Stealth 200 AC/DC

[Jim Davey]

Just sold my first Stealth machine. It was a 200 AC/DC, I gave the guy a demo and I have to admit I was pleasantly suprised by how nicely it ran for the money. If I had to buy a set for home and I didn't have a buttload of EWMs already I'd be seriously tempted by the performance for the cost. Ok, it had a million noisy fans in the back and the strike up isn't as crisp as a top flight unit but value for money can't be bad.

The panel layout was logical, apart from the indecipherable balance control, the manual was useless here too but playing up or down seemed that the lower the figure the higher the %EN was, feedback from other owners would be appreciated there.
All in a tidy set for anyone really, the customer went away very happy indeed.

 

[daleyd]

I know a lot of folk on here have a real bee in their bonnet about cheap chinese sets, but they certainly bring the prospect of doing a bit of hobby welding to a lot more people than otherwise would be able to afford it.

 

[Jim Davey]

I'm a decent welder, and I'd be able to manage at home just fine for 90% of what I'd use a TIG for.
I think a lot of what you get from a TIG comes from the operator, ok there's times I'd like a better duty cycle or a bit smoother AC output, but I'd easily work around it.
For the home user or the shop where AC isn't in use day in day out I can see it doing a great job for the kind of dough people are prepared to spend on a tool that effectively is a luxury item as it earns them no money.

 

[wyn]

How much is one of those Jim?

 

[Bigjoe]

I've seen these in the local dealer for around £885 +the dreaded.

Smart looking machines

 

[Jim Davey]

I sold it for £850.00 with a pedal, and an hours tuition.

 

[Robotstar5]

When I saw the title I had visions of an angular matte black welder with a low radar signature

 

[Jim Davey]

I haven't tried it to see if it absorbs radar but it does have a satin black paint finish. The roar from the fans is far from stealthy though.

 

[Bigjoe]

I'll drop you a line when I'm in the market for one Jim,would love an ac/dc machine at home to play with.

When funds allow that is

 

[Maker]

I sold it for £850.00 with a pedal, and an hours tuition.

For reference, what would a 200 amp AC/DC EWM set you back?

 

[Jim Davey]

Depends on what goodies you add but power source alone is about £2,800. I usually sell a watercooled package with all the bells and whistles for about £4K.
It's a lot of money.

 

[Richard.]

Depends on what goodies you add but power source alone is about £2,800. I usually sell a watercooled package with all the bells and whistles for about £4K.
It's a lot of money.

It's a lot of quality. Price is justified IMO.

 

[Jim Davey]

I'll give you all some feedback on the CEA range we have just taken on, I've bought in a Matrix 220 AC/DC to start with. Got to give it a go tomorrow.

 

[Jim Davey]

Might need a section for CEA next as they are being bought in by SWP so I expect they will become a more common sight in shops across the land in the coming years.

 

[Tom Orrow L]

Yeah but they're so expensive for what they are.. Look forward to hearing feedback on the AC/DC though

 

[Richard.]

CEA stuff is pretty hi tech gear. Certainly not rubbish. It's no more expensive than selco yet equally matched on quality. I've not had the pleasure of using there current stuff but I have had a go with the older 200 amp matrix and I quite liked it.

 

[Jim Davey]

So I hear, I'd probably not have given it a second look if it hadn't come highly recommended by a fellow dealer who's opinion I hold in very high regard. It seems to sit nicely in the range between GYS and EWM on price. I should be able to comfortably sell a complete Matrix 220 watercooled package with everything you need excluding a pedal for £2,995 so that's a good few quid off the top brand for those who wind themselves wavering. Pedals are dear again though so I'll be doing the SSC thing for sure.

 

[Richard.]

Might be slow to start as its not a very well known brand but I think that's an attractive price for cooling and pedal. At that price I'd expect you'd flog a few.

 

[Jim Davey]

I don't think it will be too slow at all, most of our clients have been with us for years and not one had heard of an EWM when we started up with them and we were able to sell them straight away. Most are happy enough to take me at my word that if I say it's ok and I'm happy to stock/sell it then it must be ok. We are highly choosy about what kit we put in front of customers as it takes an awfully long time to build up a good reputation and no time at all to damage it.

 

[Richard.]

That's good then. They'll fly off the shelves.