Well, when the opportunity to chose a machine presented itself, I was given a budget based off a used Miller Syncrowave 250. This would be ideal if I were doing production welding, but I am just starting so I chose the Eastwood Tig 200/plasma 40 combo and I'll tell you why.
The versatity this combo allows makes my garage a Fab shop. Rather than just buying one big badass welder, I can do so much more with this super affordable combo. Basically, the welder is super awesome if you can use good skills to accomodate for what it lacks. The machine is just simplified. It has everything it needs though, more power than you would think and 2 fans in the rear. It doesn't have any fancy buttons that help you weld better like more expensive machines showcase. Also, talking about simplified - my theory is there is a better chance of this thing being more reliable. The foot petal is odd and rugged , but tough. The regulator seems to act up. Haven't figured that thing out yet. The inverter technology has to be more efficient than a big welder. By the way, it welds really good on 110V too.
I expected problems out of this deal, and I was ready for anything. I'm not the type of guy that is going to get all fired up because something malfunctions.
The first one they sent me wouldn't stop pumping argon. They sent a new gas solenoid and it didn't work. Then they just sent me a new machine. It's solid.
On a scale of 1-10. If your in a garage like me, I rate this machine an 11, if you can change or deal with the knick nack ****.
The plasma cutter is awesome too, no problems with it at all. The small size of this equipment is killer in my garage and the combo packs a huge punch.
