Russian Welder?

Hi, I'm going to take a look at this "Russian Built" MIG welder tomorrow. A fellow here in town got a close-out deal on several and now he is unloading them. 200 amp max. 80-amp continuous. From the size of it it and it's weight (70lbs?) it looks like it could be an inverter type of unit. I duno...

I was hoping somebody here might be familiar with this make because I cannot find anything else out about it. I'm told that it looks very well made-- much better than any made in china units-- and that the price is about one-fourth of what a comparable Miller or Lincoln unit would be. I'm buying it for only occasional use (and I'm not made out of money!)

Here is a picture of it:

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Thank you in advance for any advice.

--Max

Reply to
Max Krippler
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Define "unloading".

Uh, you don't know the amperage. You don't know the power source. You can't find any information about it ...........

SLAP!

Helloooooooooooooooooooooooooo? Is anybody in there?

Steve

Reply to
Steve B

What Steve said, do not pay too much. At least not without opening it up and seeing how it is made. Make sure that it is operational.

i
Reply to
Ignoramus9035

ME i would gamble on it. There is always a way to make it work. Especially if it is a good deal. Don

Reply to
Don

Yes he does.

In my experience with Russian-made items, I've found them in general to be cheap, sturdy and ugly. Wich is good. P.S. (not so serious): First time you mentioned the russian MIG, I was thinking a MIG 21 or 29, heheh..

Reply to
Ioan Barladeanu

my experience as well. but it has to be cheap in the first place.

i
Reply to
Ignoramus9035

Maybe for a bridge.

Reply to
Cydrome Leader

Yep. And if it don't, it sounds like the weight would make it a good boat anchor. Does your city have an outlet that sells consumables for a Russian MIG?

Welder that is.

Steve

Reply to
Steve B

Reply to
wayne mak

Reply to
wayne mak

Reply to
wayne mak

Id swear Ive seen that at Harbor Freight, though it doesnt show up on their website.

However..they are all over ebay....

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Gunner

"A prudent man foresees the difficulties ahead and prepares for them; the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences."

- Proverbs 22:3

Reply to
Gunner

From Ebay auction of these...

200 AMP MIG WELDER 17345

30 to 200 amp welding range

Welds 24 gauge and thicker

40% duty cycle @ 150 amps

11-3/4''diameter spool; 220VAC, 60Hz; Output power: 200 amps AC; Welding current: 30 to 200 amps; Capacity: 24 guage and thicker; Duty cycle: 100% @ 120 amps, 40% @ 150 amps, 20-25% @ 200 amps;Overall dimensions: 27-3/4'' x 25-3/4'' x 10-1/2'',

Gunner

"A prudent man foresees the difficulties ahead and prepares for them; the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences."

- Proverbs 22:3

Reply to
Gunner

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"A prudent man foresees the difficulties ahead and prepares for them; the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences."

- Proverbs 22:3

Reply to
Gunner

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I've seen it there as well. I know the New Hartford store had one on the shelf last week. Didn't look to bad but I didn't tear it apart and see how it was built. I do know it had a crappy gun on it.

Reply to
Steve W.

Just a thought:

When buying a welder, think of it as a car.

Will it start and run every time I need it?

Will it quit half way to where I am going?

Will I be able to get the spare parts to keep it going?

That's the main difference between a good car/welder and a bad one. One runs almost all the time. The other one sits around a lot on blocks or on a shelf.

Just a thought.

You get what you pay for. Cheap ain't good and good ain't cheap.

YMMV.

STeve

Reply to
Steve B

Reply to
RoyJ

Thank you all for the advice. I'll take a pass on the thing. He wanted $450, but after looking at how many sold on eBay for less than $300-- that plus the fact that even Harbor Freight has discontinued them (!!!) tells me a lot about this welder.

On another subject, what amperage MIG would I want to weld .250" aluminum plate?

Thanks,

--Max

Reply to
Max Krippler

Reply to
RoyJ

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