I have a line on one of these (used) that I can buy for about half new price. With tig torch, but no bottle. It's a lift start DC machine, tig/stick, 110/150A with 120/230V input.
I am in the USA, where ESAB is a little less known. It was recommended that I ask here, by a member.
I have heard (from one welder repair man) that the large ESAB stuff is good, but that the smaller ones, such as the miniarc 150, are built in Italy (or china) and are built poorly, of thinner, weaker, breakable materials. Thin sheetmetal, weak phenolic PWBs, etc.
His basic point was to consider it about like a discount chinese import.... likely to fail, no parts available, etc, etc. He had no particular info on how well they work at welding, though.
I am kind of suspecting the "not made here" effect has some bearing on the dismal reports I have gotten. US folks *can be* rather insular... But then again they could be right.
I figure the US is the wrong place to ask, ESAB just isn't as well known.
What is the truth of the construction complaints?
Are these units reasonably OK, or something to run away from like the discount chinese imports?
I am in the USA, where ESAB is a little less known. It was recommended that I ask here, by a member.
I have heard (from one welder repair man) that the large ESAB stuff is good, but that the smaller ones, such as the miniarc 150, are built in Italy (or china) and are built poorly, of thinner, weaker, breakable materials. Thin sheetmetal, weak phenolic PWBs, etc.
His basic point was to consider it about like a discount chinese import.... likely to fail, no parts available, etc, etc. He had no particular info on how well they work at welding, though.
I am kind of suspecting the "not made here" effect has some bearing on the dismal reports I have gotten. US folks *can be* rather insular... But then again they could be right.
I figure the US is the wrong place to ask, ESAB just isn't as well known.
What is the truth of the construction complaints?
Are these units reasonably OK, or something to run away from like the discount chinese imports?