A TIG welder from Germany/China?

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Hi, everyoneI've been reading this forum for a long time, great projects and cool people in here. Today I decided to register and this is my first post. I've been MIG/MAG and stick welding all my life, sometimes TIG'ing stainless. I want to learn to weld aluminium and I'm looking for a TIG but not willing to make very big investments.On eBay I found a welder from GermanyHas anybody a welder like this?There is also chinese TIGs for sale Chinese TIG 1Chinese TIG 2What do you think about these? Anyone tried out?Thanks for your opinions.
Reply:What do you think about these? I think they are at best a piece of crap.Anyone tried out?If you buy one let everyone know what they can or cannot do,but consider the old adage "you get what you pay for"You asked.FelonCaution lurker lives here" hmmm That is serious,pass the ganja and pick up a  24 of MGD"
Reply:I worked for a German company and worked on a lot of German equipment. I wouldn't be afraid of anything made in German ( especially the beer ), Germany has some of the best engineers in the world, and I would imagine it probably shows up in that welder. If it has a good warranty , I would be inclined to go with the welder from Germany. But to help out your neighbor it would be better to buy American.
Reply:"inclined to go with the welder from Germany"Cant argue the german technology ,however i beleive what we have here is a chinese welder for sale in germany and two chinese welders for sale in the USAFelonCaution lurker lives here" hmmm That is serious,pass the ganja and pick up a  24 of MGD"
Reply:If it breaks or DOA it is expensive and a pain to ship back to repair. I thought about getting one too, but decided to go with a Thermal arc185. It has alot of good features. I know I can weld a beer can end to end, it is very capable. 100% duty cycle @100 amps or lower. It is made in Japan but can be fixed locally and has a good warranty.
Reply:It's nice to walk into a local store and pick up parts or consumables.
Reply:Viper,I have American made equipment welding equipment, Lincoln and ESAB (florence SC).  More often than not, I have to order my consumables and parts and wait 6 weeks so they can get up a minimum order to boot.  Even the Miller stuff I use everyday is often waiting on parts.TJV,The Chinese machines range in quality just as anything else.  Your run-of-the-mill-direct-from-China offers are the ones to run from.  But the other "American" based units need thorough evaluation too.  Some companies are still selling the tired, problematic cloned units.  Other companies have invested serious time and effort in product upgrade.  I know Everlast has switched to IGBT technology and now manufacture their units in another factory..  Accordingly, their negative posts and comments have dropped to nil over their new products. I was told that their DOA's have dropped to nothing, quite literally. I think Longevity has followed their lead with the addition of some IGBT units but have stayed with the same factory that has been wrought with considerable controversy (some good, some bad)and still offer the older line.  Of course GiantTech guy has a generally swell rep here.  Some of the guys here don't understand guys with limited budgets that may have 1500.00 for a machine but not 4000.00 for a MIller of the same features.  I think some of it is sour grapes in the fact that they cannot stand someone being in the business that has a lower "buy" in than they have, and are able to operate at a generally lower cost.  Now, with that said,  Miller, Lincoln, and ESAB all offer impecable products and generally great service.  But from what I am seeing, the American based chinese importers are quickly gaining ground without jacking the prices. There are a few issues remaining about a slightly higher failure rate, but after seeing all the recent issues with Miller Dynastys,  I am not so sure they are much better.Last edited by lugweld; 07-31-2009 at 10:27 AM.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:The "german" made welder is a chinese unit.  But it should also tell you something about the quality of the unit.  The Germans are particularly sensitive to quality issues.  If they are selling it, it probably is a higher end unit from China.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:Thanks for comments.I'm not worried about consumables for a chinese TIG, because it's easy to replace the original torch (and maybe the grounding clamp too) and then use good quality electrodes locally available. It would be more scary to buy an unknown MIG/MAG welder from China because there is mechanics (wire feed). As for a TIG, it's just an electric device, a power supply without moving mechanical parts (ok, there are small mechanics, a magnet valve and buttons).Anyway, nobody knows, maybe it's a good welder, maybe not.But eBay is full of these chinese welders, nobody has one or tried out? I appreciate if someone has a TIG welder from china and can give comments.
