Jasic or Thermal Arc

[Hood]

Thanks but unless I can find one locally (so I can test) and cheap I don't think I will go down the second hand route.

 

[HughF]

In the last 6 months, all the decent kit has been in Scotland. There were two dynasty 200's and a magicwave 2200... keep an eye on eBay.

 

[Hood]

Ah but you should never trust anyone from Scotland

 

[Jim Davey]

What's the pedal like Tom?

Not great. It's just ok.

 

[HughF]

Thanks but unless I can find one locally (so I can test) and cheap I don't think I will go down the second hand route.

That's a shame, there's some good used kit about if you're prepared to travel

 

[Hood]

I am just not keen on second hand welders unless extremely cheap, never really know what they have been through. Suppose the expensive brands can take a fair amount of punishment but with my luck I would end up with an expensive door stop.

 

[Jim Davey]

Dealers are a good place to buy used kit from, have an ask around your local outlets and see what they have taken in part ex or refurbished.

 

[Hood]

I don't think I have ever seen them selling second hand stuff, they are not just selling welding gear, they are more into ironmongery and tools for building/joinery trade etc so I would imagine they only sell and don't part exchange.
Would be good if they did, could take my tecarc and I could get a more expensive tig

 

[Jim Davey]

Spread the net a little wider then to include more than one outlet in your search.

 

[cianh91]

Thermal arc all day i have one 4or 5 year now mines only dc but iv used it for entire days running welds no problems . Its been knocked over by customers as im welding .
only ever had one issue with mine where the plug for tig torche wires snapped was fixed outside the warranty no ?s asked .
Lot to be said for proven record i know at least 7 other welders with thermal arc not one complaint

 

[Hood]

Spread the net a little wider then to include more than one outlet in your search.

Not really such a thing here, they are all that type. I could travel 1-2hrs and get some place like that but I prefer some place local I can go if there are issues.

 

[Hood]

Thermal arc all day i have one 4or 5 year now mines only dc but iv used it for entire days running welds no problems . Its been knocked over by customers as im welding .
only ever had one issue with mine where the plug for tig torche wires snapped was fixed outside the warranty no ?s asked .
Lot to be said for proven record i know at least 7 other welders with thermal arc not one complaint

Yes Thermal Arc certainly get a good name.

 

[addjunkie]

I have to agree, on thermal arc, i have one of the older ones, way way better than i will ever be.

 

[HughF]

Have you got 3 phase?

 

[Jim Davey]

I'd agree with you on the older Sanrex produced Thermal Arcs, I've not been overly impressed by most of their newer stuff. Their mig sets seem to have become particularly cheap n cheerful in build imho.

 

[Hood]

Have you got 3 phase?

Yes, 32amp supply in the workshop and also at the pier side.

 

[HughF]

I'd agree with you on the older Sanrex produced Thermal Arcs, I've not been overly impressed by most of their newer stuff. Their mig sets seem to have become particularly cheap n cheerful in build imho.

Shame...

 

[Richard.]

If your considering the TA then consider the parweld. They are made in the same factory and identical pretty much with different badges.
The sanrex machines are long gone with the TA badges unless buying used and are in a different league. I can't speak from a build quality POV but from a blue light POV they are very good.
Don't dismiss used. Search for privately owned high end gear and it pays off big time. My Rehm was used. Paid £900 for it and it's a lovely clean example. Oem pedal was new mind and price was eye watering but it's a great pedal and that's life if buying high end gear.

 

[HughF]

As you have 3 phase there are some nice thermal arc 300a (sanrex built) machines on ebay at the moment. Also worth a look are Hitachi (rare, but good - what I own and use) and Murex (Richard has experience of these and rates them highly)

 

[Hood]

If your considering the TA then consider the parweld. They are made in the same factory and identical pretty much with different badges.
The sanrex machines are long gone with the TA badges unless buying used and are in a different league. I can't speak from a build quality POV but from a blue light POV they are very good.
Don't dismiss used. Search for privately owned high end gear and it pays off big time. My Rehm was used. Paid £900 for it and it's a lovely clean example. Oem pedal was new mind and price was eye watering but it's a great pedal and that's life if buying high end gear.

Will keep an eye out if I decide not to go new. Not even 100% sure if I will get one as the TecArc does a decent enough job and has done me proud so far.
Foot pedals are no use to me as the majority of my welding is not at the bench and even if it was I am not sure I could find a space on the floor to put it
I have a wheel on my torch that I sometimes use, found it a bit awkward at the start but got into the swing of it in the end.