Inverter Welders
Submitted: Saturday, May 12, 2007 at 18:12
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Bidgee1
I'm sure that this subject has been discussed before in these pages but the way I search the data banks,( inverter+welder), I can't find any.
So, I'm fairly interested in purchasing a stick welder and have been pointed in the direction of the latest inverter welders by some friends. however as none of them actually own one, i still haven't spoken to anyone with first hand experience.
I was once a boiler maker a very long time ago (before mig & tig) and just can't get my head around something that small and light being able to run a continuous weld with quite large rods and all on 240 and light cords as
well.
Well,..that's what I'm told.
As they are also quite expensive (around $1000 to $1200) I'm extending my research by asking here before I take the plunge.
I love the size and weight, I can almost consider making room in the cruiser for one. I am also wondering if my little 1Kva Honda would run it?
I would really appreciate some feedback on this issue.
Regards
Steve
Reply By: Richard Kovac - Saturday, May 12, 2007 at 18:55
Saturday, May 12, 2007 at 18:55
Steve
check out link Site Link
No your 1Kva Honda will not run it
Richard
AnswerID:
239575
Reply By: Member - Reiner G (QLD) 4124 - Saturday, May 12, 2007 at 20:16
Saturday, May 12, 2007 at 20:16
i owned a few welders over the years and got a Lincoln mig at home but just bought a little beauty from Tradetools the other day. Just under $350 stick only.
I just played with it an can't believe it's performance. It's fully electronic and it might weigh 10kg if that. Same size as the Italian tig jobs.
If you're lucky enough and live in Qld go and have a look at Tradetools but I'm sure you find them in most got tool or welder supplies.
Reiner
AnswerID:
239595
Reply By: Member - Ross H (QLD) - Saturday, May 12, 2007 at 23:13
Saturday, May 12, 2007 at 23:13
Hi Steve
Have been using the Esseti and Caddy for about 7 years and both of the work very
well and will happily burn a 3.2 and 4mm low hydrogen rod all day (with in reason)
Used them welding on pipe work ,tanks and chasis and have not had any dramer but in saying that the 2 mentioned are not cheap and nasties
regards
ross
AnswerID:
239628
Reply By: Hairy - Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 03:27
Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 03:27
Gday,
Buy one!!!
They are a brilliant welder with tonnes of juice.
Being DC they sound a lot smoother which obviously takes a bit to get used to but they are really good.
There are heaps of different brands know so stick to the good ones like
WIA
Lincoln
BOC
Some cheap versions dont quite do it for me!
Just remember they have electronics now...Not a choke welder...so if you plan on carrying one while your travelling put it in a box and wrap it up!
Cheers
AnswerID:
239643
Reply By: awill4x4 - Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 08:34
Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 08:34
Here's my new toy, the newest Kemppi Tig welder on
the block. Certainly not cheap though and I gave up arc (electrode) welding years ago. Nasty things electrodes with sparks and slag and such, not a fan of Mig welding either I have to say. ;-)
Regards Andrew.
AnswerID:
239648
Reply By: Zapper - Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 08:48
Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 08:48
I bought one after reading the Kondinin Group
test of about 15 of them ranging from about $200 to $2k or something. They rated the BOC Smootharc 130 as the best value buy so thats what I got, think it was $330. Is absolutely fantastic, would never go back to AC welders again. Weighs 5kg will burn 4mm rods which I didnt believe till i went and bought a small pack to
test. Will burn 3.25 rods on about 90amps they have amazing power and runs off a 10amp plug. There was a couple that they said were no good the worst was the TWM in2500 which is about $260.
No the 1kva will not run it, my 2.4kva will virtually stall.
AnswerID:
239653
Reply By: Keith_A (Qld) - Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 08:52
Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 08:52
Like you, I just couldn't understand it.
Dropped by a friends place who had one, and he said - try my new welder.
Damn thing was about the size of your lunch box (almost).
He said ' pick it up' - it took two fingers only. (My old one you need to spread your legs, bend you knees, brace you back, and grab with 2 arms. )
He then gave me the thickest rod I've seen, and said - have a go.
After 3 seconds it burnt straight through the bit of test steel.
The adjustment is a tiny knob. His model was 175 amps and also does Tig.
cost was about $1200, with a 140 amp version at $900. Cheaper makes down around $600.
As above - just do it................................Keith
AnswerID:
239654
Reply By: Member - lyndon K (SA) - Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 19:31
Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 19:31
Crickey, never new they came that small or cheap,another bloody gadget i will have to have!!. But what about just using a couple of batteries linked together?
Have to use light rods, but it's got me out of the ----- a few times.
cheers Lyndon
AnswerID:
239769
Reply By: Olcoolone (SA) - Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 22:39
Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 22:39
Don't by the cheap no name ones, being full electronic in the future if you have a fault with a board inside you may not be able to get it fixed and in years to come forget it.
Even if you have a older brand name inverter welder that you can not get new parts for anymore, there are people rebuilding the old boards and supplying then on a change over basis.
We had this problem with one of our older tig welders.....it had a fault with the HF start board, we phone the local repairer up over here and they came and had alook....came back the next morning and swaped the board over....it cost us about $150 including a
check over and tune up.
Regards Richard
AnswerID:
239828