Matco 200 Amp Welder

[coloradoblazers]

Just curious if this is a good deal...
$1500 for(new):
The MWLD200 is a great everday-use 200Amp Professional Shop MIG Welder for any shop doing general repairs and fabrication.
Offers features found only in industrial class units such as 10 foot ground cable and MIG gun, sample spool of .030-in. steel welding wire, extra contact tips and nozzles, and dual gauge gas regulator.
Features also include six heat settings, welding range from thin 24 gauge steel up to 3/8+ in. and four roll, dual geared cast aluminum drive system with toggle release for easy wire changes.
Also includes spot weld timer, built-in spool gun connector, and two-stage or four-stage trigger control.
Four-stage allows preflow, postflow and allows welding without holding down the trigger.
Wire speed soft-start ramping control, adjustable burn-back control handles solid MIG (with shielding gas) or flux cored welding wires.
Easy polarity change terminals under hood.
Also features large cabinet to handle full sized (30#) spools, built-in cart for mobility that handles small to full-sized sized gas cylinders, and an 8 foot power cord (customer supplied plug).
Rated 160 amps 60% duty cycle (CSA). Max 200 amps.
http://www.matcotools.com/Catalog/toolcatalog.jsp?cattype=T&cat=2180&select=&page=4

What do you think, good for projects on the K5, or can i get something better for my money?
Thanks

 

[dremu]

I think I paid about a grand for my Lincoln, which IIRC does ~160A and has about the same specs -- and that was WITH the gas tank, regulator, hoses, the works.

I'd run by your local welding shop, see what they can hook you up with.

-- A

 

[sled_dog]

Its a hell of a deal from the standpoint of you are paying almost %50 of list. A $1000 Lincoln doesn't have the feed control or gas flow control that welder does. My $2000 Lincoln does, but thats a $2000 one. Will you need that? Probably not, but they are nice features.

Its up to you, if its not going to break the bank I'd jump on the deal. That is if I didn't own my Lincoln SP255C, which I do love, a lot.