What do you pro's think about this machine?

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I see a few machines like this on ebay. What do you guys think of them? I have a small 110v mig and its just not enough for me. I want a decent 220v tig. I could really use a plasma cutter too. So whats the deal? Good bang for my buck? Or crap?http://cgi.ebay.com/SIMADRE-520D-50A...item33565d1654
Reply:I think you'll find their thoughts in this thread:http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=34394If you're shopping price, I'd consider an Everlast, Giant Tech, or Longevity before that brand... at least there's representatives here on this site for those 3. Who knows how to get in touch with "Simadre".The soldering toys pay for the welding toys.Hakko 928 dual iron, 4xHakko 936Madell 850D Hot Air SMT ReworkMiller 252, HTP Invertig 201 AC/DC, and a Hypertherm 45.
Reply:Ok so most asian machines are crap. how do I know if this asian machine is crap? How do I know if a machine period is crap?That was a good read by the way.
Reply:I like this part:""5. For DOA, buyer needs to handle the return shipment and the seller will take care of the sending fee.As a part of 1-year warranty agreement, buyer shall pay both way shipping fee (including the insurance fee). Cut40(D): $89; Cut50(D): $109; CT416(D): $129; CT520(D): $149; WSME200 & Super160 $169; Customer from AK, PR, HI and Canada shall add extra $50 for return shipping fee. You shall send payments to us through our paypal Email. We WON"T process repairing/replacement machine before we receive the FULL payment. At this moment, Seller does not carry return and refund policy for international Buyer due to complication and cost of import/export.""So a DOA costs you more than a working model. Great.
Reply:It's not necessarily that the Asian machines are all crap, just some to many are. Part of it is quality control. They make a batch and ship it out. How much testing was really done? How good were the cheap parts they got to put it together with? How dedicated was the guy who tossed it together? Does the manufacturer really care if they ship out half that don't work to the importer? The next thing comes WHEN things go wrong. They go wrong on "good" mfgs machines as well as the bad ones. Will you be able to get parts and service? What about 3 years from now? How about 6? If you can't find that contactor to fit your Asian machine, it's a nice door stop, but thats about all. Can you find a service tech thats willing to try and figure out whats really wrong? The days of actually finding and repairing electrical parts is long gone. Today almost everyone just pulls out the offending board and plugs in a new one. They are not going to spend the time trying to tell if this diode is dead or what and replace it, especially with no service documents to work from.There's a reason manufacturers like Lincoln, Miller, Hobart and the other biggies are where they are. They built a reputation over the long haul. Their machines work and last. They hold their value. You can usually still get factory parts for machines that are 20 years old. You can find repair shops and techs that know the machines inside and out and can diagnose the problems. The repair info is there and available to them. Parts are there, even if it has to come from used units. Used parts a another option. You can pick up a used machine with hundreds of hours of hard use, that will continue to give long hours of good service. Rebuilt ones like Steve does (7A749) are almost like new, even come with a warranty, at a fraction of the cost of new.Sure there's a place for the imports. You get what you pay for. If you only use it once a year for some minor hobby project it's probably fine. Don't expect a $300 machine to do what a $3000 machine will. Just accept the limitations and the fact that in all likely hood it's a disposable machine. When it breaks, you'll just have to buy a new one. However, at that point just understand, that you will have paid more for those two, than you would have for a big name machine you could have just gotten that $12 part for. Been there, done that and so have others.After all that, how do you tell which ones are crap? You can't untill it's usually too late I'm afraid. You roll the dice and see what comes up. I'd suggest that you look at the experiences of others who have used the machines and make your own decision. Unfortunately many of the bad stories are no longer there for all to see for several companies..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Good catch by Sandy! At those shipping prices for DOA units the shipping alone could cost over 2/3 the original price of the unit.My Best advice to cvriv.charles is keyword search Simadre here at Welding Web and see what folks  have to say about the manufacturer products and service.I do have experience with both Longevity and Everlast units and no experience with Giant Tech units. My advice if  your thinking of one of the three you should first go to the longevity and Everlast sub forums and read the posts. Giant Tech 's sub forum and posts can be found under the Other Manufacturers sub forum.Co-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:where are you going to find parts for that when it breaks?
Reply:But seriously,... what hobbist can afford to drop 3000 on a TIG just like that! I wish I could but I ust dont think I can. You think if I could I would even consider a 600 machine? Of course I want it to last. But you do get what you pay for. We'll see what happens.
