Inverter Welder

[Masseymad18]

I've been doing some jobs with a cheap 80amp inverter welder recently. Welding 3 - 8 mm box, sheet and angle with it at all different amps and a couple different rod sizes and I actually can't believe how good a weld it's putting out. Lovely to use. If you went by half the reviews of these machines online you wouldn't touch them ever.
What's your experience with them and what's the most pressure/biggest job you've used with one ?

 

[yomax4]

I've used 500 amp inverters and curently operate a 320 amp. The 80 that you have will surely have nice arc characteristics but it likely has Mosfet Transitors and will let you down sooner that later. Cheap though so Run the snot out of it. I kniw guys who buy these for a repair, Figure the cost into the job and the machine is paid for and it doesn't matter if it blows.

 

[Jeepnford]

I bought a 180 amp inverter but haven't had the chance to use it enough to get much of an opinion. I have it mainly for something easy to tote around.

 

[MountainBuck]

Bought a Klutch ST80i about a year ago.

Had a bunch of trouble with it until I ran 7014 rod and finally had so good results.

Last time I used it with 7018 rod and that went very well too but had to keep that spark gap and not just drag it like the 7014.

 

[Sebculb]

I have a 200 amp one and have used several others of lesser amperages, all cheap generic specials. Work fine with 3/32 and 1/8 6013. Didn't like the stainless steel rod as much. Super convenient and lightweight and easy to use, but not too sturdy i don't think. They don't like humidity or getting dropped. but Ive worked mine on construction sites for over two years now and its still going more or less fine. Digital display doesnt work but the knob still adjusts it. If it breaks i dunno how many times ive gotten my $200 investment out of it by now. Would just be a cost of doing business.

I still like my Lincoln transformer more cuz its an awesome beast, but it stays at home as the heavy workshop welder anymore.

 

[bridgeport13b]

Transformer machines are more robust vs inverter, inverter is great because they dial down a lot further.

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

Transformer machines are more robust vs inverter, inverter is great because they dial down a lot further.

Not necessarily true. As far as robustness goes, most of your more inexpensive, light commercial/diy transformer welders such as smaller MIGs, TIGs, and even stick machines have a very poor duty cycle and a lot of aluminum parts, as well as circuit boards and when it comes to fixing you should just throw them away.

 

[metalbender]

Bought one of the Harbor Freight 80 amp toaster size welders some years ago. More for a yuk yuk than need, have a Dynasty 200dx as my main unit. Surprising how well the little fart welds with proper technique. Being dc, have actually run some decent beads on 1/4 stock. Had a discussion on Shop Floor Talk a while ago. Some one needed a welder for a small job on whatever floor in an office building. Suggested he try one of these. Did the job, welder more than paid for itself.

 

[fried1765]

I bought a new Hobart Handler 190 MIG for $444 last Spring.
I considered $444 to be a great price, (inexpensive) for a recognized brand name 190A transformer MIG.
Per Mark@Everlast: Should I plan to throw it away if it fails?

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

Check out the cost of the circuit board price. From what I see, you will pay (conservatively) between 200-300 dollars for the PC board, rebuilt.

The unit only has a 3 year warranty on the PCB board. Point is that if people have concerns about electronic failures on inverters, they are not exempt on transformer models. Electronics are electronics.

And the duty cycle stinks. Big time. They sell it as a 190 amp machine and it is really a 130 amp welder at a decent duty cycle. 190 amp is in theory only. And if you overheat it, the baby is yours according to this chart. Honestly, it's sort of like saying (back in the day), "Hey, I bought a Cadillac for cheap, and it was a Cimmaron."