Rob, you are right about the ESAB equipment. Personally I like Lincoln products but I think that the ESAB is the cadillac and if given the choice and budget it would be the way that I would go too. Unfortunately, Lincoln is the most popular and available almost everywhere whereas the ESAB being a more industrial machine is limited to industrial suppliers only. Not everyone has good access to a supplier nearby. Not really a problem for those of us with a well equipped and stocked shop but potentially a problem for some.
I recently took a TIG course at the local college and all their machines were ESAB. Real nice.
I've always bought the best that money or budget would allow when it comes to any tool purchase. You get what you pay for rings true most of the time. It's nice to have options down the road for those so inclined to get a little more adventurous.
Nothing like burning a few dozen Ni rods on some armour plate...
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