what does everyone think of this tig welding machine

[jedmand]

Hi I am looking to purchase a tig welding machine for welding all types of metal as in ally, stainless, etc I stumbled across this one.
http://m.ebay.com.au/itm/271652068960?nav=SEARCH
Any thoughts or advice on this particular machine would be awesome cheers.

 

[steve.h]

£708 equivilent sounds really good for the spec, duty cycle looks ok. I think would look at one if I was looking for a TIG. The only problem for me, is it a known brand, do they have good warranty coverage etc.

 

[jedmand]

Hey steve thanks for the reply I have heard of the name before so I do believe they are a known brand they offer a 18 month warranty and also an option of extended warrant for 2 years ! so I thuught it looked like an ok spec machine for the price!

 

[Richard.]

I'd look for something a little closer to home. Reason been if you need to make use of that nice long warranty period where have you got to send it too?
How much is it going to cost to post it and who pays for that?
How long are you going to be without it if you do have to send for repair?
Can you get spares in this country for if it needs repair after the warranty?
With those questions in mind I'd be looking at an RTech personally.
It is a little more expensive but a whole lot less hassle should you need there support.

 

[Richard.]

I'm on roll today. Sorry I just seen your in Australia not uk my bad (again) well in that case my point stands a little bit in that wherever in the world you are buy a machine where you can get local easy support if it's needed. Good luck.

 

[mike os]

I would search for the company on google and see if they are a real company or an ebay box shifter first... even a 50 year warranty is no good if the firm is gone by xmas

 

[jedmand]

Thanks for the replies guys yeah I think they are reasonably close to me it looks like a decent machine tho I bought a mig welder of ebay a couple years back and it was only a cheapy like 300 dollars or something and has work flawlessly I do structural welding with it and sheet metal repair on cars and its been awesome thats why I was thinking of getting one of ebay but I am aware it can be a bit of hit and miss with ebay

 

[jedmand]

I just did a search on google mike and there a real company not just ebay box shifters haha lol this one of the reviews that came up.

upgraded to the 200 from a 130 Weldsmart and it proved to be a good decission Easy to use and do fine adjustments on the run. Main use is MIG welding with gasless steel wire and stainless and aluminum with gas.It doesn't overheat and I spray each spool of wire with Inox to give a consitent wire feed rate and a better weld in a salty (coastal) environment. Inox gives no problems and you won't ge t rusty wire in poor conditions.

Excellent communications by email or phone with Weldsmart in Perth and the owners handbook covers the machine well. I have had my machine for about 15 months and average use is 30 hours per week. A nice piece of equipment to use and no faults to date, I can't even think of a way they could improve it.

 

[Richard.]

I'm sure they are ok but remember the reviews that are written from people that open the box and plug it in don't mean a lot. It's the reviews that are written 2 years after the box is opened that really are worth a read.

 

[jedmand]

Yeah thats true richard I only want it to start doing a bit of tig welding for my own use and maybe some stuff for other people well that bloke said he uses it 30 hours a week and for 15 months with out an issue so hopefully it will be ok some of there machines look like the r tech machines that you guys have over there.

 

[mike os]

the main thing is you are as confident as you can be about back up if things go wrong

 

[Richard.]

30 hours a week is not far off full time use. It's more than my machine got so it can't be bad. Hope it's a good one. Post some pics with the results.

 

[jedmand]

Yeah thats what I thought cheers mike will let you know how I get on