An open invitation (challenge) to Everlast or Longevity.

[longevity-inc.com]

Keep in mind guys that Gerald's machine is our lowest model at $199.99 shipped. We will have more test of our more expensive equipment and with machines that produce higher power. Give us a bit more time and we will make it happen.

I am glad to see Welding Web forums turn from bashing and unwelcoming messages to actually helping customers that have these machines and offering solutions to potential customers who are on a budget.

Simon

[Cruizer]

Really these machines from Longevity and others weld identical to thier US name brand counterparts. however, they are not marketed to the high end professional welder. Instead, the low buget garage guy buys these, they break, they whine, they toss it and go by another, still way cheaper than getting a name brand.

The internals are of old technology, using a bank of mosfets instead of a couple of IGBT's for the most part. While the fets do the same thing, they are problem prone,. And since in a large way quality control is simply not there, often upon recieving, they do not work as they are not often tested at the factory.like the name brand counterparts where each unit is tested to it'sspecification.

Now I do tech support for every name brand, and I have to repair them. I have been repairng Longevity and others. Generally takes quite a while to t-shoot them because of the redundant and the "What the heck were they thinking" circuitry. Adding a bit of circuitry protection and a few other of my own modifications, these machines never return for service.

And that is what is called for here, get some customer support in action.

[mudbugone]

Originally Posted by Cruizer

Now I do tech support for every name brand, and I have to repair them. I have been repairng Longevity and others. Generally takes quite a while to t-shoot them because of the redundant and the "What the heck were they thinking" circuitry. Adding a bit of circuitry protection and a few other of my own modifications, these machines never return for service.

And that is what is called for here, get some customer support in action.

************************************************** ***********************************************
The problems that exist with these units seem to be "fixable" from your standpoint.....

How about a tutorial on how to make them more durable for the average consumer.Do a DVD and sell it....The frustration by most owners would justify that purchase.

I don't own one,but I would be interested in what the problems are & how to fix those problems...... These issues just continually surface from all corners.....It would be great if someone that understands what's going on could give more than they are POS China made units. They obviously work when they operate correctly...the reliability issue seems to be the stumbling block most often quoted in conversations.

I'm one of those guys that opens these things up and just looks at all those things inside with no idea of what's going on in there......If it doesn't work... LOL

[Cruizer]

It's the way they have the Fets firing, I smooth out the input ripple. The ripple effect seems to make them overheat and smoke. Now What I do is board level, not a fix that most are capable of and it veries from machine to machine, I also put in control board board protection to protect it from surges, Something all major firms do, except the Chinese designed versions.

Another problem is the Fets are only over rated by 5%, so thier heat tolerance isn't all that good to begin with. So the average garage guy probably would never get to max load, and I think thats what the manufacturers are counting on.

[mudbugone]

Let me ask another question? What do you charge to up-grade one of these machines?

I'm not asking for a specific amount...just a general idea of what it might cost. Since you seem to have more knowledge about how they function than I do. It seems everyone always assumes these units have defects,which may be true,but the shipping handling(and rough use handling) also seem to factor into the equation.

I'm not a student of electronics,but it seems if the issue is the weak internals,it would be smarter as well as cheaper to fix those weak parts that cause the problems constantly. If all threads on the subject are to be believed,although I've heard glowing praise of them too. More now than when they first hit the market.

I keep following along in the threads about them with an open mind,while trying to understand why the problems still exist. I have to say at least here there is the chance for feedback and support. This is a good thing.

Thanks,for pointing out some issues these units may have...I'm just like a sponge and try to soak-up information on subjects that interest me.

[gaustin]

Please forgive as I will probably post this in another forum or two. Since this thread has had such interest and such I figured I would post a few 1/2" cuts I made . My Air compressor gets a little hot when putting out 3.7 CFM at 65 PSI so I used a storage tank to charge up in between cuts.

These cuts were made at 4.3 IPM on 1/2" A 36.



This was not a DUTY cycle test as I had to wait for my tank to fill between cuts. Details about what I did are at http://weldingdata.com/WelderReviews...ast/EV416D.htm along with higher resolution pics and pics of consumables etc.

I didn't cut up any new shiny material or use a angle to make sure I cut straight etc. But maybe my feeling have healed up since the last time.

[Cruizer]

Usually the machine is in the shop for other work, so we just do it, Add it to the invoice as preventative maintanance so there is no direct cost. Easy stuff if you know where to look.

[Cruizer]

Guastin, a plasma cutter is a plasma cutter, who cares, it does not mater that it cuts or if a welder welds. All that matters is support for that product. Let us know when it fails and you can't do squat about it cept get another.

I usually put T-dyne torches on these units as the guns duty cyle is way better, parts are plentiful and consumables are inexpensive

[farmersamm]

Just to stick my oar in.

Most of the imported stuff has one hell of a long lead time between manufacture, and actually showing up stateside on the dock. As much as 6 months. Any innovations also are around 6mo. behind. It's basicaly not a really good system.

I buy a lot of tooling. Arbors, adapters, etc. It's all made overseas now. If the company is out of stock, it's 4-6mo. before they get a new shipment.

