[Entropy11]

I’ve felt compelled to write something about this welder since the day it arrived. I was a kickstarter backer of this machine from the day it was announced because I couldn’t wait to try their version of an “advanced” dual voltage multiprocess machine. I’ve bought/sold, or used in a work environment, most of the major brands of welders over the past few years. I currently do all my welding at home with an HTP Invertig 221 for TIG/Stick, and a more recent but rather basic sub-$1,200 ESAB dual voltage MIG machine. I’ve been extremely happy with the performance of both machines. I’ve also had a ~ $100 Yeswelder bare-bones Stick machine on my work truck for odd (non-critical) fabrication & repair jobs (I’m a gas pipeline worker) for the past 5-6 years and that has surprisingly been flawless for me.

Features of this Machine:

MIG/MAG
Pulsed MIG
Flux Core
Spool Gun (capable) MIG
Lift TIG
Stick
Multiprocess Welding Machine

I believe retail on this machine is $699. I paid a little over 1/2 that price through the backer program. It’s regularly on sale through special promotions and currently $500 on Amazon.

It would take pages of text to describe everything about this welder but I’ll just summarize for now…

The number one feature of this machine that is mind blowing is the large full color screen and endless menus/info loaded into the machine. The menus basically hold a new user's hand and help them not only choose appropriate welding parameters (synergistic mode), but also guide them through the setup basics. On screen diagrams show you easy to understand pictures of exactly “what plugs into where”. Not sure what polarity to run for flux-core, MIG, TIG, or stick? No worries, it’ll show you. Do you simply have a tank of CO2 or Argon and you’re unsure of what modes you can run? It’ll show you. Not sure what this little knob does? Go to the onscreen diagram and see what that knob is, then follow it to the next screen if you like and get a full explanation of what that feature is, how it’s used, and how it impacts your welds.
If you’re new to welding or weld so infrequently you often forget some of the basics, this machine is one step away from including a personal welding instructor.

The ease of use of the menu mode and the rotary knob controls are some of the best I’ve ever seen. You rarely find yourself in one of those “how do I get back to …?” or “how do I get to …” situations. The best I can describe it besides “just plain simple”, is intuitive. You don’t need a course on how to navigate the menus. Yeswelder was in direct communication with the backers in the kickstarter program constantly asking us questions about what we preferred or really wanted to see in a multiprocess welder. I communicated with them on several occasions when when they were creating the user manual. They were asking us what details we expected and other details we wouldn’t expect but would appreciate. Little did we know all that info would make it to an onscreen manual.

Pros:

- Ease of use
- Guided “synergistic” modes and the ability to adjust, tweak, and experiment away from those settings
- On-demand Fan
- Dual voltage (110/220) with included pigtail adapter
- Endless adjustments you usually only find on higher-end machines (pre/post flow in MIG, arc force in Stick, full intricate pulse controls in pulse/double pulse MIG,… )
- Included Graphene liner for aluminum MIG
- Quality feeling MIG torch
- Inductance
- Pulse options on this level of welder (see below *)
- an optional MIG spool gun at a realistic price (~sub $200)
- Beautiful and bright full color screen w/day & night options
- User upgradable Firmware via a USB-C port

Possible (?) Cons:

- Repair Support if/when needed?
- ground clamp (as with almost any home consumer level welder)
- Longevity for heavy users?
- Pulse options on this level of welder (see below *)
- Future availability of replacement parts?

* Pulse capabilities on a machine in this price range are unbelievable. I don’t know of another pulse MIG machine under $2K at this time. Compared to the cheapest one I know of, this machine has more pulse adjustability and features. I've run pulse and double pulse on gas mixes of 90/10 and 98/2 (Ar/CO2) through my mixer. The option for spray transfer in MIG let alone the ability to pulse/double pulse sets a new standard at this price point. On top of that, the resulting welds from these functions are some of the smoothest I’ve seen. There is no roughness or hesitation in these modes. Same thing in basic short circuit mode. I put it in the con section only for the reason that many new welders are purchasing this machine not knowing what it takes to run pulsed MIG. Forums are loaded with people saying “give us the option to run pulse on 75/25 or straight CO2” not knowing it’s impossible. I mean, it’s not really a con when you get more than you pay for, but at this price point new people are confused that they can’t use all the features without needing 4-5 different bottles of gas or a mixer. Overall the option to do it if needed is wonderful.

Whether you need a welder like this isn’t really my point behind the whole review… I simply find it interesting that a welder at this price point with all these features, and a menu system that can actually guide and teach a new welder, can actually shape the future of what we see and expect from new welders in the future. Competition in this price range may have to step up their game to compete and high dollar manufacturers might have to second guess their expected MSRP’s when what might be considered as “entry level” competition is including more features and ease of use than they currently offer on their top machines.