Advice on Esab caddy 160

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Im what you would call a reformed cheap skate.  I have owned a $50 TSC brand mig, a $250 used clarke (not bad, but had issues) and i still own my Lincoln tombstone i got for $90.  Ive learned my lesson.Like i said, im reformed.  Im looking for a nice mig, 220 volts from a good company.  Ive been looking many times a day on craigslist for about a month, and ive seen a few good deals pop up..but they sell before i can literally drive to pick them up.Two days ago i found this:http://www.ebay.com/itm/ESAB-Caddy-M...item19d24b1716I understand this is an inverter welder.  I understand it maxes @ 160 amps, and its tapped.  It comes with everything to run GMAW except the wire.  I swear im not trying to get off this hunt cheap!  But this seems like a real good deal!  What could i be missing here?     Oh and hello, first post
Reply:The search box is your friend.   Pleas use it as ther is already a current thread discussing this exact deal...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:Originally Posted by soutthpawThe search box is your friend.   Pleas use it as ther is already a current thread discussing this exact deal...
Reply:Used within it's limits it's probably not bad, but I think it's a bit underpowered for a 230v mig. Max in real world conditions might be 3/16"-1/4" steel.Personally if I was going to run a 230v machine, I'd want the extra power to grow into of a 200 amp class mig at a minimum. I'd pay the extra $400 or so for a Hobart  HH210MVP for the extra amps and the ability to run on 110v/230v power. The price for the Esab is very good however for a low end 230v mig and someone on a tight budget..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:Originally Posted by DSWUsed within it's limits it's probably not bad, but I think it's a bit underpowered for a 230v mig. Max in real world conditions might be 3/16"-1/4" steel.Personally if I was going to run a 230v machine, I'd want the extra power to grow into of a 200 amp class mig at a minimum. I'd pay the extra $400 or so for a Hobart  HH210MVP for the extra amps and the ability to run on 110v/230v power. The price for the Esab is very good however for a low end 230v mig and someone on a tight budget.
Reply:I can only speak of the 200 which I have, I had the opportunityto speak with the local rep from Esab about these units and he felt that they were very much under rated for the power and they did that to make them a worth while welder.