So should I spring for new or used equipment as a newbie?

**tigqk** · 06-28-2011, 01:25 AM

Why don't you pop over to the local Longevity dealer in your area, that would be Brink Fab in Sylvan lake, Here is his contact information:

Brink Builders
85 Fieldstone Way
Sylvan Lake, Alberta, T4S0C3
Phone: 403-304-0024

I have the longevity LS 200PI which is the multifunction model, tig-plasma-stick, alot of people believe you should stick with dedicated equipment, but I look at it as saving space, easy to carry, and alot under one package.I use mine in both bodyshop and farm, yesterday I cut off the old bent up ram mechanism for lowering chisel plow wheels down and setting depth, bent a new set of collars and welded it on, using both the plasma cutter and welder without skipping a beat, only swapping torches, then pulled the vibra shank up to the shop and used my plasma cutting torch to remove the old rusty nuts to replace ALL the sweeps, should be finished today.
Great machine. Brinks is pretty close to you.Anyhow your contact info in Sylvan Lake is

Brink Builders
85 Fieldstone Way
Sylvan Lake, Alberta, T4S0C3
Phone: 403-304-0024

Let me know if I can get you any other info.

**Bex** · 06-28-2011, 06:43 AM

Thanks for the contact info. I actually saw the Longevity info first on Kijiji. Realised he was in Sylvan and funnily enough was at a home just two doors away the day before. Funny world. I will be contacting him very soon

---------- Post added at 06:43 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:29 AM ----------

Thanks for the offer, PM sent.

Originally Posted by SICFabrications

if you have any questions as to what the features do, what the various knobs dials n buttons do and what they do to shape the arc, please ask.... it's what i know best...

**Nick** · 06-28-2011, 03:37 PM

Originally Posted by Bluesman

higher than giraffe cooter.

Filed away for later use.

Bex, since you eventually want to work on a road going project - any welding courses locally? They're dirt cheap in some locations and situations, and you'll get first hand experience in several processes on different machines / materials. You'll also have someone babysitting to turn you in the right direction if you get lost.

If / When you work on the trailer down the road, post up a ton of pictures and questions. You may hear some negatives, but a few extra sets of experienced eyes can help keep the worst from happening.

**SICFabrications** · 06-28-2011, 04:13 PM

bex, i didnt recieve a pm from ya, just in case you were wondering why i havent responded....

**Bex** · 06-28-2011, 09:40 PM

Sic, new PM sent

**Bex** · 07-10-2011, 09:38 AM

OK, so I went to see my local Guy in Sylvan Lake. Had a great conversation with him and was sitting on the fence with whether to buy what he showed me or not.
SIC it was not the weldall that you suggested (he did not have one to show me) but another piece that was without the ac/dc otherwise the same.
I decided to think about it and also take one last look on Kijiji the local FSBO site.
There was a Miller Thunderbolt AC/DC for $250.00 so I thought, why not? Went to Calgary and got it yesterday.
It even had the operating instructions with it, came with a basic helmet too. Same chap has a Millermatic 175 Wire feed machine with a whole bunch of accessories and consumables. He wanted $1050 for both, I am left wondering if I should have bought the two. What stopped me is wanting to eventually get a Longevity machine.
At least now I have something to start with.

**WookieWelding** · 07-13-2011, 01:03 PM

not a bad price for both i would of grabbed both of those millers

**Bex** · 07-13-2011, 04:16 PM

I was tempted, thats for sure. I kind of regret it now. He included a couple of auto darkening helmets a bunch of consumables and a trolley.
If I had, I think I would have been in trouble with "SHE, who must be obeyed".
Anyhow, I am happy with what I got and have had a practice or two since Saturday.

**Tritium** · 07-13-2011, 09:26 PM

Sometimes you weigh the time "she who must be obeyed" will be irritated with you against the time you will be kicking yourself for not going ahead and doing what you thought was the thing to do / or not in the first place. Mine "who must be obeyed" usually gets over her anger quicker than I get over my remorse for leaving a great deal on the table.

Thurmond