- Thread starter Taz1972
- Start date
Jim Davey
R H Davey Welding Supplies Ltd
- Messages
- 5,736
- Location
- Southampton
Inverters usually mean smoother output, more control with the benefit of decreased side and weight over a transformer based machine. SIP don't have the best reputation on here for build quality or after sales. Have you looked at anything else?
wheresmejumper
Banned
- Messages
- 2,626
theres a nice lincoln multi process unit around that price,but its 200 amps,not 250
Jim Davey
R H Davey Welding Supplies Ltd
- Messages
- 5,736
- Location
- Southampton
It's machine only at that kind of money though. Factor in a torch and a reg and you're over a grand by the time VAT goes on.
Any idea what SIP industrial grade machines are like?
The impression I get on here is that SIP have so much poisoned their reputation with their cheap MIG sets that few would even think about SIP for a production grade machine.
What do you want the machine for, full time pro welding or more of a serious hobby?
You could get a Tec Arc 251 machine for £730 including regluator, torch and delivery. Its a bit heavier than the SIP (61kg vs 45kg) but given they are both machines to wheel around with a bottle on, probably not that different. The Tec Arc is not designed to also be able to ARC weld unlike the SIP, but they have a far better reputation and UK made. Do note though, that the Tec Arc machines have a longer delivery time (a few weeks typically).
You could get a Tec Arc 251 machine for £730 including regluator, torch and delivery. Its a bit heavier than the SIP (61kg vs 45kg) but given they are both machines to wheel around with a bottle on, probably not that different. The Tec Arc is not designed to also be able to ARC weld unlike the SIP, but they have a far better reputation and UK made. Do note though, that the Tec Arc machines have a longer delivery time (a few weeks typically).
wheresmejumper
Banned
- Messages
- 2,626
not if bought seperately.60 or 70 quid would get you a mb24 3meter torch and a reg,thats what comes with the sip
Jim Davey
R H Davey Welding Supplies Ltd
- Messages
- 5,736
- Location
- Southampton
£879 taken from Rapid Welding's site, machine only, comes with an earth lead, drive rolls and a gas hose.
That's about the cheapest I've seen it advertised, however there's a bit of margin there for a slightly better discount.
Torch, as you say 35-55 quid, reg 15-35 depending on where in the world its made, I won't have Chinese regs in my shop, so lets say £830 machine, add £70 for a torch and reg, stick 20% VAT on top, £1,080 or have you found the Speedtec significantly cheaper somewhere?
That's about the cheapest I've seen it advertised, however there's a bit of margin there for a slightly better discount.
Torch, as you say 35-55 quid, reg 15-35 depending on where in the world its made, I won't have Chinese regs in my shop, so lets say £830 machine, add £70 for a torch and reg, stick 20% VAT on top, £1,080 or have you found the Speedtec significantly cheaper somewhere?
wheresmejumper
Banned
- Messages
- 2,626
oops,vat added
probably not get a multi process machine of lincoln quality for sip prices
edit,rtech do one i think,might be better 3-4 years down the road
probably not get a multi process machine of lincoln quality for sip prices
edit,rtech do one i think,might be better 3-4 years down the road
Jim Davey
R H Davey Welding Supplies Ltd
- Messages
- 5,736
- Location
- Southampton
Yeah I'd agree, but if it were me I'd save the extra money and plump for the Lincoln over both the SIP or the R-Tech.
Depends on how much use you plan to get from it and how good a machine you can justify with the available budget.
Depends on how much use you plan to get from it and how good a machine you can justify with the available budget.
