Used American vs. new Chinese?

[JTMcC]

A definite yes.

Times a thousand on that.
With the interwebs it's an easy greasy deal to discover in welding machine world what's a solid, dependable workhorse and what to avoid.

The ability to find parts, and the relative ease the local welder mechanic has diagnosing/fixing a solid and common machine will save you a ton in the long run. And the good ones don't lay down often so repairs will be very few and far between.

Some of the finest, most well made stuff we own (and I've feed the kids and paid the bills solely thru my welding adventures since the mid 80's) are 20 (or more) year old workhorses. Reliability, parts availability and service familiararity are king when you depend on your junk. I'd rather depend on a sound machine made in 1949 than an iffy machine made yesterday.

Long term, day in (or occasional weekend) and day out you'll be much more well served long term with solid stuff from solid manufacturers. Plus you'll have good resale value if you decide to upgrade or change capabilities in the future.

Just make sure the machine has the abilities you need. Some of the late model tech advances make us a lot of money but in hobby land you aren't fighting the hard money fight.

Not to mention the political ramifications of buying from an oppresive communist country, that don't matter to some folks.....but matter big time to to us.

JTMcC, Buy American.

[Fallon]

I live in Colorado Springs, but will be dragging our cargo trailer to Chicago area for Christmas.

Devin
[email protected]

[Fallon]

818 seems to be California unfortunately, a bit too far out of my way, as is NY.

[JTMcC]

I'd much rather have an inverter based machine due to the tiny amount of garage space I have for my garage/shop.

Devin

If a dude/dudette has a welding machine, and a bit of scrap iron he/she can easily build a platform to put the machine up above the clutter of a crowded garage above the workbenches and out of the way.
Put it on cheap wheels if you want so you can drag it where you want it.
Hang it from the structure if it'll support the weight.
Space is only a problem if you let it be a problem. As ling as you can reach the controls you're good to go.

JTMcC.

[Desertrider33]

If you're going to Chicago, you could swing by HTP, in Arlington Hieghts. HTP makes a very nice little inverter ac/dc tig machine called the Invertig 201. You can check them out at www.htpweld.com, or dial 1-800-USA-WELD and talk to Jeff, the owner. Their prices are very good, have great customer service and been in business since the 80's. I bought a mig machine from them in the early 90's and have been very happy with it all these years.

[Bigiron]

My two cents...

Buy American. The parts and service alone are worth it. If it's only for hobby type use, then there is no rush to purchase. Sure it's something to enjoy and make u happy, but a regret or impulse purchase is gonna sting more when the fat lady sings after the money changes hands. It's worth the money and patience to take your time and find the right American machine.

[lens42]

Some Chinese tools can be a deal. I buy the orange HF angle grinders and by going cheap I can buy more and not change blades. But they are $18, so if they die it's no big deal. But a TIG machine is another story. If you "cheap-out" now and get a Chinese TIG, in 6 months you will be looking for something better. The money you spent will be wasted because the "Chiry" or whatever TIG will have no resale. Take that money now and save for the better machine. Also, there's a 1-in-4 chance you will get a bad Chinese unit and go through **** with phone calls trying to get a replacement or service. Lastly, it's hard enough to learn TIG without having to wonder about the machine.

[SundownIII]

I see posts like this all too frequently.

"I just plan to use the tig for hobby use." "I only plan to use it once or twice a month." etc, etc.

Do you really think that using a machine once/twice a month is going to allow you to become proficient with all the "bells and whistles" that the new machines offer.

You're not going to become proficient at tig by "using the machine 1/2 times a month. Tig is as much a function of developing motor skills as it is product knowledge. Takes time and commitment to become proficient.

If you still feel compelled to "buy a tig machine", buy something like a used Sync 200/Linc 185 and start welding. At least if it doesn't work out, the machine will have a decent resale value (not the case with the Chinc stuff).

[Railmen]

Like the bumper sticker says....

"OUT OF A JOB YET???? KEEP BUYING FOREIGN"

Stick to the big names you will love it in the end.

Railmen

[Desertrider33]

F-O-R-E-I-G-N, foreign

[Railmen]

F-O-R-E-I-G-N, foreign

Sorry DR my spelling has never been great, that is why my name is only two letters "Ty"

Railmen.

[nfinch86]

Foreign :

Sorry DR my spelling has never been great, that is why my name is only two letters "Ty"

Railmen.

Ty;
Where I come from you Spelled It Correctly - - FOREIGN !!

............. Norm :

[Desertrider33]

Ty;
Where I come from you Spelled It Correctly - - FOREIGN !!

............. Norm :

He fixed it after I posted. Originally it read 'F O R G I N', or something like that. LOL. Since it was in such BIG letters, I couldn't stand to see it, blaring so loudly in such a big font, misspelled like like that!

Had it not been in such a BIG font, I would have just smirked quietly to myself and went away without saying anything...

[Desertrider33]

Sorry DR my spelling has never been great, that is why my name is only two letters "Ty"

Railmen.

No worries, Ty!

-Glen, with only one 'N'.

[nfinch86]

He fixed it after I posted. Originally it read 'F O R G I N', or something like that. LOL. Since it was in such BIG letters, I couldn't stand to see it, blaring so loudly in such a big font, misspelled like like that!

Had it not been in such a BIG font, I would have just smirked quietly to myself and went away without saying anything...

Glen with one "N" , I didn't see the original spelling !

Ty, How Ya been, workin' hard as usual ?

............ Norm: with one "N"