Is this the best ARC for my money?

[dantastic]

Looking to buy an ARC welder. Strong believer in buy right buy once.

I was pretty much sure I was going to get a Thermal Arc 175SE.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/THERMAL-ARC-MASTER-175-SE-MANUAL-METAL-ARC-LIFT-TIG-WELDER-240V-INVERTER-/330876611091?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4d09c86a13

£205 - after searching around it seems to be fetching only positive reviews.

Then unfortunately (maybe) a spanner in the works, this one got recommended:
http://www.plasmapart.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=98&products_id=470

Very little info about it. High duty cycle, good warranty and spares readily available.

So these two are the ones I'm currently looking at. But are any of these the best I can get with my money? Realistically I probably won't need anything more powerful than 140 but a more powerful welder obviously offer a better duty cycle.
Both of them can go really low which I like too.

 

[Jim_gsxr1000]

I have a thermal arc 161s for site work its dual voltage machine thus can be used form 110 suply, exelent bit of kit cant fault thermal arc... plasma part is chineese

 

[wheresmejumper]

isnt the thermal arc?

 

[Lawnmowerboy]

take a look at R-tech stuff, Really good kit for the money.

 

[dantastic]

I'm now thinking the Parweld XTi 160. Also very good duty cycle and seems a bit better than the first 2.

 

[Desertrat]

I have a Thermal Arc 175te, solid well made and for me I love it, totally reliable never given a problem. Good spares backup too. Never heard of the other one you asked about, but lots of this stuff is made in China, as I think Thermal Arc is, but I am told that quality control varies widely. Very difficult to decide I know I looked for ages, but most certainly have no regrets. Good luck, its a mine field!

 

[Jim_gsxr1000]

The 161s is made in italy although i think the 175 may be made in china, still carries the thermal arc badge so will be good quality

 

[steve.h]

what about the http://www.weldequip.com/parweld-xti160.htm this is under £200 and has the ability to do lift tig, which I understand to be better than scratch start tig. always good to have the tigoption, you would just need a tig torch, regulator and gas...
That is what I have been looking at. and only 78 quid for the tig torch too.

 

[matt1978]

The 175 seems to be a good seller, you should take a look at the Esab Buddy Arc and Jefferson units aswell as they are pretty much identical units, so you might be able to get a bit cheaper or with more extras/warranty etc

 

[wheresmejumper]

there is a fairly new thermal arc 175 on donedeal for €100 in kilkenny.id snap it up if i was closer

 

[dantastic]

there is a fairly new thermal arc 175 on donedeal for €100 in kilkenny.id snap it up if i was closer

Thanks for the heads up. So would I but it's a bit too far away. I'd spend the difference in diesel...

 

[Royston123]

i'm looking at buying a
STAHLWERK AC/DC TIG 200 PULSE S - HF Inverter with MMA ARC STICK . Does anyone have any experience with this welder or company ?
Just wondering if there any good or *mod edit - no swearing on the forum please* !!

 

[Royston123]

Thats just it ... its not German its Chinesse endorsed by German company STAHLWERK .. well so i'v been told ... it seems to have all the bells whistles.. Its coming in at €850 with all the leads & accessories !

 

[Royston123]

Upps sorry about that .. wont happen again

 

[Tom Orrow L]

Google GCE arcontrol 200, been looking at one of them. around the same price as a thermal arc 175 but you're getting 200 amps rather than 175. not used one myself though so cant vouch for them as of yet but theyre worth having a look at.

fair few of them on ebay going cheap.

 

[Royston123]

Google GCE arcontrol 200, been looking at one of them. around the same price as a thermal arc 175 but you're getting 200 amps rather than 175. not used one myself though so cant vouch for them as of yet but theyre worth having a look at.

fair few of them on ebay going cheap.

cheers bud ..

 

[Kent]

The 161s is made in italy although i think the 175 may be made in china, still carries the thermal arc badge so will be good quality

most will have at least some Chinese components inside. Personally I should personally speaking rather have Chinese over Italian everything Italian I have ever had went wrong

 

[mrc79]

I have the parweld 160xti. I think it's a good quality welder and at a very good price. Ive had it for 3 years and it's served me well. If I was to get a new welder I would look a a multi process machine with a wind tunnel type design to keep the metal dust away from the circuit boards. I have seen the jasic welders recently at a shop and was impressed with the build quality.

 

[Richard.]

Lancia delta, one of the most beautiful cars ever produced and one of the most unreliable. Id still have one though.

 

[Richard.]

Where it comes from doesn't really mean a great deal nowadays. It's a matter of reputation.