What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

Longevity welder anyone?

JK5

JK5

1/2 ton status
GMOTM Winner
Joined
Jan 31, 2002
Posts
3,453
Reaction score
4
Location
Norton, Oh
I purchased the weldmax 416D combo unit in march, it died already. Now I have to pay to ship this unit back to Longevity for repairs..

Has anyone bought a welder from this pirate vendor? Thought's please..
 
There's been an explosion in this market recently, expecially when it comes to plasma cutters.

The whole idea behind the cheapo Chinese units is they are so inexpensive that the mainline companies (Miller/Lincoln/Esab/etc) simply can't compete pricewise. That is why people buy them. For alot of hobbyists they work out fine, because they are not used hard and therefore the price point matches the needs of the user.

People do not buy them for top-notch designs, components, construction, or durability/dependability.

They are cheap enough that most "repair" consists of replacement.

I researched heavily before getting my welder (Miller) and plasma cutter (Thermadyne). ALL the Chinese units are hit-or-miss - they work fine for some, and others have gone through a half dozen units. They usually get replaced under warranty pretty easily, so if you're willing to deal with that and the potential downtime it's up to you.
 
I looked at this unit for 2 years, I didn't see any complaints, so I felt comfident I was making a sound purchase. I know employees at lincoln,
they've talked about the flood of chinese components that have hit the US welding manufactures. What's the difference..I thought to myself.

Hit or miss is dead on! I don't know what I was thinking..:doah:
 
I wouldn't despair yet. There are plenty of people who like the Longevity units - get it fixed and see what happens.

There are indeed Asian components in the Red/Blue/Yellow machines. The difference between complete machines is twofold: the components are chosen on an individual basis (a Chinese transistor might be fine, but maybe not a drive roller), and the designs are different. You can have a great design with all crappy components, a crappy design with the best components, a great design with great components, or a mix of all of those - the point is that it's a system approach.

The other thing the Red/Blue/Yellow machines have is the well-established dealer/service support network and supply train (consumables and repair parts).

FWIW, if price is a primary concern you can get some really good deals on used big-name equipment. I got my welder and plasma both used by watching Craigslist (via searchtempest.com) and got some great deals.
 
Jesse called today, we tried troubleshooting the machine. After poking for a few minutes, I found a couple loose plugs. Still nothing, Jesse's sending a new unit, customer service was pretty good so far.

I bought this unit, knowing I have bad luck with chinese produces. :doah:
I have 3 lincoln welders in my shop..I should have sprung for anouther.
 
I have the same unit that I bought from Jesse as well. Mine has already been replaced once. So far so good with the new unit but I wouldn't be at all surprised if this one craps out too because I use it alot. As far as customer service they are on top of it. Some of those other importers will not even answer the phone. These units have a 5 year warranty so as long as they honor that and stay in business for that period of time I'm not going to complain too much. I tig stick and plasma cut with it quite a bit and for the money you can't beat it.
I love lincoln but I can't afford a lincoln tig plasma and stick welder.
I have alincoln SP175 mig that's warranty just ended and it went in for some warranty work that was a total pain in the ass to get covered. Lincoln seems to be covering less and less these days and parts have skyrocketed to ludicris prices so that if it's out of warranty it's junk. There is obvious differences in quality between my 2 welders but warranty means a lot to me.
 
74kay5 said:
I have the same unit that I bought from Jesse as well. Mine has already been replaced once. So far so good with the new unit but I wouldn't be at all surprised if this one craps out too because I use it alot. As far as customer service they are on top of it. Some of those other importers will not even answer the phone. These units have a 5 year warranty so as long as they honor that and stay in business for that period of time I'm not going to complain too much. I tig stick and plasma cut with it quite a bit and for the money you can't beat it.
I love lincoln but I can't afford a lincoln tig plasma and stick welder.
I have alincoln SP175 mig that's warranty just ended and it went in for some warranty work that was a total pain in the ass to get covered. Lincoln seems to be covering less and less these days and parts have skyrocketed to ludicris prices so that if it's out of warranty it's junk. There is obvious differences in quality between my 2 welders but warranty means a lot to me.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply!:D

Jesse sent me anouther unit out...
Well...this one doesn't cut...the plasma doesn't work.

Jesse said, the unit would be inspected and tested. When I removed the cover, I found a wire from a resister grounding out one of the boards. :rolleyes:
They didn't test a thing...

