Esab power compact 160 for first welder?

[Windy Miller]

It'll be a great machine that will last you for years and years. A bit dear at the asking price though, and underpowered for gates. They did a 200A version that would be better for gates and railings.

Stick it in a car body shop and it'll be perfect and last forever.

I bought its little brother about 30 years ago and it's still going strong!

 

[Welder 1]

@Windy Miller do you have any pictures of your one?

 

[Windy Miller]

@Windy Miller do you have any pictures of your one?

The only one I have at the moment is a close up that shows a Euro torch conversion that I fitted some while ago:





I can get some more pics tomorrow if you like? It's a much smaller machine (125A) and looks nothing like the one you interested it though...

 

[Welder 1]

@Windy Miller Yeah that would be great

 

[Welder 1]

I found some others on the internet that previously sold on the internet for £110 and £164. They weren’t in as good condition but the £164 one still worked. I then messaged the guy with a £200 offer and even quoted the other welders for a cheaper price but he said that £280 was his final price. Any thought, should I push for a lower price I don’t think it’s worth £280 but he said it was his final price. Any help? @eddie49 @Windy Miller

 

[duncans]

i purchased this off ebay i ended up selling it as it let smoke out so i resold it for spare i kept the torch and the gages thou then i purchased the thermal arc 211i fabricator and im well happy with it

 

[Welder 1]

@duncans How much did you pay for it?

 

[duncans]

@duncans How much did you pay for it?

that's the 200amp single phase machine mate I paid £120.00 for it plus diesel money so it ended up at £160.00 mate I have seen them go around £200.00 to £250.00 mark but you really need to see it working for your own peace of mind these machines are good as well they are made by Kemppi

 

[Munkul]

The bottom end single phase origomig machines are quite poor. They all seem to go wrong, and are very cheaply made. The compact is a better machine, even if it has less power.

 

[Welder 1]

@duncans
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BOC-190-...887902?hash=item216eec1ade:g:ckgAAOSw8QRem07X

something like this?

 

[duncans]

@duncans
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BOC-190-...887902?hash=item216eec1ade:g:ckgAAOSw8QRem07X

something like this?

yes, mate, I was going buy one but it went for more money looks in good condition that machine don't forget they will be heavy so ok for a workshop so your not moving it about mate there is another one for sale at 400.00 but that one is in better condition the one you put on mate

 

[Welder 1]

a lot more than I want to spend on a welder at the moment though

 

[duncans]

a lot more than I want to spend on a welder at the moment though

keep looking mate you will drop on one i would have thought

 

[duncans]

try asking in forum mate someone may be selling a decent MIG welder its worth a try

 

[Munkul]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Murex-Tr...7358:g:ahEAAOSwjdFeZOG5&LH_ItemCondition=3000

?

 

[stanbester]

I used to have Esab Power Compact 200, really good set.

 

[Welder 1]

@Munkul @duncans @stanbester @Windy Miller Is this a good welder. I know it's a Lincoln so it will be good and it is a good price but the guy doesn't know much about it and can't test it out because he doesn't know how to, all he says it that it turns on. Is it worth buying because it's a good deal?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lincoln-...rentrq:df1816a51710aa48f85125fcffc534a6|iid:1

 

[Munkul]

it's very weedy spec, but no better/worse than most hobby class 160 amp machines.

It IS a hobby class machine though, bear that in mind. Most 160 amp machines are.

 

[Welder 1]

@Munkul Is it a good price (£75) and as I can't see it work is it worth it

 

[Windy Miller]

Lincoln are a well known and well respected brand. They make some excellent machines but if this one’s broken them it’s no good at all.
As I mentioned earlier, 160A is not enough for your gates and railings, but will be great in a car body shop.
If the Lincoln you linked to is working well then I’d say it’s a bargain, but still not Man enough for your gates.
If it were me, I’d use a cheap stick welder for gates and heavier stuff and keep the smaller mig for thinner steel.
If I was buying that Lincoln I’d want to see it working first. If it’s totally sh@gged then it’s a waste of money at any price!