buyin a welder

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I am looking at buyin a tig welder and i was wondering what your guys appinions were on one. I don't know if it would be better to buy a new or used one. The new one will cost more, but i know it will work good, where as a used one will be cheap, but may not work good. I am lookin at either lincoln or miller. thanks for any input and sorry for the long post.
Reply:I know I've posted on this before but since I can't find my post I'll assume you won't either.I just bought a new Miller syncrowave 200 for tig. I got it because its AC/DC and will do alum as well as steel. (you need AC for alum)UsedI looked at used. I have bought a number of used items from a shop near me that does hydros and repairs machines. All the machines that they had were large 300+amp transformers. The shop would give a waranty on all their work so I trust that their machines would work at least in the basics. A used machine off ebay or craigs list is a crapshoot unless you can try it out. Since you are asking the question, I'll assume that you wont be able to evaluate a good machine anyway. See if someone you know that knows what they are doing can look at it with you. See if you can take it to a shop and have it looked at and if there are problems get your money back (I won't buy a used truck unless my mechanic oks it). Most of the large machines I looked at would have cost me $1500+ used. about what I knew a new machine would start at.New machinesI looked at the Hobart/miller econotig setups. Nice machine for the money but I knew I would out grow it quick. The Syncrwave 200 I got was $400 more and I feel a better machine for my future use. I looked at inverters like the Dynasty 200 by miller but couldn't justify the price at this time. These are all ac/dc machines as I knew I wanted it for alum. There is a thread running on the differences in the syncro and dynasty. That will give you some more info on both and more of why I got mine.  http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=20519Good luck Feel free to pm me if you want on this.
Reply:I haven't seen any used miller or lincoln tig machines that were cheap. Seems they are in demand right now, lol. You might try some of the repair shops and welding supplies as they get them due to unpaid repair bills or in trade on new units. Most will guarantee them to be in proper working order, and some will even warranty them.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:i am talking about like buyin from a person on this site or from another location, compared to buying new. thanks
Reply:There are several tigs listed on the for sale section. Check with some of those guys and see if they are still available. I counted at least 3 on the 1st page.Jim Marshall in one thread also posted that he was looking to get rid of his miller maxstar tig, it's a dc machine and he wants an ac/dc for alum.On millers web site I saw a post for a maxstar 150 for sale http://www.millerwelds.com/resources...read.php?t=745I know nothing about any of these machines only passing on what I saw.Jolly rodge and I were both talking about used machines from repair places. Personally I'd feel more comfortable with one from a repair shop rather than a person I don't know. With a shop if you have a problem with a machine you have some leverage to get a problem resolved, even if its just the BBB. You can also use your CC most times, and that will help to protect you. Private sales, once you walk out the door its your problem if it don't work right.
Reply:Mark123,     Just buy new.  If you keep track of welders on ebay you'll find that any name brand welder will sell for nearly as much as new and if not more.  Seems to take away any possible savings, since if you buy new, you would also get a warranty with it.  Anyoneon this board selling a newer used name brand welder is going to want the most they can get for it because they are probably trying to upgrade and need the money for their next purchase.  There are deals to be had, but you have to be at the right place at the right time with money in hand.  Thermal Arc does now offer 5 year warranty on the welders now.
Reply:Hello, i am looking at some new welders and i was wondering if any one has used them? They are The Precision TIG 225 by lincoln, the Tigmate by hobart. they both come with the foot pedal. thanks
Reply:i looked and the hobart can be used as a stick which i don't need do to the fact that i love my smith's