Reply:tjv,What is more scary is that some of the "American" machines use the same drives.You'd be very suprised.Last edited by lugweld; 07-31-2009 at 11:13 AM.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:I have had very good luck with my Giant teck Plasma cutter  but when it comes to a tig and  you have around 1500 or so find a used Miller Syncrowave 250, it will do what ever you want it to and you wont have the limits that imported machines have....I see them on ebay the only real downside they weigh round 300 or 400 pounds so shipping might be a problem...BrandonLincoln Tombstone 225 A/C Steel StickerOld Victor O2/Acetylene setupMiller Syncrowave 250 Tig/PC-300 PulserMiller Millermatic 212 Mig HTP Invertatig 201 Giant Teck D50 Plasma cutterLots of HF grinders
Reply:798 euro is roughly 1500 bucks I think. Buy local if you can get a deal. If you find a deal on Lincoln or Miller on line, the shipping is usually free.
Reply:I think its all a matter of what you are going to do with it, how much you can afford, and how much  are going to use it. I bought a Longivity LP-160, a Combo Tig/plasma/stick unit. I picked that Chinese unit because they have an office in California (I live in California), I do not do a lot of cutting/welding, and am retired and do not have $5k to invest in the USA made machines. So far I have been satisfied with what it does. My only other advice would be to buy a welder from someone in your area that could service it if it need it. The Chinese unit I have takes standard consumables,  and the unit is warranted for 5 years (I pay shipping, around $50)  I figure if I get 5 years use out of it, it only cost me $200 a year, about .54 cents a day.I'm good with that......mike
Reply:Originally Posted by lugweldThe "german" made welder is a chinese unit.  But it should also tell you something about the quality of the unit.  The Germans are particularly sensitive to quality issues.  If they are selling it, it probably is a higher end unit from China.
Reply:tjv,I was in the same boat as you.  For months I researched all the TIG units I could find info on.  I tried to convince myself I would be happy with a Chinese machine, but decided on the Dynasty 200DX.  I struggled with “ buyer’s remorse” all the way home from the LWS.  The buyer’s remorse quickly faded after my first weld.  I’m not looking back….
Reply:Lot of "German" welders on ebay.de are just chinese or worse. There are too much crap 'brands' (or stickers) to mention. If you're lucky they will last for your use.If you're in Europe Better look for German/European welder brands like Merkle, EWM, Mahe, Rehm, Selco, Re-On, Esab, Kemppi and Fronius. You get what you pay for.
Reply:What is more scary is that some of the "American" machines use the same drives.You'd be very suprised.
Reply:Originally Posted by 6010I have been in electronics for many years - First Class Commercial License, Extra Class Ham License, and almost all solid state components are made in Asia somewhere ( at least since the early 70's - whether it is a CPU or a resistor. They may be designed in the USA, but when they are manufactured they come for places like Korea, Singapore, Taiwan,etc. I don't care if it is blue or red, you can bet this is where most of the electronics came from. I bet you can't get a Rep. to say from either company, that everything inside is made in the US.
Reply:hi @ all,first of all i wanna say great forum! i've been around for a while and have learned a lot of you guys. i really have to say, that there are some really qualified people around here.back to ther original post:i live in germany and have to say that this is not a german welder! this is just some chinese piece of crap! a friend of mine couldn't resist and ordered one of the exact same machines. the hf unit worked for exactly 3 days. the warranty repair took forever! in my opinion it is no wonder they sell these on ebay. no qualified welding supply store would even think about to sell these machines. just too much trouble.so pllleeeease: DON'T BUY IT!!!!!indeed, germany has some of the highest qualified engineers in the world. so if you really wanna by a german welder, here's my secret hint for you:www.ewm.dethey are the number one in welding in germany (bmw, porsche and so on rely on them)! in your case you should take a look at "wig-schweissgeräte" on the left side of the homepage (wig = tig). i own the wig triton 220 ac/dc powersinus and would never buy another machine!think about it! best regards,chrisLast edited by chritx; 08-02-2009 at 03:36 PM.
Reply:Chris, are you German ?? I was in Berlin for two years in the Army and Chris does not sound like a German name to me. How can they say this is a German welder if it is made totally in China ?? I thought there were laws against this. Pretty crafty if you ask me if it is Chinese and they have the specs written in German. Anyway, if it is a Chinese welder it looks like it has a German price on it.
