Received my Everlast PowerUltra 205 plasma cutter / welder Combo !

[BigMacWelds]

I received my long awaited Everlast combo unit. I had originally ordered the CT518D but was informed shortly after ordering that Everlast was no longer selling that unit. Instead, if I was patient and waited until the shipment arrived, I would be upgraded to an Ultra 185. This unit features the IGBT inverter technology and would be a far superior unit to the CT518D . That was a no-brainer for me.

When I opened the box everything was there and in perfect condition, and it was an Ultra 205 to boot!. Way to go Everlast! It is lime-green (really not a bad color afterall) and rocks! I only used the plasma cutter so far (actually the reason for buying it in the first place...the stick/TIG welders are huge pluses). I burned through all kinds of metal all the way up to 1/2" thick. It cuts like butter. I spent most of the morning today rigging up the desiccant filter and compressor connections, and also made some brackets to secure it to my welding cart. I am going to enjoy having such a versatile tool in my garage shop. I'm only a hobbyist for now but with great tools like this, who knows. I highly recommend the Ultra 205...

[BigMacWelds]

Update: I was mistaken as to the unit that I had originally ordered...it wasn't the CUT50D...it was the EV-CT518D...sorry for confusing everyone. I will post some pics of the Ultra205 soon...thanks.

[EVERLAST_SUPPORT]

Bigmacwelds,

We had a inverter re-design of almost all of our products and only offer two MOSFET models now. I'm sorry about the delay, it took longer to get the new IGBT design finalized than we planned. The IGBT units have been shipping for a couple months and I personally can say I'm very happy with them.

I am sure you will enjoy the new unit. And I voted for the green color myself.

[lugweld]

Let's see some pics...Push it to its limits.

[EVERLAST_SUPPORT]

Lugweld, I would like to see that myself.

BigMacWelds, your should be all set on the Everlastforums.com, I saw your name over there and added you. Make sure you register your units serial number.

[roadkillbobb]

Originally Posted by BigMacWelds

I received my long awaited Everlast combo unit. I had originally ordered the CT518D but was informed shortly after ordering that Everlast was no longer selling that unit. Instead, if I was patient and waited until the shipment arrived, I would be upgraded to an Ultra 185. This unit features the IGBT inverter technology and would be a far superior unit to the CT518D . That was a no-brainer for me.

When I opened the box everything was there and in perfect condition, and it was an Ultra 205 to boot!. Way to go Everlast! It is lime-green (really not a bad color afterall) and rocks! I only used the plasma cutter so far (actually the reason for buying it in the first place...the stick/TIG welders are huge pluses). I burned through all kinds of metal all the way up to 1/2" thick. It cuts like butter. I spent most of the morning today rigging up the desiccant filter and compressor connections, and also made some brackets to secure it to my welding cart. I am going to enjoy having such a versatile tool in my garage shop. I'm only a hobbyist for now but with great tools like this, who knows. I highly recommend the Ultra 205...

not to start another bashing thread but how can you highly recommend a multi purpose unit after only a day or 2 of use and you only used the plazma cutting feature??? how go you know it even welds??

[lugweld]

Roadkill,
Don't be a buzzkill.

Wait until the guy posts some more. He is obviously excited about his product. Granted a day or two doesn't make a year, but he has posted a valuable tidbit of info, for the keenly observant. Everlast made good on a promise. Obviously, when they were out of a product, they upgraded the customer to a newer and better product. He was thrilled that their word was honored, particularly in light of the bashing they have received. This seems to be an improvement to me and not the same ole/ same ole.

I smell no carp here.

[EVERLAST_SUPPORT]

BigMacWelds,

Stop by a LWS (Local welding supply store) and get some E6013 and you can test the Welding side of the unit and play with the MMA/stick welding. Cheap and quick. $5 for 2 lbs to start.

You will need electrodes for the TIG torch (7") and a bottle of gas for the TIG based on the type metal you plan to weld. If you want to PM me or email support @ everlastwelders.com, your phone number, I can call you and give you some pointers.

Then you can post "how go you know it welds?" for Roadkill.

Welding takes a lot of practice. But do not let that stop you from posting.

[specter]

I have to agreed with lugweld its nice to hear one of the Chinese companies are honoring their promises to customers as well as improving their product line to the higher performance IGBT units. I hope BigMacWelds will post some pictures of the unit performing its multiple functions.

[lugweld]

Got any pictures yet or mountains of molten metal?

[specter]

still waiting for those pictures to show the unit performing

[BigMacWelds]

OK...OK. Sorry for not responding quick enough. I've been posting to the Everlast site forum and haven't gotten back here. I do have some pics...hope you enjoy them. I also hope to try my luck at TIG...I just haven't had much time. I did a lawnmower project and just finished that yesterday. I need to mount a bumper to my riding lawnmower but I thought that the stock front end support was too wimpy. I reduced some 3X3 square tubing down to about 2X3 (that's what is in the last picture with all that dross sticking to it; had the amps on max...still learning). I'll post some pics of the upgraded support next. Today, lucky me, I had to use the darn thing and cut my grass...yuk! I'll do a better job of posting what I do/learn with/about my Ultra205.

