The top American welding brands, such as Lincoln and Miller, and the leading European brands, such as ESAB, are regularly the subjects of heated debates online as welders argue the merits of saving hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars compared to buying a brand name machine that could potentially last longer and weld better.
Is it really worth paying top dollar for a brand name welding machine?
The Disparity of Welding Machines Overseas
If you read enough reviews from welders working around the world, you’ll find welders who believe there’s absolutely nothing wrong with, for instance, a ‘China-made’ welding machine and you’ll find welders who have had nothing but bad experiences with China-made machines. In other words, it’s not that you can’t find a great welder from China you certainly can. Rather, there’s still a disparity in quality control from one machine to another.
The Long Term Dependability of Welding Machines
Many of the welders who have glowing reviews for their off-brand welding machines are also welding on the side as a hobby or small project welder. American made brands such as Miller and Lincoln are often the choice of the professional welders who noted that filling a shop with machines that will be putting in long days of fabrication makes them want a USA-made machine.
If there’s a chance your welder could have been made with inferior parts, has settings that aren’t quite accurate, or could break down after heavy use, then it may well be worth investing in a top name welding machine.
Comparing Long Term and Short Term Costs of Welders
Welders who are very concerned about the cost of a welding machine will often have to pick the best deal that fits their budget regardless of where the machine was manufactured. In fact, a hobby welder on a tight budget may be the most likely to pick up a highly discounted TIG welder.
However, just as there’s a disparity with manufacturing process and parts for welding machines made overseas, there’s also a disparity with repairs, warranties, and the speed of repairs. Some welding companies are quick to respond to requests for help, but if your shop is depending on a replacement part to meet an important deadline, then you may choose to stick with a Miller and Lincoln that will have plentiful repair parts.
The cost of a dead machine that can’t be repaired or that is past warranty needs to be factored into your decision. A short-term discount won’t pay off in five years if you have a dead welder that’s only good for propping up sheets of metal.
Testing Your Welding Skills on a Welder
Some of the most opinionated reviews of welding machines made overseas came from students who struggled to learn on an imported machine. They found it difficult to get their settings right and some of the features didn’t perform as expected. When they switched to a Miller or Lincoln, they saw an immediate shift in their results.
While no welder wants to blame a lack of results on their machine, there’s something to be said for getting what you pay for. The patented technology and high quality parts that make up the leading welding machines may send the price up, but they can pay off with reliability and consistency that make it easier to weld. In other words, if you learn how to weld competently, a top name machine won’t make up for what you don’t know, but they will ensure that you can capitalize on everything you DO know.
Bakers is an authorized repair local repair center should you ever have a problem with your machine. If you are in the market for a new machine Bakers is also an authorized seller of all the top welding brands. Check out some of the machines available here.