Reply:The seller does not claim that the welder is made in Germany.It's an offer from a seller in Germany on ebay Germany, of course description and specs are written in German language.If it were a real German welder you would have to put an additional digit in front of that price. And not necessarily a "1"...
Reply:@ 6010yes i am german. and i really don't know what my parents thought a couple of years ago when they decided to call me "chris"  but i agree, this is not a typical german name.well, there's really no statement in the description, that the welder is made in germany. to be honest, after i took a closer look, i believe it's made in italy. there's a similar flood of cheap welders from italy like from china. the quality is the same and you don't get any spare parts for it in germany. the only good italian welding equipment company is telwin. the really produce good welders at a reasonable price.@ chevyman_de:you are so right! you would probably fall of your chair you're sitting on right now, if i would tell you the price i paid for my machine.......but it's worth every "european cent" but i think i don't need to tell you that...just saw that you are from "next door" ;-)Last edited by chritx; 08-02-2009 at 05:12 PM.
Reply:Thanks for replies.It's no problem to get a good TIG. If I were a professional weldor I just could go to the nearest welding supply and pick up Kemppi portable TIG for $3000-5000 if I weld every day to earn money. Price in not so important if it's the tool I need for I can work and it produces me money. By the way, Kemppi factory is located 50 miles away from my home. All workshops here and industry weld with Kemppi.I had a supposition that those chinese welders are more or less crap, but I wanted to hear about experiences if somebody really has such welder. Of course nobody has a welder from China, but everyone say "a friend of mine has..."   Sometimes I do on-site welding and I use Kemppi Minarc 150, it's really nice welder for everything I weld at work: limit switch brackets, handrails, stairs, etc. In my home workshop for hobbies I have Kemppi compact MIG/MAG (Kempomat 180) and Kemppi power supply PS3500 and FU20 wire feeder with WU10 water cooler. But no machine which can do aluminium, so I want to get a TIG welder (AC too) to my workshop for sheet metal. I've made alum.boxes for enduro bikes but I had to hire a weldor to "glue" parts together. Hobby budget is limited so I started to search for a cheaper AC TIG. It looks only China can offer cheap AC TIGs but it's fifty-fifty: it's good or not, it works or it doesn't work.I decided not to buy a chinese welder. Now I'm checking what GYS (IMS) from France can offer for ~$2000. Anybody know something about GYS?
Reply:@ chritx:Yes, being German myself I do know the prices.I would not agree that Telwin is the only good Italian manufacturer for welding equipment. There are nice machines from Cebora or Selco and I have good experinces with a big Cemont stick inverter. But that one was manufactured before Cemont became part of Air Liquide and is now discontinued. I feel that their range of machines is no longer what it used to be in the past. Regarding the quality of welders for diy use you're absolutely correct: Telwin offers reasonable quality mig welders for a low price along with their industrial equipment. They just don't make a budget ac/dc tig welder. There must be a reason for this...That welder on ebay comes from China, that's for sure. The seller himself may be Italian, but the welder is not. As we know you can trust most Italian welders, at least much more than the Chinese ones. Therefore an Italian touch may be helpfull on ebay.
Reply:Originally Posted by chevyman_de@ chritx:Regarding the quality of welders for diy use you're absolutely correct: Telwin offers reasonable quality mig welders for a low price along with their industrial equipment. They just don't make a budget ac/dc tig welder. There must be a reason for this...Originally Posted by lugweldViper, I know Everlast has switched to IGBT technology and now manufacture their units in another factory..  Accordingly, their negative posts and comments have dropped to nil over their new products. I was told that their DOA's have dropped to nothing, quite literally.
Reply:Lugweld.Now that you've OUTED yourself as an employee of Everlast, would you please change your sig line to reflect that fact.For the non-frequent readers, it would be helpful to know that when you extolling the virtues of Chinese Junk who's paying you money. Attached Images
Reply:Wow! Rancher.... was that even necessary????What's your deal man?Last edited by yellow; 08-08-2009 at 01:00 PM.
