I was researching the new inverter tig machines as far as price, size weight and availability I had narrowed it down to two machines the Esab Heliarc 161 wich It seems sells for around $1700-$2200 on the internet and the Thermal arc 185 inverter machine wich was between $1650-$1799 (internet). Yes I did look at the miller dynasty and the lincoln 205 inverter tig machines wich are very nice. I wanted AC/DC and I had a budget of around $1700. So the miller and lincolns were a little out of my reach. I was leaning toward the thermal arc wich I hear is a good machine, but I was worried about the stability of the company. So I went the safe way and got the Esab heliarc 161 With the pedal, regulator etc...
I met with the rep one morning and he set the machine up and I welded some aluminum and it seemed to weld quite nicely. The only other machine I had used was a miller econotig and the Esab seemed to be eisier to weld with. The most determining factor for me was price he made me a heck of a deal. I got the machine new with accessories for $1100. cause it was his demo model he had used twice once at the trade show and once with me at the welding shop. It still has the 3 year warranty. with the extra money I bought a Optrel sattelite hood and a dewalt grinder they also threw in a pound of aluminum and 2 pounds of mild steel filler rod and free gloves and a bunch of extra collets, collet bodies and electrodes. all for $1525.
Anyway my question is
Does anyone else have an Esab heliarc 161 AC/DC machine and how long have you had it?
Has it been reliable so far and is it lay down nice welds?
I met with the rep one morning and he set the machine up and I welded some aluminum and it seemed to weld quite nicely. The only other machine I had used was a miller econotig and the Esab seemed to be eisier to weld with. The most determining factor for me was price he made me a heck of a deal. I got the machine new with accessories for $1100. cause it was his demo model he had used twice once at the trade show and once with me at the welding shop. It still has the 3 year warranty. with the extra money I bought a Optrel sattelite hood and a dewalt grinder they also threw in a pound of aluminum and 2 pounds of mild steel filler rod and free gloves and a bunch of extra collets, collet bodies and electrodes. all for $1525.
Anyway my question is
Does anyone else have an Esab heliarc 161 AC/DC machine and how long have you had it?
Has it been reliable so far and is it lay down nice welds?