SPRAYED 01

iTrader: (22)

So I wanted a tig welder for diy turbo stuff. Not a pro just want to mess around weekend warrior style.

Here are the 2 I am comparing

http://www.eastwood.com/tig-welders-...dc-welder.html

I bought the eastwood. Its sitting in the garage and I am going to give it a try during the 60 no question return policy.


This is the one I keep going back and forth on in my head.
They are the same price but the alpha looks to have more features and a crazy 5 star rating on amazon.

Here are my thoughts.

Alpha has great reviews, does stick welding and has a digital readout on amperage.

Eastwood is local to me and has a 3 year warranty. The customer service is awesome and they offer classes in the store on all their stuff for free. It doesn't have stick or digital readout.

Anyone used both? What do you think?

Alex

millerpa

iTrader: (14)

i have the longevity and like it, had it for a year and no problems so far. not a pro, weekend warrior, but am impressed considering i sold my Lincoln 185 for a entry level tig. The alpha seems to be a good machine aswell. have a couple buddies that have them. aswell as the eastwood and nothing but good from them. it was between the alpha or the longevity for me.

aknovaman

iTrader: (7)

I have longevity 200 amp unit and it works well. I paid about $1100 delivered a few years ago.

I would go with the alpha as if I recall correctly, the Eastwood still used mosfet power transistors and they are not as durable as the IGBT ones.

Looks like Amazon for $680 is a pretty good deal for the Alpha.

SPRAYED 01

iTrader: (22)

Have to say that Alpha does look like the best deal. Digital readout and stick welding are 2 features is has over the eastwood. Didnt know about the power transistors so thats another plus.

truckdoug

iTrader: (25)

i've had the ahp 200dx and i dig it. great HF start and very smooth stable arc. plenty of power for automotive stuff.

you'll need a new torch though. the stock one is an oddball and doesnt take normal 2 series collet kits or gas lens stuff. also the regulator is a turd and should replaced asap.

I ended up spending right at $1000 for the box, a used 125cf bottle with a flowmeter, and a new torch, cable and gas lens kit.

truckdoug

iTrader: (25)

let me add two things.

I thought I'd hate the pedal but it's actually pretty nice once you get used to it

and I feel the pulse feature is nearly worthless. It doesn't go very fast or very slow.

truckdoug

iTrader: (25)

pm me for a supplier that i've had great dealings with. the connector at the front of the machine is a oddball too and requires a special adapter fitting that they had to get direct from CK

nossty1

iTrader: (3)

I got the alpha. It can do way more than my beginner skills can do.

raven154

iTrader: (14)

I spent a little more but got an Everlast 210EXT. It's been an awesome welder minus the regulator. I'm even using the stock torch. I've had it since 2013 and it's been a great garage welder. It welds far better than my skills allow me too but I did some welding on an aluminum radiator, Titanium just fooling around, stainless, mild steel. It welds great.

ben husen

so far i like my everlast 185
only have about 3/4 of a bottle of gas through it

aluthman

The 2016 version of the AHP AlphaTIG has high frequency pulse. They added AC freq. adjustment in 2015. They have also started to include decent flow meters with them instead of the crappy dial regulators they used to. I have the 2014 model and have a CK9 torch on it with gas lens and I got a good flowmeter for it. I've had it since Oct. 2014 and it has been great so far. Most of my use has been me teaching myself to weld, but I have also made an aluminum methanol tank and stainless downpipe for my car, as well as repairs to my aluminum FMIC brackets.

truckdoug

iTrader: (25)

damn I might need to upgrade. would love some useful pulse on AC mode. for frequency do you mean AC balance?

aluthman

No, my 2014 ahp has ac balance adjustment. Ac frequency adjustment means you can run it at something other than 60hz. The current range is 40 - 200 Hz. The new models have pulse from .5hz to 200 hz.

LS1-IROC

iTrader: (4)

I just got the Alpha Tig 2016 model. I love it so far. I was able to snag it off Amazon for $680. Well worth it. They upgraded the torch and flow meter.

chrism1791

Eastwoods has some oddball connectors if I recall and a low duty cycle. Good customer service
Ahp has pretty good CS as well good duty cycle and ac frequency helps a ton when precision is needed and balance control helps. When I was in school we didnt have anything like that basic setup with a valve and power lug.
The arc welding side is okay it digs feels really forceful.
Idk about the torch have odd consumables? I only played with one once seemed average to me.
Personally I would buy one but I have been looking for a diversion.
Ive never used a everlast been interested in them as well. How long have you guys owned your ahp's and everlasts thats truly the deciding factor with hobbyist machines.

69gto96z

iTrader: (13)

I have the Alpha as well. 3 years later and lots of garage abuse it still trucks right along. I wish it was a water cooled torch, but other than that, perfect for the house.

SPRAYED 01

iTrader: (22)

Just go the alpha in the mail. Need to go get a bottle of argon so I have not tried it. Set it all up on my new cart though and cant wait!!
Still have the eastwood I have to return.

chrism1791

Nice did they give you a flow meter or a regular regulator

LS1-IROC

iTrader: (4)

They come with a flowmeter now.

irrational

i said this in another thread but i had a bad go round with everlast and i would just like to put it out there. My powertig 185 just died on me about three weeks ago and required me to buy another welder or else lose a paying customer job. I picked up a miller syncrowave 300 for 700$ on craigs and it has been the best 700$ ive ever spent.

Im not saying that everlast is **** perhaps i got a bad two units in a row. But when i tried to look up electrical schematics to attempt to repair my unit i found a post saying "electrical schematics are our own property and we deem them to be used by our repair stations and not solicited to the public".