http://weldingdata.com/WelderReviews...illetweld.html

Again, anyone with a Maxtar 150 or similar, contact me to compare notes.

Gerald Austin

[silvrjeepr]

Any updates? Has anyone actually sent a machine?

[tnjind]

You didn't really think the chi-comm vendors would actually do what they said they would did you.

Makes you wonder how well they stand behind there warranty.

[gaustin]

I'm not a vendor but I would like to compare the capabilities of one of the 150 amp or less inverters. Even just bead on plate running at 140 amps for 5 6 minute cycles with a 4 minute pause at the end of each 6 minutes.

Nothing fancy, just see how the machine runs for the last minute of so of each cycle. Bead appearance, arc stabilty, heating up of components etc.

I'd be willing to swap with someone temporarily or we could just record our results. I really don't have a dog in the imported welder market race. I just wanted something I can weld with here at home and was looking at setting up some training for putting roots in pipe/tubes using GTAW or SMAW. So far I have only burned about 5 LBS of rods but the machine seems fine.

[tapwelder]

Gaustin

How do you stick weld for 5-6 minutes and how do you know when you are near the duty cycle with stick?

I have never come close to the duty cycle on a stick welder. I have gone over duty cycle while tigging with the little dragster 80.

[gaustin]

To get exactly 6 minutes of ARC time in a 10 minute period would be hard since the period of time between rods can vary. Maybe something like x number of inches of 1/8" electrode burnt off in x minutes.

I think the settings could be approximated by recording how long it takes to burn x inches of electrode (Same AWS Class, Size and if possible manufacturer).

When setting for both machines are close, then setup a plate of the same size and thickness for both machines. Then start running beads. No stopping to chip slag, just a series of beads x inched long to x inches long in the flat position.

Maybe do 2 10 minute cycles. It woulod probably take a second person to help with time etc.

I had a dragster 80 myself. The duty cycle was a pain. I noticed it didn't give an overheat light or anything, it just kinda fizzled out.

[gaustin]

I don't think I answered your question.

When the machines I have used approch their overheating limit they shutdown, smell funny, or operate at a noticably lower output.

With this test, I would just like to know if anything noticable different happens with a "Name Brand" machine with similar output and size/weight.

[46/71 Hybrid]

Well, I was all set to buy a Chinese Plasma and take a leap of faith but based on the lack of response by the manufacturers that supposedly frequent this board, I can definitely say that it won't be from either of them. (Parker is a bit obnoxious but they seem to stand behind their product).

You guys had a perfect chance to put up your machines, dispel the negative rumors, confirm the supposedly functioning units, and you flat out blew it. From a consumer standpoint, I refuse to buy anything that the manufacturer won't stand behind; including letting their machines be run in a fair comparison.

As an aside, I called Lincoln about doing a test with one of their machines (I work for the govt. and we planned to order just 2) and about 5 minutes into the conversation he already had one pulled aside and sitting on the dock. Thinking that everybody always says "it's on the dock", I thought I'd give him a week and then follow up to see if it really shipped. Well, 2 days later, the machine shows up at the door with a handwritten note. I was so impressed that I convinced the purchasing department we needed 4 instead of 2 and I even convinced another office to buy 1 for themselves.

Customer service goes a loooooong way with most folks. And to think I was even considering purchasing one of the Chinese brands talked about here......

[gaustin]

What model machine did you get? I have a 40 Amp Plasma from one of the importers that we could compare with similar test if the machine you have is in that range. They sent it to me within a week or two after I agreed to test it.

Maybe test cut speed on some 3/8" or thinner and after a given number of inches/feet maybe compare the consumable conditions. Right now I'm limited on air supply so cant do much this week but would be interested in seeing how it compares.

Do you think I could get miller to send ME a machine ? I'm not a large company, just an individual that likes welding. Let me know who you talked to.

Again, I don't represent any of these companies but would really like to see if the same end results can be achieved with a comparable imported machine.

[David R]

You can compare it to my 40 amp Hypertherm any time. Had it a year or so and it just cuts.

David

[gaustin]

I am still working on getting a different compressor. It gets hot and shuts down after a minute or two of cutting

The one that I have is multiprocess GTAW/SMAW/Plasma. The plasma is rated at 40 AMPs . The max I have been able to cut has been 1/2" but it is considerably slow. 3/8" is less on my patience but still takes awhile. It may be a good thickness to use to compare consumable life.

Maybe time (arc time only) 10 cuts 6" long in 3/8" material using new consumables then getting a few pics of the consumables.

You can email me if you like and we can talk details. Or we can do it here . my email address is my 1st name and the rest is "at weldingdata.com"

Gerald

[Timberwolf]

And if theyhad a video, there would be one of their fine machienes in the foreground, but the cables would likely be run around a corner to a Lincoln or Miller hid behind.

[Rojodiablo]

Originally Posted by gaustin

I don't think I answered your question.

When the machines I have used approch their overheating limit they shutdown, smell funny, or operate at a noticably lower output.

With this test, I would just like to know if anything noticable different happens with a "Name Brand" machine with similar output and size/weight.

Now, to me, this isn't much of a test if these are the parameters. If you are running 90A, and at ANY TIME are getting an ozone smell out of the machine, well, things are dying inside....

A REAL TEST, say for tig, set the machines wide open, get some material they could barely handle, and run them until you can't touch them. Yes, the weld quality at 70% is important to know, but what everybody is asking is...will they live at the limit, and how long?? To put it in perspective, my Invertec 205 has been set on AC, at 200A for the last month. In the last few days, I have put down 5lb of 3/32 filler, and every inch of it was at WFO. My cooler pump has thermaled, my gloves have been turned to chew toys for the dog, the air coming out of the machine is only...WARM. And that is where the Lincoln Invertec 205 is in the test. I still have an air cooled torch we can use for the test if we can not get a water cooled torch for the other machines.

But really- this test isn't gonna happen. They had their chance, and they know the stakes involved for them. So, let's forget about a heads up test, the new machines failed to show up for the race, let alone run the dragstrip.

[gaustin]

I ran the 140 AMP SMAW machine welding with 8 total electrodes of 1/8" E7018. Each Electrode took about 1 minute and 15 seconds to burn down to a 1" stub. This machine is the size of a lunch box and never had the OC light come on.

I had the machine turned all the way up but cannot say for sure that I was getting 140 amps out of it.

What I am interested in doing is comparing SIMILAR machines from the importers to the others.

If you are burning some 3/32" 7018 at 200 amps you got some skills or your machine is out of whack.

I am just interested in seeing if the name brands weld better. I just spoke to someone earlier today that repairs miller machines. I had noted that the 6010/6011 would cut out for fractions of a second. From whatr I understand this can be common with smaller inverters.