Thread: Good service from weldng suppliers- tell us about it

I bought a three-for-the-price-of-two MagTab pack from bobthewelder a month or two ago. One of the MagTabs a magnet falls out of - it's a manufacturing fault where the press fit wasn't tight enough. Bob sent me a new one instantly and all he asked in return was some pictures to send to the importer so he hopefully gets a replacement himself.

I haven't had a bad experience at any welding shops over here. But the selection is often lacking and if you want something specific they often won't have it and will try to steer you towards what they do have. So I do some internet shopping at places like Bob's. In terms of friendly service, Osborne Park Welding are nice guys with reasonably sharp pricing and probably my first stop local shop.

Thanks for the forum ,

I have been doing a lot of shopping around of late with welding gear.

Some companies I found just to be just an effort to deal with, others I found a pleasure. The better ones being the smaller companies. I am not affiliated with any of them, but would like to give them a plug and say thank you for all the advice and good service provided.

They are Bob The Welder in NSW, Hampdon in WA and Token Tools in NSW.

I am a great believer in people that provide great service should get it back by word of mouth .

It seems Bob the Welder and Token tools come up pretty often.

I have had dealings with both and found them to be a cut above the rest. Possibly the smaller businesses try that little bit harder.

The other name you mentioned, I will have to check out.

Grahame

One thing Bob and Hampdon both do is sell 2% lanthanated electrodes. They're hard to find otherwise. Prices are comparable between the two. My LWS tried to steer me away from 2% lanthanated saying that everyone in Australia uses 2% thoriated. That might be the case but I specifically asked for lanthanated. Might as well use what are not only some of the best, but less potentially dangerous.

I think the danger aspect is a bit overdone based on laws in California where any and every risk has to be catalogued and mitigated - and then that's perpetuated on some US welding forums. There's much more to worry about with fluxes and fumes - so I'd suggest a forced ventilation hood instead....and if it has a grind mode, use that too for the few seconds of sharpening.

The "best" argument is a bit dicey, having used lots of different electrodes, I struggle to see any significant difference between 1.5 or 2% lanthanated, special mixes or any of the others.....maybe ceriated splits more, so just use Z and T now. Operator technique will far outweigh any miniscule advantage of a special tungsten mix.

Guys,

Can we steer this thread back on track. Its all about good service from welding equipment and materials suppliers ,not the equipment or materials themselves.We will start a new thread for that.

Let us concentrate on the welding suppliers that have done right by you and then tell us about it. If it preserves a job in the industry its a good thing .

Grahame

Token tools have Been awesome as far as I'm concerned had a problem with one of their welders I brought they had it picked up and replaced with no extra cost to me what so ever and they know there stuff and give great advice

Cheers
Harty

Originally Posted by Grahame Collins

It seems Bob the Welder and Token tools come up pretty often.

Bob's in my town and he helped me quite a bit (in person) when I was first getting sorted out with TIG. Top bloke, happy to help and supplies a good range of stuff.
Pete at Tokentools is a true champ. I've got 2 welders from him (both going strong) and any issues have been sorted out within hours. This guy knows his products inside out.
I can recommend both.
- Mick

Some things just for together on the shelf, what can be a better advert