ESAB Rebel 205ic

[XMilitary]

Anyone seen this unit at SEMA?

It looks interesting, 49 pounds and up to 235 amps output for AC/DC MTS. The duty cycles are problematic in my opinion, even for a portable machine.

Thoughts?

[N2 Welding]

Just videos of it at SEMA

[lugweld]

Yeah, Not 100% functional with many parameters locked down so they could not be tested fully by the users. Since their promised introduction, their prices have risen a lot and production delayed. Everlast's have been out since July of last year, and our second, more powerful unit is out now.

[soutthpaw]

One thing adjust ESAB, they have been painfully delayed on most of their product releases since the merger/buyout. Would love to try one out sometime

[N2 Welding]

I am sure it will be a solid unit when released. I don’t mind waiting for a finished unit vs. getting it sooner only to find out I am the beta tester.

[soutthpaw]

I have access to a couple of the 215 rebels. When I'm finished with school in a couple months, I will finally have the opportunity to go play with them.

[N2 Welding]

Are you teaching or learning?

[soutthpaw]

I have access to a couple of the 215 rebels. When I'm finished with school in a couple months, I will finally have the opportunity to go play with them.

I'm finishing up my degree, totally unrelated to welding.

[Jawslandshark]

Tried it at SEMA, it was not a fully functional unit. When it does get released I would not have any concerns buying one. ESAB has about the best warranty in the industry, at least that has been the case in the Rebel line. I think it will be a great welder once it's all sorted out. The arc was real nice from my limited use. I would like to get my hands on one for more in depth testing. ESAB has impressed me with thier dedication to this Rebel thing, made a believer out of me.

I have two Rebels, very tough machines, the guts are about as well made as I have ever seen. The first 215's had a few issues in the beginning, but think that has all been corrected, at least in my case. No issues on my 235. There is not another portable welder on the market like this that can take the abuse and poor environments. Not saying it is perfect, but pretty damn close.

Don't worry about the duty cycle, the fans on these push a lot of air. Trust me you can't burn up a 215 putting tape over the vents and running it full bore for about 45 minutes. I have tried to kill these and can't, hopefully the 205's will be just as good.

[soutthpaw]

Owned 3 ESAB machines and they have all been great.

[lugweld]

Anyone seen these on the market yet?

[N2 Welding]

Anyone seen these on the market yet?

Not yet. Have not been looking but every time I look at welding supply inventory says out of stock.

[FuelieNova]

I would like to see one, cant wait forever to buy my next welder....
Tom

[XMilitary]

Anyone seen these on the market yet?

Nope only seen press releases.

[N2 Welding]

Judging by the Rebels currently in production, I would assume it will be safe to assume this will be a very nice product. My guess is they are tweeking the machine and squeezing every ounce of power but also turning it down so it has long life span. The guy I spoke with at Fab tech back in 2016 told me they dialed the original Rebel down a bit. Told me it was a pretty friking capable machine, way more than the final release version. They figure you get more life out of a a machine that has better duty cycle. Probably another instance of engineers and testers butting heads and trying to land on a machine they are all confident in releasing.

[XMilitary]

I would like to see one, cant wait forever to buy my next welder....
Tom

If serious about it, buy a HTP Pro Pulse 300

[FuelieNova]

If serious about it, buy a HTP Pro Pulse 300

Ha, my budget is quite to that level yet...
Tom

[FuelieNova]

I was at the LWS and asked them about the 205. Their response was lets call them and ask!
When they called they were told October release but who really knows.
I really want welder that does it all... I know Everlast has a nice 221 but I just cannot get past the mail in warranty.
I can wait until December before I have to purchase another welder, my current one is getting me by for now.
Tom

[XMilitary]

I was at the LWS and asked them about the 205. Their response was lets call them and ask!
When they called they were told October release but who really knows.
I really want welder that does it all... I know Everlast has a nice 221 but I just cannot get past the mail in warranty.
I can wait until December before I have to purchase another welder, my current one is getting me by for now.
Tom

I can relate on the budget matter but HTP pulse pro is my current 'can do anything I else I want in one welding box' welder.
I have to laugh at the mail in comment however, since you won't find it any different if warranty service is needed. LWS's won't service anything under warranty unless you bought it from them.

[Brand X]

LWS's won't service anything under warranty unless you bought it from them.

I never found that to be the case. Many service centers are available for Esab,Miller. Lincoln, machines.. I never had to ship one major machine back, only cheap E-bay/Amazon China crap.

[Jawslandshark]

I never found that to be the case. Many service centers are available for Esab,Miller. Lincoln, machines.. I never had to ship one major machine back, only cheap E-bay/Amazon China crap.

Same here, ESAB, Miller, Lincoln can be dropped at my LWS for warranty service since they are an authorized dealer for all three, regardless of where purchased as long as you have the original purchase receipt from any authorized dealer.

[Brand X]

On top of what you said Chris, I have never needed a receipt as long as the Date on the machine was in Warranty. Just what I have found over the years.. I would like to point out when I said China crap, it's the low end bottom feeder stuff ,that's mail order back only.. Been a while since I owned any of their welding machines..

[FuelieNova]

I agree... My LWS is amazing, I buy all my consumables, gas etc from them. I stop in there so much to buy stuff they even told me to check craigslist etc for welders, evidently the profit margins must be low on welders
The thing is, for some reason I really wanted to try an Everlast 221 this time, not sure why, maybe see if all the negative stuff is true. Im just a incredibly small business and cannot afford to make a mistake. Shipping cost can add up after 30 days if needed.
We will see what Oct - Nov brings.....
Tg

[tkevan]

Same here, ESAB, Miller, Lincoln can be dropped at my LWS for warranty service since they are an authorized dealer for all three, regardless of where purchased as long as you have the original purchase receipt from any authorized dealer.

I have a service center right here in town. Quick, clean, easy. Now, waiting for parts to arrive is another story.

[FuelieNova]

I guess I will find out how good this welder is... I stopped in my LWS, they told me that the welders will be shipping to them Oct 3rd. I put $1K down to order mine, I will be in Israel until the 12th so won't get to try it out for a while.
Tom