Personally I have no use for everlast, just too many horror stories over the years. You say aluminum welding, that makes a big difference. Most machines capable of tig welding aluminum really aren't good for much else other than tig and stick work. Most multi process machines are primarily mig that will do stick and DC tig welding which is good for steel or stainless steel and mig aluminum with a spool gun. Myself I use 2 machines for those processes at my home shop, a primeweld 225x tig machine and a primeweld mig 285 with a spool gun. I've got less than 2,000 in both machines and pretty much have every process on any material covered with those 2 machines and 2 cylinders ( argon and c-25) of gas. I've used .045 dual shield wire in the 285 on some 3/4" + steel.

 

I said no plans to weld aluminum at this time. Aluminum chassis’s are way too rich for my blood lol. I’ve never heard of prime weld I will check them out. Thanks for the quick response I will check them out tonight

 

MJD speaks the truth, PrimeWeld offers a good selection, good prices, a great warranty & awesome customer service. I also have their MIG 285 with a spoolgun. The only change I made on my 285 was to order a 180 AMP MIG GUN, It comes with a 300 AMP gun & it's pretty big for the average home welder. My only complaint would be that it doesn't go as low as I would like for welding sheet metal.

 

I'd recommend 2 machines, 1 that is MIG and a used inverter that can do AC/DC stick/TIG. Lots of smaller MIG machines for sale. Plus if one machine needs repair you still have the other. Look for Miller or Lincoln.

 

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PrimeWeld: Shop TIG welders, MIG welders, plasma cutters, and more. Premium performance, affordable prices, and industry-leading U.S.-based customer service.

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I have no connection to PrimeWeld other than as an owner.

 

Do they usually run a Black Friday sale?

 

Check out ESAB. They are offering rebates. I purchased through Arc Solutions and got an additional rebar and free cart.

 

Yes! I bought mine in early November of 2024, and then found out they have a Black Friday sale!

 

new machines for a sub 2k budget.
Prime weld Tig 200-D ( DC only ) $449.00
Prime weld Mig 285 $999.00

$1,448.00

Bottle of c25 and a bottle of Argon- price depends on where you are located but at least $200.00 each

Puts you around $1,848.00 plus tax depending on yer location.

** Ideally the 2 machines Cavemann suggest Tig 285 and the Mig 285 but the will probably bust the budget after buying the two jugs of shielding gas.

As mentioned used is always an option if there is a decent used market in your area.

 

PrimeWeld has a 200 class multi process for $749.00, or a 180 class machine with spoolgun for $550.

 

I watched a few videos on the Primeweld machines and read up on them on here and Reddit and couldn’t find anything bad about them. I’m gonna give one a try but the mig is currently sold out. I got on the notification list for them.

 

The BEST thing Primweld has going for them, and the Weakest that Everlast has for them (both Great machines) is the Warranty!

 

I've had good luck with the 3 Everlast machines I have owned. They have been trouble free. New ones have a 5 year guarantee. Also had a PrimeWeld 225 tig welder. It was OK.

 

I very much like my Everlast's but,,,, if you were to need to have it repaired under that warranty be ready to pay the shipping costs and forget about it having Any warranty at all if you weren't the original purchaser. Their warranty department has an extremely bad attitude and no sympathy for your problems (all that does Not apply to Primeweld and their Friendly Warranty service if you ever needed it)...

 

This is your personal experience?

 

IMHO............all of the multi process welders are fine...........until they aren't. Amazing amount of electronics is packed in those little boxes to make them work. Electronics are prone to failure..........and expensive when they do.

But............it is what it is. You don't have much choice these days, unless you spend a ton of money on single process, dedicated machines............which these days also have a ton of electronics(shrug)

Everything I own, aside from the plasma, is transformer based. Easy to repair, and relatively cheap to repair.

Let's talk money. A Lincoln basic stick welder (225/125 AC/DC Welder.......about 1K........I'm truly shocked) (Hobart Handler 190 about $900) So.........you have about 2K in both welders..........and a damn sight better chance of having them last more than a few years(shrug)

Hell..............all my stuff is old school. So I might not be on point. But........I can doggone sure tell you that I wouldn't buy a multi process machine.

 

I’m going to get the Primeweld mig 285 for the price and warranty

 

So.............it's not a matter of asking for advice.............it's a matter of reinforcing your thoughts. Which is cool I guess. It's your money

 

Crack a beer sam
He came here asking for for help choosing a welding machine based on his 2k Budget.
Heck it is the title of the thread.
He was given options and the Primeweld machines were suggested multiple times

 

I mean...............I hate to sound nasty.........but a fairly long lifetime, dealing with this ****, has formed my opinions. Cheap stuff gives cheap results. And the disappointment is HUGE.

 

I mean...............I hate to sound nasty.........but a fairly long lifetime, dealing with this ****, has formed my opinions. Cheap stuff gives cheap results. And the disappointment is HUGE.

I had never heard of Primeweld before I asked here. I based my decision off of recommendations here and research I did after said recommendations. Quite a few people have recommended it.I called them and after 3 years if it breaks they will still repair free of charge I just pay shipping. You have 0 experience with it. You’re basing your opinion on no practical knowledge. Buying a 20 year old machine with unknown history is a roll of the dice. I’ve only ever used millers before but I can’t see spending 3-4K to weld hobby projects in my garage. What you sound like has no significance to me whatsoever you are just some random angry old guy on the internet upset that I didn’t take your opinion as the golden standard . Have a blessed day