Reply:Rancher,  You are a great artist....I'll print that one out...Last edited by lugweld; 08-08-2009 at 01:42 PM.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:I don't hide anything from anyone...I have no control over the forum.  I have no password etc.  I post where I want, when I want about a variety of topics. In fact,  I stay out of the everlast forum unless it concerns something that I have to input in a positive manner.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:Originally Posted by yellowWow! Rancher.... was that even necessary????What's your deal man?
Reply:Rancher,You need to read my post again.  Read all of it.  How will saying something nice about a competitor's product make me biased?    Anyway,  I use Millers everday.  That is true.  I also use other brands daily.  There are problems with some of the Dynastys.  Longevity is still with Chiry.   That is true.  Everlast's product problems in the DOA dept have dropped to near 0.  That is true.  You can't see beyond the fact that I work for Everlast.  That automatically disallows my opinion?   People can always see my posts.  I doubt you have ever welded with or even owned a Chinese welder....So, when you make a negative statement about one or one of the companies,  it is hearsay and wouldn't even make it to the front door of  judges office.   Yet, when I have personal experience with one and operate daily with one and along with other brands, it would qualify me as an expert witness.   So who's biased?I have well over 1600 posts since I joined.  Many in the off topic,and different forums with welding topics and pictures.  I have contributed many different posts.  Been called to bear for  a small number of them, but overall tried to contribute in a friendly and helpful manner.You have 27? And a good many of them have nothing to with anything but anti Everlast/Longevity.Start posting some real work...Some real pictures.  Some real input.Last edited by lugweld; 08-08-2009 at 03:28 PM.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:Lugweld,You've gone to school for a long time and you haven't learned the basics of intelligent debate.You have just babbled on attacking me and not my IDEA.  The idea is that you should identify yourself for who you are.  A biased poster for Everlast machines and that you are trying to break down barriers to Chinese machines.Seeing  you brought it up, I don't post projects as I come to learn from masters. You are not one of the masters.  I use as a reference a posting from somebody I do consider a master, Mark8310.  There is a discussion about you in this thread.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=28067I have looked at 'foreign' brands of equipment to purchase.  I looked at them hard.  There are lots of options and features at very low prices. I own American, Chinese and Taiwanese power tools. BTW, I am not racially prejudiced at all.My background is in the electronics industry.  When I looked at Everlast my head spun. I am not going to get into the long list of problems / cheap / shaky things that I saw in the threads and pics. It is all out there for someone to see.My fear is that someone will read a couple of posts and get the wrong idea that this stuff is OK.  It isn't.Now back to the original thought.  Man up and put it in your sig line that you are a "Company Lackey"
Reply:Yepper,What I see here is another classic example of Neverlast's underhanded business tactics.First time poster, PhilM, comes out of the woodwork and extols the virtues of his new Chinese tig welder.  Doesn't know a frigging thing about tig welding, but rates his new toy at a 5star out of 5.Anybody else smell a dead fish scent coming from the computer screen.Oh, and Lugweld.Would you care to elaborate on "all the problems the Dynasty 200 owners" are having.  I DO happen to have one myself, and to be quite honest, it has performed flawlessly.  In fact, it does even better than I (a longtime Sync user) could have imagined.Somehow I must have missed the Dynasty 200 in your signature line.  Also missed the Chinese crap you keep referring to also.  Other than those two things, what I see is a hodgpodge of various equipment, none of which would be considered "top of the line".  In fact, with that lineup, it would make me suspect of the type of "welding business" you actually run.  Maybe that's why you had to take to pimping for Neverlast.Personally, I thought it was a great idea that you (in your signature line) identify yourself as a representative for that "Great Chinese Welder Line--Neverlast".PS  I see it didn't take you long to fall right in with the rest of the sleezebags, casting negative jabs at an established product (Miller)Last edited by SundownIII; 08-08-2009 at 04:20 PM.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:Holy crap, there are three of these BS threads going, one was locked. Why not the rest? This crap is getting old. Rojo, is this selective locking of threads?? Do we really need this crap??3M TA3
Reply:Lincoln isn't considered top of the Line?  No I have owned the Ranger for 10 years.Still serves... The SA 200 is still the standard of the industry.Smith?ESAB migmaster is a long time favorite for many welders...carrying over to ESAB from l-tech. and is still sold today...Maybe its not the latest tech, but well respected.  The old penncraft was something that I bought that and has sentimental value.  But I think it was made by Miller or Forney.  It welds good.  Solid copper. I weld with Millers also.   I like Dialarcs, but they hardly are cutting edge either.  I didn't mean to cast a shadow of doubt on the Dynasty's but there are people here that have experienced problems. It may be hearsay....You're right about that.  I only know what I have been told by our customers who have owned one.  I don't know who phil is and this was posted a few days ago..So where's the fish?  Can you not conceive of a single customer having a good experience?  Again, you insult people you don't know anything about...Hasn't a Miller Dynasty been bought by new user too?   I don't believe in baiting customers or friends to post up.  I don't and never have endorsed that.  Posters occasionally will receive free consumables for posting reviews. Whether they are glowing and rosy or brutal evaluation, they still get them. But anyway...believe what you want....I won't change a predjudiced mind or a injured mind.Last edited by lugweld; 08-08-2009 at 04:52 PM.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:Originally Posted by SundownIIIYepper,First time poster, PhilM, comes out of the woodwork and extols the virtues of his new Chinese tig welder.  Doesn't know a frigging thing about tig welding, but rates his new toy at a 5star out of 5.
