Looking at buying Inverter

[Engineer1964]

Hi all,

I may have a small job little and often on site doing some stick work, I'd need to get my self an inverter I guess the max size i'd be welding is 15 -20mm thick, I've seen 2 that i like on ebay, they look ok and the price is very reasonable compared to a brand name

Option One

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WELDER-IN...997?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2eb37bb6c5

at £169.00 + £6 shipping

Which is a bargain for a 200amp inverter

Option Two

The second is another 200amp Pulse inverter but it does Tig too which is something i've tried to get into where i can and with this machine, i'll be able to practice even more doing my stainless handrails etc...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-200-A...437?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item416801a4d5

at only £149.95 and free shipping

apparently you get all of this with it

So please vote for either and i value your comments below

 

[Paul.]

A forum search for Giant will throw up all you need to know about them,
Personally for an arc and lift start tig I would spend a bit more and go for the parweld http://www.weldequip.com/parweld-xti160.htm. at least in the unlikely event of a problem Steve will honour the guarantee.

 

[oilcooled :)]

buy once and buy right probably will save you a lot of hastle in the long run.

 

[Country Joe]

Hi there, Gerry.
They both look a tad shonky to me, and I'd be doubtful of their reliability - especially as you'd be using it as a work tool.
Strangely, the red one comes from a dealer who uses a (probably virtual) postal address in Harley St, W1 - more known for medical than engineering competences.
I don't want to seem to be "putting a downer" on anything, but I'd steer clear of both. One of those "too good to be true" looking deals.
Giant aren't exactly well known for their top quality products, either.
I would expect either one to be a pile of grief - probably after a very short time, I wouldn't trust the sellers, or their warranties, in short!
Others will have more to say, I'm sure!
All the Best,
CJ

 

[oilcooled :)]

I would spend a bit more and go for the parweld http://www.weldequip.com/parweld-xti160.htm. at least in the unlikely event of a problem Steve will honour the guarantee.

i have had the xti 161dv and after 2 years of use it gave up on me, and it may have been used for 2 months solid in them 2 years. i went for sip the second time a better machine in my opinion

http://www.sipuk.co.uk/tools/info_SIP05246.html

 

[hotrodder]

Along the same lines as Pauls comments about Giant and support/back up note that the red one would be sent from the Netherlands.

Also worth looking at the Thermal Arc 175 (i've got a vague recollection that they also come in yellow with ESAB written on 'em but it might've be a different model)... http://www.rapidwelding.com/dynamic/DisplayItem.aspx?c=W1002903&zl=2
Only 150A but HF start and slope out control... http://www.rapidwelding.com/dynamic/DisplayItem.aspx?c=10-9313&zl=2 A chunk more expensive but as you said it's a direction you've been looking into...

 

[Wozzaaah]

Gerry, I'm amazed a man of your experience is considering a bargain basement machine like that for site work!
Spend decent money and get a known brand one that will be reliable.

 

[PTvor]

If you want a Giant 200A inverter, you can get them from Local Tool Sales for £130. Delivery is free.

http://www.localtoolsales.co.uk/MMA200.aspx

As for the one sent from Holland, it might be a game if it goes wrong.

I think you could get better value and better support by spending more.

 

[Engineer1964]

Gerry, I'm amazed a man of your experience is considering a bargain basement machine like that for site work!
Spend decent money and get a known brand one that will be reliable.

I know i feel a bit of a plonker really, Its just i saw them on ebay and i thought what a bargain, without thinking what a pile of poop i could be buying

I saw some Esab ones on Ebay or i might get the Parweld one from Steve, either way with the great advice from members, its made my mind up for me. ideally it nice if i good getr a few decent years from a reliable machine as opposed to a cheeap one which might blow up on the 2nd use

As i said i don't do a lot of stick, i'm more workshop based but i have the opportunity to do some site work and practice my arc welding at the same time

 

[Wozzaaah]

if i good getr a few decent years from a reliable machine as opposed to a cheeap one which might blow up on the 2nd use

Or won't even work out of the box as we've seen on here a few times recently.

 

[Hitch]

I think the budget esab is the 'Buddy arc' I think it looks like many others i have seen.

