Thread: Inverter stick comparisons

Hmm, that table seems a little confusing

That Tokentools machine looks a lot more like a TIG machine than what I'd think of as a typical inverter stick welder. The only inverter stick machine they seem to offer is a 125A unit for $565
125 Amp DC Inverter Stick / Arc Welder

For the Everlast - 160A @ 60% duty cycle - $385
Plasma Cutters, Welders, Arc Tig Mig Welding Equipment, Diesel Generators, Welding Accessories, Consumables
Featutres: neato digital amps display (which might be more prone to failure?).

I'll add the UniMig 170 - 170A @ 25% duty cycle - $345
SYDNEY TOOLS - Unimig 170 DC 240V Inverter Arc Welder
Features: small, neato carry case.

On reflection yes it could be confusing.
I was looking for machines around 160 AMPS.I should have posted stick & Tig in the heading.My bad,as the kids say!

Rusty Arc where did you find pricing on the Everlast machine?.I had trouble there,though Bob Guthrie did mention in his PM to me the the pricing for models not in stock would be To be advised.

Ok then if all you blokes with inverters in that model range,could well chip in and well build a collection of information for the guys in future when they ask about about a 160 amp inverter stick/tig machine ,they can can search in this thread.


What do you all reckon?
edit! just found how to get the pricing.Click on the model descriptor at the left and it hyperlinks to a new frame.All note that the Everlast Tigs sport a pulse control as standard
Grahame

Im not to sure why you left out the weldskill (cigweld) 170, would have to be the most popular machine around. In my area anyway

Gidday

I think your onto something here Grahame But reckon most forumites and visitors are more than capable of researching a 'Rig' they have an interest in............remember google is your friend!

What your idea got me thinking about was a thread that gave setup tips and settings from forum members so that we have a great resource of 'base settings' and 'sweetspots' for the various 'rigs' forum welders own.........

This would provide a great resource and ready reckoner for those with the same machines throw in the odd pic and the usual banter n i reckon we have a winner!!

Just something worth considering.............................

Regards Lou

Originally Posted by Jack of

Im not to sure why you left out the weldskill (cigweld) 170, would have to be the most popular machine around. In my area anyway

It was not a matter of leaving anything out, but page 1 listings just grabbed off Google.How they come up is by what you goggle for.

In this case it was "160 amp inverter". Google that and the weldskill unit does not come up.

Perhaps you would care to Google it for us and post the specs in this thread.

Grahame

Here ya go:

CIG Weldskill 170A @ 25% duty cycle. $356
SYDNEY TOOLS - Cigweld Weldskill 170 240V Inverter DC Welder
Feature: Neato carry case. 1Yr warranty.

Cool, I will check em out.

The prices on these things now are very good, although I don't need one now since I bought the mighty GTAW which I find myself using to weld steel whereas in the past if I wanted to do that I would use stick but my TIG welding is miles neater. Not the sort of thing that would be done in industry though and yes gas is used but I can live with the additional expense of that.

Hi Lou,
I have thought about this for a few days and in way it goes against the grain of my thinking that people need to learn by hands on.On the other hand I think there maybe are people out there who have tried their hardest to tune the welder its not happening for them.

Essentially yes ,its a good idea But what about the variables, Lou?.
Each one of us with a:

• different machine
• different level of abilities
• different material types
• different material section shapes
• different material and thicknesses.
• different consumbles

To my way of thinking, each individual reply would need to list the above as well as :
Amperage, polarity setting if any, position welded,electrode brand, classification type ( number on electrode shank end).

Using the search options, a person looking for a solution in a compatible set of parameters should be able to find them. The first search would obviously list the model,hence the impotrance of listing the details, and so on for the remainder.

In addittion it probably be a good move to limit the thread to the harder and more difficult applications as the thread could be jammed with lower level stuff making it difficult to search through.

That is of course assuming they do have the patience to search the thread.

Google is my friend but seemingly not a friend to many others as they can't bother to do that now. Many simple enquiries to this forum, those that come up quickly in a google search, evidence that notion even now.

Its just my opinion

Cheers
Grahame

Originally Posted by NewLou

What your idea got me thinking about was a thread that gave setup tips and settings from forum members so that we have a great resource of 'base settings' and 'sweetspots' for the various 'rigs' forum welders own.:

Originally Posted by Grahame Collins

Hi Lou,


Essentially yes ,its a good idea But what about the variables, Lou?.
Each one of us with a:

• different machine
• different level of abilities
• different material types
• different material section shapes
• different material and thicknesses.
• different consumbles

To my way of thinking, each individual reply would need to list the above as well as :
Amperage, polarity setting if any, position welded,electrode brand, classification type ( number on electrode shank end).


Grahame

Gidday Grahame

I think you've got the basis of the idea sorted out grahame! N still think it would become a great resource! REst assured it could be tweaked as its developed there may well be a few variables that remain grey : eg: operator skill......... BUT it would still provide a great ballpark to start from!

The variables you've mentioned may be able to be recorded on some kind of spreadsheet layout N those more enthusiastic (Like myself) Would definitely post pictures n other relevant information!

IF you think its a goer Id definitely Do a section on my Dynasty 200DX and invite other 200DX owners to contribute!!!!

Regards Lou

Guys, I reckon it's great to have as much info as possible, but it seems to me that it will never be possible to cover all the different welding combinations, or keep up with new clone welders coming on the market every week, etc.

What I reckon would be really useful is a visual guide to problems and solutions. The miller TIG troubleshooting guide at Miller - Ten Common TIG Problems: A Visual Guide is great. To have this for MIG (to accompany your sticky Grahame) and for MMA would be a benefit to new starters.

I'll happily contribute some photos of poor welds.

Regards

- Mick

Originally Posted by WelderMick

Guys, I reckon it's great to have as much info as possible, but it seems to me that it will never be possible to cover all the different welding combinations, or keep up with new clone welders coming on the market every week, etc.

Regards

- Mick

Good thoughts Mick BUT im not proposing we cover all the welders 'out there' Just the ones forumites own and the information provided would develop just like a WIP as those that participate progress in skill project type etc etc ..............

AT the very least we would have a great 'run down' on how a 'rig' performs and some great starting points for newer operators.

Regards Lou

This is a slightly larger machine but its about the same price at the moment...

Weldsmart ARC200
200A @ 60% duty
With VRD
$356 (on special at the moment)

WeldSmart 200 Amp Arc Inverter Welder MMA / Stick VRD (eBay item 120611494409 end time 17-Jan-11 21:25:52 AEDST) : Industrial

I bought one of these recently... has heaps of grunt and an excellent duty cycle. I've put about 20kg of electrodes through it so far without any problems.

Oaky dokey, mine's a Tokentools Alusync made in China to local specs. It does AC/DC TIG and plasma cutter as well, but in MMA mode the specs are:
- 10 to 160 amps.
- IGBT inverter.
- Duty cycle 100% at 100amps, 35% at 160amps.
- Not particularly portable at 26Kg, so it stays on the bench most of the time
- 15amp plug (but let's not go there again!)
- Prices vary, mine was $1250 on Ebay which is close to the lowest I've seen them.

Mainly use 1.6 and 2.4mm and sometimes 3.2mm 6012 and 6013 rods, mainly on DCEP between about 45 and 140 amps depending on the situation. Had it for 9 months with no problems with Stick (I suppose I've used about 30Kg of rods) and TIG (about 3x E2 argon bottles ~ 22hrs). Comes with all the gear for MMA, but not argon regulator, foot pedal or tungsten for TIG. Has worked great for me so far

- Mick