3in1from china

[sledge]

Hello forum

I am new to welding, and am looking to invest in some equipment, mostly for art projects. I have purchased Oxy/fuel gear, but am looking at the cheap all in one MMA, Tig and Plasma Cutters imported from China.

has anyone had experiance with these?

many thanks

sledge

 

[shenion]

That is asked about twice a month. Use the search for "3 in 1"

 

[sledge]

oops!

sorry this was my first post, i will be more careful next time

regards
sledge

 

[shenion]

Welcome to the forums anyway

 

[sledge]

just by doing a search, seems like a my questions have been answered.

great forum

many thanks

sledge

 

[Scamp]

Hi Sledge,
I'm new to the forum too and asked a very similar question. This thread is worth a read too if you haven't already found it

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=22802

 

[brightspark]

Hi Sledge,
I'm new to the forum too and asked a very similar question. This thread is worth a read too if you haven't already found it

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=22802

i personaly dont go for 3 in ones but if theres someone able to repair them at a reasonable cost they become a viable cheap purchase and worth considering

 

[sledge]

I thought that I had made a decision, but have changed my mind again. I think I am going for the Green Machine from UK supplier with 1 years warranty, and hope if anything goes wrong after I can get it fixed.

thanks Scamp

 

[Scamp]

I know what you are saying Brightspark. All the other kit in my workshop is top notch. When I was looking for a pedestal mounted saw for cutting the steel I couldn't find what I wanted second hand so bought new - that set me back a grand. Add the compressor and the pillar drill to that

But I am safe in the knowledge that what I have is still worth, pretty much, what I paid for it. In fact, I think the Eland 240 is worth more than what I paid for it. But I am no longer in the same financial position.

I could do with, but don't necessarily need, a new stick welder - I still have the old SIP 130 amp crackle box inherited from my Grandad 20 years ago and it still works. A plasma cutter would also make life easier, although a set of sheet shears will do the job, but makes it a 2 man job sometimes.

TBH, if there was a few more quid in the bank then I would most likely be looking at a name brand one of each. That said, I still remember the reputation of Migatronic and Butters kit, it used to be appaulling, and the Migatronic stuff was made in Loughborough. But everything is being outsourced to China - VAG now have a huge number of parts made there and it seems almost every item you pick up has made in China printed / stamped on it.

There are, I am sure, many members on here that are old enough to remember the first Japanese bikes, cars and electrical goods to come over and the reaction that the general public had towards them and more importantly the reaction that the UK manufacturers didn't have.

It is very much a case of you pays your money and takes your chance with the Chinese stuff. The thing that is now moving towards one of these 3 in 1 units is the fact that, through the power of this brilliant forum ( A big thanks to the moderators on here - I know how thankless the task can be sometimes ), I have the contact details of someone that says they can fix it if (When) it goes wrong.

I have just read what I have written - please don't read it as a rant, it's not.

 

[sledge]

This has opened up some very interesting points, that I had never even thought about. I am very glad I posted my question here before I stuck my hand in my pocket. Even though I had a shaky start.
I am reluctant to invest in named kit as I am not sure if my projects will even get off the ground, and I didn’t won’t to be left with an expensive toy hanging around, as I never seem able to sell off a tool when I acquire it . Together with lack of space I thought the 3 in 1 stuff was a good option. But then again I don’t need an expensive door stop either…. its not easy!

 

[malcolm]

Good start I reckon.

The downside with any 3 in 1 system is if one breaks they all break. Do you really need all 3? Also with the gas stuff I would have thought you would have all 3 of them covered.

What different stuff are you planning to do with the new kit? Let us know and maybe we'll suggest 4 instead and confuse the issue even more.

 

[sledge]

I have been welding and bending steel rod to make armatures with the gas and then filling with plaster or clay to make small models. I was thinking of trying to cut out thin sheet metal with a plasma and TIG welding to armatures to make flat surfaces.

 

[Scamp]

It is a real quandary. As I said I don't NEED a plasma or a new MMA and to be honest have never really felt the need to have a TIG but I'm sure if I did have them in the workshop they would be used. But then it gets to the nitty gritty - if you buy a £260 3 in 1 and find that the plamsa and the TIG are useful will you then start thinking 'I should have spent the money and got a better one' And obviously the same question come into your mind if it packs up and becomes a door stop.

Personally, I think I am going to chance my arm on one. I have a mate that has one for his car body shop and says he has no problems with it or the supplier so i think it is worth a go.

I have another mate that bought a brand new Murex AC/DC TIG plant and at 4 years old has had to have it repaired twice - it's only used for light work - so spending a grand doesn't guarantee reliability.

 

[sledge]

thats very much were I am with it. Its only for little arty-farty projects and if breaks its not as if its my proper job.

but should i get a red one or a green one?

 

[Scamp]

Which ever one best suits your eye colour I think

 

[richied]

you can try CT416(R40) with TIG/MMA/cutter function, made in China and may be sold somewhere in UK.

 

[ibrooks]

I should probably stick my oar in here as I took the plunge and bought a CT416 at Christmas and I'm really impressed. I'm really pleased at how easy it's been to pick up TIG welding although it's very thirsty on gas compared to MIG for similar sorts of things (just been using disposable bottles for the moment and a big bottle is on the shopping list now). Plasma cutting is awesome - I've been cutting panels for a spaceframe car I'm building and it would have taken forever with a grinder or similar.

I didn't buy it from China though. I'm lucky enough to live within a few miles of an importer (Local Tool Sales if I'm allowed to mention them and if not a mod can feel free to remove this bit of text) and I bought it from them so it's covered by UK trading standards at a minimum and they are close enough that I can throw it in the car and take it back to them if something does go wrong with it and that's what swayed me to take the leap. I've also seen good feedback on here about how they did deal with a problem. All the indications so far though are that it just does what it says on the tin (or box) and will do for the foreseeable future.

Iain

 

[richied]

I should probably stick my oar in here as I took the plunge and bought a CT416 at Christmas and I'm really impressed. I'm really pleased at how easy it's been to pick up TIG welding although it's very thirsty on gas compared to MIG for similar sorts of things (just been using disposable bottles for the moment and a big bottle is on the shopping list now). Plasma cutting is awesome - I've been cutting panels for a spaceframe car I'm building and it would have taken forever with a grinder or similar.

I didn't buy it from China though. I'm lucky enough to live within a few miles of an importer (Local Tool Sales if I'm allowed to mention them and if not a mod can feel free to remove this bit of text) and I bought it from them so it's covered by UK trading standards at a minimum and they are close enough that I can throw it in the car and take it back to them if something does go wrong with it and that's what swayed me to take the leap. I've also seen good feedback on here about how they did deal with a problem. All the indications so far though are that it just does what it says on the tin (or box) and will do for the foreseeable future.

Iain

Iain, we are proud to say we are the manufacturer of it and yes, if you want to buy for personal use, it is cheaper to buy from our distributors.

 

[gavuk]

Richied ,if you company manufactures ct416,can u supply spares for the machines ,circuit boards ,drawings etc ?

 

[richied]

Richied ,if you company manufactures ct416,can u supply spares for the machines ,circuit boards ,drawings etc ?

circuit board no problem, if you have bought our products and you really have board problem. About drawings, this will depend on which part you want, if you want some with business confidential, I am sorry that may not be ok. CT416 is made by our Shenzhen head office, we are in Chongqing branch and our product line is welding generators and cutters which are usually used for industrial use.