S-200i Inverter ARC Welder

I have been using this welder for three years and went through over 500 pounds of 7018 1/8 inch and it's still running great. I gave it four stars because the welding leads are not very good, replaced them with professional ones. I did call for warranty after one year and they sent out the cooling fans that were needed, immediately. This item was purchased April of 2014.

Almost immediately after i started using the unit, the display became defective, with the middle led failing to display as it should. That i did not mind too much as long as the unit performed welding as it should.Then, 7 months after i bought this unit, it died. During those seven months, I used it very infrequently and never above 140 amps, which is well below its 200 amp rating. Most of my welding was done under 120 amps.Then, one day, during a light welding project (using 1/8 rods), it stopped welding, then made crackling sounds, flashed, smoked, and died. it was not even hot at the time.When I opened it up to see what went wrong, i found that the connection between 4 large capacitors and the circuit board were melted and burnt out and most likely short-circuited. there was no other obvious sign of damage, but that was enough to render the unit a useless piece of junk.i am very disappointed with that. At $339, i expected a lot better - years of trouble free light welding that should not trouble a 200 amp unit. instead, i got a piece of expensive, short-lived junk.i will not buy Smarter Tools again, and i advise prospective buyers to choose a different brand.i have ordered an Everlast 140 amp unit. I hope for better luck with that one.

this thing worked great for the first year I had it. ive used it about 6 times in that year. today I went out to use it and it burnt-up as soon as I plugged it in . after taking it apart I found 5 screws that were loose in it and 2 more that the heads were stripped out of. 2 of the wire connectors were so loose they just fell off. people don't waste your money on this thing.

Excellent

Yesterday tried to weld smth, and it did not even start. It's just dead. Thinking to get it fixed or changed if it is still on warranty.

I used this welder a total of 4 times in 3 years. I used it for nuts/bolts garage art figures. That being said it never had heavy or hot use. Then one day I turn it on and it explodes inside like a gun went off. Something shorted obviously. These are cheaply made for 230 volts and should be banned.