Buying a new Tig welder

[bkt]

Hello.

I have read a lot of posts regarding the same question and still I have doubts about this matter.

My hobby is the restoration of bikes, cars and even vans. I would need a welding equipment in order to weld different materials: bodywork sheet metal, exhausts and even aluminium. My TIG welding experience is zero and I have welded something with arc ocasionally.

So after reading and talking with some friends with welding experience they told me that an AC DC Tig was the way to go.

I started looking to different machines and excluding the low cost ones. I prefer to pay more once only. My budget is more or less 3500 Euro (including Vat).

I have found interesting the Kempy Mastertig MLS 2300 ACX AC/DC

Machines like Miller Dynasty 200DX or Oerlikon Citotig 240 they look also very good to me but they are more expensive and at this moment out of my reach.

Also looking at prices here on Spanish dealers, they are significantly more expensive than to buy one welder on UK and ship it here. Look for example on rapid welders:
http://www.rapidwelding.com/dynamic/DisplayItem.aspx?c=6162300ACX&rl=1
Will be this a good deal?

The same machine here will be 4400 Euro(including gas regulator).

Thank you for your comments and help.

Jon

 

[Marc.]

Hi Jon,

I have no idea about the kemppi mastertig but i have a Lorch T220 AC/DC and cant fault it... everyone on here will have their own preference / recommendation though. Good luck with Tigging!

Cheers,

Marc

 

[Premiershipman]

Another vote for the Lorch T220 here - cracking machine and great support from matt1978 on this forum.

Shady

 

[bkt]

Thank you Marc. and Shady.

I will check if the Lorch equipments are avalaible here and at what price. I will post the results.

If anyone else reads this post, more opinions are welcome

Jon

 

[bkt]

Hello.

I have contacted to the Lorch distributor in my area, tomorrow he will give a me a quotation. And my question is how much does it cost in UK?

Thank you.

 

[Marc.]

I should think it would probably be about your budget, but you will be getting one hell of a machine! Prices vary from place to place but your distributor should be able to give you a good deal on the unit!

Let us know how you get on!

Marc

 

[bkt]

Just a few minutes ago I have received the price.

4600 Euro (VAT included) in sterling pounds it will be around 3945 in. VAT and 3260 ex. VAT.

I am going to talk to the dealers personally until now I have contacted them by phone. To see if these are final prices.

Thank you for your advice.

 

[Premiershipman]

Seems rather high, mine was less than your ex vat price and it including vat and extras and delivery.

 

[sm-]

If you look at the "listprice" which is the only one i found online its pretty much spot-on.
And when you factor in that Rapid Welding has free european shipping on the Kemppi it makes it very good deal, Just to start with the Lorch supplier has to shave off close to a grand on the asking price then make a really good deal on the shipping and also is Lorch warranty European wide like kemppi has.

Just some thoughts

 

[Shox Dr]

I've a kemppi mls acdc2300 with cooler fantastic bit of kit. Bought it for a fraction of the rrp, unused.

If I wanted another machine I'd go for a lorch, I think. Mainly because I believe the UK importers go out of their way to help their customers. Lorch has a presence on here he's called matt..... forget his user name

 

[wheresmejumper]

matt1978 i think

 

[bkt]

Hello everybody.

Today I have received an offer of the Miller Dynasti 200 DX, complete with torch, gas regulator, ... the price is almost the same listed on rapid welding web (only the power source) and they have a unit used two times on demos with the same guaranty with a discount of 200 euro...

http://www.rapidwelding.com/dynamic/DisplayItem.aspx?c=A907356&zl=3

So I think I will buy this welder...

Jon

 

[Marc.]

I hope you are not wanting to due much high amperage AC welding as the duty cycle of those millers doesnt look as good as other manufacturers!?

 

[bkt]

Thank you all for your comments.

Finally I bought the Dynasty, today I have arranged the pure argon so in the following weeks I will spend a lot of time understanding this welder, I hope we get along...

Jon

 

[Paul G]

You'll get along just fine Jon.

I've had my Dynasty for several years now and use it every day.


Cheers,
Paul G

 

[bkt]

Thank you Paul

I have started using this welder and the firts doubts or problems have arise.

Please look at this post.
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=38996

Thanks