Thread: Ever looked inside your welder?

Wow Back when I was lecturing, we had some students who would stuff as many components onto the board as possible. Most of it wasn't even connected to anything, but it sure looked impressive.

I wonder what this guy would think of that?

Originally Posted by WelderMick

Opened up my inverter the other day for the first time... I was amazed how much is packed in there. thought I'd share. Cheers - Mick

Yeah they are a bit more complex that the old transformer.
All the more reason to make sure your warranty is good.
I have two inverters now, MIG and TIG and such nice machines to work with and seem to cover all bases. Not sure whether to part with my old faithfuls or not..

Originally Posted by sjm

Wow Back when I was lecturing, we had some students who would stuff as many components onto the board as possible. Most of it wasn't even connected to anything, but it sure looked impressive.

I wonder what this guy would think of that?

I'm guessing he might feel the new fangled welders were a touch over engineered!

He also seems impervious to pain - check out his left hand. Cheers - Mick

Originally Posted by johncar

Yeah they are a bit more complex that the old transformer.
All the more reason to make sure your warranty is good.
I have two inverters now, MIG and TIG and such nice machines to work with and seem to cover all bases. Not sure whether to part with my old faithfuls or not..

My last welder (which was about 25 years ago) was a transformer - I even understood what all the bits did in that machine ! No hope now. I love my MMA/TIG but sometimes lust after a MIG.

Regarding warrantees, I've seen heaps of complaints about customer service and sales rep's poor attitudes to customers (particulary the hobby welder) in general. In contrast I cannot fault the service from Tokentools: I got a puff of smoke out of my welder on Saturday arvo, sent off an email (not really expecting any response til monday), got a phone call an hour later - diagnosed and temporary isolated the problem in 15 minutes, and was back welding later in the day. Pete sent the replacement part with instructions and I was fully functional a day or so later. I wonder if I could've got the same result if I had one of the big brand machines? Warrantees are useless unless you've got a company with the right staff attitude and the knowledge of their products to give efficient friendly help. I haven't got any affiliation with TT but I don't mind giving them a plug because this isn't the first time that I've been impressed with them.

Cheers

- Mick

Originally Posted by WelderMick

My last welder (which was about 25 years ago) was a transformer - I even understood what all the bits did in that machine ! No hope now. I love my MMA/TIG but sometimes lust after a MIG.

Regarding warrantees, I've seen heaps of complaints about customer service and sales rep's poor attitudes to customers (particulary the hobby welder) in general. In contrast I cannot fault the service from Tokentools: I got a puff of smoke out of my welder on Saturday arvo, sent off an email (not really expecting any response til monday), got a phone call an hour later - diagnosed and temporary isolated the problem in 15 minutes, and was back welding later in the day. Pete sent the replacement part with instructions and I was fully functional a day or so later. I wonder if I could've got the same result if I had one of the big brand machines? Warrantees are useless unless you've got a company with the right staff attitude and the knowledge of their products to give efficient friendly help. I haven't got any affiliation with TT but I don't mind giving them a plug because this isn't the first time that I've been impressed with them.

Cheers

- Mick

Well I must say it is pleasant to hear happy customer feedback instead of negative news. I hope they grow and absorb the big brand names, wouldn't that be a great change in the landscape

Yes I was also stoked when I opened up my Fronious and inside it looked more like a computer then a welding machine. Always wonder if I could finish whatever job I'm on if one of the LBT's (little black things) goes.

Yep , my inverter welder just died ,10 months into a 1year warranty, so Trade Tools sent it off to be fixed [week or so apparently ] So got the10 year old transformer out .Like meeting an old friend after a long time .Apart from the lower duty cycle and not being able to run really big and really small rods , th e old transformers are very reliable . Once they fix my inverter I think I,ll save it for big 4mm or very small 1.6 - 2 mm rods as it seems preety easy to kill inverter welders but the transformer ones seem to last for ever .-------------mat-----