Reply:Ford cars and trucks are mostly mazda parts..all electronic components aren't made in the US...no matter what we are talking about. Maybe some poeple that actually use these machines should be the one to speak up, not the guys getting paid to do it, and not the people bashing just to bash.  I feel dumber after actually sitting here and reading this sh*@There is no failure...only feedback
Reply:Originally Posted by tjvThanks for replies.It's no problem to get a good TIG. If I were a professional weldor I just could go to the nearest welding supply and pick up Kemppi portable TIG for $3000-5000 if I weld every day to earn money. Price in not so important if it's the tool I need for I can work and it produces me money. By the way, Kemppi factory is located 50 miles away from my home. All workshops here and industry weld with Kemppi.I had a supposition that those chinese welders are more or less crap, but I wanted to hear about experiences if somebody really has such welder. Of course nobody has a welder from China, but everyone say "a friend of mine has..."   Sometimes I do on-site welding and I use Kemppi Minarc 150, it's really nice welder for everything I weld at work: limit switch brackets, handrails, stairs, etc. In my home workshop for hobbies I have Kemppi compact MIG/MAG (Kempomat 180) and Kemppi power supply PS3500 and FU20 wire feeder with WU10 water cooler. But no machine which can do aluminium, so I want to get a TIG welder (AC too) to my workshop for sheet metal. I've made alum.boxes for enduro bikes but I had to hire a weldor to "glue" parts together. Hobby budget is limited so I started to search for a cheaper AC TIG. It looks only China can offer cheap AC TIGs but it's fifty-fifty: it's good or not, it works or it doesn't work.I decided not to buy a chinese welder. Now I'm checking what GYS (IMS) from France can offer for ~$2000. Anybody know something about GYS?
Reply:Originally Posted by tjv.I decided not to buy a chinese welder. Now I'm checking what GYS (IMS) from France can offer for ~$2000. Anybody know something about GYS?
Reply:Originally Posted by weldbeadall i know about france is we had to defend them twice in the last century because they all hurt their backs bending over to kiss germanassss. for the price you can buy a ta185, from japan. a country we beat fair and square.
Reply:My new Lincoln V205-T AC/DC was built in Italy I believe, seems to be ok (so far).Regards to all.Working on cars and bikes is my hobby, learning to weld the pieces together is my quest.
Reply:Originally Posted by tjvThanks for replies.It's no problem to get a good TIG. If I were a professional weldor I just could go to the nearest welding supply and pick up Kemppi portable TIG for $3000-5000 if I weld every day to earn money. Price in not so important if it's the tool I need for I can work and it produces me money. By the way, Kemppi factory is located 50 miles away from my home. All workshops here and industry weld with Kemppi.I had a supposition that those chinese welders are more or less crap, but I wanted to hear about experiences if somebody really has such welder. Of course nobody has a welder from China, but everyone say "a friend of mine has..."   Sometimes I do on-site welding and I use Kemppi Minarc 150, it's really nice welder for everything I weld at work: limit switch brackets, handrails, stairs, etc. In my home workshop for hobbies I have Kemppi compact MIG/MAG (Kempomat 180) and Kemppi power supply PS3500 and FU20 wire feeder with WU10 water cooler. But no machine which can do aluminium, so I want to get a TIG welder (AC too) to my workshop for sheet metal. I've made alum.boxes for enduro bikes but I had to hire a weldor to "glue" parts together. Hobby budget is limited so I started to search for a cheaper AC TIG. It looks only China can offer cheap AC TIGs but it's fifty-fifty: it's good or not, it works or it doesn't work.I decided not to buy a chinese welder. Now I'm checking what GYS (IMS) from France can offer for ~$2000. Anybody know something about GYS?
