3 in 1 welders yes or no?

[new2zukes]

hi guys have been contemplating a inverter welder as my big arc keeps clicking out and its just darn heavy to pull around the place. i was thinking of getting one of those 3 in 1 welders arc tig plasma cutter it would be really handy to have all those so i can do panel steel cut my steel out and do heavier stuff with the arc. have any of you had any experience with these machines? the one im looking at at the moment is http://www.trademe.co.nz/Business-farming-industry/Industrial/Manufacturing-metalwork/Welders/auction-363425171.htm for a 160amp inverter welder and plasma i thought $700 is a good price. i have had previous experience with Chinese welders (l&lee brand) and it was a very bad welder things kept breaking on it, but i think Chinese stuff has come along way, it seems to be getting better. so i thought id just get some of your opinions.

[muddyhilux]

there's good a bad like you've said,ive certainly got a 3n1 on my list of things to get but ill be looking at shelling out about 1800 for the one at my local supplier,he said he's had a lot of the Chinese stuff still coming in,yes they're getting better but yeah,id say it really depends on weather the seller will hold his end if warranty needs to be used

[new2zukes]

the guy i bought a mig off a few years back (l&lee brand) replaced the parts required to get the mig back on the road but i payed shipping and he was reluctant to give them to me under warranty, even though it was well in warranty. in the end i got the parts but another 6 month down the track the part shit them self again but now it wasn't in warranty so i had to pay a ridiculous price for 1 little plastic gear. so i think getting one of these welders is like gambling sometimes you win sometimes you loose, i just hope the odds would be more in the buyers favor.

[muddyhilux]

oh tru,gutted,is 7 hundy ya limit? I could ask the shop what the current price is for a good one if ya wanted,work gets pretty good deals being a big company but I think you'd still be lookn at closer to double ya 700 for a decent one

[new2zukes]

hey 700 wasn't my limit but it was just one of the cheapest 3 in 1 units with at least 150 amps as i don't think i would use much more than 100 amps on my truck but probably need the 150amp for the tractor. im not sure if would get one right at this minute but in the near future i would get one. what brand welders can you get? i can get a 160amp boc inverter welder just arc welder for $500 but would really like the plasma and tig.

[mudlva]

ive just spent $2400 on a mig tig arc unit 250 amp

best money ive spent

just finished manufacturing a heavy duty wood spliter

non stop glueing 12mm plate together and it didnt raise a sweet
i did mind

i think you get whats you pays for ah

the lads at Weld tech now there stuff and do good prices and after sales service
http://www.weldingtechnology.co.nz/pages/contact-us.php

cheers

[muddyhilux]

ive just spent $2400 on a mig tig arc unit 250 amp

best money ive spent

just finished manufacturing a heavy duty wood spliter

non stop glueing 12mm plate together and it didnt raise a sweet
i did mind

i think you get whats you pays for ah

the lads at Weld tech now there stuff and do good prices and after sales service
http://www.weldingtechnology.co.nz/pages/contact-us.php

cheers

these are the guys we buy through and get to service out gear and as above their gear works awesome

[mike]

I bought this

http://www.bj-jiuye.com/weld4.htm

for $960 for the boat. so far ive used arc (awesome) plasma running off a dive bottle (awesome). cant wait to try out tig.

nice and light - even wife can lift it with ease.

specs

Power voltage: AC230V 50/60Hz
Rated input current: 22A
Power capacitance:4.8KVA
Rated output current:160A
Range of output current: 20-160A (15-40A)
No-load voltage: 56V (220V)
Working voltage: 16V (100V)
Pre-flow (S):0-2
AC output frequency(Hz):60
Clean width (%):20-80
Slop-down time (S):0-5
Tail-gas time (S):2-10
Remote control:YES
ARC-leading:HF vibration
Efficiency (%):85
Rate duty cycle (%):60
Power factor:0.93
Insulation class:B
Protection class:IP21
Weight (kg):20
Size (mm):493*330*320
Max welding thickness (mm):10-14
Cut thickness(mm):1-12.

The tig leads 4.5 with torch
Cutter leads 4.5m with torch
Spare tips of torch and Ceramics .
Tungsten( diameter 1.6mm)
arc leads 4m
earthed leads 3m
Foot controller.
Argon regulator.
Air flow regulator.
Hose:0.5m
HF arc striking

[new2zukes]

hi mike how long have you used this welder? is there a performance difference to the more expensive machines or have you not tried a more expensive machine. i suppose that not all chinese stuff is rubbish you just have to pick and choose. thanks for your input

[UBZ]

best money ive spent

i think you get whats you pays for ah

When it comes to welders , aint that the truth
I've got a Italian made Cebora Mig , cost a bit but gets a trashing and still going strong

[mike]

hi mike how long have you used this welder? is there a performance difference to the more expensive machines or have you not tried a more expensive machine. i suppose that not all chinese stuff is rubbish you just have to pick and choose. thanks for your input

I had a chinese 290 amp mig before this (still have it, turoa is using it) and thrashed it and never missed a beat. So far ive only done a couple of jobs but it welds nicer than my old lincoln 3 plug (low medium and high) job that is older than me. plasma was ok, but i havnt done that much plasma before and it was with industrial units - seemed to cut exactly the same.

It seems everything is made in china now days, so might as well buy the chinese brands.

Chinese stuff I own now.

Chinese lathe
chinese mig
chinese arc/tig/plasma
chinese 15hp outboard
chinese 3.2m tendor
chinese laser
chinese HD waterproof cam corder
2x chinese winches as well

nothing has failed me yet (touch wood) except maybe my chinese ex

[mudlva]

nothing has failed me yet (touch wood) except maybe my chinese ex [/quote]


I new there had to be a fault in that list some where ah

[new2zukes]

hey i also have an italian cebora mig welder its a 175amp one, works ok exept the trigger button decided it would stick on so in the end i re routed a bit of wire up the outside of the lead to the trigger and that has fixed the problem. but i cant stand the flux core wire and the gas just blows away as i dont have a shed to work in (just a lean-to.) might leave the welder for a month and then make my mind up then but i think i may just go for the chinese one and take my chances. thanks all for your input.