Smiley info
 

I know a couple of you guys use smiley's, is there anyone using this particular model? http://cgi.ebay.com/Super160-40A-Pla...3286.m20.l1116

Can i get some feedback on it?

Re: Smiley info
 

if your going to spend that much you might as well get the new miller diversion165. I seen it on ebay for like 1275 shipped. I had one of those smiley cheaper units, and i wasn't impressed with it. The plasma was great but the tig... not so great.

Re: Smiley info
 

I'm getting that machine used for around 500, I just used the link as an example.

Re: Smiley info
 

If your expecting to lay down some full-race beads with this machine, don't buy it. If your a beginner and want an ok machine to start out, go for it.

Re: Smiley info
 

I am a welder at a shop that does work for long wall.

I just want a decent AC/DC machine so i can start doing some small aluminum fab

Re: Smiley info
 

if its an hf start youre going to hate not having heat control but i know csaddict on here did some pretty good work with one of those smiley junks.

Re: Smiley info
 

demo'd one and didn't buy it. i dont like the pedal... feels just as craptastic as my free dremel speed control pedal I swapped the pots in.
dont really like the controls. all those cheap analog chinese pots... set it by memory and be done with it, not play with scrap before every weld just to get it set in the general area.

still having good use out of my little 416d tho.

Re: Smiley info
 

That machine has HF start and an amptrol.

Re: Smiley info
 

How generic are these machines? Are the parts interchangeable with better brands, like if i wanted to switch to a better torch or amptrol?

Re: Smiley info
 

the amp controls are just pots inside a box. the torches you can retrofit whatever with some work.
the smilies are 100% generic. The primary welder is the Riland. Everything else is either a rebadge if its worth a ----, or a piss-poor clone (of things that are already suspect.) By piss-poor i mean there have been riland clones found with fishing line holding parts together. Atleast the real rilands have chinese quality hot-glue in them, bawahahahaha

the welder makes the machine, but i wouldn't have an expencive one based on my experiances. if all you want is a cheap strong plasma and DC tig, for afew hundred bucks then sure. but to ask me if i would trust $1000 on even a Riland piece of ---- at this point? Id say a big fat ------- no way.

Rather just spend the $1600'ish to get a Hobart Tigmate.

Re: Smiley info
 

I can weld as good as a blind person with my Smiley :6

Re: Smiley info
 

+1

Re: Smiley info
 

The Riland you speak of isn't really a REAL Riland ( real Riland as in Riland of China )it's a Jasic. Any Riland AC/DC with plasma you see isn't even a Jasic but most likely a Chiry.
They are not all the same either, most of the boards made by the MANY Chinese factories that are making these machines DO NOT interchange.
Most all of the Chinese machines LOOK alike but that and the accessories is where the similarity ends. All of the different factories in China have their own engineers and these engineers all have egos and have their variations in the electronic circuit designs.
Just a little insight from someone who has a few years of involvement in the subject.

Re: Smiley info
 

So http://www.rilandusa.com/ is not a riland, but a rebadge of a clone, of a chinese riland?

Re: Smiley info
 

If you are spending more than $200 for a chinese TIG you are looking to lose your shirt.

Re: Smiley info
 

From what my sources in China tell me yes. Look here and see if you see any ac/dc tigs with plasma, http://www.riland.com.cn/EN/aboutus.asp you will not becuase Riland of China does not produce it.

Re: Smiley info
 

Please explain why you think that.

Re: Smiley info
 

Well, you buy a welder from a reputable manufacturer and it lasts a lifetime. You buy a chinese welder and it breaks within two years. At which point you can't get in touch with anyone to fix the unit, or copies of circuit diagrams so you can fix it yourself, and when you pull the cover off the unit to try and see what's wrong you find broken circuit board that's been epoxied back together instead of discarded at the factory.

I've been through three of them, I have LSD Mike's, Sky's, and I've sold parts to CSaddict for his which IIRC he ended up throwing away.

Re: Smiley info
 

Sorry to hear that BUT these are from the same seller yes? From the same factory too most likely. Please don't paint all sellers and all Chinese factories with the same brush.We're not all the same!
Oh and I did show CSaddict the fix for his machine so there should have been no need to toss it.

Anyone want any help with their broken machines I can either tell them what to do and provide parts or they can send them to me for a fix up.

Re: Smiley info
 

I wish I'd found you a while back as none of the other sellers cared to offer any information or resolution.

However, given my experience with china gear on cars I will continue to take a dim view of anything coming from that country unless a singular unit stands up and shines. The OBX LSD is a prime example of that, and if you were unaware the quality of those units took a dump 4 months back.

Re: Smiley info
 

I still have the TIG in a pile. If I get some time I will try your fix.

Re: Smiley info
 

If you need the parts let me know.

Re: Smiley info
 

Are there any brands/models you do recommend, as the market stands right now?

Re: Smiley info
 

I don't blame you, there is alot of junk coming from that country. I have gone through a few factories to finnally get one that will work with me to improve these machines. You guys have any suggestions on improvements or added features for these tig/plasma/stick combos please let me know.

Re: Smiley info
 

Well mine of coruse but I wont say anymore until I re-up my vendor membership.

Re: Smiley info
 

The lower end Chiry/Smiley units need to have adequate ground protection. If the unit is mis-wired, or the neutral return of the facility the unit is plugged into is at all compromised, those units take a dump. Anything beyond that I have zero experience with, but if they fixed that problem I'd steer a lot more eager kids low on funds in that direction.

Re: Smiley info
 

I bought directly from Chiry(which you could clearly see it said "Mitec" on it at one point) and got a "lemon" and they were absolutely worthless with helping me on any level. I was looking to start selling them on egay and had some money to buy units. I asked for a unit as a sample to test. They sold me one. Foot control never worked despite the foot control itself working as it was supposed to. I asked for a wiring diagram or something to resolve the issue as there was something like 500 possible wiring combinations. They couldn't be bothered to send me any information. Then they asked me when I was going to place my order. I told them, help me fix my welder and I will. They told me to send it out to a service place in Cali or Michigan. Called the places and they blew me off as well. In the end, go with Miller, Lincoln, or Thermal Arc.

Re: Smiley info
 

Yes I remember you, I was the one that actually got Jimmy Su to respond to you. Yes Jimmy Su is a joke as far as support goes and infact Chiry's machines were a joke, quality would vary so much from shipment to shipment. He did you a favor by sending you that junk machine cause if you had ordered from him you'd have been screwed even harder later on!

Re: Smiley info
 

Okay.
http://www.riland.com.cn/EN/cp/main/products.asp
I will say that I spent hours on the phone with storts along time ago talking shop & troubleshooting a welder he didn't sell me. At the time, he said they were.
http://www.rilandusa.com/?p=Distributors

Maybe they hire out to other factories, I don't know. Wouldn't surprize me, its 2008 and everyone does it.