Should I buy used or new?

[A16X]

I currently have a SIP 105 welder that I've owned for many years.
I've used it to restore a big triumph saloon,much work on my spitfire and to do many repairs on my friends mk2 escorts.
However I now feel I'd like something better.
Using the 105 has been ok but as my work has improved I've noticed its shortfalls more,mainly having to wait for it to cool down!
I will at some point need to replace the front of the chassis on my spitfire and I also need to do a lot of work on one of the escorts this year.....including building a rollover stand.

My budgets is in the region of £300 bit more for the right welder but it would need to be something special.
I'm hoping this will be a long term purchase!
I'm leaning towards a used welder,rather than a cheapie new one?

Any opinions?

Thanks
Alex

 

[shenion]

The older , used machines are better than most of the new hobby welders. If they still work, they will probably keep working for a long time.

You just will need to be able to do some maintenance on them; usually new liner and tips. If it has a removable torch like a Eurotorch connector, then parts are easy to get or you can just replace the torch.

If you have 3-phase, there are a lot of inexpensive machines available.

 

[A16X]

Unfortunately no 3 phase, however I do have a higher 16a socket if that makes any difference?
What size would you think I'd should go for,my thinking was about 180A?

 

[shenion]

I started with a Clarke 130EN, worked well and I never hit the duty cycle on it. I soon wished I had the 180EN.

180 is a good size. Just make sure bigger machines can still go down to 30A or less if you do thin metal.

I ended up with a used Miller 250A machine (that is 250A at 100% duty cycle.) Will blast holes in just about anything I need it for.

 

[A16X]

Well I've now bought a lincoln 180amp,sounds like just the job as it's not seen too much use and is only about 5-6 yrs old.
Fingers crossed......I've paid less than £300 which I think is a good deal?

 

[Wedg1e]

If it's that new it ought to be a bargain!

 

[shenion]

The Lincoln 180C is what all the hobby brands want to copy.

Sounds like a good deal on a great machine.

 

[F.J.]

Is that the compact 180? I used to Have the 215 compact and 350 compact and both were great machines. I also bought a Cebora Panther 200 for £300 and that was like brand new. Alot of good welders around if your patient and know where to look

 

[A16X]

Collected the welder today,it looks practically new!
There's a scuff down a sticker on one side and that's about it....

It came with a 5kg roll of .6 wire,unfortunately this was all loose inside and I had to waste some.
Had a quick go with it and it kept mangling up the wire in the feeder. Eventually worked out what I'd been doing wrong,it was too tight.
I'm no expert but it seems to work well the feeder is all metal and it came with a couple of spare tips etc.

 

[A16X]

How do I know what tips and shrouds I need?
The torch is a lincoln lg250g......