Best inverter welder bang for the buck?

WilliamBos · Nov 2, 2012

Hi All,

Looking for an inverter type welder that offers the most bang for the buck. Must be able to run on 120, as 240 is not really an option, uless it is real low draw.

Thermal arc 95s?

http://victortechnologies.com/thermalarconthemove/htdocs/95s.asp

How about Everlast? Powerarc 140, 0r will the 160 fit my requirements?

http://www.everlastwelders.ca/Powerarc.php

Another question about the Pricess terminology, does the 160's specs make it a better buy?

This will be for my Dad, who is retired, and like to tinker, and build implements for his tractor, and has built trailers for us in the past. His old Lincold arc is pretty well toast, s needing a replacement for him. We do have a small Lincoln mig, so needing an arc that is portable and can run off a standard wall socket is a plus.

hog · Nov 2, 2012

I have the Longevity Stickweld 140, dual voltage and was only 229 bucks. I chose it over the thermal arc 95 because of the price and extra 45 amps. http://www.longevity-inc.com/productdetail_267/Stick-Welders/StickWeld-140.php :cool2:

WilliamBos · Nov 2, 2012

Thanks. How long have you had it? How much welding have you done?

hog · Nov 2, 2012

Had it a couple of months, had the tigweld 160sx dual voltage nearly a yr. I loan out the Stickweld 140 to friends when its needed,probably has 20hrs on it with no problems . Nobody has complained yet.

WilliamBos · Nov 2, 2012

Excellent! It wil be a multi pass for thicker steel?

SuperArc · Nov 2, 2012

Lincoln or Miller, period. Everyone else just wishes they could afford one or the other.

norite · Nov 2, 2012

My first choice is usually red or blue also, but I would not turn up my nose to owning an Esab, Thermal Dynamics or Hobart and when I get a plasma it will be a Hypertherm.

Rojodiablo · Nov 2, 2012

Miller Maxstar 150- hands down, the BEST little machine in the business.

The rest of the little welders simply can not match the maxstar. Period. I still cringe when I think about the fact that I sold mine. Shoulda sold my mig welders instead.........

WeldingMachine · Nov 2, 2012

Yep, great little unit!:drinkup:

Stay away from the Chicom crap you'll be happier in the long run.

Grtpain · Nov 2, 2012

I have TA 161 STL , I would highly recommend it over the 95S it is 120/240 and also tig it might give him something to tinker and learn. It has the power to do a lot

dunemetal · Nov 2, 2012

Have not sampled the entire market and doubt few have
. But, I love my 150 STH. It does everything Miller claimed would. For me its worth every $ I spent on it.

Oldendum · Nov 2, 2012

If you're considering a Thermal Arc 95, Global has a pretty good price - $250.

http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/tools/welding/tig-torches-bodies/95-s-inverter-tig-welding-system

The 161STL is a great deal at $650. if you can use the TIG. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Thermal-Arc...Welder-complete-TAI-W1003701-W-Case-/140738373938?forcev4exp=true&forceRpt=true

soutthpaw · Nov 2, 2012

I did review the 140st from everlast a while back and for the money its a great little welder. Esp if u want basic TIG functions as well. They made some improvements since I did the review. Longer cables and a display that reads correct amp output at either 120 or 240ac input. I found it not to be as smooth an arc as say a lincoln inverter or the Powcon Inverter but then those are both American top quality machines with a price to match. Very good low end on tig and stick running 1/16 diameter rod. I would get the biggest capacity u can afford that is dual voltage. The duty cycle was very conservative. I was able to run at 140 amps for 6+ mins before hitting the duty cycle... more than double its rating..

85cj7boy · Nov 3, 2012

I have the ESAB MiniArc 161 LTS and it is a beast. Very smooth start on tig and when hooked up to 220 it will burn a 5/32 rod great. It runs 6010 very well as we'll as 7018. I have welded with the miller and thermal arc. Neither had as good of an arc as the ESAB.

dubl_t · Nov 3, 2012

Like OldE' pointed out, that's gotta be one of the best deals going right now. Even the HF inverter isn't much cheaper than that.

But CJ7, have you tried to tig with it?

**nevermind, just read where you said "smooth start", unless you want to expand on it's tig capabilities**

dubl_t · Nov 3, 2012

Willy B,
I think you're in luck for what you're wanting.
The reason I say this is ALL the mfgrs are putting new models on the market, and prices for "old" inverter, single voltage input, no internal gas solenoid, type welders are dropping like rocks. The little lunchbox welders seem to me to follow computers with regards to tech and $$, just wait and it'll be affordable.

I've personally experienced the TA 85; a little lite for what you want, but super cute

and the Lincoln Invertec 130; exactly what you want but 220v input only.
I sold both and am working my way up, I think to a TA 201STL for the sake of dual voltage input, built in gas solenoid, 200amp output and high frequency start.
Good luck in your search, I think nowdays you can't go too far wrong with anything.