I also don't particularly think the overseas suppliers are particularly consumer driven. A lot of stuff is one time production runs, and you can crap in one hand..... and wish in the other, either way you can't get replacement parts on the limited production run stuff.

I've had to get parts for an old Lincoln crackerbox(before I finally retired it), and the stuff is a day away via UPS. That's real good support I think.

[denrep]

Originally Posted by gaustin

...I figured I would post a few 1/2" cuts I made...
...These cuts were made at 4.3 IPM on 1/2" A 36.

I tried to visualize the 4.3 IPM cutting speed by taking 15 seconds to draw a one inch line.

Sorry, I guess I wouldn't have the patience for it.

[gaustin]

Oh. Thanks!

Is there some "IGBT's and MOSFETS for Dummies" book I can get so I can delve into this deeper should the one I have fail?

Right now I dont care about service. I have heard the product was inferior. It is obvious that many of these importers are VERY small companies and limited in resources. Its good to know that other companies or individuals are out there with the knowhow to replace parts and "maintain" the machines.

In my opinion having another resource for repairs makes the machines a better value.

[gaustin]

Originally Posted by denrep

I tried to visualize the 4.3 IPM cutting speed by taking 15 seconds to draw a one inch line.

Sorry, I guess I wouldn't have the patience for it.

Its a VERY slow cut. Its possible that a faster speed could be used but I didnt use them . I think 40 amps is a little low for 1/2" for any kind of production. But if production is the issue, throw the plasmas away and fire up a torch.

Use the plasma on shiny stuff and those heavy duty auto body jobs !

[Rojodiablo]

Originally Posted by gaustin

Its a VERY slow cut. Its possible that a faster speed could be used but I didnt use them . I think 40 amps is a little low for 1/2" for any kind of production. But if production is the issue, throw the plasmas away and fire up a torch.

Use the plasma on shiny stuff and those heavy duty auto body jobs !

It does seem pretty slow. I have a little Lincoln Pro cut 25, and it will cut 3/8 steel faster than that, and it is only a 25A machine. And I hear you on the compressor being a determining factor. I KILL compressors, it is not even funny anymore. I finally got a 35 gallon tank 3hp running unit, and for the first time, I can shoot HVLP paint guns without stopping, or killing breakers/ overheating compressors. But still, I can not imagine a cut speed that slow. I'd fall asleep, and burn myself!!!!

[gaustin]

Its possible I may try a little more speed but I like to keep the drag lines close to straight. On the 3/8" you cut with the 25 amp, are the drag lines pretty straight or are they curved at the bottom ?

[David R]

I have a 40 (Hypertherm) amp unit that will cut 1". Slow too, but nice looking cuts. 1/2" is a breeze for it. Anything under 1/2" is like butter until I get to aluminum, this seems to take a lot more.

David

[gaustin]

I cant see this one going through 1" but will have to give it a try. What kijnd of travel speeds do you get on the 1/2". Does the hypertherm use different size tips etc for different thicknesses ?

[David R]

One size tip. I will check out travel speed.

David

[gaustin]

It looks like some other MFG rate 1/2" at a much higher cutting speed. I may try traveling at this speed and see what happens. I am picturing some fire flying in the WRONG direction but may be wrong.

[Rojodiablo]

Originally Posted by gaustin

Its possible I may try a little more speed but I like to keep the drag lines close to straight. On the 3/8" you cut with the 25 amp, are the drag lines pretty straight or are they curved at the bottom ?

Pretty straight Gaustin. Well, as straight as I bother to keep my hand and the torch!! Also, if my tip is new, it makes it much better, this is the same for all plasma cutters I think. When I use a guide, I can concentrate on cut speed vs keeping a straight line. When I do this, I get a really good cut. Most of my material is 1/8" and 3/16" steel, or SS. It cuts that stuff fast and easy. The 25 does not like aluminum thicker than 1/8". I use a skilsaw for that anyway, better, faster cut every time.

[gaustin]

I just cut 5 pcs each 4.75" Long with a cut time on each from 28 to 35 seconds. So that is in the 8 to 10 IPM range. Either I don't have the skill or the machine doesn't have the power to go any faster than that. I am attached to a 60+ foot long cord of 10/2 wire. So there may be some loss there.

[David R]

I made 2 cuts today. One 8 + inches and a shorter one. The 8" cut took me less than a minute counting I let off on the trigger twice and had to restart.









I have used this machine like crazy for a year.

David

[gaustin]

David, Those look good. The drag lines look a little straighter than what I got at 8-9 IPM.

[grey]

Yes, please send me some machines to test. Being truly ignorant I can be an unbiased.
Just PM me the location where I can pick up the machines.

Thanks.

[FormerTankSarge]

Good post and good job with the tests, but I know how frustrating it is to go to work on something and the tool doesn't work and it's past the "30" days. I had trouble with my HF flux welder at about 45 days, gun would keep running out wire after I stopped welding, I am stuck with it, still welds ok for short duration but if it gets hot...Oh well.

I'm looking for a Plasma and don't think I would be very happy to get one that was Dead on Arrival.

Just my thoughts.