How to get the Most out of your EQUIPMENT

Earlbeck might be in the business of selling and repairing welding machines, but when you buy a machine from us, we want it to last and help you produce work that you can be proud of. Here are a few things we’ve learned in our century plus of business for getting the most out of your hard earned money with no loss of equipment or valuable time!

First and foremost, warranty policies are important. Welding machines can cost you- they are a large investment for your business. Customers should always consider warranty coverage and service availability, prior to making their purchase.

It’s important to understand the benefits and limitations associated with each brand's warranty. For instance, Miller's "True Blue Warranty" will tell you how long of a warranty they offer for parts AND labor on both machines and accessories. However, they make it clear that their warranty does not include consumables or equipment that have been modified by any party other than Miller. Defects caused by accident or improper use and any repairs made by an unauthorized repair outfit are also out of warranty conditions. Additionally, they won’t cover improperly installed/operated/misused equipment which has not had necessary maintenance. Not all warranties are the same so be sure to review the policy for the specific machine you’re looking at and stay within the manufacturer's recommendation in order to keep your warranty valid.

While you can buy a welding machine online, something to consider is what happens when you need the machine serviced? You will have to ship the machine a great distance, likely at your own expense, to have an authorized repair center technician review your issue and create a case for the manufacturer. Manufacturers honor their warranty nation-wide but not every repair center advocates for every machine in the same way. When you buy a welding machine from Earlbeck, what you’re also purchasing is an advocate for yourself. We have spent years developing partnerships with manufacturers that mirror the relationships that we have with our customers- they know who we are and know that we recommend the right equipment to our customers. When a customer buys a welding machine from us, they benefit from our direct relationships with manufacturers.

Another valuable piece of advice is to be sure that you register your equipment with the manufacturer whenever that is available! You can benefit from potential rebates, but even when there are none available, it saves valuable time when our service team is advocating on your behalf.

The manual that comes with your machine isn’t just included for extra packing, it’s incredibly important. Manuals will teach you the ins and outs of your machine before you even unpack. It will also, crucially, walk you through properly setting up and maintaining your machine. Need common troubleshooting solutions for your specific machine? That manual is where to look! Many machines are sent in for repair due to set-up issues which can easily be avoided through familiarizing yourself with the manufacturer's recommendations.

These mistakes can be costly but more importantly they can be dangerous. A common issue is input power mismatch. If your machine is set for a certain input power, it needs to be plugged into something with that same input power- too low and it simply won’t work, but too high it can cause a loud pop, smoke, and possibly fire- indicating the kind of damage that warranty does not cover: faulty set-up. 

Another common mistake is consumable mismatch. It’s important to make sure you are using the correct consumables with your machine. A simple example, a welder or generator with AC welding capability and AC generator capability will not work with a DC+ electrode.
Many costly repairs can be avoided if you take the time to set-up your machine following the manufacturer instructions. Plenty of issues can be solved on your own by simply reviewing the troubleshooting guides that are available. This simple thing can save you hours of downtime and lost productivity! Manuals are always provided upon purchase but if you misplace yours they are typically easy to find on manufacturer websites.  (Lincoln Electric,  Miller, Fronius)

Nameplate stickers or tags on your equipment are there to help you identify your machine to the manufacturer or distributor so that we can help you get the right information, as quickly as possible. They are very valuable when our service team is advocating on your behalf, leaving them on will help you in the end. 

You've done everything right but your machine still doesn't work, now what?

If you're having issue that you just can't solve, reach out to our competent repair team. They'll get you up and running in no time! Just fill out the form to be contacted.