Regarding the chicom inverters, it seems their "bad rap' stems from poor customer service more than poor product performace. Every mfgr is gonna have product failure, it's just how the service rep or salesman deals with it.

hog · Nov 3, 2012

http://weldingweb.com/showthread.php?t=118871 http://www.millerwelds.com/resource...ources/communities/mboard/showthread.php?28611-Maxstar-150-STH-problem-no-power http://www.millerwelds.com/resource...esources/communities/mboard/showthread.php?1538-Miller-Maxstar-150-STL-problems http://www.millerwelds.com/resource...unities/mboard/showthread.php?26986-Maxstar-91-Tig-Stick-Inverter-Welder-Issues http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=27012 http://www.millerwelds.com/resource...munities/mboard/showthread.php?25280-Maxstar-200sd-problem-with-slow-ocv-starup http://weldingweb.com/showthread.php?t=46392 http://www.polytechforum.com/welding/new-maxstar-150-problems-help-19959-.htm

dunemetal · Nov 3, 2012

You googled maxstar problems and copied and pasted those links. Tell me that the last five links would be deal killers. Bottom line, your money and your decision. Gotta wonder what drives an attitude like yours though.

When I bought my 150 STH, the dealer was upfront about the 6010 issue and I had read about it while researching them prior to purchase so it would be considered a limitation rather than a problem. If a guy decides he only has $700 to spend then the choice is limited to certain new models and possibly a good used deal. I can certainly respect that.
Someone chimes in that an industry proven model isn't worth $100....??

hog · Nov 3, 2012

Waiting for this "Blue is better" hearsay to be proven. Anybody care to open one up and compare components against a import ???:waving:

Lanse · Nov 5, 2012

I'm game.

I have a Longevity plasma out in the shop now and its honestly not a bad machine.

My Hypertherm is American Made, it doesn't have a pilot arc that runs constantly, and it can gouge metal, but it costs twice as much as the import that just cuts steel, but it cuts it well.

Anyone wanna lend me a Maxstar? I doubt miller would give me the time of day but I wouldnt be surprised if Longevity or Everlast would lend me a unit. What do y'all think?

hog · Nov 4, 2012

who asked you????:waving:

Oldendum · Nov 3, 2012

ESAB 161LTS for $478. plus shipping isn't bad.

https://weldingsupply.securesites.net/cgi-bin/einstein.pl?PNUM:products:1:UNDEF:AND:0558101694

soutthpaw · Nov 3, 2012

Can easily tell who the Fanboys are for every brand with threads like this... I agree that ESAB makes some good stuff for the money.. not sure about the new stuff but the older Migs are known for a very nice arc. ESAB makes some excellent rod too. Atom Arc has won a lot of praises...

Significant difference in Arc quality between a green 140st and a red v205t. That is from personal comparison esp on 6010 and 7018. Not hearsay.

zapster · Nov 3, 2012

Tic tic tic tic tic tic tic tic tic tic tic tic tic tic tic tic

...zap!

Shiftace · Nov 3, 2012

I have the 95s you asked about and to be honest I do not like it's stick burning capabilities. It is weak and without much force.
Tig on the other hand is surprisingly effective. I bought this machine for easily portable repair of sheet metal and stainless sheet. (restaurant and food processing equipment) It comes with 1/16 tungstens but I have run it with long tapered 1/8 tungstens with no problems. Arc control and stability are impressive for such a pocket machine and it works perfectly for what I intended it for.
It will not perform satisfactorily in a heavy repair environment though.

weldbay · Nov 4, 2012

A point of view, you can weld with a 12v battery. The difference between welders is what works for you based on purpose, material thickness, available power, protability, pirce and SUPPORT AND PARTS. If it meets the first 5 of your needs then it is a good welder for you. 20 year warranty would be great if they offered it but they are only as good as the manf makes them. 920-735-4505 that is the number for Miller Repair, I have used it 100's of times have NEVER been disatisfied with the results and have always talked to a service rep. Lincoln. Thermal. most brand name mach. offer the same. But then that kind of support is important to me.

fortyonethirty · Nov 5, 2012

Back to the OP's question.

What would your dad think about getting a Chinese made welder as a gift?

Mine would be pissed, whether it made good welds or not.

soutthpaw · Nov 5, 2012

I wondered if anyone would get back to the OP's question and also If they are looking for a replacement arc welder for a buzz box, then recommending they need to buy a $4000 Dynasty if fricken' stupid. It's not going to happen. Ya all probably scared off the OP anyway but I would ask them what their budget is. If its a few hunderd bucks its going to limit the choices a lot. which by needing 120 VAC they have really limited it already.

Remember most circuits for 120VAC are 15 AMP so even ifthe machine is rated higher you will only be able to weld up to the rated capacity of the circuit which will limit you too less than 100 amps or so

CEP · Nov 5, 2012

I think hog needs to just plant the seed and move on. It's only a matter of time until Zap puts him in the penalty box!
In my case, my V350-pro is the best machine I've ever run. Is it better than an XMT-350? How would I know never run one, until then I cannot comment.

Wouldn't it be nice if other people had that attitude?

Best inverter welder bang for the buck?

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