Thermal Arc TIGs

[zardoz]

Whats the difference between a Thermadyne Arcmaster 200 and the Thermal Arc Victor 202. (Apart from one being a grand more expensive ? Both seem to be pretty much the same, how is a thousand pounds spent on the more expensive model ? Is it just that the more expensive model is made in the USA and we are paying for American wage packets ? (the Arcmaster has no countries flag below it which makes me suspect its Chinese)

 

[wheresmejumper]

The arcmasters are industrial machines, made to last.the 202 seems fairly cheapnese alright

 

[overload]

The arcmaster 200 was phased out I believe and the 202 took its place.

 

[SBK]

Can't comment on the arcmaster,but I have a 202 .
All I can say is its a bloody lovely machine, only thing I've not tried on it is stick but tig is superb .

 

[hotrodder]

The older, more expensive TA200 and it's bigger brothers are/were made by Sanrex http://www.sanrex.com.sg/about-us.php Some of their small, cheaper stick/lift tig inverters which (colour aside) look suspiciously identical to some of ESABs* and Parwelds offerings are Malaysian i believe...
IIRC some of their high end MIGs are made by Lorch?

* Not the only 'big name' to do this sort of thing, my Lincoln V205-t was made by Selco in Italy for example. If i'd known that when i bought it i might have thought twice given the Italians reputation with electrics

 

[selcoweld1]

Selco in Italy were an electronics company before getting into welding, and unlike many other manufacturers make not only their own circuit boards but also the inverters. They also make inverters for the alternative energy industry, and like the ones in the welders they are the most efficient available. Selco's greenwave technology fitted to most of the Genesis model range gives them a power factor of 0.99, with many machines available to run off 110/240 volt including ac/dc TIG's, auto sensing the input voltage used.
In 2 years of importing them and selling around 100+ machines I have only had 1 (one) warranty issue! I had that many a week when I worked for another manufacturer! The Lincoln Invertec 205 is based on the old Selco Genesis 202ac/dc which is ancient now. I suggest everybody look at www.selcoweldingequipment.co.uk for more information.
Mark.