Jesse said, he'd ship anouther one out..but I want my cash now!:rolleyes:
What a waste of time!:doah:
 
Let us know what the outcome is. Internet is a powerful tool. They seem to stand behind their product but it seems like we've both had a sketchy experience without having that much use out of our units. These units don't display the amperage correctly and I was told this wasn't a fixable problem. My theory is that the 416 was either rushed out of production or they used a different set of parts that were not compatible and it's kind of a bastard machine. When it works, it works awesome....Until it breaks.
 
74kay5 said:
Let us know what the outcome is. Internet is a powerful tool. They seem to stand behind their product but it seems like we've both had a sketchy experience without having that much use out of our units. These units don't display the amperage correctly and I was told this wasn't a fixable problem. My theory is that the 416 was either rushed out of production or they used a different set of parts that were not compatible and it's kind of a bastard machine. When it works, it works awesome....Until it breaks.
Click to expand...


Sure thing..
They offered to exchange the 416 for a 50 amp plasma..no refund..yet.
I should see the 3rd 416 next week..:rolleyes:
 
I would rather buy a Lincoln than a made in China POS (I'm a Miller guy). I don't see how having all of these china made goods on the market helps us at all. Most of them are crap, and now companies from china are buying American companies such as Milwaukee tools. Some of Milwaukee's factories in the US have closed down and the new products are made in china. There new line M18 and M12 are overpriced junk. They don't even compare to the US made V28 line.

I wonder if it wouldn't be better for the US if we banned imports from china and built better products here and kept the jobs here. I know it costs more to manufacture here, but if it means a better product and more jobs why not.

end of rant.

I have been very happy with miller welders and I don't mind welding with a lincoln once in a while. Its not worth the hassle to buy off brands.
 
Well...Jesse sent me anouther unit 4 weeks ago...
The machine was DOA! The welder worked but the plasma wouldn't even produce a arch, I received a light electrical shock when I touched the plasma torch plug. When I pulled the cover, I found that a soldiered resistor wire was sticking out 1/2" from the board, grounding itself on a heat sink. :doah:

Again, I called Jesse, I explained how I need anouther replacement..

After I received the RMA, I dropped off the unit at ups, Jesse said he would send anouther replacement after receiving confirmation. A week went by, I called Jesse to what the problem is, because there was no new unit in transit. Jesse said that he had talked to ups, for some reason, they weren't able to track the package...so they couldn't send a replacement until they received the the lost replacement. Last monday, they received the unit, still no replacement shipped.

I'm calling Jesse later today, I want my money back...:rolleyes:
 
Any updates on getting your money back? I sure am glad I read this, I was getting ready to purchase a 416D. Not now, I guess Ill save up for a used miller/lincoln/hobart....
 
86chevyk10 said:
Any updates on getting your money back? I sure am glad I read this, I was getting ready to purchase a 416D. Not now, I guess Ill save up for a used miller/lincoln/hobart....
Click to expand...

I wish I did that. I did receive anouther unit.
It works..on 220v and but it's hard to get the plasma started. Jesse says I need to call and he'll help me troubleshoot the machine..
 
Last edited:
uglytruk said:
My Lincoln 100 Amp MIG has worked very well for almost 20 years... Hmmm...
Click to expand...

Mine too! Back then they were USA made! :D

3rd machine's a piece too, the machine would die after cutting 4"! After calling on saturday, Jesse offered an upgrade...because the 416d was discontinued. Now I'm trying to recover the cash I spent..:doah:
 
Funny, my replacement has been working pretty good. Tig welded a bunch in high and low power settings and the thing has worked flawlessly. The plasma seems to have a little more curve to it than the last one but it cuts good as well. What upgrade are you going to get?
 
74kay5 said:
Funny, my replacement has been working pretty good. Tig welded a bunch in high and low power settings and the thing has worked flawlessly. The plasma seems to have a little more curve to it than the last one but it cuts good as well. What upgrade are you going to get?
Click to expand...

Simon offered for all my trouble..the new forcecut 50i IGBT machine. He offered the new 164i, but felt a straight plasma would be better.He promises I'll like this product! It's suppost to arrive friday.. :popcorn:
 
Well....

I received my Forcecut 50i. The unit cuts well, but the post flow air stays on sometimes, a timing circuit issue. This one needs shipped back too.

I learned a valuable lesson here. Buy American! Even though most of the componets are produced in China, the companies like lincoln, test and assemble each machine. Longevity just ships product that comes straight from china..quality control is not a big concern.

Even though Longevity has good service, I'd never recommend buying any of there products. Run Forest Run!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom