What Importer Brand would you Buy?

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Hi, I am new to welding and really think I want to give one of these imported machines a try. I know there are alot of people agaisnt the CHEAP machines but I am hoping they are good enough for my use. I see there are two main sellers on this site for these machines, Longivty and Everlast. Which of these two companies would you purchase from if you wanted one of these machines . Also are there any other companies that sell these CHEAP Chinese  machines that any of you could also suggest to me?I want to purchase from a trustworthy company, not any that might take my money and leave me hanging if there comes a problem.Any help please, Joe
Reply:Don't wanna hear what I gotta say"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammDon't wanna hear what I gotta say
Reply:Whats that saying, "you can put lipstick on a pig but it's still a pig".A LOT of cheeper welders and all sorts of other consumer products for that matter are just rebranded, does not mater what color or what sticker they put on the cover it comes from the same sweatshop.Last edited by Timberwolf; 09-11-2008 at 09:34 PM.Lincoln PT185 TIGLincoln 175 MIGLincoln 240 amp AC StickLind Needle Arc plasma welderPlasma cutter, soon???
Reply:Originally Posted by weldhardTell me please, I want to hear anything you want to say.
Reply:OK, I'll start the first round.   I personally would not reccomend ANY of these imported machines after the numerous horror stories I have seen on MANY forums over the years.  I think you would be MUCH better off with a used name brand machine that you will have some support for than a new import.  As far as the two manufacturers on this forum goes I personally would not buy from either one of them after seeing how they have both acted and handled situations in the past.  The only import guy that I have seen that seems to be straight forward is GiantTechGuy (a member here on weldingweb).  If I was going to buy a machine of this nature it would probably be from him.  I will add that I have no affiliation with ANY seller or manufacturer. Hope this helps.  If you buy then Good luck.  I think you will need it....I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:thanks for the opinions so far but i am really looking for who of the two and any other that sell these  you would buy from.Also if you wouldn't buy from one why wouldn't you.Joe
Reply:weldhard,Save your money and get a welder that will outlast you. If you skimp now to save money, you will only end up paying more in the long run. My $.02.
Reply:If money's tight buy used.  Lincoln, Miller , Hobart.I had to teach myself (and I'm still learning).  A new welder would have been a risk at the beginning.  I didn't even know at that time if I had even the slightest talent.At least start with a pretty good machine so that you know the mistakes are yours, and not the fault of a cheap machine.  My mistakes have been the best mistakes I've ever made.  Learned a lot from them.  At least I wasn't having to deal with a machine that could go south on me at any time.Any type of cheap tool......... is a cheap tool.Ok, so now I'll go and crawl back under my rock"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Weldhard, perhaps you misunderstood my post.  GiantTechGuy, sells import machines.  He is a member on the forums.  IF I was going to buy one he is the only one that I have seen that seems to be straight forward.  I won't go into WHY I wouldn't buy from certain vendors except that I have seen and read enough that I just don't trust them.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:I am thnkful to all of you guys . BUT I have read some good things about the China machines, they are cheap and probably not for the pros even thou I did read somewhere and a pro said he uses a stick welder from China quite a bit in a mobile business he has? I really just want to hear about who is the company to buy from if you stooped this low?Hamack , where do I find info on the member you suggest, GiantTechGuy ? I don't see a section on the site that has GianTechGuy welders?Last edited by weldhard; 09-11-2008 at 10:01 PM.
Reply:I'm sure he will post before too long.  I think he has a website.  Google Gianttech, and I am sure you can find it.Last edited by Hammack_Welding; 09-11-2008 at 10:58 PM.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:It's unwise to pay too much. But it is worse to pay too little.When you pay too much, you lose a little money, that is all. When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything, because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do.The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot. It can't be done.If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run.And if you do that, you will have enough to pay for something better.There is hardly anything in the world that someone can't make a little worse and sell a little cheaper – and people who consider price alone are this man's lawful prey.John Ruskin1819-1900Words of wisdom, figure the risk and get something that will work.
Reply:I have one of each. One is a 140 amp Stick Welder. Very Small Can Burn a 1/8" 7018. List for less than 200. Can Tig too as can any DC output CC power source.The other is a combo machine Stick/Tig/Plasma Cutter.I am sure that the quality can VARY considerably between lots and batches of these machines. The two I have seem fine. I haven't worked with them enough to be comfortable throwing ONLY one in the truck and heading down the road to make a weld for a customer. For the size, power output and I think the machines I have are great. I would look around on the forum and internet for complaints, BBB listing etc.. I can't talk about the support because I haven't needed any. I also have not put in more than 4 or 5 hours of welding with these yet. Here are my reviews to date.http://weldingdata.com/WelderReviews...%20Reviews.htm I'd love to check out a maxstar 150 side by side or rod by rod to see if there is a difference. I would be very suprised if some components on the inside werent very similar. I may be wrong though.I am pretty confident that some current "US" machines may have more "China" in them than you expect. But if I had to have one to depend on,for my livelyhood, I would get a US backed one with a history of parts and service.Have a nice dayhttp://www.weldingdata.com/
Reply:If you won't buy the product your neighbors make, who's going to buy the product YOU make?? 9-11-2001......We Will Never ForgetRetired desk jockey. Hobby weldor with a little training. Craftsman O/A---Flat, Vert, Ovhd, Horz. Miller Syncrowave 250
Reply:I agree, but then a lot of folks don't seem to like me very much."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammI agree, but then a lot of folks don't seem to like me very much.
Reply:Make it a Coors  Prooonounced Kuurs."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammMake it a Coors  Prooonounced Kuurs.
Reply:Weldhard,Giant Tech Guy may be unavailable for a little while, yet.  Contact him @:http://www.gianttechsales.builderspo...ge/5406659.htmThankfully, due to a lifetime spent in the welding industry, I have the means to buy whatever machine I need, so I won't get into the debate about US vs. China, I don't have to buy China.  I'll just state that there are people out there that don't have that ability, and if a "cheap" welder will instill in their soul the need to melt metal, then buy what you can, learn what you can, and buy the best machine as you can.Then come back here, and post your results, and we'll help you as best we can.Just my .02Regards,  KbnitI r 2 a perfessional
Reply:Weldhard: As for a cheap Chinese welder to buy... I bought a plasma cutter off Giant Teach Guy and I love it. Giant Teach Guy pre-tests every machine before shipping to assure you don't get a dead on arrival machine. And he has the consumables for what he sells. I have seen him help others on this site with machines that he didn't even sell to them. He would offer to replace them, and fix them at no cost for the repairs just the shipping. Now if he would be willing to do that for some one elses machines.... Imagine what kind of service you would get from him on one you purchase from him! Oh and again my machine works great and not one problem since the day I received it from Giant Teach. And the price was great as well. Hope this helps you out.Miller Thunderbolt 225Millermatic 130 XPLincoln HD 100 Forney C-5bt Arc welderPlasma Cutter Gianteach Cut40ACent Machinery Bandsaw Cent Machinery 16Speed Drill PressChicago Electric 130amp tig/90 ArcHobart 190 Mig spoolgun ready
Reply:Take a look at the HTP stuff.Not as cheap as the Chinese junk, certainly much better quality and you're not paying for a name and the associated marketing budget that goes along with it.  E'mail me off the forum and I'll forward a copy of the catalog with prices in PDF format.BKbkennedy at bmepfuelandtuning dot com