ESAB, Yeswelders

[captmoto]

I'm looking at these small project welders. It seems they are made in Asia. Money is a consideration in that I don't need to spend Miller or Lincoln money and not use it every day or even every week. Is anybody using one of these? How are they working? In my pea brain I think that a multi-purpose welder won't stand out at any one task it does. What are the opinions out there?Thanks

 

[American Locomotive]

Huh? ESAB is a high-end European welder manufacturer that has been pushing into the North American market lately. Their machines cost "Lincoln and Miller money" so I am a little confused at what exactly you are looking to buy?

 

[cvairwerks]

ESAB is now based in the US, in Bethesda, Md. They own a number of other brands, including Victor. VIctor is based just down the road from me a few miles.

 

[MJD1]

The majority of multi process welders are really mig welders that do a decent job with stick and marginal dc tig welding. Usually no pedal or fingertip amp control, lift arc start and no gas solenoid so a torch with a valve is needed. In my experience esab is priced right up there with Lincoln or Miller with much less support. Personally I would buy primeweld. 3 of their machines and plenty of accessories they sell with no issues.

 

[kaymccampbell]

I've got a HF Titanium 200. No guarantee, but it does MIG, lift TIG and the spoolgun nicely, and at the time, hardly cost what a Systematics spoolgun would have set me back. I use it for a lunch box welder, flux core, and aluminum spoolgun machine. It'll weld half inch bolts with flux core, on 120v at the end of a 100' extension cord.

 

[scooby074]

Esab is not in the same class as those cheap imports lol.

That said the youtube shills seem to like those random name of the day imports. I have a princess auto multi process that welds really nice, as nice as my miller's but I'd say its a crapshoot as the import welder oems change like I change underwear

 

[zendriver]

$700 with a 3 year warranty?

Firstess DP200-KS Multi-Process DualPulse™ MIG Welder

Your destination for quality welding equipment. High-performance, high-value products for your welding solutions. Customer focused. Browse our full line of Welders, Cutters, Welding Helmets, Replacement MIG Guns and Consumable. Developed FIRSTESS™ MP200, the Most Versatile 5-in-1 Welder & Cutter.

yeswelder.com

If I didn't already have a welder I seldom use, I'd go for something like this.

 

[kctgb]

As a certified welder I have to agree with what others are saying. Esab is in the Miller/Hobart and Lincoln price range. You might consider a Hobart. They are the same company as Miller, the only difference is Millers are sold in welding supply stores, and Hobarts are sold in big box stores at 40 percent less than a Miller or Lincoln. My Hobart stick mate and tig welder are identical to a Miller thunderbolt and Miller tig welder, and I paid 40 percent less than the Miller version. The only difference is one is blue and the other is white. Another consideration is if it breaks any welding supply stores will fix a Miller/Hobart, and Lincoln. Good luck trying to get a Chinese welder fixed, and in my area Esab repair is nonexistent. Save your money and buy a red, blue, or white. If you want a mig welder buy a mig welder. If you want a stick welder buy a stick welder. If you want a tig welder buy a tig welder. I haven’t had many good things to say about multi process welders. Just my two cents from 40 years as a welder.

 

[gpiggaz]

While I own only the Plasma Cutter- I'm recommending PrimeWeld. If I didn't have a small MIG Hobart already, I'd buy the Primeweld multiprocess welder. Reason: They answer the phone on the first ring and answer questions without any problems. I managed to break the remote connector on my PrimeWeld Cut 60 and they sent out the replacement cable harness in about 3 days- no cost- I would have gladly paid for the cable, but they said, no problem, accidents happen.

100% happy with Prime Weld

 

[SouthernIllinois]

I had this debate awhile back.
Ended up with a Hobart 210 MVP.
Part of my decision was that the local Rural King and Tractor Supply carry Hobart parts and consumables.

 

[kctgb]

I had this debate awhile back.
Ended up with a Hobart 210 MVP.
Part of my decision was that the local Rural King and Tractor Supply carry Hobart parts and consumables.

I do weekend welding jobs on the side, that’s why I went with Hobart. There are three box farm stores by me I can get consumables for Hobart on weekends. Both Hobart and Miller are owned by ITW(Illinois Tool Works), parts are everywhere for them.

 

[Joemctag]

As a certified welder I have to agree with what others are saying. Esab is in the Miller/Hobart and Lincoln price range. You might consider a Hobart. They are the same company as Miller, the only difference is Millers are sold in welding supply stores, and Hobarts are sold in big box stores at 40 percent less than a Miller or Lincoln. My Hobart stick mate and tig welder are identical to a Miller thunderbolt and Miller tig welder, and I paid 40 percent less than the Miller version. The only difference is one is blue and the other is white. Another consideration is if it breaks any welding supply stores will fix a Miller/Hobart, and Lincoln. Good luck trying to get a Chinese welder fixed, and in my area Esab repair is nonexistent. Save your money and buy a red, blue, or white. If you want a mig welder buy a mig welder. If you want a stick welder buy a stick welder. If you want a tig welder buy a tig welder. I haven’t had many good things to say about multi process welders. Just my two cents from 40 years as a welder.

