Anyone have any experience with Longevity Welders

[Rustystud]

I was looking at an inexpensive import ac/dc tig welder. I came across an import called Longevity. In particular I was looking at a model 200PI.

It is supposed to be a ac/dc 5-200 amp stick/tig, and 50 amp plasma cutter.

Of the imports I have found more positive comments on the Longevity and Reiland brands.

If anyone has any first hand experience with the Longevity mahines please share it with me.

Thanks
RustyStud

[PTSideshow]

Google the name you will run the other way. Check out some of the welding forums there hasn't been a good word said about the company other than the speed they cash the checks.

To me any company that advertises on almost every Craig's list isn't somebody that I would what to deal with.

The one place that has nice words is supposed to be owned by the company. This is a vid on the one you are talking about.You tube notice that the guy doing the demo is wearing a longevity Tee shirt There are some other video's among the 7 posted there all by the company so take them with a grain of salt. Do a google for a U tube vid of some guy smashing a new one to bits.

Here is a general posting on Import units, another brand.http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/...-complain.html

The combo all in one machines just shout that there is more that can go wrong.

The only other thing I have seen is that they aren't close to the thickness as they claim. And they are slow to respond to complaints or parts requests.

I would think about a HF unit first as they are local you could take it back in the first month if you have a local store.

[MichaelP]

Search this site: http://www.hobartwelders.com/weldtalk for multiple discussions on this subject.

In short, stay away. The're is no such thing as a free lunch. Choose something made by the major manufacturers instead of the "do-it-all-but-not-for-too-long" cheap import.

[Willy]

A while back a member here posted a youtube video of a very disgruntled Longevity owner. If I remember correctly he beat the living daylights out of it with a sledge.
Not a happy camper.
Like so many other things in life...you get what you pay for.


A link to the thread:...http://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net/showthread.php?t=35638

Unfortunately the video has been pulled.

[EVguru]

The three in one units by any Chinese company appear to be a poor choice. The characteristics of a Plasma cutter power supply are just too different to stick/Tig and trying to get one power stage to do both stresses the components.

I haven't used it a whole lot, but I've been happy with the Jasic WSE200P (the 'P' standing for pulse, not plasma) I bought. I've had it open and it appears to be well constructed and uses Japanese brand caps and Mosfets.

There is a Yahoo group for owners of Chinese welders http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Chinese_TIG_Welders/

[gnm109]

Much has been written on various welding sites regarding Longevity and another similar company, Everlast. To date, I've yet to hear a single good report from an independent person regarding either one.

They are typical Chi-com combo machines with relatively low power and more talk than output.

I would stick with either of the big two. Lincoln or Miller, not necessarily in that order. I have a Lincoln Mig and a Miller TIG/Stick and I couldn't be happier.

Hobart is OK and there are a few others. Basically, I stick with an American machine with support, parts and lots of other owners to whom I can speak.