[BigMacWelds]

I bought somebody's old MTD riding lawnmower a few years ago for $100 and have been messing around with it ever since. I spent last winter wire brushing all the rust off it and gave it a new paint job. With the Ultra205, I was able to replace the wimpy front end support with beefier square stock (see pic in my other reply). Anyway, after I sectioned out the square stock, I ground and beveled the edges and clamped it together to weld. I know, I should have used the Ultra205's TIG, but I haven't ever TIG welded and needed to practice first (plus, the grass is getting too high so I need to get the mower back into service). Anyway, I broke out the Hobart and welded the two seams. Again, as a hobbyist, I am still learning the machines and therefore I had the wire feed up too fast...very B-I-G welds. But hey, I also like to practice grinding and this was a golden opportunity. Came out nice, anyway, huh? So, the newly fabbed support is ready for machining. I did that on my Delta drill press (only sacrificed one 1/2" drill bit to the fabrication Gods) and painted it up...came out like I thought it would. Then it was just a matter of mounting it and installing the wheels and steering linkage (I painted that RED...cool). Now I've got what I call the "tractor tire look"...the front tires point toward themselves...I kinda like it since mine is probably the only rider around like that. It rides ok, so I don't think I want to spend the time bending the tabs that the steering linkage connects to to sort that out. It's custom...

I hope you like the pics and thanks for looking. My next project is to mount (weld!) some sort of front bumper so that IT gets trashed when I hit the side of my house, trees, etc., instead of the lawnmower's plastic HOOD. Wish me luck...

[BigMacWelds]

Originally Posted by EVERLAST_SUPPORT

BigMacWelds,

Stop by a LWS (Local welding supply store) and get some E6013 and you can test the Welding side of the unit and play with the MMA/stick welding. Cheap and quick. $5 for 2 lbs to start.

You will need electrodes for the TIG torch (7") and a bottle of gas for the TIG based on the type metal you plan to weld. If you want to PM me or email support @ everlastwelders.com, your phone number, I can call you and give you some pointers.

Then you can post "how go you know it welds?" for Roadkill.

Welding takes a lot of practice. But do not let that stop you from posting.

Everlast_Support,

I've already gotten Argon, tank, and tungsten...but my LWSS was fresh out of spare time...I'll get busy real soon. Thanks for the info...

[lugweld]

From the looks of it, you have a pretty good hand on making a decent MIG bead. The
TIG will take a lot more patience. A little practice will iron out the shakes. But I noticed a slight tell-tale sign of a problem you might have with the MIG and might translate over to your TIG welding. You can't see very well out of your hood from the squiggly nature of the beads. Even though they are well formed, they are in and out of the seam. Try a lighter shade and it will do wonders. If it is a vision thing, then get a cheater to help see the puddle.

Good luck

[BigMacWelds]

Very observant of you...yes, I am having trouble seeing the bead. I will try to lighten my helmet a bit. How far down is dangerous? I'm at 12 now...

[BigMacWelds]

lugweld,

Forgot to ask...what's a cheater?

[lugweld]

Yeah,

12 is a bit much for the kind of amperage you are using.
10 is plenty. 9 would be fine for some tig too. Higher Amp tig requires a little more. Plasma is good with a 5 even a good 3.
Some people worry about permanent eye damage, but the issue is blocking ultraviolet radiation and infrared, which all "decent" helmets are supposed to do regardless of the shade.

A cheater is a magnifying lens that installs on the inside of your hood.

[EVERLAST_SUPPORT]

Originally Posted by BigMacWelds

Everlast_Support,

I've already gotten Argon, tank, and tungsten...but my LWSS was fresh out of spare time...I'll get busy real soon. Thanks for the info...

Only thing to add, if you are welding in a dark area throw a flood light or more light on the work.

I wear reading glasses behind my helmet (cheaters). Nothing wrong with that, required for me.

And UV is an issue no mater that level you are at.

[BigMacWelds]

Great info...thanks...I'll tone it down to 10 and see how that works.

[EVERLAST]

BigMacWelds...


please PM me your tel number

Oleg

[specter]

Was nice to see those welds. You got some good advice on those welds and setting your amps. I look forward to seeing more of your project. That MTD lawn tractor looks almost like a four wheel steering lawn tractor I use to have from Craftsman ! It was a great tractor and the guy I sold it to is still using it all the time. Only problem I had with the tractor was the steering gears cracking a tooth or too on those gears.

[BigMacWelds]

Specter,

Yeah...I have to agree, folks on this forum really like to help. Lot's of great info. The MTD tractor has worked out well. It was a lot of fun painting it and now the front end project is allowing me to practice a little fabrication. I need to put on some steering 'stops' that will prevent the wheels from over-turning, and I thought I could integrate those into the bumper I need to build. I have a design in mind and will get to it as soon as time allows. Nice to meet you...

[BigMacWelds]

lugweld,

I forgot to mention that I took your advice and dropped my helmet shade setting down to 9.5...works way better now. Amazing how much easier it is to run a bead when you can see where you need to work. I don't have any more pictures, but I'll post some when I start either of my bumper projects (my 97 F250 Crew Cab or the famed MTD lawnmower of this post). Thanks for all of the great info.

Everlast_Support - again, thanks for your help as well...can't have enough help when you're new.