Hi,
I hope you can help with my enquiry, I have had a good look through here and I am still confused as to the answer ( maybe there isn't one maybe I have to make my own mind up!!!)
I am looking for a plasma cutter for car restoration at home, will see little use compared to industrial / professional usage. I would also like it for small fabrication with a cut no more than 3mm required.
I have done some digging and machine mart etc all come in, as I am sure your aware, around the £500 mark.
Now a trawl of ebay reveals them a lot cheaper some even going for £250 odd 3 in 1 TIG MMA plasma.
The above has me tempted as it will see no use as an arc as I have a big un already, I have a MIG ( clarke 160 ish) but I am keen on playing with the TIG and.... obviously a fair use of the a plasma.
While I am tempted be the above a few have pointed out the concern over after sales support. I enquired and got this response
The warranty period of the items on our ebay shop is 6 months if not specified.
All auction items are guaranteed brand new.
We accept return only for manufacturing defect within 20 days after end of bid date. After this 20-day-time window, we would not give refund for any reason. And we'll offer customer parts for free within 6 months after customer buy the item.
I have asked if they diagnose and repair etc... waiting a response.
So the question really is does anyone have any experience of both the quality and reliability of both the chinese machines and the high(er) end machines I have described.
I really am in 2 minds -
£500 odd ++quality and after sales -- double the price no TIG, over spec'd for me
Chinese - ++ al lot cheaper ( more money for more tools), TIG--lower quality? No after sales?
Hope you can advise with your experience - in use, aftersales, parts and consumable availability etc... not looking to dump the decision on others!!
Thanks in advance
Scott
I hope you can help with my enquiry, I have had a good look through here and I am still confused as to the answer ( maybe there isn't one maybe I have to make my own mind up!!!)
I am looking for a plasma cutter for car restoration at home, will see little use compared to industrial / professional usage. I would also like it for small fabrication with a cut no more than 3mm required.
I have done some digging and machine mart etc all come in, as I am sure your aware, around the £500 mark.
Now a trawl of ebay reveals them a lot cheaper some even going for £250 odd 3 in 1 TIG MMA plasma.
The above has me tempted as it will see no use as an arc as I have a big un already, I have a MIG ( clarke 160 ish) but I am keen on playing with the TIG and.... obviously a fair use of the a plasma.
While I am tempted be the above a few have pointed out the concern over after sales support. I enquired and got this response
The warranty period of the items on our ebay shop is 6 months if not specified.
All auction items are guaranteed brand new.
We accept return only for manufacturing defect within 20 days after end of bid date. After this 20-day-time window, we would not give refund for any reason. And we'll offer customer parts for free within 6 months after customer buy the item.
I have asked if they diagnose and repair etc... waiting a response.
So the question really is does anyone have any experience of both the quality and reliability of both the chinese machines and the high(er) end machines I have described.
I really am in 2 minds -
£500 odd ++quality and after sales -- double the price no TIG, over spec'd for me
Chinese - ++ al lot cheaper ( more money for more tools), TIG--lower quality? No after sales?
Hope you can advise with your experience - in use, aftersales, parts and consumable availability etc... not looking to dump the decision on others!!
Thanks in advance
Scott