Also recommend: MIG for shop and small stick welder ( Primeweld 160 120/240V ) for shop and also portable. These small “inverters” are very easy to carry around. Up a ladder; no problem. When you’re out and about you can use 120V and 3/32” rods. In shop, 240V, 1/8”
IF YOU WANT PORTABLE, you’ll not want to be dragging that multi-process machine around.

 

[finn]

The majority of multi process welders are really mig welders that do a decent job with stick and marginal dc tig welding. Usually no pedal or fingertip amp control, lift arc start and no gas solenoid so a torch with a valve is needed. In my experience esab is priced right up there with Lincoln or Miller with much less support. Personally I would buy primeweld. 3 of their machines and plenty of accessories they sell with no issues.

I would rephrase that from “the majority “ to some.

My Miller multipurpose (Miller Multimatic) has AC and DC tig capability. Lincoln, ESAB, HTP and others including Primeweld ( I think) do too.

The uber inexpensive imports don’t, and the major brands have similar DC only models like that too.

Mixed bag. More features = more money.

 

[nadogail]

I would rephrase that from “the majority “ to some.

My Miller multipurpose (Miller Multimatic) has AC and DC tig capability. Lincoln, ESAB, HTP and others including Primeweld ( I think) do too.

The uber inexpensive imports don’t, and the major brands have similar DC only models like that too.

Mixed bag. More features = more money.

Another case of getting the "good stuff" means you have to pay more.

 

[kctgb]

Another case of getting the "good stuff" means you have to pay more.

Getting the good stuff also means you pay more to get it repaired. The more good stuff the more to break down. Simple is better. A circuit board for a Miller dynasty is over $2,000, that doesn’t include labor to fix it.

 

[dnschmidt]

Best value and best customer service: PRIMEWELD. Nobody else comes remotely close.

 

[MJD1]

I would rephrase that from “the majority “ to some.

My Miller multipurpose (Miller Multimatic) has AC and DC tig capability. Lincoln, ESAB, HTP and others including Primeweld ( I think) do too.

The uber inexpensive imports don’t, and the major brands have similar DC only models like that too.

Mixed bag. More features = more money.

Primeweld doesnt offer an AC-DC multi process machine. They offer the excellent 225 and 325 AC-dc tig machines but the multi process machines are dc only. I'm aware of AC-DC multi process machines but those are also limited in amps, duty cycle and some other features that process specific machines are set up with.

 

[Bert_]

I absolutely love my little Everlast 200A stick welder.

It will run 1/8 rod at 90 amps on 120 volts, 3" at a time or it trips a 20A breaker. That's not really a problem when I'm welding stands out of angle iron or welding strut to a tower. 120v is convenient.

Most I've ever ran it at is 150 amps at the shop. Has a 30A 240v breaker there, never tripped it.

$350 shipped!

 

[captmoto]

Esab says they have some units made in "Asia and The Pacific". That's code for China to me. That is also for the 120v, toaster sized welders.
Some good info here, thanks.

 

[zendriver]

Made in China - Less Inexpensive
Not made in China - More expensive

Choose one.

 

[Wamsutta]

Go ahead and get the ESAB welder since it's not Miller or Lincoln money.

 

[seber]

In most cases the Hobart version will have less versatility than the Miller version of any given unit. As far as the Yeswelder, I had the opportunity to use one recently. I can only say I was impressed with how well it did compared to Miller or Lincoln. I would agree that getting one repaired is probably not going to happen but for occasional use, who cares?

 

[kctgb]

In most cases the Hobart version will have less versatility than the Miller version of any given unit. As far as the Yeswelder, I had the opportunity to use one recently. I can only say I was impressed with how well it did compared to Miller or Lincoln. I would agree that getting one repaired is probably not going to happen but for occasional use, who cares?

The only difference between a Miller 211 and Hobart 210 is the Miller has variable voltage and the Hobart has tap settings. The stickmate/thunderbolt and the miller Diversion/Hobart 165 are identical. Having variable voltage settings isn’t that important unless you plan on welding a lot of very thin sheet metal. MiG welders are constant voltage machines, amperage is mostly set with wire speed. Stick welders are constant current machines, amperage is set by adjusting the amount current. Two completely different systems. When the First Hobart 210’s hit the store shelves they had Miller whips on them. They came off the same assembly line.

 

[Wamsutta]

Get this ESAB Rebel 285ic. It's not Miller or Lincoln money at all. It's super cheap.

 

[drmarkr]

Best value and best customer service: PRIMEWELD. Nobody else comes remotely close.

THIS!!! We have MIG and TIG machines and love them. Customer services is unreal. Sold Lincoln and Miller and bought Primeweld, btw.