Reply:I was also a bit hesitant to purchase an import.I ended taking the plunge with an Everlaast 225LX TIG machine and couls not be happier the support that Mark and Mike have provided to get me going on my machine  is fantastic to say the least and will never get that type of service from my Lincoln MIG.So far my 225LX has performed well and no problems.  Hope it helps.
Reply:Dear sir, why don't you like the chinese product ? I think you can try it to test the quality firstly, if it very good to use , then you  make a decision whether to buy or not next time.I am looking forward to your early reply!AngelShenzhen Chanrong Technology Co.,ltdEmail:[email protected]:[email protected]:86-755-29981919-8032web:www.chanrongweld.com
Reply:I'm happy with my Everlast 225LX. Does AC/Aluminum, too...and the Everlast Power Plasma 50 works great.Cost less than half the price of Miller/Lincoln with the same features.HobbyistSS/Aluminum cartATD 130 MIGEverlast 225 TIGSteel cartEverlast PP50 plasma cutterHarbor Freight 130 TIG/90 ArcHarbor Freight 100 Flux coreOxy/Acet
Reply:I know the one thing that the guys pushing the china made welders seem to be missing is the fact that there is a learning curve when machinery starts being produced in a new country.  For example when Jet Equipment and Delta switched the manufacturing from Tiawan to China there was a drop in qualityof there product.  Their castings were rough and you can tell they had to use filler to finish them off and took several years for quality to come back up.   Lugweld recently stated that the DOA's have dropped significantly which is a sign of things changing for the better.  The main issue that manufactures from China can do anything about is time because it will take more time to create a good solid reputation of reliability and performance based on their products.
Reply:Originally Posted by Jay OI know the one thing that the guys pushing the china made welders seem to be missing is the fact that there is a learning curve when machinery starts being produced in a new country.  For example when Jet Equipment and Delta switched the manufacturing from Tiawan to China there was a drop in qualityof there product.  Their castings were rough and you can tell they had to use filler to finish them off and took several years for quality to come back up.   Lugweld recently stated that the DOA's have dropped significantly which is a sign of things changing for the better.  The main issue that manufactures from China can do anything about is time because it will take more time to create a good solid reputation of reliability and performance based on their products.
Reply:Originally Posted by GYSWe value comments and threads regarding GYS made on this forum and we would like to thank those of you who have taken the time to post on our company here. As a manufacturer, we respect the role of forums and will only comment on subjects where we feel we can add particular value to the discussion. As there have been a number of comments on the origin of GYS machines we would like to post some factual information on the industrial group which we hope is helpful. Of course, additional information can be found on the website: www.gys.frGYS is a French family-owned industrial group created in 1964 in the city of Laval, 280 Km west of Paris. GYS engineers, designs and sells three families of products: arc welding equipment, car body repair equipment and automotive battery service equipment. As of 2012, the group has 460 employees in four locations (France, Germany, UK & China) and in 2011 achieved a consolidated turnover slightly above US$ 70M. With 360 employees in France, our very modern 18 000m2 factory in Laval (West of France) manufactures 100% of our professional welding machines and in 2011 the group manufactured more than 350 000 machines in total. GYS also operates a wholly owned factory in Shanghai as well as three international sales subsidiaries in Germany, UK and China.
Reply:Been using three different Longevity units for about 2 months now.  No problems at all. Even two dealers here in town. My 2 cents worth...From the desk of Kevin CaronTrying to be the best me I can!www.kevincaron.comAHP Alpha Tig 200x MillerMatic 251Miller Syncrowave 200