Anyone heard of this welder?

[TIG_TIM]

Thor 200 SLOPE HF DC Tig

http://www.kooltools.com/welding/tgdc_weld.html

I can't find a lot of info on this welder, looks like a real no-name brand. From what I can tell, it does have an internal gas solenoid, a remote control connection, HF tig starting, and some other "cool" sounding features, like automatic pre/post gas flow adjustment. Anyway, I just wanted to see if anyone had heard of or has used this welder. I'm looking into purchasing one. Thanks.

Tim

[James D. Clark]

Tim; Here is more info.

http://weldingmachinesdirect.com/catalog_thor.html

It's made in Italy.

[TIG_TIM]

Any opinions on getting this for a learning welder? It sounds like a decent machine, even though it doesn't have the big corporate backing of Lincoln, Miller, Thermal Arc, etc. Anyway, I'm open to any opinions. By the way, I'd definitely be getting a foot pedal. All that automated current control sounds a little too automated for me. Thanks.

[Zrexxer]

Well, the link that James provided shows it at $1400... I don't know what you're looking to pay for one, but for that kind of money there are a lot of choices. You can get a Miller Maxstar 150 TIG package for about $1100 delivered, or for around $1500 you can get a Miller Syncrowave 180SD, which has AC also.

I'd be hard pressed to invest that kind of money into a machine with unproven performance and questionable dealer support... Just my 2¢...

[Sberry]

For a begginer it is all the more important to get something that is a known quanity. I was on a farm forum and some guy wanted to buy this junko Crapsman machine at a yard sale,, dont want to spend the money at first "just to learn on", then he is going to get something better. He will never know if it is him or the machine, will get frustrated and give up.

[Brand X]

It could be a very good machine but with a warning like this one it makes me very nervous!!!!!!


WARNING: THIS MACHINE IS NOT DESIGNED TO BE RUN OFF A GENERATOR. DOING SO WILL RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE MACHINE THAT IS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY.

Pick one of these up and don't look back.



PS-I have a Italian tig.

[klsm54]

If it ain't broke, don't try to fix it! With all the machines available from Miller, Lincoln, Thermal, and even Esab, why would anyone want to chance one of these units? Who, on here, or at a distributor, will be able to answer your questions? What about warranty service, is there a good service network set up for this brand, like there is for the big 4?

Nope, I see no reason to buy one of these over the proven brands. And with that Generator warning, I would worry about problems with inconsistent power in your shop, not all that rare, that could give you fits.

[TIG_TIM]

I'll keep all the good advice in mind. The reason I'm asking is I might have a chance to purchase one well below the msrp. If I was to spend 1400 bucks on a welder it would definitely be one of the big 4 welders. Thanks for the opinions so far.

[davesisk]

I considered a plasma cutter from these guys before I bought my TD. It is indeed an Italian-made machine. The quality should be quite good, but my concern would be the availability of parts and the long-term serviceability. Unless you're getting it really, REALLY cheap, I'd say you money is better spent on a locally-supported brand. For something in the $1200-1500 price range, there's very little difference between $1000 and $1200, for instance, if the $1200 buys you a locally supported name brand. Now, if you're getting it for half-price or something, it might very well be worth a look. This is just my humble opinion...

Btw, most inverter-based machines have a warning that says "do not run off a generator"...inverters typically have some fairly sophisticated electronics that could be damaged by "dirty" power.

Dave

[TIG_TIM]

Hows 600 bucks sound for a deal?

[davesisk]

Originally posted by TIG_TIM
Hows 600 bucks sound for a deal?

Sounds like about half price, right? At that price, you can always sell it on Ebay for little or no loss if you decide you don't like it....just a thought.....

Dave

[GTA/Spec]

That machine is made by Essetti, in Italy. They currently make the Lincoln 205T, and in the passed they built machines for Thermal Arc.

I would only buy that machine if i lived in Italy.