Reply:You can get one heck of a tig for $3000..  Like a dynasty 200dx (I'm dreaming of one)..  You don't have to spend a fortune to get a great machine though.  A really clean, used, lincoln precision tig 185 came up for sale by me for $700.  Look for a quality machine, you'll be much better off buying a GOOD machine used than a crap machine new..  Just my thoughts..Esab TradeMaster TorchSmith AW1A Airline TorchLincoln AC/DC 225/125Millermatic 252 w/ Spoolmatic 15aThermal Arc 190 GTSSpeedGlas 9100v
Reply:BTW, you did ask what the PRO's think of this machine.. If you want support for buying it, ask what hobbyist think of the machine.  I don't know any serious Pro welders that would tell someone to buy a machine like that, especially with the DOA terms...Esab TradeMaster TorchSmith AW1A Airline TorchLincoln AC/DC 225/125Millermatic 252 w/ Spoolmatic 15aThermal Arc 190 GTSSpeedGlas 9100v
Reply:Originally Posted by cvriv.charlesBut seriously,... what hobbist can afford to drop 3000 on a TIG just like that! I wish I could but I ust dont think I can. You think if I could I would even consider a 600 machine? Of course I want it to last. But you do get what you pay for. We'll see what happens.
Reply:Well,... I need a machine that can weld mild steel and aluminum. I will look for some used machines. If I didnt have to build two huge cnc machines I would definitely go for the dynasty for 3000. but these mahcines are going to set me back a ton. I will find something used. I am not looking for support on purchasing that machine. I am looking for opinions. I got them and I am happy. Thank you. I'll probably be back if I find a used machine. Asking you guys what you think of it yadda yadda.
Reply:First... I am not even experienced enough to be called a "hobbiest" welder, but I am learning.Second... "SiMadre"... isn't that Spanish?  Your mother?  Our mother?  Something like that... are we sure this machine is Chinese?  No matter, I guess... we hate all that is not "Made in USA"... right?Third... There is a guy in Georgia that makes a living repairing/replacing the circuit boards in these dual voltage plasma cutters.  I have been looking at some, including the SiMadre models and have decided that if/when I get one it will be a dedicated 220V single phase.Fourth... That is an opinion that you can toss in your hat.  Remember, I am a novice, so take this with a grain of salt.
Reply:Originally Posted by Bill S.First... I am not even experienced enough to be called a "hobbiest" welder, but I am learning.Second... "SiMadre"... isn't that Spanish?  Your mother?  Our mother?  Something like that... are we sure this machine is Chinese?  No matter, I guess... we hate all that is not "Made in USA"... right?Third... There is a guy in Georgia that makes a living repairing/replacing the circuit boards in these dual voltage plasma cutters.  I have been looking at some, including the SiMadre models and have decided that if/when I get one it will be a dedicated 220V single phase.Fourth... That is an opinion that you can toss in your hat.  Remember, I am a novice, so take this with a grain of salt.
Reply:Charles,I apologize for not including this link in my last post.  Check this out and if you really want to talk to someone who knows about this type of machine give this guy a call.  His phone number is in the item description.Let us know how things come out when you do get a plasma cutter... there are more of us out here looking to buy one.  This circuit board problem is giving me cold feet... too many dual voltage machines on eBay that need repair.Good luck,Bill S.http://cgi.ebay.com/Chinese-Plasma-C...item25569a5bf2
Reply:Originally Posted by Bill S.Charles,I apologize for not including this link in my last post.  Check this out and if you really want to talk to someone who knows about this type of machine give this guy a call.  His phone number is in the item description.Let us know how things come out when you do get a plasma cutter... there are more of us out here looking to buy one.  This circuit board problem is giving me cold feet... too many dual voltage machines on eBay that need repair.Good luck,Bill S.http://cgi.ebay.com/Chinese-Plasma-C...item25569a5bf2
Reply:Originally Posted by cvriv.charlesHow do I know if a machine period is crap?
Reply:Originally Posted by PookieIf it ain't Miller blue, or Lincoln red...stay away from it.
Reply:Originally Posted by PookieIf it ain't Miller blue, or Lincoln red...stay away from it.
Reply:Think it says "yes mother"  and think su madre is your mother or something close to that FWIW, and......maybe someone fluent in Spanish will correct...Been thinking about a TIG also..will think a while longer...
Reply:Think it says "yes mother"  and think su madre is "your mother" or something close to that FWIW, and......maybe someone fluent in Spanish will correct...Been thinking about a TIG also..will think a while longer...
Reply:Originally Posted by PilotDanBTW, you did ask what the PRO's think of this machine.. If you want support for buying it, ask what hobbyist think of the machine.  I don't know any serious Pro welders that would tell someone to buy a machine like that, especially with the DOA terms...
Reply:Originally Posted by cvriv.charlesThanks for your opinion. I want to hear from everyone. Even though the title states "Pro's". Thanks. I will seriously look around to see whats up. I dont care where anything is made. As long as it's good for my money. I can do a 1000+ for a used machine. I dont care if its portable. I mean I do but more importantly it has to work.
Reply:This is the best advice going. Nice post Rojo.Miller DVI2Lincoln Precision Tig 225Thermodynamics Cutmaster 38Everything else needed.