Welding question.

[evintho]

My Hobart Ironman 210 took a dump! Needs an new contactor and range switch. 3 hrs labor + parts = $660! Ouch! I've had it for 3 years and have done quite a bit of welding with it.

My question:
Is it possible the contactor went out because of all the stitch welding I've done? I've welded a lot of sheetmetal panels using tack welds and have probably done a thousand or so tack welds. Isn't that hard on a welder?

I've been thinking about paying the $660 and just use the Hobart for heavy work. Then purchasing one of these for light work. That way I wouldn't blow out the contactor again on my big welder. However, that'll put me into the thousand dollar range ($660 + $400). I could get a new older model Miller 211 for $1200-$1300 but I could blow out the contactor on that. Would rather do it on a smaller, cheaper welder!
Ideas, thoughts, opinions??

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lincoln-K21...970?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c4bf9f62a

 

[Bobcat753]

I'd look into getting a welder with a stitch function. I know the snap on muscle migs have it. As for the repair I'd buy the parts and do it your self. The labor is the killer and the parts can be found for reasonable prices. That's my .02 cents.