Theres always something like this
Think its supported by TechnicalArc, same as the Britarc Mig sets they sell.
Mostly made in the UK, except the very cheap ones, which are imported, but tested by them.

Myself, seeing how long even half decent inverters seem to last when used onsite/with generators etc., i wouldn't be buying an expensive one.
Even half decent ones seem to only last a couple of years.

 

[Drains]

E1964, if you'd included something like the Esab Buddy145 , or even a Lorch (at another hundred more), your poll would be looking very different, I'm sure.

The choice for you should be on the basis of, how many hours downtime will pay for a piece of plant? If your plant breaks down and loses you a day, or even two, then the more expensive option should win. Or you go with the other route of buying TWO el-cheapo sets so that when one goes tits up you have another in the van so you only lose ten minutes.

 

[Shox Dr]

The firm I do a lot of work for bought a tecarc 160ish unit, I've used a bit of.

About the size of a shoe box, It's a really nice bit of kit, apart form the stupidly short leads, and the ampage knob it's too east to knock (but that might be me.)

They bought it from the local weld suppliers for 199

 

[Shox Dr]

I think the budget esab is the 'Buddy arc' I think it looks like many others i have seen.

Theres always something like this
Think its supported by TechnicalArc, same as the Britarc Mig sets they sell.
Mostly made in the UK, except the very cheap ones, which are imported, but tested by them.

Myself, seeing how long even half decent inverters seem to last when used onsite/with generators etc., i wouldn't be buying an expensive one.
Even half decent ones seem to only last a couple of years.

That's the one

 

[F.J.]

I have the red one, but funnily enough mine is in a yellow case and is from Giant!!! I only bought it for the TIG set up to practice with but havnt had time to use that function yet.

The MMA function works a treat and arcs up really easily and produces a nice weld, but as others have said with cheap brands breaking, mine broke after about 10 mins use. Turned out to be a big copper coil under the cover was soldered to another component and as it heatd up it mealted the solder. After bladdering it with more soder it now works a treat again..... albeit still dont know about the TIG function.

If you have a local JTF then pop in there as they have them for £100!!!

I paid £130 from Local Tool Sales, but if i had a bit more cash at the time i would of bought an Inverter Fusion set for £260

 

[dannyp]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/THERMAL-A...263?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2a1885e7df

spend a few more quid for another 40 quid you can get a thermal arc jobbie, a tough very useable machene that'll take the stic site work will give it, it's not much more money, will work and you won't look like a muppet when you rock up with it.

have bounce tested mine a ew times and it's been rained on lots still goes just fine, also they have a warranty that works in this case id say the cheepo chinese crap isn't cheep enough to make it worth a punt but actualy looks dambed expensive.

 

[BillFarworth]

As CJ suggest "too good to be true".
Totally agree with the rest of the boys! I will not give a second thought on that.
You cannot escape with this money and purchase a new decent kit.A second hand in ebay, yeap that, it is an option .Better than a cheap chinese kit.
Good options is there.
TP gave you a good and decent option with Parweld.The tecarc 160ish unit that Shox Dr suggest is a very good option .
The Buddy from Esab is also a good kit that Hitch suggested.Thermal arc has good reputation around and definitely I will had it on my list.
I will add to your list also an IFL Fusion something like the 130 model if you don't want to go expensive.
Decent kit, Btitish Made.
I think if you chose something from the above you cannot go wrong.You will definitely have some service and support and a piece of your mind.A also a kit that when you really need it it will not die .
Good luck to you!

 

[zzr1200]

If your working "on site" will you always be able to use a 240 volt machine?

 

[BillFarworth]

All the kits that it has been suggested can be used with a Generate and this issue could solved easily.The issue is the kit to do what it says !The Brands they have been mentioned they are not just say easy things. When they state this machine require this kind of KW or that it is Generate compatible or more importantly the Duty Cycle, this is it!With this cheapo China stuff the issue is that they try to impress and say the one and the other.Some kits they build in a small warehouse.If you stay and have a thought what facilities and personal all this top brands have, it should be a reason for that.
Well I think the subject came in a end for me.
Not worth to waste your money for something like that.If your budget is limited go for a good second hand kit.So many come up in ebay keep an eye on that and save your money!
Good luck to you