Simadre digital 200a tig/mma welder 50a plasma cutter

[kls]

I just won a SIMADRE DIGITAL 200A TIG/MMA WELDER 50A PLASMA CUTTER on ebay for $400 and I have a few questions. First, is this a good price for this unit? Are these units pretty reliable. The cheapest I saw the same unit was $650 so I figured it was a good deal. I have wanted to teach myself welding for some time and finally decided to take the plunge, I want to do automotive work on some trucks I have and figure doing my own welding would be kind of cool. One question I have as well is given this welder, what would you use to do a roll cage, would you use the TIG or Arc welder. Does TIG produce a superior weld?

[ZTFab]

I have never heard of that welder before and since it is an import it's a gamble that you take on whether or not it will work well or even at all. So whether it is a good deal or not depends on what your idea of a deal is.

How much welding experience do you have? From your post it looks to me as if you have very little to none. With that being said some of your questions concern me (and I'm sure a good amount of other weldors out there). You plan to use this welder on vehicles and roll cages yet you have to ask what process would be best?

If you have the experience and ability to build vehicles and/or roll cages you should not be asking what process is best from your newly acquired Ebay import welder.

I strongly suggest that you enroll in some welding courses and practice on non-critical, non-structural, non-road going projects for a LONG time before you attempt to work on trucks or roll cages.

Welding can be "kind of cool" but welding can also be extremely dangerous and in the hands of an untrained operator can be deadly.

[kls]

Thanks for the info, I plan to hire a trained welder, to teach me as opposed to taking a course. The reason I asked is I want to find someone who locally who has experience in TIG if that is the superior method if it not then I want to find someone trained in arc welding. I know that there are welders with years of experience who have never done TIG so I wanted to get some advice on the quality of TIG welding so that I can consider whether or not it is worth it to find someone who is specifically an expert in TIG welding (which I am assuming will be more expensive).

[ZTFab]

Can you weld Roll cages and truck parts with Stick (SMAW)? Of course you can.

Stick welding has many applications and uses but, in my opinion, roll cages and chassis work aren't the place.

Most sanctioning bodies won't allow stick welded cages and if you plan on using any alloy tubing you will want to go for the TIG.

I'm glad to hear that you plan on getting some training. Welding is a great hobby/trade/skill to learn and once you do you will wonder how you ever got by without it.

I suggest that you learn both methods as you may encounter times when you need one over the other.

[DSW]

Originally Posted by kls

Thanks for the info, I plan to hire a trained welder, to teach me as opposed to taking a course.

Keep in mind there are great welders out there who couldn't teach to save their life. It's one thing to be able to do it, and another to be able to get someone else to be able to do it. In most cases instructors are good at passing along what you need to get the basics, even if they aren't "great" welders.

One other thing to keep in mind. You often get way more than your moneys worth in just consumables and materials from a class if you are serious and apply yourself. I know I burned up way more in alum than I paid for my tig alum class. The rod and 1/8" stock was "free" as part of the class. I could do as many coupons as I wanted in class to get it right. Same with the 3/8" steel for my 3G and 4G with mig. All that material was prepped and ready to go when I needed it. Add in gas, electric, tips, etc not to mention the instructor and a class can start looking real inexpensive.

Originally Posted by kls

The reason I asked is I want to find someone who locally who has experience in TIG if that is the superior method if it not then I want to find someone trained in arc welding.

If you add your location to your User CP at the top, then we will all know where you are from, and you might find someone here who's willing to help, or who may know someone local for you to talk to.

[kls]

If you add your location to your User CP at the top

Thanks for the suggestion, I am in St. Cloud FL. I have also added it to my profile. If you know someone in this area or if anyone else does, I would greatly appreciate a referral to someone that can show me the ropes. The school here wants to much for someone who just wants to do it as a hobby.