AC/DC TiG Welder

[John Stevenson]

What is the collected thoughts on these?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/COBEL-200A-PULSED-INVERTER-TIG-AC-DC-WELDER_W0QQitemZ250490202306

Ignore the price they usually go for about £500 notes on auction.

[jugs]

Hi john,
dont think they are any good,
have a look here-> http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=8352&highlight=cobel+tig (wonderful site for welding)

while in mig-weld do a search for cobel, there are other refs.
all the best
john & jan

[gnm109]

I looked at the specifications and it doesn't mention square wave capabiity with variable balance for AC cleaning versus penetration. That's an important feature if you are buying a modern TIG welder. That feature is found on Lincoln, Miller, Hobart and other modern designs both transformer and inverter types.

As others mention, it doesn't state any warranty. If something happens early on, you could wind up with a machine that's not serviceable given that parts for Chinese machines are often hard to locate if at all.

Just my thoughts.

[AussieChris]

Hi John,

I have a Chinese DC only 200A inverter TIG/MMA machine that I bought cheap on ebay. These are my thoughts…

1. Stick Welding: welds brilliantly compared to my old 140A buzz box. Super smooth and easily runs 4mm electrodes. Can also run low amperage and easily starts 1.6mm electrodes.
2. TIG Welding: works fine but would like adjustable pre and post gas flows (like the one you're talking about).
3. The TIG torch is a copy of a Binzel. However, compared to my mates genuine Binzel, the Chinese copy is better made!
4. Reliability: now there's the rub. It's broken down 3 times in less than 12 months of occasional use. First time was the main control board which was replaced under the 3 month warranty. Second time was the current adjustment pot went O/C and I replaced it with a generic one from the electronics store. Third time was the gas solenoid which went O/C. With careful surgery I managed to repair it.

So my experience is that these Chinese inverter welders are great machines but not much good if you can't rely on them to work when you need them. If I hear that the 200P AC/DC Mitec style machine like you're looking at is reliable I will probably buy one. I'd look for one that includes the foot control as part of the deal. I will probably end up going for the 4 in 1 machine with the plasma cutter built in too (they go for about AU$1500 on ebay here).

If only they could make them reliable.

Chris
Brisbane Australia.

[AussieChris]

Most of the Mitec style machines have variable AC balance but it's usually called something else such as "Clean Width". My understanding is that the AC output is square wave (or close to it).

Some, but not all, have variable AC frequency as well. This one has - http://cgi.ebay.com.au/200AMP-AC-DC-TIG-ARC-INVERTER-ALUMINIUM-WELDER_W0QQitemZ380152485934QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_ BnI_Woodworking_Metalworking?hash=item5882da982e&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
But I'd rather have the gas pre-flow adjustment instead.

[jeremy13]

Look on You tube theirs a bunch of nice videos of people destroying there POSes.:D

[rode2rouen]

Over on the http://weldingweb.com/ forums there a number of threads about ChinCom welders.
The people that like them rave about the warranties, quick shipping and seller's customer service when they have to send them back for repair/replacement.

My Lincoln SW255 is nearing 14 years old.
Sadly, it has never needed any repairs, so I can't comment on how well Lincoln takes care of their customers. :rolleyes:


Rex

[Ozcad]

Hi I have a similar machine similar specs different name which was pressed into service at work for the last 9 months (as the band new cig 170hf died twice and was replaced and that one also died the same way :( ) my machine is use most days welding 1mm -10mm SS I find it very smooth & will hold a good arc @15amps. I used it for the first today on a dirty broken Ali casting and with a little playing with the pulsed arc settings & clean width managed a very nice weld. I am very happy with my machine. whats more it cost $850 AU;). I did fit a flex head touch to mine and I replaced the handle switch with a press button ;)mine also came with a foot control

[weestrommer]

Over on the http://weldingweb.com/ forums there a number of threads about ChinCom welders.
The people that like them rave about the warranties, quick shipping and seller's customer service when they have to send them back for repair/replacement.

My Lincoln SW255 is nearing 14 years old.
Sadly, it has never needed any repairs, so I can't comment on how well Lincoln takes care of their customers. :rolleyes:


Rex
with my 275 esabSW tig:rolleyes:

[Dawai]

LOOK to the first VHS video machines.. they all were just alike, but had a different face on them. Them old ones, I gave away one that would not die, had like a typewriter keyboard to start and stop the machine. It sounded like a dump truck with a bad rear gear.

Do some searching on ebay. Other brands really appear the same.. My old miller "plasma cutter" was also a hobart.. and several other brands also.

That being said.. my $2500 antique technology miller tig welder has not missed a beat. As big as a truck, I had to take the top loose on the truck to bring it home and get it under the camper.

[EVguru]

I've got a Jasic WSE200P, which is pretty much the same spec.

The same basic design is made by several manufacturers in China and badged in many many forms. I did quite a lot of research before chosing the Jasic and I haven't been dissapointed. It's pretty well made with name brand capacitors and power semiconductors, the boards are CE and COSHH marked and conformal coated. I bough from shop-river on ebay who seems to give good support, even to the extent of cheaply sourcing replacement boards for machines he doesn't sell.

For hobby use it's great, but if I was relying on it for income, I'd either have a spare in stock, or buy a machine from http://www.r-techwelding.co.uk who give a two years warantee. I have an inverter MIG from them. It's really nice to have a 160 amp machine that only weighs 20Kg!

[small.planes]

+1 on the Jasic, Looks identical to that one, but with different stickers. Got mine on Eb*y
Ive not had a problem with mine, but then I only use it occasionally, not every day.
That said it was cheap enough to take a punt on for the features it has, and you could easy get 2 off them ;)

Dave