Need help, is this a good welder?

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http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/200AMP-AC...-/260912303092
Reply:I'm buying this welder for personal use for my dad at home, welding TIG, aluminum, stainless, mild steel etc and welding mild steel in stick, is this a good welder?
Reply:http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/CIGWELD-I...-/130611601941Or this one?
Reply:Originally Posted by Biglukeyhttp://www.ebay.com.au/itm/CIGWELD-I...-/130611601941Or this one?
Reply:You didn't list where you are from. Are you from Australia because if your not, that would be a big red flag as far as service. I don't know either machine, so I can't speak as to their worth.
Reply:I Googled Cigweld and it appears to be a Thermadyne company.  Probably a good welder. http://www.thermadyne.com/cigweld.html"The man of great wealth owes a peculiar obligation to the State, because he derives special advantages from the mere existence of government."  Teddy RooseveltAmerican by birth, Union by choice!  Boilermakers # 60America is a Union.
Reply:I bought the Longevity thatis very similar to that. I like it. Had issues with the first one but Simon at Longevity took care of it and got me a new unit. Some folks will tell you to leave the imports alone but if allyou are doing is personal light duty projects they are fine, atleast mine works great. Spend the little more and get the 200P instead of the 160P if you look at them. I would like a little more power. If it is going to be used for heavy duty work or production then invest in a name brand like Lincoln, Miller, Esab. Just my thoughts on it.
Reply:Thanks guys, a big help
Reply:cigweld is a rebadged thermal arc...excellent quality machine..the machine you linked to is DC only though..tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:If I just get a DC cigweld machine for him, what would be the difference as apposed to a ac/dc machine with HF. Does the TIG and arc still work well? On a bit of a budget that's all.
Reply:BiglukeyI had the same dilemma as you in choosing welders here in OZ. I very near went with the Cigweld, but after a lot of research went with the Everlast 200http://www.everlastwelds.com.au/weld...00-391-pd.htmlIt's a corker of a machine and you will be very please. Check out this link, compare notes, and look at the link to the forum on the website and you will find a lot of other people who use them and what they have to say. I got mine from the supplier (I think it was in Melb or Sydney ?)The list price is about $450 but I got it delivered to my address in SA for a total of $400Great back up service and a good company to deal with.
Reply:the cigweld is a DC only which means it will not be able to TIG weld Aluminum, you need AC current to TIG weld aluminum.    as for the other Chicom welder.  You will be lucky if it welds more than 10 minutes without a problem and notice Labor is not covered in the warranty. only parts..  the Everlast would be a much better choice if you choose to go with a Chicom made machine.  better warranty and quality control at least.Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Big Lukey, you would probably be better served with a used name brand machine rather than an imported unit.  Many of the imports are noted for DOA arrivals and becoming inop very soon after arrival.  The additional freight back and forth while under warranty even will eat any savings you may have had.  A good compromise would be an HTP invertec 221 or a Miller Diversion 180.  With the miller diversion you will not be able to stick weld, but there are better cheaper solutions to that issue than a cheap imported unit that causes issues.  If dad is just learning TIG then he will have enough on his hands learning without adding to his headache with a junky machine that isnt working properly.  I know that the Miller and other name brand units are much more expensive, but the difference in price is more than worth it due to the reduced headaches and shipping.  So look around for a good used AC/Dc tig machine or look at HTP America (Jeff Noland)  and the major US manufacturers before you part with your hard earned dollars on a potential headache.  Just my .02, but you seem smart enough to be getting my drift.BobI'm spending my Kids inheritance, I dont like him that much anyway!!!!!!Enuff tools to do the job, enough sense to use em.Anybody got a spare set of kidneys?  Trade?
Reply:[ ignoring sheep-shagging spammer here...]Cigweld (aka Thermal Dynamics in the US) is a major brand backed by a large corp. with reliable warranty service. Better than fly-by-night importers who won't be there when their machine goes BOOM!JohnA few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps
Reply:Just wondering what quality brands are sold in Australia? I checked ebay. Aus and saw a few engine driven lincolns but no miller, esab, hobart etc.   I also got the impression that quality brand welders are crazy expensive there compared to the USATiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Originally Posted by soutthpawJust wondering what quality brands are sold in Australia? I checked ebay. Aus and saw a few engine driven lincolns but no miller, esab, hobart etc.   I also got the impression that quality brand welders are crazy expensive there compared to the USA