what are the differences between an inexpensive welder and a brand name model?

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as per the title, I was thinking that as long as my inexpensive generic stick welder can meet the amperage rating for the electrodes that I'm using, and all else being equal, are there really any differences between brands? does having a more expensive or brand name machine make it easier to weld? just curious. Thanks
Reply:One major difference is the duty cycle of the welders. Most cheap ones have a low (20%) duty cycle and most major brand have near if not 100 percent duty cycle. That means in a 10 minute period of time the cheap ones usually can handle no more than 2 minutes welding with 8 minutes cooling. Also some of the major brands do give you more control on start of the arc power. And some you can control both the amps and voltage outputs as well. That said, and I may not have covered most of the major differences, if you are welding for hobby and not structural loading your current welder may last and do just fine for your needs.HF 90 Amp Flux Core Customized.
Reply:Voltage and current and the interaction between them is what makes a weld.  Better transformer welders have higher open circuit voltage (or higher available arc voltage)  and the Volt-Ampere curve affects the "handling" if you will.  The design and mass of the transformer varies.  Motor-generator welders have their own characteristics.It's sort of like a car engine. Horsepower and torque (and their curves), the rotating mass and the number of cylinders all affect the quality and characteristics of the power delivery.See if you can try out some well-respected name brand welder and see if you can tell a significant difference. Like an Idealarc or Dialarc."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:Some cheap brands are recolored name brands- for example, Hobart is Miller painted white.And then you have stuff made in mainland China ripping off five different companies' patents. They turn out to be extremely good or extremely bad products, with very little in between. Usually the latter, though.Whichever way you go, don't buy more machine than you need. That huge diesel might look good in the back of your rig, but it's going to take longer to pay for itself if you're mainly doing work that could've been done by an Outback or Blue Star.Currently working as a Paralegal, but still interested in hobby welding.Miller Bobcat 225ntOne- Character Fractions: ¼ ½ ¾ ⅛ ⅜ ⅝ ⅞
Reply:Originally Posted by bikercatas per the title, I was thinking that as long as my inexpensive generic stick welder can meet the amperage rating for the electrodes that I'm using, and all else being equal, are there really any differences between brands? does having a more expensive or brand name machine make it easier to weld? just curious. Thanks
Reply:I saw an Italian inverter that had an arc force knob labeled with a smiley face one the left and an angry face on the right.   "USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:For the average joe, 20% duty cycle is more then enough for a buzz box. A hot start is more readily available on the more expensive welders,but there are ways around this such as arc gap.
Reply:ability to pull a long arc with 6010 is nice but of course holding a long arc for long gives a bad weld. welding machine manufacturers are in a struggle to make a machine that gives a better weld and is foolproof but also make or force a bad welder make better welds..they are struggling to make welding machines prevent bad welds by welders with bad welding practices (long arc for too long).like do you really need to pull a long arc with 6010 ? only time i ever need to long arc is when pulling so long a arc to deposit no metal on purpose just using heat of arc to burn paint or loosen it up so wire brush takes it off easier.
Reply:Originally Posted by OldendumI saw an Italian inverter that had an arc force knob labeled with a smiley face one the left and an angry face on the right.
Reply:Originally Posted by WNY_TomBability to pull a long arc with 6010 is nice but of course holding a long arc for long gives a bad weld. welding machine manufacturers are in a struggle to make a machine that gives a better weld and is foolproof but also make or force a bad welder make better welds..they are struggling to make welding machines prevent bad welds by welders with bad welding practices (long arc for too long).like do you really need to pull a long arc with 6010 ? only time i ever need to long arc is when pulling so long a arc to deposit no metal on purpose just using heat of arc to burn paint or loosen it up so wire brush takes it off easier.