Thinking about buying Powermaster 205 or 256

[deuce88]

I'm thinking about buying a Everlast Powermaster 205 or 256 combo unit. Anyone have any input?

[lugweld]

As far as features, I would put my money on the PM 256 with the 60 amp cutter. It uses true IGBT modules from German Infineon.

The 205 while it is IGBT Infineon, does not have the modules, and it has less features with less amperage.

[ladz]

I'm thinking about one of these TIGs, either 250ex or PM256. Do they both have the same AC TIG features? I can already weld reasonably well on aluminum with a cobbled together WP17, HF-box, and an old Airco Arc unit. Figure having a modern unit would help considerably with the arc wandering all over the place.

The price seems pretty close between the two Everlasts. Anyone know if these will ever go on sale again? Hopefully after tax time, maybe a month or two.

[lugweld]

The cost between these two units price wise is about 200.00 difference, I believe.
We do not advance notice sales as the nature of announced sales makes inventory movement unstable. But call us and we will talk to you.

The AC features are the same. The PM 256 does not have lift arc or spot weld timer. The 256 does have the plasma though. For my tastes, I prefer a separate unit, though we sell a lot of the combination units. Everyone has an opinion on it.

The AC frequency and AC balance control will help you reduce the arc wander, along with the ability to use thoriated tungsten sharpened to a point. (you can use ceriated or lanthanated as well, but NO green pure tungsten). The pulse will help you manage the arc as well to some extent.

[ladz]

OK cool thanks for the info Lugweld, I was sort of thinking the same thing. Separate units are preferable. Already have a Hypertherm 900 plasma but it died for some reason. Probably will fix it, but I don't like the huge cut kerf and high air use.

A spot timer is pretty neat, didn't know that was part of the feature set. The 250ex doesn't have a thermostatically controlled fan, it's just full-on all the time right? That's one of the neat features on a Dynasty.

[lugweld]

The "neat" feature of Dynasty also sacrifices duty cycle. Check out the performance of the Dynasty on 220 power and you will see a MAJOR difference in duty cycle and output. Our fan is strong and runs continuously to offer extra duty cycle and higher performance.

[ladz]

Wow you're right, the duty cycle is quite low on that unit. Ha! Most of my welding will be 1/8 or less sheet, tubing, and angle but it'd be nice to have the extra capacity in case.
Thanks again for all the info.

[dstevens]

Is that duty cycle rating valid for high freq AC? For example does it derate at 250Hz? What is the output voltage at that 60% 200 amp rating?

[lugweld]

No, it does not derate. Plus its 60% @ 250 amps, not 200.

[dstevens]

At what output voltage? You are implying that it's in the same class as the Dynasty based on a vague claim of a duty cycle but not specing an output voltage or providing a power curve/duty cycle chart.

[woi2ld]

the DieNasty seems to have an even Lower Vague Claim , and i cant seem to find any of tha specs your talking about either.....compare'm

[lugweld]

Specs for the Everlast 250 EX:

18 volts/ 200 amps @ 100% duty cycle TIG
20 volts/250 amps @ 60% duty cycle TIG

28V/200 amps @ 35% duty cycle Stick
26.4 V/ 160 amps @ 60% duty cycle Stick
25.2 V/ 130 amps @ 100% duty cycle Stick

[dstevens]

Originally Posted by woi2ld

the DieNasty seems to have an even Lower Vague Claim , and i cant seem to find any of tha specs your talking about either.....compare'm

I doubt you looked. Charts are in the manual. Given the Power Master is a 250 amp machine and the 200DX is 200 amps the comparison isn't very apt though from a price/feature stand point for a lower cost welder the PowerMaster doesn't look too bad. I think it's misleading to imply that it's in the same class as the Dynasty considering all the features of each machine. While it may spec better in that one particular spec a basic rule of thumb is that if you are going to be welding at the upper end of any machine you should bump up to the next level. If one were to compare all of the features in each machine it is pretty clear that the Everlast is not in the same class as the Dynasty regardless of any increase in rated duty cycle.

[lugweld]

What features are you talking about?

First you want comparisons, and when I provide them then you go to something else. So I will again oblige you.

On the 250 EX
It compares very favorably feature for feature. It lacks only a few things, one not necessarily a disadvantage and the others are performance value. 1) The 250 EX doesn't have digital panel controls, However it isn't a big disadvantage because it allows a quick at a glance and touch recall and resetting of the machines settings. It is also color coded as to function to hasten operator learning. Its been my experience people prefer a more manual input as they offer quick reset and no menus to file through. The "knobs" certainly speed up setting the machine up. It does not have memory recall, but, this is hardly a feature that makes much difference in the machine's performance features. Plus replacement of the rotary switches is quick and easy compared to fixing a broken menu button. The other feature is wave form control. It doesn't affect most normal welding situations and is a "new" thing from Miller...what did people do all those years before that? The final one is it doesn't work on 110V.....which really, we have other welders that do and are suitable for the 110V people.

The Everlast 250 EX features are as follows:

Amps 5-250 amps AC/DC
AC balance control 10-90%
AC frequency control 20-250 hz
Pulse .2-500 hz
Pulse amp control
Pulse time on control (width)

HF start, lift start
Spot weld timer
Arc force control
Pre flow 0-10 sec
Post flow 0-25 sec
Up Slope 0-10 sec
Down Slope 0-10 sec
Start current of 5-100 amps
Crater current of 5-100 amps

2T AND 4T control with remote switch or foot pedal.
hot start.

If you were to take a look, those are very similar to the Dynasty's, if not somewhat wider range than the Dynasty.

The gap in the Miller line is wide, from 200 amps to 350 amps...which if you want to compare the 250EX to the 350, you'd again find better duty cycles on 220 single phase, even comparable on 3 phase operation. It's still pretty close on the features, maybe a little short on the AC frequency range, but better on the AC balance range. No its a max of 250 amps...single or 3 phase operation. But thats why we offer our PowerTig 315 dx...

As far as it isn't fair comparing units side by side because one has lower amperage is not understanding the comparison at all....The point is that it has MORE amperage capability, and fits neither the dynasty 200 or dynasty 350 equally... But to that effect, one truck manufacturer claims more HP over the other while they are still in the same comparative class. In your statement, it couldn't be compared at all since its in a range of amperage all by itself....If someone wants to "bump" up to the next amp level in a dynasty, they choke out another 2-3 grand and get a huge skip in amperage class of 150 amps... 75% increase in power....some bump....more like a mountain of a next step.

[woi2ld]

Originally Posted by dstevens

I doubt you looked. Charts are in the manual.

that would seem ignorantly familiar , would'nt it......................do u like getting lost in the menu of that machine..? it's like paying a bill on the phone , pushing buttons over and over again

[steve1234]

thanks for the coding, Lugweld..... it has helped me

[SundownIII]

coding?

Sounded more like a damn SALES PITCH to me.

Also an attempt to "run down" an established quality welder.

[down19992000]

Like sands through the hourglass so are the days of our lives.

[zapster]

Now why would someone on their FIRST post dig up a thread from March?????


More fuel for the fire.....I like this!



...zap!

[ed mac]

this is wrong lets see how many post steve 1234 and deuce 88 have one year from now
its spam and sould be stoped