Is this a good welder and price? (Kamanchi 185a)

Hello everyone!

I'm after my first welder and have found a choice of second hand ones local to me. Either a Sealey 185amp for £195 or a Wikinson Star Kamanchi 185amp Platinum for £300.

The Sealey as far as I've been told doesn’t have a euro torch and will probably be quite well used. So a bit put off this one.

I've been told that the Kamanchi is virtually brand new with know visible ware. He also says it’s a much better welder than the Sealey.

Its spec quoted from www.tbws.co.uk

“Standard Power SP185 Mig Welder. Imput Voltage 230v. Single Phase. Digital Wire Speed Control. Digital Ammeter. Impressive Duty Cycle. Euro Torch Connection. Thermal Overload Protection. Open Circuit Voltage 17-34v. Current Range 25-170A
8 Voltage Settings 170a @ 20%n Duty Cycle. Takes 0-6 and 0-8 Wire. Dimensions 465x845x675mm”

Lick to its manufacturers site - www.weldingstar.co.uk


What do you think? Is it a good welder at a good price?

I'd go for the Kamanchi. A search of the web suggests it's the bottom of their range of big welders, while the Sealey is near the top of a range of small welders. The big welders are expensive so quality of bits and pieces is likely to be better.

The Kamanchi appears to be 25 to 185 amp. That looks like a good range. I'd expect the Sealey to be 30 to 175 amps. The price of both welders looks like half the new price.

Welcome to the forum. Let us know how you get on.

Cheers for the advice Malcolm. I may go get it tomorrow! I'll probably be on here a lot from now on! I'm a complete addict when it comes to forums and have trouble staying away from the VW forums. :lol: :wink:

Have you heard of Wilkinson Star? Do there other products have a good reputation?

Wilkinson Star look like the UK distributors and service people. Certainly the Cebora range they sell is made in Italy. Kamanchi has a far eastern ring to the name, but I have to say I've never heard of them before.

Might be worth a call to Wilkinson Star just to check they do spares in case something broke in the future.

Kamanchi?.............Is that not the guys John Wayne used to beat the hell out of?
Alex

Isnt there an attack helicopter of the same name too? 8)


I'm going to pick it up tomorrow at 10!